We've all been there. Tempted by that perfect piece of content, we gladly offer up our email addresses, only to regret it later. With each generic, templated email we receive, we're one step closer to hitting the unsubscribe button. Well, guess what. If you can sniff out a mass email from a mile away - so can your leads. Because the one thing we seem to keep forgetting is that no two subscribers are ever the same, and over-relying on the same played-out drip sequence won't help you win their loyalty. But what if you could close more deals with less effort by simply using your tech tools more intentionally? If you're looking for ways to use automation to connect with your leads on a deeper, more human level - keep reading. We've got some proven tips to help you use tech for good. Real estate drip campaigns are not a cure-allBefore we dive deeper into how to fix your drip campaigns, let's talk a little more about why they're broken in the first place. Because the irony is, we all know we need to nurture our leads. We've heard it a million times. We've read all about the business owners who make 50% more sales at 33% less cost because of their awesomely warmed-up databases. And the 18X more revenue targeted emails can bring. But these results often feel like they're meant for someone else, someone who has more time, more resources, or both. So what most of us end up doing is set up an automated drip sequence, and walk away. We feel good about having ticked another box off the “should-do” marketing list, but deep down, we wonder how effective it'll actually be. Because the truth is, in today's always-on age of chatbots and social media, having a drip campaign for the sake of simply “staying in front of” your prospects no longer makes sense. Buyers are more empowered than ever before. And though the volume of homes hasn't changed all that much (we're looking at the first major market shift in a decade), the ways in which we sell those homes have changed dramatically. It's time come out and say it: All this technology is making agents lazy.To be fair, maybe “overwhelmed” is a better word. But whichever way you cut it, not calling leads, ignoring emails and sending the same generic auto-responder to all prospects just proves most agents don't really understand their leads - and worse, they're not concerned with making themselves truly valuable to their prospects. Still, the numbers don't lie. 80% of marketing automation users have seen an increase in leads, and 77% have seen the number of conversions increase. The question isn't whether or not you should use technology - obviously, this stuff works. The real question is this: How can you use technology to stay one step ahead of the competitors, disruptors and ultra-informed leads who are permanently changing the way homes are bought and sold? Scrap the generic drip sequence and close more dealsFrom VR property viewings to transaction management via the blockchain, most agents are afraid of being replaced by technology. According to Joshua Smith coach, mentor and host of the #1 Most Downloaded Real Estate Agent Podcast, GSD Mode, “There are several things happening in our industry currently. First, we have a market shift that is taking place, but this is nothing new for our industry, just remember: 'There Is No Such Thing as a Bad Market, It Is Always Good for Someone'. As Real Estate Agents, we need to identify who the market is good for and adapt to serve their needs. That's how you thrive in shifts.” As disruptors continue to shake up even the most tried and true industry best practices, experts like Joshua say that what separates the winning agents from the rest is whether or not you can resist the urge to bury your head in the sand. “We need to take massive action on this as the future role of the real estate agent depends on it,” says Joshua. Segment your list based on what really mattersLet's imagine a perfect scenario where prospects walk right into your office with a complete profile including details about their knowledge of your brand, level of interest in buying or selling, what type of house they're into, budget, etc. That'd be amazing, right? But since it's rarely (if ever) the case that you have that much intel, you need to put a real effort into narrowing down your lead segments based on what you do know about them. Then, regroup your sales and marketing efforts to consistently deliver what they want, when they want it. Most CRMs allow you to get extremely specific, narrowing it down to:
In Follow Up Boss, we think a simple approach is best:
No matter which of the hundreds of CRMs you've singled out as the one that'll work for you and your team, it should be flexible enough to adapt to the real-world behaviors of your leads - and your team - so that you're always ready to act anytime a lead takes a big leap forward in their buying journey. Keep your emails succinct and humanThere's something about the 9-Word Email that makes it so effective. Business owners who use it say the engagement with their leads is higher and that leads convert faster. So next time you're sending out an email, why not try it out? You could write something simple like, “Are you still interested in housing in South Carolina?” or “Have you seen our new listings in Wrigleyville, Chicago?” In Follow Up Boss, you can create Smart Lists of segmented leads and send tailored follow up emails your leads will actually reply to. Here's a quick example: Hey [Lead Name], [Agent Name] Let's not forget, one of the main reasons consumers love technology is because it's so simple to get a fast, frictionless reply. Make it easy and they won't be able to resist. Plus, all customers care about the little things. Let's say you've closed a sale - this doesn't mean your work is done. Show your gratitude by using a personalized drip campaign to send a short “Thank you for trusting us” email, then add your new customer into a past client follow up sequence that includes a mix of direct mail, phone and email correspondence. Trust us, it will make a difference. Never forget the power of face-to-face interactionWe obviously believe technology is a force for good. But even we have to admit that it comes with a serious downside. For one, nearly half of the US population is lonely. No matter how many awesome tech tools are at our disposal, nothing can replace human connection. Successful real estate agents know it's important to truly connect with their leads and clients - on the phone, via video and, not least, in person. Want more on how to win with video? See how agents like Taylor Hack, Team Leader of HACK&Co use video to build a personal connection with leads. Leading agents use tools like BombBomb to put a face to their drip campaigns, making it that much easier to stand out above the noise get a face-to-face appointment. In fact, even simply using the word “video” in your subject line can boost open rates by 19% and clickthrough rates by 65%. This stuff is powerful. For times when you can't connect in person, sending a quick, personalized thank you video message is the next best thing. And if you want to get even more personal with your leads, check out how real estate agent Kinny Landrum uses BombBomb to send (belated but still awesome) birthday wishes. Your focus is all you haveWith technology taking over industry after industry, it's natural to feel a bit uneasy. But whatever you do, don't waste your time focusing on the wrong things. Because at the end of the day, your focus is the only thing that matters. It's the one thing you can count on to make sure that every time you pick up the phone, text a reply or hit send on an email, the person on the other side knows you're worth their time. So focus your full attention on the people who are most ready to buy. And do it every day. For everyone else, take a day or two to step out of the chaos and create a truly relevant drip sequence that delivers value at every step of the journey. Keep them short, sweet and use the tools available to you to show them you're a real person with real insights they can rely on. Automation is here to help you with that. But it can't do it all on its own.
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![]() Being a homeowner is the best. You can adorn your walls with millennial pink … or its new updated cousin, Living Coral! Put in a doggie door! And you can plant your favorite flowers! But … you also have to take care of all that stuff. Which means sometimes being a homeowner is the worst - so many responsibilities! While it can seem overwhelming to take care of everything that needs to be done, it does get easier with time. But new - and even veteran - homeowners don't know what they don't know, so consider this your cheat sheet to ensuring that you're up on all the surprising tasks homeowners need to tackle. 1. Update your home appraisalDidn't realize you were supposed to do that every now and then? You're not alone. Remember: the more accurately your home is appraised, the more likely you are to have adequate insurance coverage. Some elements to point out to the appraiser are any remodeling you've done, growth in the neighborhood that might've caused your home to appreciate, and any other factors that might make your home worth more or less. But heads-up, getting your home appraised can cost you some cash up front. Usually it's a few hundred dollars, but it can vary depending on your location, size of your home, and other factors. 2. Change your smoke alarm batteries and your smoke alarmYou probably already knew this, but it's SO important we're going to remind you again. Change them every year. Do it now. What you might not realize though is that smoke alarms themselves don't last forever. You should change them out with fresh ones every decade. 3. Double-check your insurance coverageCircumstances change and it's smart to talk to your insurance company to do an annual check-up (before your policy renews) to make sure your coverages are up to date. Like if you recently got divorced or you've remodeled your house. It's also smart to run some numbers to make sure you're getting the best deal and that you're realizing all the available discounts, from having multiple policies with one insurer to installing a hail-resistant roof. 4. Replace your fire extinguisherDid you know that your fire extinguisher can expire? Manufacturers recommend changing it out every 5 to 15 years. See if yours is still up to the job by checking the pressure gauge to make sure the needle is in the “green.” What to do with the old one? Why not practice using it before you recycle it? Check out our instructions for how to effectively use a fire extinguisher. 5. Refresh your disaster preparedness kitIf you've put together a kit, good on you! (And if you haven't, please get busy). But if you haven't looked at it in a few years, well, you might be disappointed to find out that the canned food or water you stowed has expired. Just drag it out, take a look, and swap out old items for new ones. 6. Clean the refrigerator coils and wash the dishwasherNope, we're not putting you on! There are a bunch of home maintenance tasks that you really should do to keep your appliances working in optimum order. We're talking cleaning out dryer vents, draining hot water heaters, and yes, even cleaning the dishwasher and other appliances that clean your things. The payoff? Harder working appliances and possibly even lower utility bills. Check off these tasks for peace of mind in your home sweet home! Develop Your Landscaping Plan
1/14/2019
It's cold outside, and most of our landscapes are quiet and at rest at this time of year. But like many,, you probably always have landscaping plans in your head. Winter is the perfect time to do some dreaming and planning and put those thoughts on paper. It's also a great time to start making plans with your landscaping company. Well-thought landscaping plans can help achieve successful results and save money. How Can I Put Together a Landscaping Plan?
Create Your Landscape Plan with EplingAt Epling, helping clients plan and achieve their goals for their outdoor space is one of our favorite parts of the job. From beating back the jungle and getting on a routine lawn care schedule to decorative plantings for a perfect entryway to attractive, family-friendly patios and play areas, our team can help you take your landscape from a dream to a reality on the schedule that works best for you. Planning Your Yard for the New Year
1/13/2019
You've probably heard the saying “new year, new you”, but have you thought about the saying “new year, new yard”? The new year is a great time to take on new projects and to better yourself and space around you. Here are some steps for planning your new yard: Gather Some IdeasThe first step to planning your new yard is to get a good idea of what you want for your space. You can do this by looking around for inspiration. Start with your friends and family; has anyone you know done any lawn makeovers recently? Was there anything specific that you liked or wanted to include in your space? You can also go online to look for inspiration. Look at websites, like Pinterest, and galleries of landscaping companies to pick ideas that you want to include in your space. It is a good idea to keep a compilation of your thoughts and photos or links to things that you may want to add. The more organized you are with this part of the process, the better off you will be when it comes to executing your landscaping. Evaluate Your Wants and NeedsThere are certain things that need to be included in your landscape- space for pets and children to play, adequate lighting, safe walkways, etc. There are also things that you want to be included in your space such as pools, water features, and gazebos. Write a list of all of your needs and a list of all of your reasonable wants, and start planning on what you can reasonably fit into your space. It is important to be practical and to understand that not everything will fit into your yard. You will need to prioritize what you think will most benefit you, your yard, and your family. Once you have a concrete list of what you do and do not want to be included, you can start planning. Look into Local LandscapersOnce you have an idea of what you want for your yard and the different aspects that you want to include, it is time to look for a good landscaper. To do this, it is important to ask around for recommendations and to read online reviews. Reviews are a great way to get honest feedback and first-hand experiences about what people were happy and unhappy with in regards to their landscaping experience. Make sure to look for photos of past projects and to seek out workers with good reputations and beautiful work. The better the company you work with, the better overall experience you will have with creating a new yard for the new year. Build a TimelineNow that you have your ideas, your wants, your needs, and a trusted landscaper to work with, it is time to create a realistic timeline. Some landscaping projects are going to take longer than others. For instance, a pool installation will take much more time than adding some new foliage. Plan your timeline accordingly. If you want to enjoy your brand new patio for the summertime, make sure that you are making the plans to build it in the early months of spring. Having a timeline established will ensure that you get the absolute most out of your backyard remodel. Fill Out Our Vision PlannerWhen you know what you want and when you want it, the next step is to fill out our Vision Planner. Your Vision Planner will help us to understand the details of your project and will help us get an idea of the total price of your remodel. The vision planner tool is thorough and effective and will help us to get on the same page as you so that we can begin your landscape transformation. You can fill out the Vision Planner here. The new year is a time of new beginnings, and your yard should be no exception. 2019 is the year to get the landscape of your dreams, and we are here to help make that happen. If you are interested in learning more or have any questions about our services, please do not hesitate to call us at (440) 543-0500. The post Planning Your Yard for the New Year appeared first on Cleveland Landscaping and Snow Removal. Custom Cabinets For Master Bathroom
1/12/2019
When it comes to deciding what kind of cabinets you want to put in your kitchen or bathroom, we always tell our customers that the options are endless! Where To Find Your |
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January 2019
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