Advanced Access Blog

I have been repeating myself about getting involved in social media networks nearly as much as I have talked about quality content for your real estate websites! Have you been socialized yet?

I thought you could use a little encouragement, and a little help getting started, so I journeyed to the internet and created the official Advanced Access Facebook Group! Anyone is welcome to join our group and also befriend me on Facebook (you’ll see me on the group page).

A group on Facebook is easy to join and use, I promise! Plus I’ll be there providing another way to contact Advanced Access directly. We can discuss the things that are important to you, you can chat with other Advanced Access clients, and anyone else interesting in improving their real estate websites. On the discussion board I have asked for Marketing Tip topic suggestions, feedback, questions, and anything else you want to discuss. Of course, it can be fun too; we can talk about the holidays, the weather, or whatever comes to mind.

The point is this is a useful tool that you can use for your clients, and the best way to show you how it works is for me to do it for all of you! So come on by any time and join us.

I also created a Twitter account for Advanced Access for anyone who is interested. I’ll be posting links and tidbits that may not expand into entire blog posts or Marketing Tips, but that will be valuable to you. Be sure to sign up for Twitter as well, and follow me there.

People are talking about real estate; you need to be a part of the conversation! Remember, we’re here to help you learn new things - take us up on the offer.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we would like to share with you some great closing gift ideas.  Don’t forget to show your clients that you are thankful for their business.

At the close of each transaction, it is common practice to thank your client with a ‘closing gift’.  The key to a great closing gift is not how much money you spend; it is how much thought you put into it.  Your client will be touched (and more likely to contact you in the future and send you referrals) if your gift is on a personal level.

Here are some ways you can be sure you choose to do something for your client that will have greater meaning: 

Pay attention! – From the moment you first speak with someone think ‘lasting impression’ not just ‘first impression’.  Pay attention to the little details about their family.  For example, did they mention they liked a certain sports team?  Try to get them tickets to an upcoming game.  Write these details down so that you can come up with a great gift.

Utilize your resources – There can be a lot of perks to being a Realtor.  Title representatives, mortgage brokers, and others who refer business back and forth often give you thank you gifts.  These can include movie tickets, passes to amusements parks, restaurant gift certificates, etc.  If there are things you may not use, keep them as items to add to future closing gifts.

Have a list of closing gifts that are useful to just about anyone that has just moved into a new home and choose an appropriate one for each client.  For instance, a Home Depot gift card would be great for someone who plans to paint or do some other ‘fixing up’ once they move in.  Include with that gift card a list of reliable contractors you recommend if they are planning on more significant changes; anything that says, “I was actually listening to you.”

We have included a list of other specific gift ideas that have worked for fellow agents:

A different kind of gift ‘basket’ – Your clients probably don’t want leftover pizza and fast food for every meal for the first couple of days after they move, but it is doubtful they will have time to shop.  So go to the grocery store on the day of the move, grab a basket, and get some essentials for them.  Some examples: snack foods (crackers, pretzels, etc), bottled water, toilet paper, paper towels, bread, fruit (grapes and apples are easy), etc.  You can also include a small cooler with ice so that you can include lunch meat, mayo, maybe some sodas, etc. (Remember, their refrigerator may not be up and running right away, so stick with non-perishables or get the cooler).  Remember, you can always shop for groceries online to save you time as well!  Just remember to deliver the items yourself if you are able; it will mean much more that you looked like you went on a grocery trip for them.

Movers Survival Kit – “Everything your clients need for the first 24 to 48 hours in their new homes!”

thewinebag.com – picnic baskets, picnic backpacks, clink free totes for those breakable items; just add the picnic!

Wine Country Gift Baskets – Gourmet food baskets, wine baskets, spa gift baskets, candle gift baskets, and much more.

Gift Certificates – these are appropriate for just about any situation.  There are almost an unlimited amount of possibilities with gift certificates.  Also, many grocery stores now have a gift certificate section (usually by the checkout lanes) where you can find gift certificates to many restaurants, retail stores, etc all in one place to save you time.  We have included a short list gift certificate ideas: 

Gift Certificates.com (where you can purchase gift certificates from thousands of companies)
Pottery Barn
Amazon.com
Target
Wal-Mart

Last week I wrote to you about making sure you have all the important information about your domain name. Today I wanted to quickly go over some basics on making sure your potential clients have all the important information they need about your website address.

On any given day, you can practically look around and discover an unlimited source of advertising avenues waiting for you to take ownership and include your web site address.

Some of you have actively investigated any available avenues in the media that “the other guy” is not taking full advantage of. For example, community bulletins and functions, athletic events, or even local sports team/league sponsorship.

Others of you may be starting from scratch to advertise your website address on your business cards, post cards, flyers, mailers, and any other print materials.

It is important not to neglect the offline marketing of your website. Even the simplest of your business tools can be an advertisement for you. For example, do you have your website address on your voicemail greeting? We have been reminding our clients about this valuable ‘ad’ since our very first Marketing Tip. If a prospective client calls you and wants info right away, you can still give them a resource even if they get your voicemail - your website. An example greeting might go something like this, “Hello, you’ve reached Pro Agent, please leave a message and I will return your call. In the meantime, please visit my website at Pro Agent dot com.”

Don’t forget your local news outlet. Newspaper websites are among the highest ranked by major search engines and most used. Whether you advertise in a print version, online version, or both, of your local media publications you are placing an ad that is likely to be viewed by a large number of people.

Do you use any novelty promotional items such as pens, hats, sweaters, mouse pads, etc? Your website address should be prominently featured on all of these. Don’t forget your real estate professional ‘must haves’ like your name tag and sign riders…those need your URL too.

Add your website address to your car with a back window sticker, license plate frame, or magnetic sign.

I understand that everyone is scaling back on many of these materials right now, but whatever you have out there, you need to use it to get the best return on your investment.

The point is you want the people in your community to come to you for real estate information and to hire you to handle their real estate transaction. You can’t be everywhere at one time, but your website can. Don’t forget to tell people how to get there! Make sure your URL really is everywhere YOU want to be.

Our offices and support center will be closed today and tomorrow due to the fires. If you need assistance please post in our forums at http://www.advancedaccess.com/forums. A member of our team will be checking in periodically to answer your questions.

As a reminder, your websites are on servers which are off-site, running in a fire proof and earthquake proof building. There have been no outages of Advanced Access websites reported at this time.

Thank you for your support.

I am writing to you quickly from my mother-in-law’s home in La Habra. I am under mandatory evacuation from the fires in SoCal. Our offices are also near the fires, however, your websites are on servers in Irvine, in a fire-proof and earthquake proof building. I have not been able to speak with someone in the office yet, but I would imagine our employees are evacuating the building now, or will be soon due to the proximity of the fires. I will be sure and post more info as I get it.