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Get Your Web Leads to Call You
Due to spam, viruses, and worms now crawling around in cyberspace, more and more people are taking very aggressive steps to protect themselves from the creeps who have nothing better to do than attempt to create chaos on the web. In addition to the multiple spam and virus filters provided by most major Internet Service Providers (ISPs), many individuals are now installing personal spam filtering systems as well. The most aggressive of these systems requires the sender to be on the client's pre-approved senders' list. If your name or domain is not on the list, your email will never make it to its destination. Even if the lead doesn't have an aggressive filtering system, if an individual is receiving 50 or 60 pieces of spam per day, there's a good chance the communication you sent will be lost in the mess. Thus, the question is how to get your web visitors to contact you, and second, how to make sure they received your communication.
When it comes to web marketing, there are four simple principles to keep in mind. First, you have less than 10 seconds to capture your web visitor's interest before they will surf to another site. Second, your web visitors want only one of three things: information about buying, comparable sales, and what is currently listed on the MLS. Few visitors will click on any other buttons on your site. Third, you must give the web visitor something they want before they will give you their contact information. Fourth, virtually all web visitors prefer to remain anonymous until they're ready to come forward and say they want to work with an agent.
Because of worms (viruses that implant themselves in people's computers and then email the worm out to everyone in that computer's address book), many web visitors have become very reluctant to give out valid email contact information, even if they may be interested in contacting you. There's a simple solution to this challenge: an 800 call capture system. Since there's currently a fair amount of paranoia in cyberspace about the spam and virus problems, having an 800 call capture number on your site is a second strategy to get your web visitors to call you. When they call your number, you can set up a special box on your system giving your callers instructions on how to receive coupons, discounts of home supplies, etc. Instead of asking for the caller's email address, ask for their mailing address or offer to drop the coupons by in person if they would like. At this point, you now have a solid lead with a valid property address.
Another way to build "connection" with web visitors is by using "audio postcards." For example, I recently received an "audio postcard" with some important tax information for my business. This system was so simple a beginner can use it. While this particular card was sent to my email address, you could also use this technology to provide a "free on-line report" with a link at your website. (Remember, you must give your web visitors something they want before they will contact you.) Or, you could send a card containing "Five money saving tips for Sellers" combined with a personal voice message offering a complimentary CMA or some other service.
With some Internet savvy, you can successfully avoid these common pitfalls.
To contact Bernice Ross please email her at bernice@realestatecoach.com.
