Show Off Your Personality for Online & Offline Marketing

Statistics have shown that the primary reason consumers surf the Internet is to view property listings.  Now that they've found YOUR website, what makes them want to stay? We all know the Internet has changed the real estate industry and revolutionized the way consumers view properties. But the bottom line is that this business will ALWAYS be about personal relationships.  Why would your website visitor want to buy or sell property with you as their representative? Your personality should shine throughout the pages of your website and help your visitors make that important decision that YOU are the REALTOR® they want to do business with.  

Your website should state WHO YOU ARE, WHAT YOU DO, and be CLEAR about how you can SERVE your online visitor the moment they enter your website. Try to be a problem solver. Your online visitors have a problem. They want to find the PERFECT home at the PERFECT price in the PERFECT location. Show them how YOU will be the solution to their problem.

Don't be afraid to show off your PERSONALITY!

Matthew Pellerin from Phoenix Homes in Arizona has a passion for photography.  As Matt takes pictures of things that interest him, he has found a way to put it to work for his business in a unique and personal way. Here’s a note Matthew posted on the Advanced Access Forums:

"I just thought I would share something that worked for me.

I always am taking pictures of the weather and scenery of Phoenix, Arizona and tonight I caught some shots of a fire just on the North side of a town I service, Carefree Arizona.  The local news channel, ABC 15, used the close up shot out of the three I sent them and posted my name under it as usual (I send in many pictures), but this time they actually said (after many requests, on all pictures I send in), "This picture courtesy of Phoenix Homes Dot Com".

I couldn't believe it, free advertising!  This is just one way to get your website "out there" to the general public.  The best way, free, and to many people at once.  Just thought I would share this with everyone.

The photo aired Saturday the 14th. On Sunday morning, a new buyer heard my site on ABC15, checked it out the next day, found a home on my featured listings and called me that day.  The home was already SOLD but she didn't notice that and called anyways.  Now we are looking at all hillside homes up to $400,000.

That in itself is worth having my website URL spoken on TV!"

Matthew's persistence and hard work certainly paid off in this case!  If you view Matthew’s website, you can see that Matt makes his personality shine by displaying pictures that he has taken under his 'Arizona Monsoon' section.  Some photos are credited to other photographers and many our taken from Matt himself. 

Think about your hobbies and about the things you like to do in your spare time.  Perhaps there are other types of special interests can you include on your website.

Special Interest Pages Make YOU More Interesting

Do you golf? Create a page with pictures of you and family or friends golfing in one of your local golf courses with links to Golf websites. Display a few funny Golf jokes and add a form that asks visitors to send you more to add to the collection. This is a GREAT way to get more contacts! (Of course you can substitute ANY sport for golf.) ADD SOME TEXT about your day of golfing, your scores, how well (or badly) you played, how long you have been involved in the sport, and more. Remember, adding the text will help your website to be listed higher in the search engines.

So you're not into sports. Do you Cook? Add a recipe page! Create a form as a way of encouraging your visitors to submit their own favorite recipes! As with the Golf Joke form, this is a good way to obtain contacts!

Here are a few more ideas for custom content pages:

Do you attend a Church, Synagogue or Mosque? A helpful "Places to Worship in our Town" will be a handy resource for residents and visitors alike. Or, give your own church some publicity with its own special page.

Are you involved in any clubs? Create a page that contains a list of the clubs in your area with links to their websites. OR, create a page about the club YOU belong to, with pictures of the members, lists of recent activities, and more.

Do you Ski? Set-up a page with a description of your favorite ski lodges in the area, with photos, directions and special events.

Do you Read? What are your favorite books? Who are your favorite authors? Create a Poetry Page with a form to encourage aspiring poets to submit their work.

If you love to go to movies, set up a Movie review page! The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

Or make a page of all your favorite things...

Favorite Sports Team
Favorite Recipe
Favorite thing to do on a Saturday
Favorite place to vacation
Favorite Museum
Favorite News Channel
Favorite Restaurant
Favorite day of the year
Favorite airline to travel on
Favorite movie
Favorite book
Favorite car
Favorite movie star

Make Your Visitors WANT to MEET YOU!

Some of these ideas may sound a bit corny but these are the things that make you UNIQUE, and it helps your visitors relate to you as a person. Your website is the place to present yourself in the best light. If your visitors see you as an "interesting person" as opposed to just a face on the Internet, they will be more likely to choose YOU as their real estate representative - someone they would enjoy meeting and working with.

Why do people search the Internet for homes?

1. It is easy and quick
2. Consumers will search for the perfect home, even if they are not ready
3. They can find an agent they believe they will like without even talking to them first. That's why it's important to present yourself to them as a personal (but professional) agent.

If your visitors can get to know you as a PERSON through your website they will be more likely to contact you. Your ‘about page’ is not enough for someone to make this decision. YOU are the product that you are selling; not just properties.  Therefore, YOU should be presented throughout the site. Remember, people like to see things that are attractive. 

USE PHOTOS! People love to view beautiful pictures of properties. Use them sparingly, though, as they will make your page load more slowly. 

ONE LAST THING... when adding content to your website, be SURE your contact information is very clear and easy to find. Make it seem very warm and inviting (and EASY!) for people to contact you for additional information. 

If you have more specific questions regarding adding new pages and content, please visit our Advanced Access Forums, located in your Virtual Office. Some of the conversations relate to new items you can add to your website and other Realtors® around the country have some incredible ideas!