In this blog post, we’re excited to share 7 essential steps to effectively use Text Messaging for your real estate business. Were you aware that text messages boast an open rate of over 98 percent? If you’re in real estate and not utilizing text messaging for lead follow-up, you could be doing your business a great disservice. After all, the successful sale of a property often hinges on your ability to promptly follow up on leads, and text messaging is one of the best tools for effective lead follow-up.
7 Quick Steps to Achieve Real Estate Text Messaging Success
If you’re wondering how to incorporate text messaging into your real estate business, here are 7 quick yet crucial steps for you to follow:
Step 1: Collaborate with the Right Provider
Efficiently automating the process of sending and receiving text messages requires a reliable text messaging service. While using your personal phone might seem feasible, it limits you to sending only a specific number of messages within a given timeframe, making manual management impractical. Opt for solutions like Launch Control, an excellent choice for text message automation. This platform empowers you to send and receive text messages online, schedule texts, create contact lists, and more—all without breaking the bank.
Step 2: Upload and Organize Your Contacts
Once you’ve identified the ideal provider, the next step involves uploading and categorizing your existing contacts into targeted groups. Remember, possessing a person’s phone number doesn’t automatically grant you permission to text them. Always ensure you have explicit consent from contacts before initiating mass text campaigns.
For databases with 100 or fewer contacts, you can simply copy and paste their details into Launch Control. For larger lists, spreadsheet uploads are feasible. With all data entered, you can conveniently segment your contacts, ensuring that each recipient receives messages tailored to their needs—made possible through the platform’s versatile features.
Step 3: Craft the Perfect Message
The cornerstone of your text messaging campaign lies in your message’s content. Thus, dedicating time to perfecting your message is crucial. Write in a conversational tone, as if addressing a friend, minimizing the use of jargon and technical terms. Ensure your message is concise, and meticulously proofread it to eliminate any spelling or grammatical errors that could undermine your professionalism.
Step 4: Establish a Messaging Schedule
After formulating the ideal message for your leads, creating a messaging schedule is paramount. The timing of your text messages should align with the specific context. Strive to contact leads during periods of minimal activity. Achieving this requires a deep understanding of your buyer personas.
If a lead submits an inquiry, responding promptly is crucial. However, if there’s no response, avoid excessive messaging over consecutive days.
Step 5: Share Property Details with Engaged Leads
Prospects that opt-in to your text messaging campaign should receive comprehensive property details, a feat seamlessly facilitated by Launch Control. This platform empowers you to send interested leads, property photos, your contact information, Google Maps links, website links, and even references to real estate platforms like Zillow.
Step 6: Craft Automated Messages for “Cold” Leads
For prospective home buyers who initially show interest but then become unresponsive, automated messages can reignite their interest. While avoiding ‘spamming’ the lead, tactfully timed reminders about your offerings can rekindle their engagement, potentially converting them into ‘warm’ leads or even customers.
Step 7: Monitor and Optimize Your Campaigns
Real estate marketing success hinges on identifying strategies that resonate. Utilize your text messaging platform’s reporting feature to assess campaign performance. Monitor response rates to pinpoint the most effective times of day or week, subsequently refining future campaigns.
Conclusion
Text messaging stands as a potent and dependable method for connecting with customers in the real estate arena. When executed thoughtfully, it outperforms the majority of communication channels. While text messaging isn’t a substitute for face-to-face interactions or smartphone outreach, it can be remarkably effective as part of a comprehensive real estate marketing strategy.
Connect with Launch Control today to integrate text messaging into your real estate operations and witness your business ascend to new heights. If you found value in these insights, consider delving into our expert guide to SMS for real estate investors, where you can discover more tips and statistics to enhance your approach.