Top Agents Share What Works

Looking to take your business to the next level? You have all sorts of options. You could:

• Attend some training classes (think Zillow Academy)
• Go to a conference (maybe a Zillow Summit?)
• Create or join a Mastermind group
• Visit online forums and groups
• Work with a coach

The possibilities are almost limitless.

Here's another possible way to take your business to the next level. You could find out what things other successful agents are doing to improve their business and implement some of their strategies and tactics into your business plan and operations.

Where can you do that?

Right here and right now! In the grand scheme of things, online marketing and lead generation are practically brand-new items that need to be added to the top agent's tool box. It's not exactly the Wild West when it comes to online marketing, but it truly is in its infancy. As such, there are still many untested and unproven methods out there, and top producers are (or should be) constantly examining, testing and modifying their processes and methodology.

We asked five successful Zillow Premier Agents to give us a tip for online marketing and lead generation. Here's what they had to say...

Eric Boyenga, an agent with Intero Real Estate Services in the San Francisco Bay Area, offered this feedback about contacts that come from the Internet:

In other words, respond to inquiries quickly. Immediately is always best. Today's Internet user likes to move around from website to website, submitting multiple inquiries. A quick response to let the person know that a human being is at the other end and is willing to help, will often stop that wandering behavior.

Even if you don't have the answer to their specific inquiry, let them know you're on it, and that you will get back to them when you're free.

Brandi Thompson, an agent in Chattanooga, TN has a simple idea that many agents seem to miss:

What Brandi is telling us here is that even if you get a contact in an area you don't serve, or for a property type you don't normally work, you can -- and should -- be helpful.

These sorts of contacts are easy to ignore. Don't. You never know what may result from helping someone. Even if you don't end up working with someone, if you're helpful to them they will remember it. Those people all have friends and family who may just need a helpful agent at some point.

Dru Bloomfield with Realty ONE Group in Scottsdale, AZ has this piece of advice on using video to help consumers get to know you:

People tend to work with who they like and trust. Video is a great way to get your message and personality across. It's often easier for people to make a personal connection via video than written content. Important tip: Keep your videos short (under 2 minutes) for best engagement.

Finally, Kevin Lisota, broker/owner of Findwell in Seattle tells us about the importance of profiles:

Agent profiles are an important first stop for many online consumers. A complete and 'awesome' profile will go a long way toward separating you from the masses. Bonus tip: instead of making the 'About Me' section all about you, make it more of an 'About YOU' section. Tell consumers about what you will do for them.

Easy steps you can take

These tips from these five successful agents are relatively simple and can help take your business to the next level.

While you're reading and pondering these tips, think outside the box. Take one of these ideas and modify it to best fit you, your market and your business. Try combining a tip or two and see what that does.

For example, take Dru's tip on how videos can really show your personality and Kevin's tip on the importance of having a profile that does the selling for you. You can combine these two tips by putting a short video clip on your profile.

Real estate sales is a tough business. Sometimes it seems like there are endless tasks, new gadgets, different websites and all sorts of hoops to jump through in order to be successful. Sometimes it helps to step back and take a look at how others are doing it. These five tips don't require monumental effort or expense. They will take a little time, but it's time well spent.