May 4, 2012 |
If you’re not familiar with the concept of visual search, its the process of searching from information using a picture. Google Goggles is the most prime example. Google Googles lets you snap a picture of something using your phone’s camera, and then Google searches for more information about whatever you took a picture of. If […]
Read More »February 20, 2012 |
In early January, Jeff Shore and I began an ambitious project to survey nearly 300 new home sales and marketing leaders about what’s hot, what’s not, and what’s really happening in the marketplace. This in-depth survey asked leaders specific questions about topics including negotiating frequency, salesperson turnover, social media use, and online leads. Because of […]
Read More »January 24, 2012 |
Packaged offerings benefit the buyer. Canned offerings benefit the seller. When an offering is packaged, it’s done so with the buyer in mind. The package is a combination of products or services that affords the buyer additional value, often trading a little bit of decision making freedom for simplicity and that increased value. The buyer […]
Read More »January 18, 2012 |
I’ve spent the last 4 months solid working without a break or a breath. We’ve been launching some great new websites for builders, creating new features that no one’s ever seen, and we’re in the middle of a few additional projects that are really going to empower builders of all sizes to take control of […]
Read More »October 20, 2011 |
In case you missed it, I had the opportunity to guest post for Jeff Shore’s newsletter a couple weeks ago. If you’re not already subscribed to Jeff’s weekly newsletter, you should be. Click to read my thoughts on Why People are Ignoring Your Emails. Thanks.
Read More »October 17, 2011 |
Consider the phrase, “social media.” The “media” part refers to the content, the social content – the conversation. Sales is conversation with a purpose. I recently had the pleasure of spending some time with Matthew Shadbolt of The Corcoran Group after coaxing him to Baltimore to speak at SMC SalesCamp. Those of you that know, […]
Read More »September 26, 2011 |
Here are five of my favorite uses of video for Real Estate and new home marketing. They’re not all my favorite for the same reason, and they’re not all fit for every purpose. Some have a unique twist, some are just a better way to do a tour, and the last couple have shock value […]
Read More »August 2, 2011 |
Just like every market is different, every builder is different. This means how best to judge a successful campaign or online initiative will be different for every builder. Despite my best efforts to convince builders to compete against themselves when determining their success, most builders still ask, “So how am I doing compared to other […]
Read More »June 24, 2011 |
Its no secret I’m a big fan of what opportunities the mobile web presents for home builders. What I didn’t quite expect was a recent wake-up call on how closely email marketing is linked to mobile. We recently sent out an email promotion for an apartment management client. The day after the email went out […]
Read More »April 19, 2011 |
QR Codes seem to be all the talk these days, picking up a tremendous amount of steam in the last year especially. The companies that sell this free technology are making claims about how “QR Codes are the future”, “QR Codes are a ‘must-have’”, “QR Codes Saved my Life,” etc. If QR Codes are truly […]
Read More »March 22, 2011 |
Over the years I’ve written down a number of opinions about the mobile Internet and home builders. In 2008, I wrote Homebuilder Mobile Marketing with Google discussing the impact Google’s Android platform would have on mobile usage (now with the greatest market share). In 2009, I wrote about how Foursquare would impact mobile real estate marketing. […]
Read More »January 27, 2011 |
The mobile Internet is still a young frontier for builders. While directories and large brokerages have invested in mobile apps beginning a couple years ago, most builders have just begun to dip their toe in the water. The benefit to a company with an “innovator/early adopter” approach to marketing technology is that, while they pay the occasional […]
Read More »January 24, 2011 |
It’s no secret the impact that Facebook is having on consumer behavior. In fact, in recent months, Facebook has risen into the top 5 referring sources of traffic for some of our clients’ websites. Despite this impact, many builders are still somewhat skeptical of Facebook’s role in the buying process, and I can sort of […]
Read More »January 18, 2011 |
The first goal of any marketing effort is to gain someone’s attention. We can argue about whether or not this means the goal is to interupt someone, but no matter the direction, the goal is always to do something unique enough to get noticed, and then be heard. Let me be clear – stock photography […]
Read More »January 12, 2011 |
I’m not normally one for drama, but I’m not sure the message is really reaching the industry. In the past I’ve written about home builder mobile marketing and how to use Foursquare for real estate. Thankfully, a group called Mobile Future has put together a great “Did You Know?” type video with some sobering stats […]
Read More »January 11, 2011 |
Generally speaking, most builders, salespeople, and real estate brokers I speak with agree that the last thing the Internet needs is another home search directory. Each time a new directory is introduced, it creates a new burden for the builder (focus, monitoring, plus a new SEO competitor). Ask a consumer if the Internet needs another […]
Read More »September 16, 2010 |
The huge number of online marketing options available creates a virtual cosmos of possible entry points. Builders are bombarded with messages about everything they have to start doing “right now!” Get a new website. Invest in search engine optimization. Spend money with Google AdWords. Do lots of follow-up with email marketing. Everyone’s on facebook. You […]
Read More »September 10, 2010 |
“More home shoppers start their search online than ever before.” “Over 90% of buyers use the Internet.” This is not news. This is not new information. The number of home shoppers who start their home search online has been above 80% for years. This is not news. Even early numbers in 2000 showed that 40% […]
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I am regularly amazed at how difficult some companies make it to business with them, or simply get a taste of their product or service. Traditional businesses are terrified a potential customer/client will find a way to take advantage of them; a way to skirt their beloved system and get something for free. They setup […]
Read More »May 9, 2010 |
Testimonials rely on the concept of “social proof”; the idea that we look to others to help determine how we should behave. For this reason, testimonials are a powerful component of advertising. As with most things, overuse and abuse has diminished the effectiveness of the typical testimonial. Something more authentic is the only way to […]
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