About a year ago I started working with an email program called Constant Contact to make sure that all of our prospects were reached at least once a month via email. We also use the system to advertise our listings and to send press releases.
By proactively buliding the email list for prospects in Ohio, we have increased these lists from 5000 to 45000.
To do this is a team effort. Every contact I make is asked to join my mailing list. I encourage my partners to do the same. By making the email list a part of our conversations, we are able to add about 3-4 people a day, most times more. When we go to trade shows we are collecting business cards and adding folks 200-300 at a time. All you need to do is put a bowl on the exhibit table that says "join our mailing list".
Doesn't sound like it works that fast, huh? Have you heard the saying that deals bring deals? Well the more you are out there on email, the more people forward your info to their sphere. Those people join your mailing list and so on and so on.
I am not sure how well this will work for agents dealing in consumer home sales to end users. I can tell you that it works wonderfully if you are working with repeat buyers and sellers such as financial institutions and investors. We have gotten to the point where we have sent the email about a property and had curb offers back on it before getting the listing in MLS. This fact has actually created a sales pitch to join our list. It is so you can "know first". This has also increased the ability for me to take both sides of a deal and make more money when listing property.
How does this play into an auction scenario? Well that is a story for another time.
Do you have questions about distressed assets, receivership or bankruptcy sales, auctions? Email me at rfk@gryphonusa.com and I'll try to answer it in an upcoming post.
Richard F. Kruse is the President of Columbus, Ohio based Gryphon USA, Ltd. (www.gryphonusa.com). The Gryphon Organization includes Gryphon Asset Management providing receivership and consulting services in the distressed marketplace, United Country Gryphon Realty & Auction Group (www.ucohiorealty.com & www.ucohioauctions.com) providing real estate brokerage and auction services throughout Ohio and OnlineAuctionUSA.com (www.onlineauctionusa.com) providing commercial asset liquidations from the Midwest to East Coast.
United Country Gryphon Realty & Auction Career Opportunities Available. Call 614-885-0020 x 17
I've used constantcontact for about a year now. The feature I love most is that I can see who opens my email.
My March newsletter discussed the rising interest costs on HELOCs and a fixed-rate solution. I called people within 30 minutes of opening my e-mail (via constant contact) and merely asked...do you know anyone who wants to convert to a fixed rate ine of credit.
300 people received the e-mail, 120 opened it, I funded 20 HELOCS for over $2 million that month. It saved my month
We swithced from contantcontact to an internal program since the list got so large. it was constant contact, however, that jumpstarted us. Actually, I like their templates a little better, but the new system handles more for less. It is a trade off.
On the calling thing, my wife says that she would be spooked out if she opened an email and then got a call.
What did you say when you called?
Rich
Rich
What internal program are you using?
Thanks.
Pat