Are you finding yourself like many others in our profession a little "left out" when it comes to using technology? Do you feel that you will never catch up and be able to make it a vital part of your business? Are you concerned that the cornerstones of your business foundation may not be right for today's real estate world? Not to worry. You just need a little common sense and someone who can work with you on the computer basics. Here's what I mean.
Get Help
The best help is your kids! And if they are not available, ask for names from the local high school. You can pay these young people a minimum amount to show you how to use your computer and it's one-on-one. You don't have to be embarrassed by being in a room full of other people and not knowing where to turn the computer on. And, the good news is that they will show you that you can't push a button and destroy the computer or what you have been working on; there's always a way to undo something. You will feel much better after actually having someone sit with you for a few hours. Since you are reading this on the Internet, you already know more than you realize.
Basics
Have help with setting up your database of clients on the computer. You want to make this an easy process. You can hire these same kids to input all your data and show you how to retrieve it and add to it yourself later on. You should have your clients organized by category-sellers, buyers, prospects, farm, etc. What is your best prospecting tool? If it's FSBO's then add that to the categories. Is it cold calling? Add that. You want to know where your business comes from. And, start collecting those email addresses. There is no other way except to ask for them.
You should be doing your CMA's from your personal computer. Make sure that you have this system set up. Most MLS associations have these available to you.
You should have a flyer program and presentation program in your computer. It makes it so much easier to get your work done. No more waiting for the office computer.
Internet and email need to be established. Use a simple email address that relates to you or your business. One that doesn't have too many characters in it so is easily entered. Some are too long and result in having a letter transposed so that you never receive the email. Also, make sure your Internet Service Provider is one that allows you to receive PDF files, HTML, photos, graphics, and has enough capacity to receive large Word files. Make sure that you can send personalized emails from your system. Coloradosoft has a great program available for this called World Merge.
You need to have a personal web site now that you have all of the above in place. Buyers are turning to the Internet to find properties. These buyers are more qualified, you do not have to show them as many properties, and they spend more. You need to get your fair share of these buyers. There is no other way, but a personal web site. I am sure your company site is good, but by the time you get the inquiry, the buyer may have gone on to another site and touched based with someone else. Registering your site in all the major search engines can be done by the web designer.
Now that you have your basic technology in hand and can use the Internet to do research, use it! You'll find all kinds of interesting sites and you can let your clients know about them by email. They like to know about sites that you find interesting. It also keeps you in touch in a very personal way with it only taking minutes to reach hundreds if you like.
Your cornerstones of business are still viable. You still need to prospect, you still need to keep in touch in a personal way with your prospects and clients. But what will be available to you now is an easy way to keep in touch with more people quicker. You will be able to put virtual tours on your web site of your listings which makes your sellers happy and brings even more qualified buyers.
The real estate industry is changing, but it is not an overwhelming process to catch up. You do not have to become a computer expert, but you do need to have someone who can show you the basics. And, those people are easy to find. Look to youth to give you a new prospective to your business and don't be afraid-you will love this when you use it more!
