This is your Marketing Tip of the Week from Advanced Access! One marketing strategy that can help to increase the number of links on other web sites to your web site is called "reciprocal linking". The best part about this marketing strategy is that, it costs you zero marketing dollars to implement, can be as good of a referral source as your best and most satisfied client who continues to refer you business, and has the potential of bringing in many closed transactions per year without too much additional effort. Requesting a reciprocal link on another's web site is s.o.p. (standard operating procedure) on the Internet. It is very much like any other kind of networking you may do with other business people to get them to refer prospects to you. So, each time that your web site is listed on another there is one more way that a prospect has to find your web site. This will increase the traffic to your web site, which will in turn increase the likelihood of closing transactions from Internet leads. "Who do I approach though?", you ask. Simple. Approach all of the people that you currently work with (Lenders, Appraisers, Title Companies, Local Hardware stores, or ANY other business that has a web site) and ask them if they would add a link from their web site to yours, and that you'll do the same for them. Scratch each others backs. Simple. You can also approach other agents who have web sites and do the same. The best way to do this is geographically, and then approaching those agents that operate outside of your marketing area (i.e. You work in the city, and they work in the suburbs). You could even approach agents from out of state. Are you a member of any real estate organization? CRS? ABR? SRES? Maybe you've referred prospects to an agent in another state that works for the same franchise as you. E-mail these people, tell them what a great web site they have, and ask them if they would like to participate in a reciprocal link. Again, simple. Spend a little time each week setting up your reciprocal link network and watch you Internet business grow. Also, as we've said before, minimal web site promotional efforts must include telling people where to find you on the Internet by putting your web site address on your business cards, newspaper ads, listing magazine ads, letterhead, etc. Anywhere you are spending marketing dollars, put your web site address. You may also want to share ideas with your reciprocal link network and see how they are promoting their Internet presence. In regards to last week's Marketing Tip, experienced Realtors® are using the information to their advantage! "Thank you! Your summary was complete and enthusiastic, so I have ordered the book {Internet Marketing in Real Estate}. I appreciate the extra time and energy you went through to give us that information." Jenny Paschall "I just finished reading your review of the subject book {Internet Marketing in Real Estate} - it is now on order!" Jim Cullen & Kristi Davis Advanced Access |
