All Forum Posts by: Robert Syfert

@Alex Bejenaru

I think with Podio for many it boils down to scale. When I say we have a full time Podio development team, I did not mean just programmers. I mean we have a full time team that handles marketing, podio, operations, etc. Programming Podio is a one time task, but process and operations is a full time task. Podio has saved us thousands of dollars over time, because it allowed us to scale without having to hire as many people.

A couple of examples. When we first started we used overseas VA's and an answering service, just like many investors. Only to learn how much business we were losing and the poor first impression people were getting of our service. People will say it's a numbers game, but I differ and say it's a conversion game. We replaced that process with fully automated personalized Voicedrops, text messages and emails using Podio. Not only did we cut costs, our conversions almost doubled. You would be amazed at how a personal voicedrop from you makes such a better impression than an overseas VA calling them back.

Another example is with our seller process. We use to do it the traditional way of call leads, going through a questionnaire, gauging motivation, researching comps, sending out someone to inspect, creating purchase agreements, etc. Now 90% of this process is handled all by Podio. With our system Podio pulls in the comps, generates an tentative offer, sends that offer to the lead and then works the lead (automated drip and monitoring processes) until warm. Then on the other side it handles the entire processes of agreement generation, digital signatures, etc. With this process we can manage hundreds of leads without any additional staffing. I realize this process only makes sense if your handling enough properties each month to justify, but for us it is big.

As you said, time is money and that is why to us Podio is the opposite. It keeps us focused and optimized, so we can make more $$. :)

Hi @Alex Bejenaru

It may be that an "out-of-the-box" solution is better in your case, but I just wanted to add that Podio and Globfow and can handle those needs. It really rocks when you add Zapier.

I agree Podio can feel cumbersome as you describe, but that is the trade off with having a blank slate to start with. I can only speak for our business and we have created some amazing things within Podio. We tried many of the other systems before moving to Podio, but we found that other systems were too limiting. That said, unless you have the scale of a business that can justify the cost of really building Podio out to match your needs, it probably makes more sense to look at one of the out of the box options.

In our case we really spent time developing the marketing/relationship features into our Podio. This is something I found very lacking in many Podio setups my friends were using. In our Podio we created a mutli-funnel system feature, that includes multi-touch SMS Text, Voicemail Drops, Personalized Postcards/Greeting Cards and emails. By doing this we not only are capable of managing all those options within Podio, but also pushing to them unique content specific to the funnel they are part of.

I am not saying that Podio is the right option for everyone, I just wanted to add to the discussion that in many cases what frustrations some have for Podio is exactly what makes it the perfect solutions for others.

I should add that it helps that we have a full time Podio development team.

Looking forward to hear what others add to this discussion.

Hello @Quentin Turner

If interested in turnkey properties. We specialize in turnkey investments and property management in the Detroit area, so if you have any questions just let us know. 

Hey @Lucas Hammer

We are a huge fan of the Detroit area. That said, with any investment there are good and poor opportunities block-to-block, house-to-house. It is really important to have a great team in the area. We specialize in turnkey investments and property management, so if you have any questions just let us know.

Hi @Marcell Chaney

Welcome to BP! You will find great people and information in the Bigger Pockets community. We specialize in turnkey investments and property management in the Detroit area, so if you have any questions in that area just let us know.

Hi @Willie Davis

We specialize in turnkey investments and property management in the Detroit area, so if you have any questions just let us know.

Hello @Kurt Hines

Welcome to the Bigger Pockets community! We specialize in turnkey properties in the Detroit area, so if we can ever be of help just let us know.

Hello @Fred Schonfeld

The Detroit market is alive and well! We specialize in turnkey investments and property management, so if you have any questions just let us know.

Hello @Christopher Albritton

Congratulations on the job transfer. We love Detroit. Just like any city it has good and bad areas. A lot of Detroit varies from block to block. 

Hello @Jason Jung

Congratulations on your first property! We specialize in turnkey investments and property management in the Detroit Metro area, so if you have any questions just let us know.