Are you committing this mistake on your real estate website? Part 2 of 2

by Peter Kolat on May 26, 2009

  

537104_helpLast week, I wrote the first part of the two part series called Are you committing this mistake on your real estate website? Part 1 of 2.  If you haven’t seen the first post, I suggest you head over there after you finish reading this one.  Today I am going reveal the second mistake I see a lot of real estate websites make on the internet.

So what is the real estate website mistake #2 you ask?

Mistake #2 refers to the subject of list building.  There are 2 parts to this problem.  The first problem I see a lot of real estate websites make when it comes to list building is that they DO NOT build the list in the first place.

I think that a lot of real estate investors still think that real estate business is a one deal business.  You find the property, strike a deal, close on it and  move on to another deal.  Believe me, these type of investors are leaving a lot of money on the table.

Let me just say this:  If for some reason something happened where I lost everything including all of my websites, social media profiles, thousands of Facebook friends and Twitter followers and all I was left with was my list, I would be able to rebuild my business.  On the internet, your list is your business.  Imagine this for one second, you have a list of a few hundred rehab investors in your area; how fast do you think you will be able to flip your next property?

The second portion of this problem is the fact that a lot of real estate websites ask for too much information.  For instance, I have seen websites where the owner asks the visitor for name, address, payment info, mortgage info, debt, how many payments left, etc.

Now, when was the last time you arrived at a website you found on Google and gave the site owner your personal information?  Today, people are more skeptical about internet security than ever.  Viruses appear on the internet every day, credit card numbers get stolen, identities get stolen and email boxes get spammed.  People are very hesitant to give up their information.  If you don’t think that’s true, next time you are asked for you email address by a real estate marketer, notice how hesitant you are to do so.  They have to give you something really good in return, don’t they?

What is the solutions to this problem?

First, if you are not already doing it, start building your list on your blog or website.  For instance, if you are trying to find motivated sellers, build a list of motivated sellers on your site.  Remember, you’ll need to give them an ethical bribe like a free video, audio or a PDF report that will show them how to solve their problem.  That’s how you’ll get their info.  By the way, when you ask for their info, ask for their name and email address only.

Then, after you get their info, you send them what they requested and start building a relationship with them.  You help them with their problem without ANY expectations.  Don’t sell to them, don’t try to convince them that you are their one and only answer.  Believe me, when you provide them with killer information on how they can solve their problem, they’ll ask you to help them.

They’ll feel like they made the decision themselves.  They weren’t sold and when it comes to signing that deal, they won’t back out because they feel like they got pressured into it.

Why am I building that list? What happens after I close the deal?

The possibilities are endless but that’s for another discussion.  Just remember, your relationship with that buyer, seller or investor doesn’t end there.  Think about it, what happen when someone moves into their new home?  What do they need?  What if you were the person who already took care of that for them and got them a great deal on what they want/need?  You’ll become their new best friend :)   Believe me, many local companies are looking for more business.  You can create a win-win partnerships and everybody wins.

So that’s all for today.  Let me know what you think in the comments below.  Remember, start building your list.

To Your Success,

Peter Kolat

Related posts:

  1. Are you committing this mistake on your real estate website? Part 1 of 2
  2. The biggest mistake in real estate investing
  3. How To Avoid A Big Real Estate Marketing Mistake To Sell Your Next Property
  4. How To Use Your Social Media Profile To Increase The Search Engine Rankings Of Your Real Estate Website
  5. BiggerPockets Exclusive: Sneak Preview of Real Estate Website Realivent
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Joshua Dorkin May 26, 2009 at 10:37 am

Good ideas Peter. The one thing I’d like to add is that anyone building a list needs to familiarize themselves with the CAN-SPAM Act. You don’t want to end up breaking the law and ending up on the blacklists, or worse.

Reply

2 Peter Kolat May 26, 2009 at 11:14 am

I agree Joshua. That’s part of the reason why I always use double opt in on my lists.

Everyone should follow CAN-SPAM act. if you get blacklisted, you have no idea how hard it is to get off that list.

So stay safe and follow the rules. :)

Peter Kolat

Peter Kolat’s last blog post: Today is the day!

Reply

3 mani May 26, 2009 at 11:43 pm

I think You are right.Joshua.

Reply

4 Andrew May 29, 2009 at 5:46 am

This is what needs to be understood as more real estate people including agents move online. With incidents of information leakage or loss in the news, this is something to consider at all times. Good post to refer to for all.

Andrew’s last blog post: Apartments Offer Best Returns

Reply

5 Rich May 29, 2009 at 7:12 am

@Bryan: That’s how a lot of marketers make their money, but
I do agree too many of them just sit and spam your inbox with useless offers. Rarely do I ever see anything that interests me.

Reply

6 Peter Kolat May 29, 2009 at 10:51 am

Thanks for the comment Andrew. I don’t think many real estate professionals realize how important this information is for them and their business.

That’s why I went ahead and wrote this post.

To Your Success Andrew!

Peter Kolat’s last blog post: Why Real Estate & Social Media Are A Perfect Match For Each Other

Reply

7 Blake Perry June 3, 2009 at 9:36 am

Brilliant. Who doesn’t love bribery? :) A teaser now and then in exchange for info is worth it.

Reply

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