Lead Generation Services - Not For Me

I noticed In the last month or so, I have again seen an increase in activity from these companies. Daily I get calls on my cell phone and many e-mails from these services.

To keep it simple I have a policy of not paying any of these companies for leads. I have an open offer to pay a 25% referral fee at closing to anyone licensed to sell real estate. That is how I choose to do business.

Instead of paying companies to jump in line ahead of me and grab leads to sell them back to me, I choose to use the resources to generate my own leads and market my own business instead of theirs.

The ones who are becoming the most obnoxious are the ones who will not take no for an answer.

Here are a few lines I have been given:

1. I have a pre-approved buyer looking to purchase a $750,000 home in Kailua. I am looking for an agent who can help them.
2. I have an exclusive territory available, but it will be gone today.
3. Are you interested in growing your business?
4. These are guaranteed leads.
5. If I can show you how you can double your business, wouldn't a few thousand dollars seem cheap?
6. You will be guaranteed no less than so many leads a month.
7. I see you are a top agent in your market. We are looking for someone like you to service our clients.

I had one salesperson, who just keeps calling back. He is persistent, but will never sell me anything. At least if they are wasting their time with me, they are not ripping off someone else.

I have a few responses I like to use.

• I do not believe you will do what you say.
• I do not buy anything over the phone. Send me more information. (They never do).
• Many times I start with "what are you selling?" If they say nothing (many do), I respond, "I only speak to salespeople" and hang up. (A variation of a Jerry Seinfeld joke)

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As a result of this blog post I received a couple of e-mails a salesman looking to solicit business from me. I will not post his name or contact information. Hie e-mail address makes it obvious which company he is with. Maybe I should post his information, since I tried his company's transaction and contact management software and was quite unhappy with their products and service.

Message #1

I like your handle. Nobody will ever forget where you're from. Back when I worked for IBM, many years ago, my handle was Typwriter Bruce. The reason for my short note today is because you were talking about lead generation on Active Rain when you threw down this challenge! :)

"I do not believe you will do what you say."

It sounds like you've been burned in the past. That's understandable. About 90% of my clients have been burned at least once. I'm an internet marketing consultant. We generate hundreds of leads every month for one of the top Century 21 brokerages in the world. We absolutely do what we say. If you have an open mind about a unique way to build your business, my clients will verify that fact for you. I will give you names and numbers of agents like yourself that you can speak with. I can help you in several ways.

Here's the catch. I would be happy to show you exactly what we do, but only if you promise that you won't talk about us on Active Rain. That's the same agreement I have with several other Active Rain posters. For our clients, we are their secret weapon behind the scenes.

Respectfully, XXXXXXXXX

Message #2

That's very good. I hope to find enough time to take those classes this year. Some of my top producers are also e-PROs. After following their success for several years, I've reached the conclusion that e-PRO training gives you a solid competitive advantage over the majority of other agents who are just not effective on the internet.

Have a great weekend!