In today’s real estate market, we can see more clearly than ever that having the ability to easily tailor your website to fit the needs of your customer is an essential part of having a strong online presence. To that end, I want to bring to light a tool – or more accurately, two tools – which are going to be able to help you achieve this goal.

This service recently came to my attention when one of our customers asked about the ability to have users upload files, photos, and blueprints directly to him through his public website – a service Point2 doesn’t offer natively. Some coworkers and I pooled our collective knowledge, and out of that union we found JotForm, a powerful one-two punch which provides highly customizable forms for your website, as well as the option to upload files directly to your existing Dropbox account. (You DO have a Dropbox account, right? If not, it’s time to make one! We’ll come back to this in a second.)

This is an incredibly powerful tool, and it provides you everything from the ability to add forms and capture data from Facebook, to the ability to take payments through trusted vendors like PayPal, ClickBank, and Google Checkout. The more in-depth you wish your form to be, the more complicated it’s going to be to set up – however, that said, there is a fantastic User Guide which goes over nearly every question I could think of, which you can access through this link.

Now, moving on to the highlight of this little blog post: The ability for a client to upload files directly to your existing Dropbox account. Now, those of you who have Dropbox already and know what it is may skip over this next paragraph. For those of you who are wondering exactly what I’m talking about, Dropbox is another free service which provides you the ability to host files online, which you can then access from any computer with an active internet connection (in fact, for those of you with smart phones, you can get the app). So if you haven’t already set up an account with Dropbox… what are you waiting for?! Did I mention it was free? You can sign up for the service by clicking this link.

Once you’ve got your Dropbox account set up, the next step to getting your customers the ability to upload files through your website, is to sign up for JotForm (or if you’re already signed up, integrate your Dropbox account), by going to www.JotForm.com and following the on-screen prompts. Once this has been completed, you’re nearly set! The last step is to simply find an existing template which uses the Dropbox integration (Templates available here), or create your own from scratch.

Once you have your custom form, or your new upload page, simply copy the code provided in JotForm, and paste that into an “Advanced Content Module” within your Point2 website. The form will immediately show up on the public end of your website.

Now, one last note: as with all free services, both Dropbox and JotForm offer more space and the ability to use more forms with paid subscriptions. For most users, the free service provided will be more than you’ll need – however, if you find yourself hitting your limits, both services provide upgrades at a reasonable price for a great reward.

I really cannot say enough good things about these two tools. The fact that they integrate so well with each other, and with Point2, is really just “icing on the cake”.

Are you an engaging leader or is control more your style? While a strong leader uses both styles, the engagement approach normally generates the best results.

When it comes to leadership styles, the Control Model is the most common. The Control Model places the focus on the leader’s needs as opposed to focusing on participant needs.

The challenge with the control model is that it mirrors the traditional classroom lecture situation. Adults, and especially Gen Y’s, dislike lectures where they they’re expected to listen and defer to an expert’s superior wisdom. The shift from control to engagement is important because it lays the foundation for creating trust.

To illustrate this point, imagine that you are leading a meeting where you must announce a fee or dues increase. You know that there will be serious resistance.  What would you do to best handle the situation?

The person who uses the control model will take the position: “Just live with it. It’s raise the fees or close the doors.” This often creates resentment because most people want to have a say in this type of decision, even if they can’t change the decision.

In contrast, the engagement model allows the leader to surface concerns and alternative solutions.

“We had to make a difficult decision between making major cuts in our services or raising our fees by 10 percent. We are going with the ten percent fee increase. What are some ways that we could trim expenses or increase revenues so that we can avoid future fee increases?”

When participants engage in the process, they own it. Best of all, this approach may surface new ways to improve your organization’s effectiveness while reducing costs as well.

Need more tips on how to lead effective meetings? Visit www.LeadGreatMeetings.com for more ideas on how to improve your leadership skills.

One of the most highly effective and convincing uses of video in real estate can be found in client testimonials. They can be invaluable, influencing prospective clients to pick up the phone or write. Done wrong however, they can not only fail to deliver their intended objective, but in fact harm your image and business over the long term.

Banking on extensive experience in advertising, including the management of a major true testimonial campaign for a multinational brand, here are some dos and don’ts for video testimonials.

• ALWAYS feature real clients. The credibility this lends cannot be stressed enough.
• Ensure viewers understand that the testimonial is of a real client. A full screen caption ahead of the actual testimonial, or a small caption that appears during the recording should do it. Some clients may not wish to use their name on the video, so their initials as well as their city and state would do.
• Shoot the video where your client can be naturally happy about the subject being discussed. Their satisfaction would project in their voice and attitude. Inside or just outside the home you helped them buy are good options. A nice backyard with the client’s kids happily playing, or with a spouse smiling at their side are genuine and convincing. If all options are on the table, pick the one with the least noise interference potential (cars, sirens,  air conditioner, yelling).
• Prepare and use questions during your interview with the client that naturally lead them to discuss specific benefits you would like to promote. For example, “tell me how important negotiating the deal on your terms was to you, and how you feel your agent was able to assist you in that area.”
• Keep the testimonials short. 10 to 15 second bites are effective and not boring. Your viewers do not want a dissertation about you but, rather, they want to garner a sense of confidence in you before they make their decision on which Realtor® to choose.
• Film the footage at a slight angle so the subject is facing you and not looking directly at the camera. A tripod would make this task fairly straightforward. When editing or selecting the clips that will be used online, under no circumstance should you use material where the client flips between you and the camera lens.
• Mix into your final edit some close up shots on the subject’s face, to create an instant connection with your viewers. Add slightly wider shots to bring life to the video and incorporate some of the background such as a part of the home or kids playing on a swing or enjoying a board or video game. The camera’s focus should however remain on your subject at all times.
• Lighting and overall quality are key. If you are not confident with your own videography skills,  invest in someone who does. Film school students may be a great resource and may do your projects for you for free, to build their portfolios.
• Do not use ANY footage that sounds like a sales pitch. Viewers connect with real people sharing their true feelings, and are repelled by sales spiels. Tell your subjects to be themselves and when necessary, ask if you could re-take a scene. A camera play back on location is a good way to decide if a retake of a scene is in order.
• Audio is just as important as video resolution. Use a good quality microphone and test it beforehand.
• Capture important sentences and use them in other online and offline marketing materials such as listing presentations, ads and flyers or postcards.
• Prepare and get a release form signed by your client, allowing you to use the footage and content in your marketing, royalty free.

Written By:

Roger Noujeim
Director, Point2 Communications

‘What is a good domain name?’

For anyone who is just starting, or may be looking to add another domain name to their repertoire, here are some things to keep in mind when deciding on a domain for your Point2 web site:

• Keep it short: You want your domain name to be easy to remember. Many domain registrars will allow you to purchase a domain that is upwards of 60 characters long, but that doesn’t mean bigger is better. (e.g. Smithsellsthebesthomesindenver.com)

• Avoid Acronyms: A common misconception is if the domain name is very short it will be easy to remember, but that is not always the case. You don’t want to use an acronym that is hard to remember, even if it makes for a short domain name. (e.g. rmsres.com)

• Keep Spelling in Mind: If you have an overly difficult or commonly misspelled name you may want to avoid using it in your domain name. (e.g. lisetrofimenkoff.com) It is also important to note that domain names can not be refunded or exchanged under any circumstances – once you purchase it, it’s yours! Be sure to triple-check the spelling before you hit the Purchase button.

• Make it Relevant: It can be useful for Search Engine Optimization to use a domain name that has keywords (e.g. Smithrealestate.com, denverhomes.com) this also helps people remember the domain name, as it is what the website is about.

• Avoid Trademarked Names: Make sure you are not using a Trademark in the domain name. (e.g. REALTOR®)

And lastly, don’t forget to market it! Once you have your domain name chosen and it’s working with your web site make sure to add it to your business cards and email signatures. Make your domain name synonymous with your name, even if they happen to be the same.

Jessica Kettner
Customer Care Representative

One of the many features that make Smart phones indispensable is their ability to check your email wherever you are. We know it is important to be able to check your leads and respond to them as quickly as possible. As a member of the Customer Care team, I speak with many real estate professionals on a daily basis hear firsthand the importance of accessing emails right from your phone. Being able to respond to someone quickly is a surefire to make a great impression.

Setting your Smart phone up to receive your emails can be tricky. Ensure that you aren’t missing anything important by checking with your email provider to obtain the correct settings. If your email is hosted by Point2 you can give our awesome Customer Care Team a call and we can walk you through setting up your email on your phone. 1-866-977-1777.

Jessica Kettner
Customer Care Representative

In the grand scheme of real estate marketing, there are some things that you can skimp on to save money.  Learn organic Search Engine Optimization tactics rather than using an expensive SEO specialist; use email blasts to save on stamp and printing costs spent on Just Listed postcards.  There are some services, however, that are non-negotiable, and your website’s IDX Home Search is one of them.

Lucky for all of you Point2′ers – Point2 now has their own IDX solution, powered by WolfNet, and it is a must have.

You may say to yourself, well, I can just link to one of these real estate portals that allow visitors to search homes for sale, maybe you’ve even figured out how to embed the real estate portal’s widget on your own site.  All of this for free, right?  Wrong … You get what you pay for.

Two Reasons Why You Should Not Use A Free Home Search on Your Website:

• They are riddled with ads.  Most from real estate related vendors or even other real estate agents.  Obviously you don’t want your website visitors to see other agent’s information, but even the vendors are bad.  You don’t want to promote someone you don’t personally know and can vouch for.  You don’t want their ad on your website, and most importantly, you don’t want to expose your buyer to them.
• Once your buyer does search for listings that fit their criteria, with each click on any particular listing, they are brought to a page with the typical listing details, as well as the listing agent’s contact information and even links to “make an appointment” which is a great lead capture – but the lead doesn’t go to you!

Two Reasons Why You Really Do Need A Reputable IDX Service on Your Website:

• The biggest difference between using IDX versus the various free listing searches offered by the big guys (and you know who we’re talking about) is that if you subscribe to an IDX service, you will be allowed to brand the listing search results with your contact information.  These searches become an instant lead capture system for you – sending all of the leads directly to you, making you the new buyer’s agent (hopefully).
• With most IDX services and Point2 IDX from WolfNet in particular, you are able to set up custom “quick” searches.  For example, if you specialize in Condos in Chicago, you could customize as many condo searches as you please.  So, you could have Gold Coast Condos, Wrigleyville Condos, etc.  You could essentially have each borough or area of your city/town with a quick search.  Not only does this help the site visitor, this will give you amazing search engine optimization due to the keywords.  We do not recommend using graphic buttons for these searches as you want the text for the search engines (or you could do both, text and graphic buttons).

Yes, this service is a monthly investment, but it is a wise one.  Looking at the bigger picture, it may, in fact, save you money vs. the free search on your website that is costing you leads.

With every lead that comes to your site that searches your free search on your site, only to find another agent’s contact information, or another agent’s advertisement, you are losing thousands upon thousands of dollars.

If you want to be a valuable resource for your community, offer them a website that gives them what they are looking for.  In exchange for your information, they may just reward you with their contact information, and eventually, their closing.

Have your Real Estate Virtual Assistant set up your customized Point2 IDX searches today.

Information regarding Point2 IDX can be found here.  You may also call Point2 directly at 1-888-277-9779.

Thanks for reading!

The RealSupport Team – Your Partner in Real Estate Marketing and Support

The team at RealSupport, Inc. is one of Point2 Agent’s featured Real Estate Virtual Assistant Alliance Program Members.  Their posts offer expertise in real estate marketing, technology, and more.  RealSupport’s office and team of 9 full-time and 4 part-time staff members is located near Chicago, IL.  Their successful team works virtually for many top real estate agents and brokers nationwide.  Pioneers in the Real Estate Virtual Assistant industry, RealSupport offers listing marketing, branding, website and logo design, lead generation, social networking, technical support, transaction management, blogging, copywriting, and much more.  Just ask!  Visit them online at RealSupportInc.com.