Thread: Tell me what you think...

I've thought of doing something like this too & have seen it done on other sites. I was always worried about the legality of running a contest, though. Does anyone know?

Sounds like a pretty good idea, i like the chance to win a prize if you give me your info, sneaky but could be effective

First of all, remember that vistor's will not leave thier identy, name or email address. Second, a prize or any offerings will not get them to sign up.
Offering them info or advice will not indice them either. I've been trying for over 6 months and nothing works. You can give them all the info you want, but they just won't contact you, period. Got any ideas how to kick them in the head so they will wake up and get real?

Originally Posted by dfms

You can give them all the info you want, but they just won't contact you, period. Got any ideas how to kick them in the head so they will wake up and get real?

We have no problem getting interested prospects to contact our clients. What we have found that the frequency of prospects making contact seems to run in seasonal mini-cycles. That and there's nothing like a snow storm in the NE to generate inquiries for agents in the south.

Getting people to inquire has a lot to do with both the structure (yes, structure) of the site as well as having a solid understanding of marketing and branding. Generating web traffic with SEO or PPC is only half of the game. This is why many do-it-yourself agent web sites, even those that do drive traffic, fail to generate prospects and leads.

Shawn...
I couldn't agree more...We are always testing new methods on our site! Just like the net....what worked last year /month doesn't necessarily work today!

The traffic is just part of the Equation! THE KEY IS CONVERSION!

Al, your web site has a lot of good stuff. It looks like it took you a long time to put it together. Love the cash back thing.

Max

Thanks Max...We are continually working and Modifying it daily!

Wish we could do the same thing here in Oregon. Too bad it's illegal for us to offer anything to buyers.

Allow me, if you will, the liberty here of jumping up on one of my hobby horses, to wit:
Why in heaven's name would/should a listing agent expect someone to call on his/her website, let alone agree to register/signup for ongoing info (re new listings/whatever)?
I mean, they may respond to a classified ad, but we all know how difficult it is to then get their name, phone number, etc. -- as in "Just tell me where it is so I can drive by. Then I'll call you if I want you to set up a showing for me."
What too few real estate websites have is a Unique Selling Proposition, something that sets them apart from all the "Here, look at all my listings" stuff. Instead, the phones will ring, the e-mails will come in, the leads will be generated if -- and I'm prepared to argue only if -- you give people a reason for doing so.
And to do this, the key lies in what marketing people call the AIDA formula:
Attention: You got a problem
Interest: I/we got the solution
Desire: Here's the point by point argument in favour of it.
Action: Buy it!
It's the pattern of all the thirty/sixty second commercials. For example:
"What's a nice gal like you doing in a place like this?
Haven't you heard of Mister Clean.
It's so easy: spray, spray, spray; sleep, sleep, sleep; wipe, wipe, wipe; clean, clean, clean. Nothing to it!
Go get yourself a can NOW!"
So then, think of what problem you can solve (including for whom) and then build a website that makes it obvious to your visitors.

End of hobby horse ride!

Duncan