For many years Real Estate agents used traditional methods of advertising to promote their business. Post cards, bus benches, cold calling, etc. However times have changed. Agents are dropping out of the market like flies for many reason. The obvious one is that it’s a difficult market out there. People are losing there homes and obtaining financing isn’t what it used to be. But another reason is because the old ways of doing business are obsolete. Cold calling FSBOS and expired listings just doesn’t work anymore. Why? Because people are tired of the car salesman type. They don’t want to be forced or coerced. This is why most consumers flock to the Internet for most of there Real Estate needs.
Buyers can go online and search through thousands of homes with just a few clicks of a mouse. Because of the Internet, buyers and sellers are smarter and more up to date with current market trends. Because of the popularity of the Internet, Internet marketing is a must if you want to survive in this business. Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, these social networks are designed for you to interact with thousands of people. People that you would have never meet if you just cold called all day. But just starting a Facebook account and letting it sit there won’t do the trick. In order for Internet marketing to work. You have to build relationships with people. When your at a party, do you just hand people your business card and say, “Hi, I’m a Realtor”? Of course not. Wouldn’t you rather do business with your friends then complete strangers?
This is the beautiful thing about internet marketing. Your getting people to come to you rather then the other way around. As far as your website, it doesn’t have to be perfect. But it needs to be user friendly and full of content that buyers and sellers want. As a whole, if you want to make it in this market, internet marketing is a must. If you ignore this fact, you it at your own peril.
Paper mediums are definitively becoming less and less used. A local real estate magazine is now about 10% of the size it was a year ago. Theres just so many more options available when using online marketing mediums
Superior article with all true facts. For iternet marketing I use Eric Blackwell for seo coaching puposes; Eric is truly on top the game and is a master at his work. To be found on the internet is to stay in business, Eric Blackwell can help you get to the promised land. Facebook and twitter alike I have found is the best way to communicate with the sphere of influence.
Yeah this was a great article. This is why i am trying to build the biggest empire of internet site know to man. I read somewhere a few months ago that said if you are not on the net by 2010 you will be out of business. I am ready are you?