When you get a new prospect in your email inbox, how soon do you follow up with them?
An hour later?
Four hours later?
A day or more later?
If you can identify with any of those timeframes - you're too slow!
Did you know that the average internet prospect said that the most important reason they selected their agent was that they were the first to respond?
Replying to your email leads should be no different than if they were standing in your office. Just a quick note to let them know that you got their message and that if they have any questions about the home buying process, that you'd be happy to help, will put their mind at ease while breaking down any inner barriers they may have to the traditional high-pressure sales tactics to make an offer or sign a contract. You should be able to respond to their email within 20 minutes of receiving it. This makes a great first impression with the prospects as well as it shows them that you're "on the ball" and ready to help them when they need it.
Remember, you're not going to convince anyone to buy a home any sooner that they are ready. But if you do convince them that you're prompt and professional in all your responses, you'll be well on your way to being their chosen agent!
If you'd like to learn even more valuable email marketing techniques, I invite you to see what Real Estate Client Referrals can do for your referral generation efforts! You can also call me, Clint, at 1-800-977-7058 if you have any questions at all. I look forward to helping you improve your business!
Lane -- Yeah, depending upon the speed of the email servers you are working with, time can become a major hinderance. But, that is perfect! The faster the better. Recent numbers I have seen show that the majority of the people that do not work with an agent after the initial contact directly relates to the time it took that agent to respond to them. Thanks for the comment!
It is not always possible to answer immediately. If you are out listing or showing property it takes a little longer to get back to respond to them. Unless you are using internet phone sending e-mails to you at the moment they arrive
Great post !
Absolutely, I agree with you Roland. It's not always possible to answer your email when you're out "in the field"
One of the things my company does to help in this matter, is that we send you text messages through your cell phone when a new referral is waiting to hear from you. While I know you can't answer your email right in the middle of a showing, it will at least notify you that there's a new prospect waiting for you.
All the best!