I have really examined this issue because Mona and I do about 85% of our business directly from the Internet. It may be our website, or our blogs, or our e-mail follow up system that comes from our web hits, but it is directly from the box I am presently typing on... and the leads that come in because of it.
I have watched many agents come and go who all commit to working the web and finding a way to make it a center point of their business. I have also watched many experienced agents who have in the past done a considerable amount of business try to use many of the talents that worked for them in the past...and translate it into web business.
Here are my thoughts on why they struggle:
1. Many experienced agents are trying to shortcut the system. They bring in someone to do their follow up or write posts for them...or teach them what to do. The issue that made them successful under the traditional real estate market they have worked in for the past number of years just does not apply here. You can not farm out your talent. If you have been in real estate for say 20 years...you and only you have the knowledge that will be required to make this work!!!! You can not hire some kid for $10 an hour to come in and ghost write your posts...or set up your website...he or she will not know real estate!
2. Many newer agents see the potential of the web. They are in many cases being told by their office manager that the best way to get started in the business is to mail out postcards to the 100 or so people they know best to announce the new job, start holding open houses, start taking phone ups, start looking at FSBO's, start looking at expired's, pick an area to farm, and if you work hard enough you will be successful (sound familiar?) and if you have a considerable amount of sales talent and luck this will be successful.
The struggle comes because you and only you must embrace the technology and put a majority of your efforts into it.
1. Do not take every client that comes available to you...only those that work in the area you wish to concentrate in (this is a very difficult concept to grasp but might be the most important concept of all).
2. As hard as it may be take your time to shop what website and blogs that fit you best and commit to be on them for a specific number of hours per week (at least 10 hours) yourself...no one else...your ideas can only come from you!
3. Advertise your website and or blog on everything you do. If you get a listing make sure your website is prominently displayed on all brochure box material, tour material, etc...
4. Keep on top of all new technology and employ those technologies that best fit your business.
5. Do not take the easy way out...do not allow someone to convince you that they can host your website without much input from you...can write your blog posts for you...can make your website into a money generating machine...only you can do that!!!!!
