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Tech with Ty.
Welcome to February:
🖥️[T]echnology: AI Chatbots
📝[E]ducation: Ohio Statewide Contract
👩🏫[C]oaching: It’s Ok to Be Sick (Sometimes)
✅[H]ow To: Build Your Brand
[T]echnology
After one of my last emails regarding ChatGPT, I had an agent ask me about adding a chatbot to their website. While ChatGPT version 4 will have this capability, it’s not quite there yet.😔
Here are a few to consider in the meantime.⬇️⬇️
Structurely is by far the most advanced chatbot I’ve seen. It’s also one of the most expensive.💰In that past I used a lead gen service called YLOPO that has an AI assistant named Raiya which is a customized version of Structurely. Overall, Raiya did a decent job of asking qualifying questions which, more than anything, allowed me or a team member to jump in and take over the conversation. In some cases, it did ask questions that were completely irrelevant, but overall did what it was supposed to. 🤷
We currently use Chime and its AI chatbot. It’s a little more formal than Raiya, and I still don’t trust it to fully convert a lead, but if you’re on an appointment or in bed, 🛏️ it definitely does do better than you not responding or reaching out.
If you’re not ready to jump into AI (you will be), you’ll at least want to add a FB messenger chat bubble to your website. This will allow you to communicate in real-time with visitors that might have questions with messages delivered directly to your messenger app. Luckily you have the flexibility to set quiet hours! 🤫🤫
[E]ducation:
Did you see the long-awaited “Ohio Realtors Statewide Purchase Contract”?
All. 14 pages. 😲😲
If you haven’t, chances are you will soon. I can only assume companies that are statewide will begin using it to streamline their internal processes and make it easier for brokers and managers regardless of geographic location to advise on a singular contract.👍 This trickles down to the agent level, especially in crossover areas where agents may belong to two or more boards.
The concept is sound, and I believe the benefits will outweigh the cons. Many smaller boards will also save a lot of time and money by adopting the new contract. ⏱️ 💰 However, major undertakings like this aren’t without hiccups. Many local boards haven’t issued any guidance on how brokers or agents should handle the new contract. You’ll certainly see more and more of these in the upcoming months, but I’m hopeful the local boards will begin offering training and guidance on the nuances between contracts.🤞🤞
In the meantime, stay tuned…some of our attorney friends are working on an online review of the new contract.
If you’re in need of CE, PrimeLending is hosting a FREE 2-hour CE on Appraisal Myths and Facts in Springboro, OH this Thursday at 10 AM. ⬇️⬇️
[C]oaching:
It’s ok to have a sick day…🤒🤒
...If you have systems in place.
Agents are notorious for scrambling for last-minute signatures or to appointments, so much so that the moniker “Realtor Time” has stuck and become synonymous with running late. ⏰
Part of it is that agents are juggling 57 different tasks at any given time. You’re handling showings, offers, negotiations, inspections, marketing, social media, compliance, CE, and trying to get to your kids' sporting event or choir conference…I get it…I’ve been there. So what happens when you’re sick? You either turn off your phone and miss business, drop the ball, and piss off clients, or you miserably power through it. 😢
My kids have tried bringing me home every form of the plague known this school year and I’ve somehow avoided it until last week when I went down for the count. I fielded a few text messages but didn't take any calls and honestly didn’t miss a beat.
The only way I was able to accomplish this was by systemizing my business.
You need a backup plan.
Who can take phone calls when you can’t?📱 If you’re not on a team, find another agent in your office that you can trust to handle clients in a similar fashion to how you operate. If you can’t find another agent in your office that you can trust, maybe reevaluate your brokerage.
Let your clients know. If you’re proactive and transparent about being sick and out of the office and what clients should do until you’re back in action, they’ll be much more appreciative and receptive than you ignoring their calls. 📵
Automate your communications. I hate that I even have to mention this, but if you’re not using a CRM, do yourself a favor and start TODAY. With a good CRM you can automate your weekly emails, your new lead follow-up, your past client follow-up, your home anniversary emails, your birthday emails, your “What’s Next After You’re Under Contract” emails, your “Preparing for Closing Emails” and so much more.👏👏 This allows you to look like a superhero and never forget to tell a client to bring their ID and transfer utilities prior to closing.
Better yet…Fire Yourself. The last thing that you want to think of when you’re under the weather is working. Consider hiring an assistant to handle your menial tasks, your contract management, and/or your marketing. You’d be amazed at how much more productive you’ll be.👏 But here’s the kicker…you’ll make more money if you take the time you earned back and focus on money-making activities like prospecting.
Take the time to document what you do on a daily basis. Start creating a list and then use a simple screen recorder like LOOM to show exactly how you like things done. This will make your life 10x easier if you ever need a fellow agent to watch your business, or to train an assistant, and all reality help you get more organized and figure out what you can automate and outsource. Maybe it will even allow you to dare I say it…take a vacation? 🏖️
[H]ow To:
Branding is meant to display your values, mission, and vision across to your clients. Think about your niche. Who are typically the type of clients you are bringing in? How do you make sure you stand out against the many other realtors? ✨
Think about your values. What sets you apart from other real estate agents? What do you bring to the table that no one else would?
Develop a unique skill set. What particular skills, experiences and personal touches do you bring to the table? 🔧
Create a strong visual identity. Develop a logo and pick a color scheme and font that will represent you and your brand. Once you pick your visual identity, stick with it consistently across all marketing.✅
Develop a professional website. Your website is the center of all of your marketing. Therefore, your website should be well-designed, easy to navigate, and provide valuable information for your clients. 🖥️
Utilize social media. Establish a social media presence on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Create and share content that is relevant to your clients and target audience. Some examples of content include...
a. Tips for Buying and Selling
b. Best Places to Eat in your Area
c. Steps to Take Before Buying a Home
d. Preparing your Home for an Open House
⬆️⬆️
🛑 Don’t forget to check out the replay of our “Future of AI in Real Estate”
Thanks for reading TECH!
Ty Morton