More than ever, the internet is central to all we do, and most likely the place people will turn to find more information about you. Our lives are driven by research, and unless you’ve got a full time Marketing Director on your staff, how you appear in online searches can feel like a gamble.
Think about the internet as your comprehensive marketing effort. Every house you list, presented in a professional way and with professional pictures, is another opportunity to win new business. On the other hand, the listing that didn’t necessarily get your A+ effort (cell phone pictures, anybody?) is just as likely to be found online by prospective buyers and sellers.
Whether you’re on the phones every morning to prospective clients, or depend heavily on referrals to attract more business, most everybody will be typing your name into their search bars before they choose you as their realtor. You want to give people plenty of opportunities to discover the times you went the extra mile for your clients and did everything you could to sell their house at the best price. With that in mind, using high quality photographs and raving testimonials are two great places to start.
Whether you think a listing will sell in one day or two months, make sure the photos you post reflect your high standards. How about the aerial view of your luxury listing or that shot of the downtown balcony view at sunset?
Photo by Ben Nelson
it’s also worth putting in the effort to provide as much information through strong testimonials and reviews, so engage your past clients to write a testimonial about you or post an online review. Just a few favorable comments can go a long way, and make a lasting impression on potential clients.
Photo by Matt Swinden
Next time you’re thinking about what effort to put into a listing, remember that people are just as likely to find the one that sold fast (but with a mediocre marketing effort) as they are to find the awesome virtual tour you spent days getting just right. With every listing, make sure you’re stacking the deck in your favor and always putting your best foot forward.