creiZ about Real Estate and Deals

I just saw this on Inman news (PAID SUBSCRIPTION required) by Bernice Ross and thought this was interested for any agents out there. Here's the list (comments in italics):

• Get rich in a niche - in other words specialize in a particular area, type of product, etc.
• Don't rely exclusively on referral strategies - Bernice says that on average on 25% of business comes from referrals. So the rest must come from somewhere...
  
• Respond immediately to consumer inquiries - This is probably one of the key ones here. Think of time when you call a contractor or repair company. How likely are you to choose the ones the call you the first day versus the ones that call you the third or fourth day. (Speaking of which I need to start making some calls... :)
  
• Customize your personal Web site; don't rely on your broker's site - It's nice to be on your broker's site, but you normally don't have full control over your area. You have to jump through hoops, call the IT department, give up your firstborn, etc. just to get your picture updated. Set up your own and if you don't know lick about website management, contact one of those that can do it for you and customize the text. This takes some work to maintain and keep up to date, but it is normally worth or better yet create a blog (see below).
  
• Earn a NAR designation - I have different opinions on this. I think that a designation such as GRI, CRS or even CCIM could be a good differentiator all else being equal, but designations can't tell you (as a consumer) how the person really is/their personality. But if you have some cash and time, it can only help. I don't think it would hurt.
  
• Blogging - Need I even comment on this? The benefits of blogging are that you can have your website, "speak" with your own voice and it is easy to set up and it's free. What more can you ask for?
  
• Podcasting - I'm adding videocasting/YooTubing to this too. Like blogging, you can speak (literally) with your own voice and it's free. But this takes a little more time (unless you're just posting to YouTube/Google Video) and effort, but the key thing is that they get to see and hear the real you presented as you like anywhere in the world. What more can you ask for?

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Tags: realtor, marketing, real estate agent, lead generation, business development, Inman News, Bernice Ross, real estate blog, emarv, podcasting, Marvin Corea, real estate videos