Thursday 11 October 2012

Real Estate Text Marketing Leads to Leads


Text Marketing in Real Estate seems to be the all anyone is talking about these days. Due to such a high interest in this topic, there are numerous companies out there – such as Social Fuse – who offer services specifically geared toward this particular industry. The concept remains the same. The real estate agent uses a sign rider to encourage interested buyers to text-in for more information. This typically works by texting in a keyword, for example: 123MAINST – to a short code. A short code is a shortened version of a phone number, which typically is something easy to remember. “Text 123MAINST to 9600 for detailed listing information.” Now, in many circumstances people think this is it for using Text Marketing in RealEstate, however they are mistaken. There are a number of things to follow through with in order to maximize this highly effective technology. Realtors can generate quality leads through mobile marketing, therefore let’s take a look at some of the features to consider.

Instant Notifications. This means that you, the realtor, can be notified as soon as someone texts-in – or opts-in – to obtain more information about a property listing. This notification should arrive via text, and include the person’s cell phone number as well as the property they are interested in. There are also options to receive such notifications via email also. This gives the realtor the information necessary to follow up in a timely manner.

Links, Links, Links. Once a potential buyer texts-in, they can receive a reply text with the information they seek, as well as a link or two. The link should connect with an optimized website or a virtual tour. Decent SMS companies should offer this service as part of a package, however if it is left up to the realtor to create a mobile optimized virtual tour – they should offer guidance and assistance throughout the process. Nobody is interested in a link to a site that doesn’t load properly.

Include Email. Sure, a mobile marketing company encourages all things text friendly, however people find comfort in having email as an option also. Text messaging is limited to 160 characters, however this is hardly a limitation. A lot of information can be included in a carefully constructed text message. A real estate professional may find that there are too many details about a property worth mentioning to squeeze into a tiny text – therefore utilizing an email option may be a better fit.

Create a Mobile Business Card. A realtor needs to get their name, and their face out there. The best agents are those who take the time and effort to connect with interested buyers. Consumers are more likely to buy when they feel they know the person they are buying from. Linking a buyer to their Real Estate contact information via Text Marketing immediately will give them a sense of recognition.

Effective Text Marketing for Restaurants

In the Restaurant business, the main objective by implementing Text Marketing strategies is to bring in new business, and keep current customers coming back. The right marketing technique will keep a dining room full, with chattering patrons. A restaurant is a social environment after all - therefore marketing efforts should reflect this. There are a few Restaurant Text Marketing ideas to focus on in particular.

Experience. As a restaurant owner, you may not think “building your brand” applies to you, as you don’t have a specific product you are trying to sell – however this is not the case. You are selling a dining experience. People pay a lot of money for this, on a regular basis. They celebrate occasions, conduct business meetings, or simply catch up with friends. The reason someone will return to your restaurant is because they enjoyed their experience. This experience is made up of a few different aspects – service, ambiance, and of course, food! Remaining consistent with these factors, will set you up for marketing success from the start.

More and more restaurants are using social media platforms to get their name out there. Social media is all about creating hype, or a buzz – people communicate with their friends using this method on a regular basis, therefore why not connect with the establishments they frequent? For a business to set up a Facebook or Twitter account is a good step toward creating a “face” for the restaurant. Having brand images go over well, especially since you can directly interact with customers, and receive some valuable insight about what people “like” and don’t like. Feedback is always useful, a restaurant needs to make a point to evolve, and stay fresh. Change the menu, update the drink list, add a few desserts, switch around seating arrangements, experiment with lighting or music . . . etc. Every industry is different, however restaurants are good fit for social media interaction.

To compliment this media, Text Marketing plays a major role. Text message marketing is current, yet common enough where everyone knows how it works, and everyone has a phone capable of sending and receiving text messages. There are so many different types of text campaigns that encourage interaction between the business and their customers. The most effective are contests, and promotions. People see so much advertising out there, in all sorts of mediums. Running a contest feels like a sneaky way to advertise, because you are increasing awareness and publicity for your business, while involving people at the same time – and then rewarding them for their patronage. It’s a win-win situation here! Very few advertising techniques offer instant or direct benefits for customers, and this is why Text Marketing is so effective for Restaurants.

Text Message Marketing Rules Number One

Text Message Marketing is the number one choice when it comes to mobile marketing and services. It is more popular than ever, and this goes to prove that effectiveness combined with simplicity is truly a winning combination. Even though there is so much growth in the mobile field starting with email, and moving on to applications, instant messaging, and social media - SMS is hardly considered lowly. Everyone knows how it works, and nearly everyone has a phone with text messaging capabilities. It’s hard to believe not everyone has a Smartphone, however this is the truth! This is why Text Message Marketing is so effective. It reaches all people. Those who are technologically savvy, as well as those who are not. Text messaging is not only popular, it happens to be the number one form of communication in general. More text messages are sent and received over phone calls made, or emails sent. People enjoy the convenience of a condensed message, right in the palm of their hand.

 By 2013 the volume of messages are expected to be 10 trillion, according to Portio Research. This means that if marketers want to reach the highest number of consumers, they must learn to implement text into their marketing plan. It’s important to consider the fact that mobile spam is turning into a real privacy issue – therefore it is essential that creating and maintaining a text marketing platform is controlled, and guidelines are strictly abided by.

 Text Message Marketing is entirely the most inclusive data submission and delivery system out there, let alone the most effective. There are a few reasons to review as to why SMS is top of the list when it comes to mobile marketing. Firstly the cell phone is the most common form of media on the planet, with an average of 5-billion subscribers – this is 70% of the world’s population! Regardless of the country, they say every single phone out there is capable of text messaging – no matter which mobile network the user is signed up with. 80% of these subscribers use text messaging on a regular basis. The statistics are wild when it comes to this technology. For businesses not to be tapping into this by now is crazy. People are hesitant, they worry SMS is just a fad, and will fade quickly, however this is not the case at all. SMS will evolve, but it stands strong as a solid base to mobile technology, which seems to be branching out in so many directions – some of these branches will break off and not stick, but some will blossom. They all stem from the same trunk – the trunk being Text Message Marketing. For a business to take the time to learn about this technology and use it properly surely will be beneficial in the long run.