In today's ultra-competitive real estate industry, it is more important than ever to get referrals in order to stay ahead of your competitors. As more and more real estate business is transacted online, being able to take advantage of online referral leads is often what sets you apart from other agents. If you are eager to grow your client base, here are some ways you can do so online, as well as with other traditional methods.
Based on industry statistics, getting referrals from satisfied clients increases dramatically as you gain experience, as do the number of deals that get closed due to the referrals. According to the National Association of Realtors, agents who get more than 50% of their business from referrals can count on closing more than 36% of the deals involving referrals, demonstrating the effectiveness and importance of this aspect of marketing.
If you are a real estate professional who wants to be relevant today, a strong social media presence is needed. From Facebook and Twitter to Instagram and other sites, using social media to your advantage can result in numerous
online referrals. By having a Facebook page dedicated solely to your business, you can showcase various properties for sale, highlight satisfied customer reviews, offer tips to prospective buyers and sellers, and much more. As a result, you will appear dedicated, knowledgeable, and tech-savvy, all of which are traits people look for and expect in today's real estate professionals.
Along with satisfied clients, you can also get a number of
referral leads from online networking sites, such as LinkedIn and ActiveRain. Not only will this help you gain referrals from those nearby, but in other states as well. For example, if you are a real estate agent in Florida, networking with agents in New York City may help put you in touch with clients who will moving from the Big Apple to retire in Florida, and thus will be in need of a new home. Along with these sites, taking advantage of the Zillow Premier Agent feature can help you capture leads 24/7, allowing you to work smarter, rather than harder.
Generally speaking, referrals are considered to be so successful due to an agent's trust, competence, and charisma. If you can present a strong track record of success to clients, along with a personality that is enthusiastic and eager to help them, chances are you will have a new client with whom to do business. Whether online or in person, emphasizing these characteristics on social media, in client reviews, and in face-to-face meetings will ensure you and your real estate business will continue to find success.