There are so many real estate agent technology tools.
Some real estate agent technology tools help you manage clients, some track your sales, and yet others automate your business so you can spend less time working and more time selling.
The real estate agent technology landscape is ever changing and it’s important to make smart, informed decisions when choosing which tools you need. You may be tempted to purchase everything new and shiny that’s available. Don’t get caught up in hype or feel overwhelmed by the plethora of choices available. Use impartial advice from someone who knows what they’re talking about. I’ve been around the block a few times and I’ll share the main real estate technology tools I feel you need to run a successful real estate business.
Customer Relationship Management – CRM
No doubt, choosing to be a real estate agent absolutely requires an arsenal of tech products. Real estate agent technology can overwhelm you if you have too many choices and it’ll cost you a fortune if you don’t select carefully. So, what’s the first thing you absolutely must have in your tech toolbox? Well, if you’re like most of the real estate agent pros I know, it’s a CRM! And, if you don’t already have one, get yourself on the fast track to getting a great one. There are so many options these days, you’ll be kicking yourself if you don’t at least give one a try. Using a paper napkin, a notebook, post-its or Excel/Google sheets is not doing you any favors – that’s for sure. Keep your contacts organized and automated because “the money is in the follow-up!”
A customer relationship management (CRM) tool acts like a Rolodex (if some of you youngins’ even know what that is). It keeps track of the people you meet, the opportunities you close, and how well you handle your business. You’ll want to get one with add-on features, such as integration with your website, built in landing pages and the ability to send out emails and text.
If you want to have any chance of succeeding in online marketing, you’re going to have to be an “email geek.” You are going to have to know how to use all the tricks and tools of an accomplished email marketer. However, you should be cautious when choosing a CRM. Most so called “affordable” CRM’s do not offer pre-built drip campaigns and especially don’t offer email templates and drip campaigns that are geared specifically for the real estate agent market. Therefore, you are put in a position that will force you to create your own templates from scratch or subscribing to a completely separate tool in order to purchase very basic email and text templates that can be imported into your CRM system. Sounds daunting that’s for sure.
Your best bet and best value is utilizing your business budget to spend a little bit more and subscribe to a CRM made for real estate agents by real estate agents – similar to EngageMore CRM. In this case, you will have access to 100’s of email and text templates and dozens of drip campaigns that are already pre-built. It’s as simple as getting your contact list imported, opt-in the emails that apply, and push the submit button to start your campaigns and start engaging quickly.
In addition to the amazing email/drip campaign options that are included with EngageMore CRM, this CRM also has Intelligent Link Technology which tracks who is clicking your links and then it automates your flows based on click interest. This is what true email automation is all about.
Once you have chosen the right CRM for your business model, it’s necessary for you to have some other supportive real estate agent technology tools for administrative and other marketing purposes:
Important Documents Need Digital Signatures
DocuSign: Get your documents signed from any device at anytime. Set signatures to automatically update back to you. Get notification alerts when someone signs, re-signs or rejects your document.
Keeping track of appointments
Calendly: This is really the best solution for busy professionals who want to connect with their clients and show them that they’re available. It’s the best way to let clients know your services and you’re availablity. Calendly is also affordable and all plans include custom branding, group events, and integrations.
A mobile-friendly video marketing tool.
WeVideo: A video profile is an important tool for building rapport and credibility with clients. It’s more engaging and can get your offer seen by more people.
It’s easy to create a “how to build a website on a shoestring budget” video with your smartphone, but for a more professional presentation you might consider using some software to add titles, music, graphics, and other multimedia elements. You can improve the quality of video from smartphone apps and websites like WeVideo. With an app like this, you can change the speed and make edits. There’s no reason those videos shouldn’t be interesting and compelling. Remember that an engaging video needs your personality as well. If you think you don’t have anything to say, create something short, keep it simple, don’t overly produce it and just show them who you are.
Graphic Design Software for Everything
Canva: Creating the right kind of advertising is an important part of every sales job. You’ll spend a lot of your time creating postcards, direct mail pieces, newspaper ads, newsletters, magazine ads, and so on. Graphic design isn’t a part of your job as a real estate agent. It doesn’t have to be. You can learn how to do it in your spare time.
Let Canva help you create brilliant sales pitches, websites, print ads, e-mail blasts, Facebook posts, Instagram captions and much more. Canva is a tool that enables you to create professional assets without a lot of effort. It’s so easy to use, even someone with no marketing experience can do it!
End result…
When it’s time to purchase real estate agent technology tools do not ever forget that they should never be a replacement for your contact relationships, they should advance them.
• Contributing Editor and Writer – Andrea Hendrix
