Prospecting Checklist
Based on Keith’s 25 years’ experience and statistical facts, the steps below are what I would do if I was in your shoes. Remember, if you take action, you will get a reaction. But you must take action. Blend your daily life experiences with your Real Estate career by picking through the suggestions below. Write them down and take action on your favorites
Remember just one contract can equal $10,000 net to you. So, let’s do it!
Sphere of influence, (which is anyone who even vaguely knows you) is the highest potential at 80% chance. Many steps below refer to that group. Important to know that statistical fact.
MLS: Only Realtors have MLS access for recent Solds etc. On your fliers’ emails and marketing stress that you can provide Real Estate statistics for their neighborhood or best values on the market or you can even put them on a data base to continually watch every new listing that comes up they may want to know about. All you need is their criteria and email.
Direct Mail marketing: Establish a Farm using the Turn over ratio method. Never take an area where another agent has 30% or more of the business.
Direct Email marketing: A simple few words in emails ON A REGULAR BASIS to your sphere about some MLS statistics can make you a value to your sphere. Blend it sometimes with positive real estate news you find on Internet. (Not a long generic paid for newsletter.)
Blast Email marketing: For a group blast email like I do for our 150 agents, I open with National Agents: You open with “Friends of_____ ” ( your first name) I would email short MLS stats or interesting news about Real Estate to your friend. Find the good news info on Realtor.com and Google. Address the email to yourself and bcc it to your group of friends on regular basis. (FREE) Real Estate in a Minute.
Social Media like Facebook can spark a call to you just from some Real Estate related comment, but don’t over- sell yourself. Make comments just part of your Real Estate life. Ex: I was looking at the MLS stats and found a swimming pool house for $300,000. I was amazed. This is passive marketing on Facebook and it’s free.
Live Life: Get out of the house and be around people. Network events, your own parties, parties of others, be a guest at a chamber of commerce network mixer, sports, family referrals, school functions, business exchange networking groups, local businesses exchanging leads with you, host your HOA picnic “compliments of you, the Realtor”. Anywhere your life takes you, blend it by bringing up Real Estate like interest rates, appreciation, tax savings and rentals.
If you have another job: Co-workers and Happy Hours. In casual conversation, just mention your Real Estate business is going great and wait for reaction. If appropriate ask if they know anyone looking to sell or buy Real Estate now or in the near future.
Personal Niche group marketing: What niche groups are you in?
School programs. Social Groups. Sports. Activities. Other groups you are invited to.
Meet up groups. Language, Similar Nationalities groups. Backyard parties. Social media like Facebook. Church bulletins, If you have another job, they have Happy Hours.
Prospecting can be fun. When talking to people move conversation to Real Estate. Ask if they know anyone looking to sell or buy Real Estate now or in the near future? Statistically 1 out of 4 will know someone. Play the game. Tell 4 people you were in a training class and told that 1 out of 4 would know someone and you wanted to see if its true. Then ask the question: Do you know anyone looking to sell or buy Real Estate now or in the near future, please raise your hand.
Enlarge your sphere of influence: Handout 5 business cards every day. (say my Broker said I have to do this.) You would be amazed how many people will stare at it and say they know somebody looking to buy or sell. Ask for name and permission to use their name so when you call them you can say. “Your brother said I should call you” (making it like a warm referral).
Door to door fliers offering free CMA’s. Even better when combined with direct mail campaign to same neighborhood every month.
Direct mail campaign It is crucial to choose a good turn-over ration cluster of homes. Must be consistent over one-year period. Keith can help you figure this out.
Wear National Realty apparel. Passive marketing: Yes, sounds simple, but works. We have already paid the setup fee, so it’s only about $12 to have our logo stitched on anything you bring in. Stitching Station at Dulles Town Center Mall.
National Realty notebook- Carry with you everywhere you go. Passive Marketing
Open Houses: If you don’t have a listing, find one of our agents that will let you do one for them. You get buy side commission if the shopper buys. To find our company listings, check www.brightmls.com Our Broker Code is NATL1
Have a Website: Check out the one found on www.nat22.com
Blogging is like being a newspaper editor. You find interesting information about Real Estate and instead of emailing, use the blog. So create and start a blog of your own for your sphere of influence.
Stay visible on the Internet with Youtube and other websites. When people want to know about you, it becomes your professional resume. When people want to search the professional MLS Realtor site, you its included in your website with your name and number under every listing out there.
Internet marketing Buying leads gets you leads, but sometimes they are not good leads. Google Ad words and Zillow can get your name out there, but they cost. Most people will choose YOU because you have been referred or they know you. It just makes sense. So, work your sphere. Your church, sports, PTA, and your sphere.
Ask for Referrals: Seems simple, but rarely does an agent do this. Remember, they don’t mind if you are asking if they know someone looking, they just don’t want you asking them directly if they want to buy or sell every day. Ask them to help you.
For Sale by owner. Follow Keith’s step by step plan. You have to have an excuse to go to the house to see seller at least 6 times.
- Introduction and ask if they will pay 3% if you bring a buyer. They will say yes. No need for it in writing. Then tour home and complement them.
- Offer your free directional use for their open houses. (which puts your name up all over the community.)
- Drop them off
- Call and ask how Open House went.
- Pick up signs next day.
- After a few days drop in and ask if they would like you to make them a free brochure for visitors with pictures on it?
- A few days later, print out about 30 contract pages in case he gets a buyer. (making the whole sales process look overwhelming.)
- Ask if you can list the property for him and get it Sold.
- Ask if he would like you to market other Realtors for him thru Social media.
- Continue with a wide variety of excuses to keep going back until they say go away or they die.
YouTube: Make a short 30-60 second video of yourself and put it on YouTube. When someone searches your name on the Internet, a video “introduction to you” will pop up. Voice should be uplifting, cheerful and dress colorful, not a suit. This example is friendly but too long. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sGHHLIZ1cM
Expired Listings – Search for expired status listings in your area every morning and give them a call. Your partner Keith of 25 years’ experience and you can definitely sell it their home even at a low listing commission. Get appointment set to discuss details, then see Keith.
Listings: Getting a listing leads to more listings and more buyers. You are selling a house and you are also getting more listings and buyers. You need signs.
Communication: Respond fast to email, phone and texts. Be sure voice mail is not full. Above Email Realtor signature “If you know anyone looking to buy or sell a home now or in the near future, please give me a call. I appreciate referrals.
Dress and act successful: A sharp dresser gives you personal confidence and makes your client look upon you as a professional in the business. Never complain about how bad things are. No one wants to work with a loser. When you wake up in the morning, be excited about getting up. Add positive energy and confidence and success will follow.
That has been your Secret to Success recipe.
Decide to do it, because Not to decide is to decide.