How Real Estate Agents Can Use Mobile Marketing to Help Close Leads

In the last decade, the nature of real estate has shifted dramatically. Many potential clients are beginning their home search primarily online, which has caused the real estate industry to adapt their strategies to fit users’ behavior. To meet this demand, many agents have been shifting their focus to updating their current mobile marketing approach as well. With so much competition though, how can you guarantee that your mobile marketing is up to par, if not a cut above the rest? 

In studying any top online business, many moving parts contribute to the success of their business. Social media integration, apps, online ads, SEO (search engine optimization), and mobile-adaptive websites are some of the ways that these businesses use to increase traffic and drive sales. 

What would be useful for you, as an agent, to improve your online presence? How can you provide leads with a variety of options to interact with you and your services? Drivebuy offer leads an opportunity to engage with listings more closely.

The digital flyer tool is a game-changer in generating more potential buyers. Assigning a short code to a property’s sign rider can give leads who drive by quick access to any listings you have posted. All they have to do is to text the short code to a number and receive more detailed information about the listing, including pictures, instead of leaving their vehicle to grab a paper flyer. When a lead texts the number, it gives the listing agent access to the prospective buyer’s information as well. This is a win-win for both parties.

This is one of the many ways an agent can capitalize on a mobile marketing tool to enhance their leads’ experience. Here are some other mobile marketing strategies to drive sales and close your leads.

Text Messaging: Simple, Yet Effective

Buyers are more likely to read and reply to a text message than they are to answer a long email or take a phone call from an unknown number. Agents can utilize text messaging in many different situations.

E-flyers can be sent through an SMS software to give out listing information to clients, as well as to inform leads about new listings on the market, open houses, and other events and promotions that the agents want to share.

Another way text messaging can add value to an agent’s mobile marketing is by including a link at the end of a text. This allows a buyer to download an app and view more information about a current listing. Driving prospective buyers to an app can allow agents to monitor user engagement with their listings.

If you are an agent who appreciates building personal relationships with clients, use text messages to maintain and grow those relationships. Send personalized holiday and birthday greetings to your clients to let them know you are thinking about them. This can help promote further engagement between agent and client.

Making Your Website Mobile-friendly

Today, approximately 80% of internet users own smartphones, and close to 60% of these users spend most of their time on a mobile device instead of a desktop. Agents who have websites need to take into account how their website looks and functions on a mobile device to make sure that the user experience is not compromised.

A website must be user-friendly. This means that there should be nothing that causes a user any confusion when navigating the website. Make sure the site includes all the necessary features like updated listings, contact information, FAQs, guides on a buying/leasing process, neighborhood guides, and auxiliary links and information that would be useful to clients. A 24/7 live chat option could prove to be very helpful too.

One way to ensure this is by working with a web designer to update the look of your website and get a second, informed opinion. With a professional web designer, you can create an easy-to-use, uncluttered, and aesthetically pleasing website that will optimize user engagement with your listings.

Change Up Your Social Media Strategy

Social media is a very valuable tool for real estate. There are many ways that different features on a social media platform can be used to your advantage. Some of which are:

1. Broadcast live on Instagram/Facebook during open houses. This can give prospective buyers an inside look into a property if they are unable to make it to the open house.

2. Start Instagram/Facebook Live Q&As. This is a great way for agents to interact with clients online and offer useful information and professional tips.

3. Give leads a sneak peek on listings and neighborhoods. Use your social media accounts to provide sneak peeks to your followers about listings that are hitting the market and neighborhood guides to drum up interest in the area.

4. Utilize videos on your platforms. Videos appeal to millennials more, especially because many of them are on their phones throughout the day. Take videos of a property’s interiors and unique features from different angles in a way that photos just can’t. Virtual tours can be very valuable for buyers.

5. Post on Instagram/Facebook Stories. If done well, stories can allow users to maintain constant contact with followers and provide up-to-date information rather than flooding a Facebook wall or Instagram timeline with posts. Utilize tools like polls on a story to get an idea of what your followers are looking for on your account. This can help you better tailor your content.

Run Ads on Social Media

Mobile users tend to be on at least one social media app throughout their day. Use this knowledge to put yourself on their feed. Running ads for your listings on popular social media apps can help you track who exactly is engaging with your content by giving you information on their specific area, age range, and interests.

Create a Custom Mobile App

You might think that this option may be too difficult to accomplish. However, these days, there are many app developing software options on the market that enable users, who have never written a single line of code, to build an app. These app developers give you the option to pick and choose unique features and help you integrate your website’s functions on the app as well. These platforms take care of the process and make it very straightforward for non-technical professionals. It is a more cost-effective approach to app building and gives you rapid results.

Enhance Your SEO with a Blog

Creating blog content that will be useful to both buyers and sellers can increase the likelihood of your content appearing higher up on search results. Advising your clients through a blog can help them in the buying or selling process and, in turn, help build your professional reputation.

Use a blog as an extension of your website. Keeping your blog updated can guarantee that you will get constant traffic on the site and hopefully encourage users to check out your listings and other features the website offers.

Stay on Top of Online Reviews

Reviews can make or break your business. Potential clients are likely to check reviews online, which are readily available to anyone with a smartphone. Approximately 88 percent of users trust online customer reviews, which can prove to be a blessing or a curse. Seeing one-star ratings online can turn leads away and force them to look elsewhere for an agent. Making sure that you are building loyal relationships with your clients can make the difference for your reputation as an agent both in person and online.

As an agent, finding new ways to differentiate yourself from other agents to gain new clients and close leads are always welcomed. If you use any of these strategies to optimize your current mobile marketing approach, rest assured that you can expect an increase in engagement from clients and appeal to a new and growing market.

8 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Tote Bag

The average US consumer spent over $61,000 on products and services in 2018.

With all of that spending going on and the consequential hauling of merchandise, several people are choosing to ditch single-use plastic bags and instead are opting to do their shopping with a reusable tote bag.

Tote bags are sturdy, foldable bags that you'd see used at supermarkets and in other shopping environments. Many people have a handful of tote bags they keep in their cars so they can have easy access to them during impromptu shopping runs.

But which type of tote bag should you invest in? After all, there are several styles out there.

In this post, we share a few tote considerations that should help you choose your perfect bag.

1. Strength

One of the most important tote bag factors you'll want to think through when making your buy is the strength of your bag.

Tote bags are rated to manage different weights. In some cases, you'll find a tote bag's papery material starts to buckle under 5 pounds. In other cases, tote bags that are made out of strong, synthetic materials and have double-stitched handles can easily manage 20+ pounds

Think about how much weight you'll likely subject your tote bag to. When in doubt, try to go with a bag that's stronger than you think you'll need.

2. Shape

Niche tote bags can be specially shaped to manage a particular task. For example, we've seen beautiful wine totes on the market that are customized and compartmentalized to accommodate bottles.

Are you looking for a custom shape for a custom job or do you want a general square or rectangle tote? Taking a moment to think about what use you'd like to get out of your totes will help you determine if a particular shape is preferred.

3. Cost

Most people don't consider cost too much when buying tote bags because most casual totes are cheap. Cheap totes, however, are rarely top of the line and may not last you very long.

The number one factor that affects tote cost is the material your bag is made out of which we'll talk about in a moment. Bags can be made out of canvas, nylon, cotton, PVC, polyurethane, and more.

All of that to say that if you see a high-priced bag, it may be made out of a sturdier, more environmentally friendly material that's worth the money being asked for.

Once you know what features matter most to you, it’s time to shop tote bags that match your style and everyday needs.

4. Style

Who wants to roll into a shopping center with a bad looking tote? Not us! Therein lies the value of assessing your tote bag's style when making a purchase.

For most, the process of considering style comes naturally. You'll want a tote that is designed in a way that's aesthetically pleasing and is sporting colors that match your sensibilities.

Heck, several fashionistas shop with different styles of totes depending on their outfits!

The sky is the limit when it comes to tote bag styles as there are many bag variations out there. Have fun browsing to find the perfect look.

5. Physical Weigh

Believe it or not, some tote bags have a noticeable weight to them. You might imagine that the weight of an empty tote wouldn't be noticeable enough to consider bag weight as a factor when tote shopping. Believe us when we say though that certain bags are uncomfortably heavy.

For example, canvas and certain cotton bags can weigh in the vicinity of 2+ pounds without having anything in them. If you find yourself uncomfortable carrying grocery-filled bags already, those 2 extra pounds could make the difference between you being able to get a job done and having to ask for help.

Polypropylene bags are often noted as being the easiest to carry.

6. Flexibility

Is your tote bag going to be sat in your car's trunk until you need it or is your plan to have a tote bag folded up tight in your purse so you can whip it out while you're on the town? Knowing the answer to those questions will help you determine how flexible your tote bag should be.

A thin nylon bag will fold up small and could fit inconspicuously in a purse while a heavier canvas bag would be too bulky.

7. Composition

We've touched a little bit on how different materials used in bags can affect their usability and cost. While we won't go over every bag type that's on the market, we will say that materials fall into either synthetic or organic categories.

Synthetic bags tend to be flexible and are resistant to weather. Natural bags are strong and biodegradable.

Consider which qualities are most important to you and pick up a bag that suits your needs.

8. Availability

At the end of the day, if you can't find the tote bag you're looking for, you can't buy it. So, a large factor in picking your bag will be what kinds of bags your local store has available.

Fortunately, if you shop here or with other online retailers, there's a great chance you can get the exact tote you're looking for!

The Right Tote Bag Can Make a Difference in Your Day

We just spent the last couple of minutes talking about the considerations that go into buying a tote bag. While that might seem like an odd topic to expound on, it's actually impactful.

Armed with the right tote bag, you'll be able to avoid things like spilled groceries and environmental damage. Those are wins that we feel are worth fighting for.

If you'd like more information on other relevant lifestyle topics, browse more of the content in our blog!

4 Great Ways To Maintain Your Independence As A Senior

Aging is inevitable, and as you grow, your stamina will no longer be the same as in your youth. But old age doesn't mean you should rely on your children or other people for your daily activities. You can still be independent as a senior, and here is how. 

Socialize

When you get old, you spend most of your time at home and often alone. But instead of staying indoors all the time, some local areas offer special events where you can find other seniors to communicate with. You can attend other social gatherings just to stay lively. This will take off the feeling of loneliness, and your family won’t feel so bad about leaving you alone when they have to take care of their responsibilities. There are also exercise classes where you can find other seniors to interact with. In these interactions, make new friends and enjoy the company of other seniors.

Physical activity

Old age comes with a weakness that you can manage through exercise. You'll have to do a lot for yourself when you’re independent, and you need to be strong to do that. Therefore, you need to engage in a lot of physical activity to stay strong. Exercising helps to keep blood circulating, improve your muscle, and maintain strength in your joints. Physical activity also keeps diseases away. As you won't have much to do, exercise is a great way to keep yourself busy.

Maintain a balanced diet 

As a senior, you cannot take your diet for granted, since you can't eat what everybody else is eating. At that age, you’ll need more protein, healthy fats, and supplements to make up for whatever your body can no longer produce for itself. Be sure to take what your body needs to stay healthy for a longer period. It may not always feel good to rely on people for the sake of your age, but eating well will help you age nicely and live a happy and comfortable life. You will live independently and not always need to depend on others.

Take good care of your health 

It could be annoying to go for checkups regularly but at an old age, it is necessary. That’s because most of your vitals, immune and nervous system, and other organs weaken. It isn’t rare to experience urinary system complications, for example. In fact, it is estimated that in nursing homes in the US, about 100,000 elderly people use indwelling catheters. So, visit a doctor if you start to have urinary challenges to ensure that complications are detected before time. If you need to use a catheter after diagnosis, you may have to learn how to catheterize yourself after some time so that you don’t always have to wait for someone to get it done. This alone can assure you of your independence instead of allowing your health to get out of hand. 

To wrap things up, as you age, take good care of yourself so that you do not have to rely on anybody. Be in good by practicing the above activities and maintain your independence.

5 Features Your Dream Apartment Must Have

If you are looking for your dream flat, there are some features that you should not overlook. Most of these are what make luxury apartments so unique and sought after. However, most of the time, you will find an ideal apartment with at least some of the fantastic features below. Below are the essential features that you should be looking for when on a new apartment hunt.

A Beautiful View

Having a view over the landscape is something that we tend to overlook, often as a compromise for a lower rent or buying price. However, in the long run, benefitting from a view can help you enjoy your new flat much more than expected. 

Depending on where you have found the flat, you should check whether windows overlook a natural feature, such as a lake, the sea, and mountains. However, among the questions to ask during a viewing, make sure you are inquiring about when the balcony or terrace will be hit by the sun during the day. 

Indeed, sometimes, you might find yourself with a beautiful outside area that is always in the shade or a terrace on which the temperatures are too high for you to enjoy it during the day. This kind of information can also help you determine the type of planning and renovation you will do. 

An Outside Area (Better if With a Pool!)

Having a pool or large garden in your property might seem a little unnecessary at first. However, don’t forget that, especially during summer, having your own pool or garden can help you make the most of the hottest and sunniest summer days.

Moreover, having an outside area can significantly add space to your living environment, making the apartment or house look more spacious.

Natural Sunlight

Moving from your previous home to the next one can be cumbersome, and it usually does not come with its fair share of obstacles. However, if you have decided to undertake such a process, it is because you have found the perfect apartment! But, before moving, make sure your living area, kitchen, and rooms benefit from enough natural light during the day.

Especially if you work from home, natural sunlight can help you focus better and feel more active. However, the health benefits of receiving sunlight through the windows of your flat don’t end here! Indeed, you can enjoy a higher level of energy, and your eyes won’t be feeling as tired. 

A Spacious Kitchen

The kitchen is truly the heart of the house. Even if you don’t enjoy cooking that much, your kitchen is where the family gathers and shares experiences about the day. When you invite friends over, the kitchen is where everybody hangs around and enjoys a few snacks. Make sure there is enough space here for everybody - and invest in remodeling if you need to!

Make Sure There is More Than One Bathroom!

Lastly, depending on how many people will live in the house or apartment you have picked, make sure there is more than one bathroom. Especially if you all have jobs to attend, the last thing you want is to queue to use the bathroom in the morning!

Moving to the UK? Here's How to Make it Easy!

The UK is home to renowned global universities, museums, sports teams, and restaurants. It's what makes moving to the UK, whether to have an adventure, study, or work, a top dream for many people. Whether moving to Northern Ireland, England, Wales, or Scotland, you will note that the UK is well-regarded for its cosmopolitan lifestyle, urban destinations, and gorgeous scenery.

While moving may appear like a big challenge, it can prove to be a painless process, provided you have the right information with you. The following is a look at how to make the process smooth and pain-free.

The Move

Regardless of whether you have relocated multiple times or if moving abroad for the very first time, relocation is a process that's bound to raise lots of questions. At some point, the relocation process may become overwhelming even if you have already become a seasoned nomad.

The entire process is filled with all kinds of complexities, and you will, without a doubt, require help. A removals company can offer the assistance you need before the move, during, and even after you have arrived in the UK. These are the people who will answer any questions you may have regarding shipping, moving, and storing all your goods. Other companies like man with a van in Sunderland assist with student moves and give a quote in 30 seconds.

Work Permits and Visas

A major aspect each person relocating will need to overcome is jumping through the various legal and migration requirements. You need to know how to acquire legal documents such as a work permit or an immigration or Spouse Visa UK in the event you require them. The post-Brexit transition period has brought with it added complexities, costs, and UK visa types that may prove hard to negotiate.

For instance, the costs of a UK visa depends on many factors, e.g., the kind of visa and where the applicant is making the application from, e.g., outside or within the country. Click here to learn more visas and how to go about the application process.

Housing

As you continue planning your relocation, you shouldn't take the process of finding a suitable place to live with any lightness. If you didn't know by now, you should realize that the housing market in the UK is very fast-paced. It, therefore, makes sense for you to make a decision on where to live before you arrive in the country.

You can start by researching the best places to live in the UK to get an idea of what to expect. You should, however, be happy to note that there are lots of excellent places to live and that the UK offers all kinds of accommodation options. From warehouse spaces to modern apartments, terraced houses to the classic Victorian, it shouldn't be hard to find something within your budget.

Summary

Learning about visas and work permits, housing, and making the move is just but the tip of the iceberg. It would help if you knew how about to go finding a job once you are settled. Consult widely before you decide to move to ensure you know everything there is to learn.

Why You Need A Professional Cleaner After a Renovation

Renovation or remodeling is sometimes inevitable, particularly when you need to repair certain damages in your home due to various reasons. But even if you simply want to improve the aesthetic appeal of your interiors to increase the value of your property, renovation may still be necessary. What most homeowners don’t realize is that the mess that is left post-construction can prove to be overwhelming. For this reason, as well as the reasons listed below, it is a good idea to get a professional cleaner after a renovation.

Quality Service

One of the primary reasons why you need a professional cleaner after a renovation is to ensure that your home is spic and span through their quality service. Since they are professionals, you can expect that they are trained on what they have to do to ensure that your space is clean, organized, and hygienic after a messy construction process. The post-renovation cleaning services of Sunlight Cleaning even follow a checklist to ensure that they don’t miss out on anything. If you live in New York, you should know that this company provides deep cleaning post construction Manhattan services, but there are other services that you can look for closer to where you live. Once you’ve done your research, all you have to do is book an appointment.

Professional cleaners are also licensed and insured, which means that they are recognized by the state and that their operations are legal. For you, this means that should they damage anything in your interiors while rendering their services, their insurance will be able to cover the expenses you may incur to repair the damage. Keep in mind that sometimes, accidents may happen during cleaning. Thus, it is good if you are offered some kind of protection during the process. Think Maids cleaning service is an expert in doing this complex process with more than satisfactory results

Right Tools

Aside from the quality service the professional cleaners provide, they also have the right cleaning tools and equipment that is necessary to sanitize your interiors and wash all types of surfaces. They also leverage state-of-the-art technology to do the post-cleaning renovation. With the proper tools powered by technological innovation, they will be able to accomplish the job more efficiently.

Save Time

Another reason why you need to engage the services of professional cleaners after a renovation process is to save you time. In case you decide to clean your home by yourself after a construction project, then you need to prepare yourself to dedicate a significant amount of time doing so. There are instances wherein a weekend may not be enough for you to thoroughly clean your home after renovation because of all the dust and dirt that have accumulated. Without proper cleaning tools, you may end up creating more mess rather than have your home clean within a short time.

 You must engage the services of professional cleaners after the renovations in your home are made to ensure that you will enjoy the functional benefits of your interiors. Professional cleaners will be able to offer a quality service using the right cleaning tools and equipment. They will also save you time, such that all you need to do is to relax and enjoy the comfort of your new interiors.