RECR's Blog: April 2008

Yes, you read correctly.  The school board for Whitefish, MT, would like to start random drug testing for all students that participate in ANY after school activity ranging from band and cheerleading to football and the AV club. 

Check out this link for the complete story -- http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/04/20/news/local/news02.tx

Of course, this has sparked a huge amount of outrage in the heavily drug-laiden community.  But, my question is....Why??

I have 2 grown daughters and another one that is 17.  And, I have two sons up and coming.  I, like any father, have asperations of watching them throw the game winning pass or be good enough on the floor to score 50 pts in a game.  Heck, Id be proud to watch them play tuba while cheering on the others from the sidelines if that is what they want to do as long as they do it to thier best.

So, if my 17 yr old or one of my sons were to come home and say that the school was going to start drug testing him at random because he is in the band, my first reaction would not be to freak out on the school board...or those that proposed this activity.  My first action would be to go to my child and say..."Do you have anything to hide?  If I were to test you right now, would you pass?"

I understand how parents can see this and say that this infringes on their rights...or crosses the line into the realm of parent's responsibilities.  Yes, it is an extreme measure and probably a bit invasive.  But, something has to be done.  Someone has to show enough love for these kids to want to steer them into the right path.  If a random drug test is going to force people to toe the line, then so be it.  My dad used to call it tough love.  I call it tough love.  And, in this case, perhaps it is the right thing to do.

Im sure there are hundreds of different opinions on this than mine.  Please comment.

Tired of working with internet leads that don't respond?  Having difficulty working with internet lead generators that deliver 100's of names and phone numbers and all of then turn out to be Mickey Mouse or Jack Sparrow?  Tired of calling phone numbers only to get that oh so familiar "Do Rey Me....Were sorry...."????

That is why this company was created!!  RECR was started by a former RE/MAX agent that has been down this road and knew there had to be a better way of doing things.  And, in our continuing effort to make our agents the most successful agents in the industry, we have made another dramatic leap forward. 

Wouldn't it be nice to have a live prospect checked out to make sure the information given online is real and the prospect is serious before it is sent to you?  Better yet...sent to your phone LIVE??

If only that were true!!  Well.....It is!  Recr.com announces the launch of it's newest feature - HotTransfer.

HotTransfer is a direct transfer of a client looking to buy or sell a home in your specified areas delivered right to your cell phone LIVE!  After we have an opportunity to speak with them and make sure that we are dealing with a serious prospect, we will transfer the phone call to your cell phone directly.  According to NAR, 85% of agents that make the first contact with a referral will get their business.  So, the faster the better, right?  Why not have it be done immediately?  Seems like a better way to get things done.

If you would like more information about HotTransfer or about any of the advantages that www.recr.com can provide, please contact Clint at 800-977-7058.

According to eMarketing + Commerce magazine, the typical conversion rates from search engine marketing run right around 2%.  Although a good way to generate new leads, people may be wondering what they have to do in order to get the other 98% to convert.  Here are some email marketing tips I pulled out of RealEstate magazine (April 2008 issue) that you can use to help increase that lead generation from your email campaigns:

• Be transparent -- Post privacy agreements and terms and conditions in plain view in clean, clear language.
• Make it simple to join -- Dont force visitors to fill out detailed info before they opt into your system...get that information AFTERWARD.  But, allow them to opt in from multiple locations on your website.
• Double Opt-In -- Use a double opt-in feature.  That way, clients can "be sure" they really want in...
• Use incentives for Opt-Ins -- This is a standard practice now-a-days...because it works.  Offer free reports, house information, mortgage information...anything that would potentially attract more people to click on the OPT-IN link.
• Add opt-in links on registration forms, white papers, etc. -- Decently designed forms and pages can improve your conversion rates as much as 50%
• "Show Me The Good Stuff" -- Put up an example of the emails that you send out and describe your email program in detail.
• Immediately welcome new subscribers -- Send a welcome message as soon as someone signs up that describes what they just signed up for, contains an introduction to your program, and a way out in case they get cold feet.  Also, you may want to include an invite that allows them to access a detailed preference page to "hone your search" for them.
• "Send-A-Friend" -- Include a link that allows users to add friends.  That way, you have more contacts to email and more contacts lead to more contracts!
• Personalize your emails -- Dont use generic form emails.  Create newsletters that apply to different people within your contacts.
• Watch for trends -- Keep an eye out for bounces in your list numbers, unsubscribers, inactivity.  That way, you can streamline your efforts to focus on the new people and the ones that are active currently.

If you would like information on how to gain ready-to-act buyers and sellers via www.recr.com, please contact Clint at 800-977-7058.

I have come across this practice more and more and find it quite disturbing...

Just as a refresher...REDLINING is the practice of openly discriminating against a particular area or neighborhood especially when considering the race or ethnicity of an area.  And, if I am not mistaken, it is expressly against the Realtor(r) code of ethics. 

Now, in my industry -- internet based referral procurement, I speak with Realtors(r) all day long.  And I continually run into the same issues that I feel directly fall into that realm.  And I wonder how these people feel justified in saying some of the things that they do...For example:

"No...I dont work that area...Your client wouldnt want to buy a house there.  It's not a good neighborhood, if you know what I mean..."

"I wont go to that part of town without a gun and an escort.  You would need it to keep up with the locals."

"I dont work that area, it's too (insert color or ethnic slur here) for me."  (This last one appalled me so much, I contacted the Board of Realtors(r) for the area and reported that individual.  Shameful.)

I was curious if you had experienced anything like this type of activity and what, if anything, can be done with regard to those that continually redline areas based on race or ethnicity.  Any feedback would be appreciated.

UPDATE ------ I would very much like to thanks Jean for her expaination of the redlining and steering and the basic definitions of the terms.  Much appreciated!  Thanks again, Jean!

If you would like information about www.recr.com, please contact Clint at 800-977-7058.