There is no question that some of the top real estate investors are where they are because of their inherent ability to capture leads. Seeing as how real estate investing is a numbers game, it is conceivable to assume that the more leads you have, the more potential deals you can close. However, capturing said leads is easier said than done. Relatively new investors may not even know where to begin. Or maybe you’ve been in the industry for a while, but can’t seem to break into a bigger market. Whether or not you are a seasoned investor, leads are the life-blood of your business. That said; you want to build a real estate business that enlists numerous strategies to capture leads. One is not nearly enough. It is absolutely critical to the success of your real estate business that you have multiple ways of capturing leads. Here are three surprising tools you can take advantage of to find new leads in 2015:
1. Craigslist Ads:
While Craigslist is probably not as unconventional as you may have imagined, it is such a critical component to any lead generation strategy that it warrants your attention. The main reason investors should be using Craigslist: the amount of users in individual marketplaces is seemingly endless. There is simply too big of a pool of leads to ignore its potential. Perhaps even more importantly, people on Craigslist are so easy to come into contact with. All you have to do is post one ad to gain their attention. Of particular importance, however, is the headline you use.
Despite what you may have heard before, the headline of a Craigslist ad means everything. It is the first thing potential leads will see, and you don’t want to do anything to deter them. Having said that; try to avoid using headlines that are jam-packed full of informational data. The object is to attract as many people as you can. You want to make your headline appeal to the broadest audience possible. In stuffing your headline with information about the property, you are essentially eliminating potential leads before they open the post. Think about it: if you promote a three bedroom home, anyone looking for a four bedroom home won’t even click on the link. If your headline doesn’t have what they want, they will move on. Instead; use a headline that evokes an emotional response. Headlines of this nature preform much batter than those with facts about the property. Therefore, let the people know how “exquisite the views are, or how “beautiful” the interior is. At the very least, they will be intrigued. All you want to do is to get them to click on your link.
It should also go without saying, but the content of the ad is equally important. While the headline should draw the audience in, the content should keep them there. With that in mind, be sure to use as many high-quality photos as you can. This will help you stand out from the terribly formatted postings that litter Craigslist. The quality of your content will also instill more trust in your post, as a lot of web traffic is becoming more weary of potential scandals. You want to establish credibility, and quality content is the best way to do that.
Once you have captured their attention, you will need a means of acquiring information. The ad is essentially useless if there is no exchanging of contact information. You will want to incorporate a call to action that requires your audience to text or email you for more information.It may be a good idea to omit the price of the property, as it will illicit a response. More often than not, that response will contain a question. In contacting you, you now have access to the information that makes them a viable lead.
Finally, it is a good idea to create a schedule. Craigslist is such a powerful tool for investors. They need to be using it all the time. However, posting numerous ads can get a little confusing. Make sure you create a schedule to keep track of when and what you should post. You will be thankful you did once you have enough ads up.
2. LinkedIn Publishing:
LinkedIn, like almost every other social media platform, has evolved to keep up with trends. In a recent update, LinkedIn made it possible for users to write blog posts on their profiles. Perhaps even more importantly, all of the members in your network are alerted every time you post something new. This gives you the power to constantly place yourself in front of everyone in your network. Investors are advised to write short introductions about their listings. A 500 word piece should suffice. However, the power is in the notification. Everyone you made connections with on LinkedIn will be notified about your listing.
LinkedIn has the potential to establish a great number of leads for any real estate company. In fact, LinkedIn marketing should be an essential tool in any successful investors’ arsenal. There is a really good chance that most of your clients will view your profile at one point or another. Make sure your profile is presenting your company in the right light.
You really need to view your LinkedIn account as an extension of your business card. It is something that needs to portray your business in the best possible light. It also needs to serve as a point of contact. Either way, this feature gives you the power to reach out to your community. Those who aren’t using it, or are using it incorrectly, need to catch up.
3. Stealth Websites:
Stealth websites have already found a rather profitable niche in 2015. What makes me say that? Conversions on unbranded websites are typically 10-15 percent higher than on branded websites. A stealth site is simply a site that offers a service or information that a buyer or seller is searching for. If you ask yourself, “why do buyers and sellers go online?” The answer is surprisingly simple: to start the information gathering process. The concept is pretty simple: give valuable information in exchange for contact information. Perhaps even more importantly, it is relatively easy to install a new website quickly. It doesn’t take much to have your page ranking in Google. Moreover, if it is set up well, a stealth website can generate limitless leads without taking up your time.
