Strauch Nathan

By the way, I do not spam from the MLS and believe that companies who do, should be taken to the barn and beaten. (I mean this as nice as possible, by the way) With that said, here is something that I noticed today in Northern Colorado's IRES MLS system today while browsing.

Curious to see what listings were available, I was going through all of the listings in the MLS and became very confused. For every 10 listings that I see in the MLS, there is at least 1 that the agent has either a broken link to their own website or no website link or email contact at all next to their photo.

This is astounding because as an Agent, your website and email can be the single most important point of contact that a buyer can make with you. A phone number is important, but most of today's buyers would rather skip a phone conversation so that they can communicate faster through electronic means.

Understandably, the broken link is almost always because the Agent forgot to include the url prefix of "http://" and is just a simple mistake. But for those that do not have a website or an email listed, we can only assume that they don't have email or a website.... "or" ....they don't want to be bothered with spam from Real Estate related Services who scam the web.

First of all, nobody in today's world is going to work with an agent that has no e-mail and most would prefer to see a website that serves to prove their professionalism. So it would have to be the SPAM issue, right...?

The honest to god truth is that, nobody likes SPAM, but unfortunately it is out there. And as professionals, we must accept it. In rare circumstances, I've actually made some great contacts through someone sending me SPAM, but only after I told them to stop.

So to conclude my venting mentorship and to help with your own Household Economy... Please double check all of your contact information for your works, and have a Spam sandwich once in awhile.

Bon Appetite and Happy Marketing!

QR Codes?? Most of us have seen them, but just think that they're just strange designs on shirts, business cards, signs and web pages. They actually contain information that we all can use for a multitude of purposes.

A "QR" code (Quick Response) is a two-dimensional code that can be scanned by your phones camera and direct you to a Website, written message, photo, virtual tours and anything else that you may find on the web.

In Japan, they are everywhere, and while they are just starting to become popular here in the states... They will soon be making a statement in everything that we see. (In a very literal sense) Two of the best free apps that I've seen to read QR codes are called QuickMark for Droid, and QR app for iphone.

For Real Estate and Business Professionals, the uses are endless!

Here are a couple of examples:

Place one inside your logo and direct people to your Website

Use on Signs and Riders and direct people to the Virtual Tour or Listing

Put them on T-Shirts and Clothing, it's a great conversation starter

Promotional Materials - Place on items people will use every day

Other examples might be Billboards, Banners, Flyers, Brochures, or even Vehicle decals... Some retail stores are even using them as a perk for customers who take the time to view them on a storefront to get a discount for goods!

Let's face it most people want information "NOW", and having to type in a web address takes time. This will soon be a staple in American life and the possibilities are endless. Don't let technology just wiz by, and make your business practices outdated in a short period of time... Embrace it as much as you can.

Thanks and Happy Marketing!

My VCard: (By the way..... Why don't you take a Picture, it might last longer!)

When using Social Media of any type, it's important to go for a soft sale to get people interested in your Real Estate Business. People can smell the "You-know-what" from a mile away, so don't get crazy with talking yourself up too much.

One thing that I find as a good rule of thumb is what Grandpa told me years ago... "It's not what you say, it's what you do that makes you a good person." By employing this into Social Media, you are simply showing your results without being pushy, and making your company stand out as the best source of information for what you do.

Many companies or Agents make the mistake of touting themselves with opinionated or cliche loaded statements like "We're on your side", "That's why you should call me" or "Professionalism at it's best". Although these make great tag-lines for an ad or logo, the public sees right through them. After all, most Agents are on your side, most believe they can handle your call, and I hope that they are all Professional.

Here's another cliche... "Lead by example", in other words... tout examples of your success, and let the reader make up their own mind with minimum steering from yourself.

I truly believe that most who read are smarter than we think. (I think...lol)

Thanks and Happy Marketing!