Your top 3 marketing tools you can't work without
Posted in Technology, Tools and Tidbits By Mike Sparr, Monday, April 28, 2008.Alright, we all have our favorite, and most effective technology tools. However, your favorite may not be your most effective, and your most effective might not be your favorite. But they do something for your business and you would definitely miss having them if they were to disappear one day.
We all use our marketing tools differently. To some, that tool you invested your money in ten years ago was complete junk, to another, it maybe be the best thing that ever popped into their marketing portfolio. It may have been expensive, or it may have been free! It may be a product or a service. There are always those marketing tools that your associate is using and they love, but you just can't figure out why.
So, we want to know!! Here's your chance to pitch your favorite products/services.
If you were to rank your top three technology tools, what are they, and why?
Here's an example:
1. Treo - It keeps my calls coming in, tracks my calendar and connects well with my email program, except it goes virtually everywhere with me and it fits perfectly in my pocket. I'd be lost without it!
2. At property info service - It provides my customers with instant property information as well as provides me with their contact information for follow up right away! It satisfies my consumers, and provides me with leads!
3. My blogs - They keep me connected with my potential online customers. And it's great to share ideas with my fellow Realtors to see what has worked for them, and what hasn't.
Your turn. Let's hear it!!
Happy Marketing,
Erika
www.goomzee.com
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Submitted by Jason Farris on April 28, 2008 - 3:13pm.
1. Laptop mounted in my Tahoe! I have a usb air card plugged into it so I am always online. Words can not describe how fantastic it is to be able to access the MLS, Twitter, Email, Maps, etc on a full screen next to me while I drive (while parked or at a stop light of course). I also use Winforms & Docusign from it so I can get offers submitted as soon as they happen.
2. VFlyer - quick easy effective distribution of listings in a multitude of ways
3. Twitter - everyday I am seeing the power of such a quick and easy tool
Submitted by Joel Burslem on April 28, 2008 - 5:16pm.
1. Macbook Pro - Gotta be mobile. Whether in a coffee shop or in my house, it's tethered to my hip.
2. Google Reader - Hitting my feeds keeps me up to date on what's happening.
3. iPhone versions of Facebook and Twitter. I keep in touch with my peeps no matter where I am.
Joel
Future of Real Estate Marketing
Submitted by Lori Turoff on April 28, 2008 - 6:20pm.
That's easy:
1. My Blackberry Curve - for $50 I'm not going to get too upset if I drop it in the kitchen sink;
2. WiFi - especially when I'm on vacation in Europe. It lets me work from anywhere; and
3. google docs - also lets me access all my work from any internet connection anywhere.
Now if only someone would come up with an easy way to synch my blackberry calendar and contacts with google docs life would be wonderful!
Lori
Realtor
Hoboken NJ
http://hobokenrealestatenews.com
Submitted by Real Estate Marketing - Misty Lackie on April 28, 2008 - 6:28pm.
Google Alerts for keeping current with latest news and blog posts on sites and services we love.
ClassifiedFlyerAds.com for search engine ranking, listing syndication and flyers.
Google Analytics for staying on top of our websites traffic and what is performing well and converting.
Submitted by Daniel Rothamel, Inman Community Manager on April 29, 2008 - 7:12am.
Lori,
I have a Blackberry pearl. There is a Blackberry app that automatically syncs your Gcal and your BB calendar. It works fabulously.
Go here: http://www.google.com/mobile/sync/index.html
--The Zebra
Submitted by Nicole Nicolay on April 29, 2008 - 7:30am.
(1) My Blackberry Curve - Keeps me connected while I'm mobile. I'm on Outlook Exchange with my business partner and I'm in sync with all my favorite networks!
(2) Google Reader & Google Alerts - Deliver the latest updates from the Web.
(3) Design & Sharing Software: For creating great marketing pieces I use Fireworks, Photoshop, and Publisher. And I wouldn't be able to push them live and share them with my clients without Dreamweaver!
Submitted by Lori Turoff on April 29, 2008 - 7:44am.
Zebra,
I asked BB help a while ago and they said "no can do". I just downloaded the software. Can't wait to try it.
Thanks a million!
Lori
Submitted by Daniel Rothamel, Inman Community Manager on April 29, 2008 - 7:52am.
Lori,
No problem. I love it.
I guess I was remiss in not answering the original question:
1) My Blackberry Pearl-- I'm a crackberry addict, for sure. It allows me to be able to at least keep track of my emails, even if I don't necessarily need to respond to them right away. It also does a good job of helping me to keep organized, which is help I always need.
2) My Macbook-- I love Mac, and my Macbook is my mobile office. It enables me to do all of the things that I need to in order to keep my business running, no matter where I might be.
3) My social media resources-- Twitter, Blogs, RSS, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. All of these provide excellent resources for learning and networking with other real estate professionals and my clients. Look at the value that we are all getting from Inman's social media features RIGHT NOW. Very cool.
Submitted by G Dewald | Union Street Media on April 29, 2008 - 8:14am.
1) My collection of analytics toys (GA, 4Q, GetClicky, CrazyEgg, etc). Did anyone expect something else to be my number 1? ;) This is how I determine what people want and how much they want it.
2) iPod Touch. I live in the boundary-world where the iPhone is unavailable (until this summer when a fantastic swamp between Verizon and ATT happens). I use the touch for Twitter, email, web browsing (and if the thing supported flash I'd be using it for analytics on the fly). This has pretty much replaced my laptop for anything other than video rendering or other graphic arts work.
3) My best clients, my director of client relations (a former agent) and all of you here. These folks know more about the real estate business than I do. I know a few things about technology and marketing. We have honest conversations and everyone benefits. A good niche social networking site is a "marketplace of ideas."
3)
G. Dewald | Union Street Media | USM Blog
Submitted by Ashton Coleman on April 29, 2008 - 8:37am.
1)Point2Agent for Listing Syndication (isn't it still free)...& RealBird is outstanding for the map based widget (implement on your web-site) showcasing your listings
2)Ultra Flip Camera for VIDEOS if you aren't doing videos yet, it does not get any easier
3)BLOG and Blog some more
Ashton Coleman /MiamiDreamRealty.com
MiamiBeachRealEstateBlog.us
Submitted by Matthew Dollinger on April 29, 2008 - 9:55am.
Microsoft Exchange - The one and original allows me to keep my laptop and blackberry in unison.
Agent Metrics - If you haven't see this program, head over to www.terrradatum.com and see if it's available in your area. For a stats-nerd like myself, it is the easiest thing on the market for determining trends, market share, and pricing analysis.
Blackberry (8100 or curve) w/ 2gb SD Card - ok... so I don't actually work ALL the time. But when I am the blackberry is king for usability. Throw in an SD card and photos, video, and most importantly 2 GIGS OF MUSIC makes everything better
Honorable Mention:
XDrive Online Storage - Takes my mind off of having to back up important files on my computer by syncing them seamlessly
Anything Google - as in the comics... 'nuff said
Matthew Dollinger
Performance Coach
@properties, Chicago IL
Submitted by Tom Flanagan on April 29, 2008 - 10:04am.
Top 3 is tough! I'd have to say:
1: My MacBook Pro
2: Photoshop
3: Dreamweaver
3B: My iPhone :-)
-Tom
Submitted by mark langowski on April 29, 2008 - 11:22am.
My blackberry
My Mac Powerbook
and of course, www.BeatYouThere.com. (I may be biased, I am the CEO)
but it will soon be a very useful tool for users and agents.
Post property listings for free, network with others, post comments on property listings and let happy clients write reviews about their interaction with you.
Let us know your feedback, we are having our media launch next week!
Mark
Submitted by Chris Knight on April 29, 2008 - 1:05pm.
1) Treo Smartphone: Internet, email, maps, lockbox key, MLS, bluetooth business card swaps, financial calculator, text messages, etc. (oh yeah, phone, actually the weakest feature)
2) Laptop: Brain with a cord
3) Point2: Freee and eeeasy listing syndication, website, referrals in and out, blog, etc. http://www.knowthistown.com/ForAgentsRegistration.aspx?in=MCTYGO
Chris Knight, GRI, REALTOR
SelEquity Real Estate, Boise-Nampa
www.MoreAgent.com | www.KnowThisTown.com
Together Everyone Acheives More
Submitted by Ken Horst on April 29, 2008 - 1:57pm.
1. Cell Phone - Thank God for sprints $99 unlimited everything program.
2. Bluetooth headset - You can cut off my arm before I would give up my ear bud and hold a hand set to my ear again.
3. Laptop - Portable business for self-employed people, I love the idea that my office is anywhere I can grab a WIFI signal.
Ken
Submitted by Mike Sparr on May 1, 2008 - 9:09am.
You guys have done a great job! Looks like the top three of all the above so far are:
1.) Laptop (Macbook Pro, others)
2.) Cellphone (Blackberry Pearl, Smartphone Treo, iPhone, others)
3.) Google (Alerts, analytics, etc.)
Am I surprised at these top picks? No! These are three things, especially the top two, that almost all business people can't live without today!
Of course the social sites were a top hit, too! Keep up the good work and let's see if we can get some other responses on top tools. Thanks all for sharing your ideas on the unique listing sites!
Submitted by Steven Stearns on May 6, 2008 - 2:03pm.
1.) Live clients.
2.) Live clients on their phones, 'Berries and WIFI laptops.
3.) Cheeseburgers.
Steven Stearns
www.obeo.com
http://obeoman.blogspot.com
262-325-8687
Submitted by chuck armbruster on May 6, 2008 - 2:49pm.
Somebody give me a Cheeseburger!
Submitted by Steven Stearns on May 6, 2008 - 3:46pm.
...Chuck,
make a bacon cheeseburger. Double.
Steven Stearns
www.obeo.com
http://obeoman.blogspot.com
262-325-8687