You should be the go to person when it comes to local real estate information.
Have you considered being the go to person for your clients when it comes to navigating the internet waters for useful information?
If you aren't you are missing an opportunity to become even more valuable in your client's eyes.
Think about it. How much time out of your day do you spend learning about new technology and communication tools that allows you to market, streamline and run your business more effectively. How much money do you invest in a coach or consultant to turn you unto even more tools that you weren't aware of. Multiply those hours by 7 days. How about 30 days. How about a calendar year?
That's an awful lot of time and money invested in internet marketing tools and resource education. Don't you think your clients would like to save time and make money too? Wouldn't it be great for your brand to be associated with a way for your clients to save time and money and communicate more effectively?
Go on and shout me a HECK YES. Okay let's talk about the guts of a strategy that makes sense,
1. Provide new sources of savings
Designate a section in your printed and mailed or electronically distributed newsletters that point your newsletter recipients to a local website that provide useful information like tips on gardening, finances, and finding local savings on household goods.
Do you know that many grocery stores publish online flyers and also highlight deals and include coupons on their site.
Have you ever missed a circular and wished you hadn't gotten rid of the recycling so soon?
2. Bring Awareness to Local Services and Resources
Highlight a service that your local library provides online. At my local library you can check in from home, reserve books, check your account to see what you have due and sometimes read local events. Your local library might even have more services.
All it takes is a call to your local library and a chat with a librarian. I find librarians to be some of the most helpful friendly people here on earth- no joke. I am sure they would be happy to help and greatful for the visibility.
Ask the librarin if she would like a button that links from the library's .org homepage to your post. See if you can become the local blogger that posts updates on the library's newest technology related offerings.
3. Solve a problem
Publish a tech post on a communication tool that simplifies your life. Ahhhh, can you just feel the air that just left your clients mouths as they read your post and it clicked with them. Relief is such a wonderful relationship building tool.
Here are 2 Examples,
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GMAIL- Better than outlook because it is web based accessible from anywhere, even a distant relatives from out of town.
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Google Docs- Home buyers can make the process of home buying simpler by listing their findings after each home finding trip and sharing the results with their real estate agent. Here's
a form sample. The key to getting the word out is in #1...back to offline marketing again to your
SOI and farm area in direct marketing on your business cards and newsletters. Through your e-newsletter publications. Spotlight on your home page that links to your blog. When you are talking to people mention it in conversation and watch their ears perk up. Everyone wants to make their lives a little simpler.
You get the picture.
4. "Get People Tuned in, Taped In and Turned On"
(Source: Abraham-Hicks)
People want to know when they visit a town, laptop in hand, where they can find the Wi-Fi and what it will cost them.
My post on Wi-Fi in Lake Geneva got good google juice and still picks up activity and because I can easily update it this post becomes a useful handy printable archive that can be cross-purposed into many of my local Internet marketing efforts as a free resource.
Are you attending Meetups and Tweetups? Tune your
SOI into these meet and greet activities, show them how to use them, and invite them along. Now more than ever people want to talk to each other. These are frustrating times and it helps to get together.
If there aren't any in your area...than think about starting one up yourself.
5. Partner with an "unusual suspect"
Two heads are better than one. Turn to the best overlooked places,
your local computer store or local Internet service. It has been my local experience that neither of these service based businesses in my area are participating in social networks nor are they blogging.
Check on your local tech businesses. Just because they're into IT doesn't mean they're socially connected.
Why not invite them to join you?
In exchange for a little reciprocal website link love and content by way of interview that you can use for blog posts on,
- Virus prevention
- Computer maintenance
- Shopping for a new laptop or home computer
- What not to buy (Insert Mac vs. PC joke here)
You know those funny little useful things that every consumer can use.
Building your community is key to increasing your profitability.
Remember,
- You are Local.
- You are an Internet Marketer
- You are relevant
- You do care.
You are ALREADY spending the money and the time to be less technologically challenged, socially hooked-up and blog worthy. REPURPOSE your efforts in a meaningful direction. The research has already been done.
Enjoy these five ways to grow your community through Internet Education.
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Real Estate Brokers: Building a solid community is the game changer for a Sphere of Influence Business Model. Do you want to learn more about building a community through solid and creative internet and offline marketing efforts? Call #262-203-5231 or email rebecca@realestateskillz.com and ask about the Real Skillz Community Equals Profitablility Seminar.
clients, new prospects and current customers to a Hub. Normally this will be your website and that is why I advise real estate professionals to have a blog integrated into their website. A hub is your main marketplace where people can get additional information, purchase products or services, and keep in touch with you.
4. Keep your Focus. If you have more than one target audience or you are selling more than one service your marketing efforts can become cloudy. Stay steady and keep focused. You may need two hubs for your dual effort. 
