REALTORS® are like the Swiss Army Knives when it comes to communicating with clients. Whatever their style is, we adapt. That being said, I've found that communicating with clients can pretty much be generalized by age.
At the upper end of the maturity range, the preference seems to be more personal. Meeting in person and telephone calls seem to dominate how seniors prefer their communications. This doesn't mean that cell phones are out, but I find it pretty rare that they would like to text. If my own eyesight is an example, I know the reason here.
I'll sort of glump the next age group into the 30 - 50 range here. Their preferred style seems to be the good old email. Texting and phone are alright too, but email dominates. If they don't know you well enough, you'll get a free email account. I always find that the more serious clients give me a work account or one from the major ISPs.
At the youngest end of the scale we're more frequently texting than anything else. I don't need to know your life story, just give me the info in short bytes. Very efficient, pretty impersonal, but effective nonetheless.
Personally, I haven't seen anyone who prefers to communicate their real estate transaction through any of the social networking sites, but I'm ready when they are.
In my market area we frequently work with clients who are with the NSA over at Ft. Meade. I could tell you how we communicate with them but then I'd have to kill you :)
I'm not a big fan of generalizing but this communications scenario plays out too frequently to be just mere coincidence. Successful real estate agents adapt to their clients, not the other way around.
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Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
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Rich Iarossi is a full time licensed REALTOR®, working in Crofton, MD. My coverage areas are: Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Howard, Calvert, Queen Anne, and Baltimore City and County. I specialize in residential real estate, working with both buyers and sellers. Use the registration free search on my website at www.RichSellsHomes.com. If you’re not already working with a REALTOR®...I can help. Call me at 443-995-9595 (Cell) or 410-451-6255 (Office).
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Richard, I have recently received an inquiry from an acquaintance on facebook, it felt odd signing on to a social page to convey property info. I subtly said please send me an email so I can forward property photos and data directly. I find anyone even curious will give you an email account, but serious buyers will give you their cell #. I think your generalization is very much on target.
Richard,
You are spot-on. It is always the exceptions that tickle me, however. Just closed a deal with an 84 year old woman who is a texting demon!
I tend to agree with your categories. At least they generally follow these groups for my clients. In my market I deal with a lot of out of state customers and they all mostly deal the email way.
Richard, excellent read here. I'm slowly getting into the texting revolution as more and more of my clients prefer that type of notification. I just need smaller fingers.
Richard, I believe you're right and we do need to communicate in the form that clients prefer.
Hi Rich:
You are SO right! Your categories are right on the money!
I'm not a fan of texting however.
For me, the good ole fashion telephone works best!
Rich...
We actually had a speaker at a board meeting that spoke on this very topic. It was very eye-opening!
Hi Richard,
I am on the other side of NSA from you ... I find that my NSA clients' preferred means of communication is email, but the text always disappears after reading!
Sue
Richard,
You are so right sir we have to meet the client where they are or we could loose them because another agent has learned that lesson better.
I have not seen a social marketing lead either . But yes and in our mountains where folks are local or come from differnt areas of the country it gets interesting that is for sure
Rich, We have to be willing to adapt to our clients needs and evolve as fast as the tech companies send out their newest and greatest products or be left behind. Texting is crossing over generation lines and if I want a response from my teen son, I text instead of calling!
Hi Rich - It's the texting part that kills it for me! I simply CANNOT see those little buttons! Too much brain damage for me to get that working ;)
Debi
Richard - That is really an accurate assessment of the way Realtors communicate. I also agree with Debi about texting! I can't see those little buttons either!
I also think we need to hold onto some of the old face to face networking methods of the old days. Be active in community groups and work. I think there is still a large nucleous of the population that feels more comfortable forging business relationships with folks they "really" know:-)