The buzz in the real estate marketing industry these days seems to be about these obscure looking images called QR codes. I was first introduced to QR codes about a year and a half ago at a local real estate meet up. I found myself quite intrigued with this concept, as I am with most new technology and marketing methods. As I looked around the room, I noticed that most people had this perplexed look on their faces and I wasn’t sure how well these QR codes would be received.

It hasn’t been until more recently that people in the real estate industry have been raving about QR codes as a must have tool in an agents real estate marketing tool box. At this point, I’m not entirely convinced of the effectiveness of the QR codes in an agents marketing efforts, however I think it can be worth testing the waters with them, if an agents market is a right fit.

In Part II of this series, QR Codes for Real Estate – Fad or Trend?, I will discuss in more detail whether QR codes are a right fit for your real estate business and implementing them into your marketing. Check back or subscribe so you don’t miss out.

What is a QR code?

A QR code, or quick response for short, is a matrix code or two-dimensional bar code originally created by a Japanese corporation to track automobile parts. The codes would have hidden text, a url or other types of information in the code, in the form of black modules arranged in a square pattern. The purpose behind this, was that with the right tool, or reader as they call it, the hidden information could be decoded at high speeds.

How QR Codes Work

In order to reveal the hidden information in a QR code, you will need a smartphone with a camera, internet access and a QR reader application installed. Some smartphones come with QR reader capabilities, so double check your phone specifications before installing any unnecessary applications. Once your mobile phone is properly set up with a QR reader you simply take a picture of the code with your phone, your phone then converts the code to text and the reader application translates the text and displays the hidden information in the form of a web page, contact information, a message, or more.

QR Code Readers

In the event that your smartphone does not already have a QR reader installed, there are a number of reader applications that you can install. Here are a few:

• BeeTagg – Supported Phones | Download Instructions
• Kaywa – Supported Phones | Download Instructions
• QuickMark – Supported Phones | Download Instructions
• ScanLife – Supported Phones | Download Instructions
• i-nigma – Supported Phones | Download Instructions
• Upcode – Supported Phones | Download Instructions

What Information Can Be Used in a QR Code?

A QR code could include any of the following types of information:

• Text
• Website url
• vCard or contact information
• Event calendar (vcalendar)
• Google maps location
• A message (Typically limited to 100 characters or less)
• SMS
• Phone number
• Email
• Social media information
• Paypal Buy Now links

QR Code Generator

Now that we know, what QR codes are are, how your target consumer can decode the hidden information, and what information you want in the code, it’s time to create the QR image. It’s as simple as choosing the type of information you want in the code, provide the required information, and hit “generate”. Voila, you’re done. Your QR code image will be there for you to download or copy and paste into the marketing piece of your choice.

There are hundreds of free QR code generator sites out there and listed below are a few to try (I haven’t tried them all, but would love to hear if you have a favorite QR code generator).

• Mobile Barcodes
• BeQRious
• Kaywa
• Zxing
• QR Stuff
• GoQR
• QReate & Track

QR codes are being used in some exciting and creative ways by people and businesses in all types of industries. I look forward to taking a closer look in Part II of this series, how and if these codes are going to be a long term, effective marketing tool for real estate agents or if they will generate more confusion for their target consumer.

I hope you’ll chime in and share with us your experiences using QR codes. What feedback have you received from your target consumer about QR codes?

You have an awesome blog that you post to on a regular basis. You also have a MailChimp (affiliate link) list of people that have subscribed, to receive useful and informative information from you…now what do you do? Give your list what they want. They want regular updates that include tips and resources about your market. From within MailChimp you can automatically feed your blog posts to your list by setting up an RSS driven campaign.

Let’s take a small step back. Some of you may be wondering what MailChimp is and what these lists are that I’m talking about. MailChimp is a wicked email marketing program that allows you to create, customize, send and track HTML email campaigns. When set up right, this type of email marketing will help you stay in regular contact with the people on your list, by sharing valuable and useful content about your market. The “lists” that I refer to are your subscribers, generated from lead capture forms on your websites and blogs.

What better way to keep your subscribers current and informed, than to share your blog posts with them as you write and publish them, and having it run on auto-pilot.

Setting up your MailChimp RSS Driven Campaign

Step #1 – Create an RSS Driven Campaign

Log into your MailChimp dashboard and from the main page, or the Campaign tab, click on the orange “Create Campaign” button and select “RSS-driven campaign” .

Step #2 – Set Up Your RSS Feed

The next screen will ask you for your RSS feed URL. If you are not sure of the url you can simply enter your blog url and MailChimp will try and locate the feed address for you. Next you will want to tell MailChimp the day and time you want the emails sent out. Once complete click the next button.

Step #3 – Select the List  You Want to Send To

Select the list or segment that you want to send to OR create a new list.

Step #4 – Configuring Campaign Information

Here you will give your RSS-driven campaign a message subject, a from name and reply to email. You may also decide to give the campaign a name for your own purposes. The campaign name is not required, but it’s a good idea to have one for easy reference later. Included in this step are email tracking settings as well as social media settings and integration you may want to customize or leave the defaults.

Step #5 – Campaign Design/Layout

This step you will select an email design from the many customizable pre-designed templates that MailChimp provides or you may choose to upload your own custom template.

Step #6 – Add Content

Once you have chosen your campaign template you will want to add any additional content you want to share with your list. You may also need to set up the RSS Merge Tags to tell MailChimp the information you want pulled into the email from your feed. Sample Merge Tags would be:

• *|RSSFEED:TITLE|*
• *|RSSFEED:DATE|*
• *|RSS:POSTS_HTML|*

Step #7 – Configure Plain Text Message

This step you want to review how the plain text version of your email will look for those recipients that do not or can not accept html messages. Edit or add content as you see fit.

Step #8 – You’re Almost Done!

This final step is your opportunity to review your campaign settings, preview your campaign and send a test email before starting your new RSS campaign.

Step #9 – Start Your RSS Driven Campaign

If you’re sure everything is in order and your ready to launch your campaign, click the Start RSS Campaign button and you will see a confirmation window from MailChimp. Confirm you want to start the campaign and your done!

If you have any questions or need some assistance with customizing or creating your email template, check with a  Real Estate Virtual Assistant. They would be happy to help out.

If you do not have a MailChimp account, you can sign up for a FREE account and use their Free Forever plan that includes a subscriber list of 1000 and send 6000 emails a month.

WARNING REALTORS® According to the MailChimp Terms of Service they do not allow “Real Estate Prospecting or Listings”. This RSS driven campaign may or may not work for your specific feed if your blog posts include listings. For more information, please feel free to leave a comment or contact us. We would be happy to discuss your options.

As a Real Estate Professional, you probably spend a good part of your day, most days, concentrating on the revenue generating tasks of your business such as previewing homes, meeting with clients, showing homes, presenting offers and holding open houses, and if you’re not; you should be. The reality is that most Real Estate Professionals find themselves juggling time spent on day-to-day administrative duties, and time spent on the more important tasks of building relationships and generating revenue.

Let a Professional Real Estate Virtual Assistant (PREVA) eliminate the need to “juggle” and take care of the day-to-day administrative duties for you. These tasks, or business solutions as I like to call them, may include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Blogging
If you don’t already have one, a PREVA can set up a blog for you using your existing website set-up or one of the more popular blogging platforms such as WordPress (free and self hosted sites) and TypePad. Once set up, or using your existing blog, a PREVA can help maintain and update the blog, as well as brainstorm content ideas.

2. Contact Management
Keeping your contacts and leads up-to-date is key. Using a CRM (Contact Relationship Management) program such as Outlook, ACT, or my personal favorite, The Wise Agent, a PREVA can customize, organize, update and maintain all of your contacts, appointments and deadlines in such a way that flows with your own personal working style.

3. Drip Email Campaigns
We will create, customize, maintain and arrange distribution of email campaigns for your buyers and sellers which is key to keeping you in the forefront of your contacts minds.

4. Flyers
Let a PREVA create fabulous marketing tools such as Listing Presentations and CMA’s that will “wow” your clients and keep you one step ahead of your competition

5. Listing Management
As a PREVA, we will handle all aspects of your listings from submission to your local real estate board, email blasts to agents and brokerages and advertising, to the creation of all related marketing materials, submission to your own websites, blogs and popular real estate portals and even purchasing your buyer/seller closing gift. This is only the tip of the iceberg.

6. Postcards
Creation and distribution of Just Listed, Just Sold and Specialty postcards will keep you on track with consistent marketing efforts.

7. Single Property Websites
Without a doubt, Single Property Websites, such as MarketSites by MyMarketWare should be at that the top of the list in the marketing plan for your listings. Each listing will be assigned its own unique URL, and as your PREVA we will handle the creation, submission and maintenance of each single property website with statistical information, for each site, sent to you regularly.

8. Virtual Tours
Another great marketing tool is the virtual tour. What better way to show off all corners of the home than with fabulous images, descriptions and links to capture the attention of prospective buyers. As a PREVA I will set all this up for you with special attention to where the virtual tour will be posted, to give your listing maximum online exposure (i.e. your websites, blogs and numerous other real estate portals). My virtual tour platform of choice is Real Estate Shows for its flexibility and high quality presentation.

9. Website Maintenance
We will ensure that your website(s) are kept up-to-date with current listings, news and buyer and seller information.

Lastly and most important…

10. Time and Money
Time is something we can give you to spend with family and concentrate on those revenue generating tasks mentioned above. Money can also be saved by partnering with a Professional Real Estate Virtual Assistant. Contact Me for a cost comparison of using a PREVA as opposed to, or in conjunction with, an “on-site” assistant.

Photo by yoppy

As the credit crunch continues to affect funding for a whole host of business activities it seems as though 2008 will be a year in which Real Estate players will really have to earn their commissions. The key is to get your name out there, letting the buyers know what is on offer and letting prospective sellers know that you just closed that massive deal yesterday. But what is the best way to do this?

Just Listed/Just Sold Postcards are the way forward for those looking to be proactive rather than reactive and with time at a premium you should be looking for all of the help you can get. That is where we step in as your trusted Real Estate Virtual Assistant because we have the resources, we have the experience and we look forwards not backwards. While that deal yesterday has been sealed you need to look at the next one and show your prospective customers that you are the hottest ticket in town, the deal maker pulling the strings and the one with your finger on the pulse.

Branded Just Listed/Just Sold Postcards are an excellent way to get the news across and your Real Estate Virtual Assistant knows how to tempt your clients in, give them a little taste of what you can do for them. Money talks in the industry, but it is the next deal you should be looking at not basking in the glory of yesterday’s news. Let us take some of the administration burden from your shoulders giving you more and more time to target your next deal.

Let your virtual assistant make a virtual world of difference!

As the internet continues to go from strength to strength many Real Estate professionals continue to look towards Virtual Tours as a way to assist clients and save their own time. But how many actually push forward with the idea, and what benefits does it offer?

A Virtual Tour is the ultimate Real Estate Virtual Assistant, the kind of issue which you can personalize for yourself and your customers. So why do so few actually take on the adventure? Quite simply……fear

There have been some massive improvements in software over the last few years, web cam technology is unrecognizable for twenty years ago and broadband is now common place – all elements required for the perfect Virtual Tour. While it takes time to perfect your offerings, I have the time, the software and the application to make it happen.

So what are the real benefits?

There are a number of benefits which include:-

1. Expanding your potential customer base to people out of the area. A virtual tour allows them to look before they visit, to see if it really has what they want.
2. It saves YOUR time with those customers who never quite close the deal, the ones who are always promising some action but never quite deliver.
3. In many ways it will also improve your sales figures because if the customer has seen the virtual tour (the property in a perfect light) then in many cases it will just be a case of closing the deal. Your virtual tour has already warmed up the customer!

However, there is still a need for face to face negotiations, which is where your skills will come in, but I can help you will your online presence and your marketing techniques. Just a few small changes can make a virtual world of difference – you will be very surprised.

Free system puts agents in charge of Web marketing

Thursday, January 04, 2007

A real estate technology company today launched a free international service to assist real estate professionals with marketing properties online, establishing agreements with other professionals and tracking Web statistics.Point2 Technologies Inc. officials say that their creation, called the Point2 NLS (for National Listing Service), is a marketing vehicle that is not intended to compete with traditional multiple listing services.

It is the latest in a series of free Web-based tools designed to increase the online exposure of property listings — officials at automated home-valuation site Zillow.com, for example, announced a new service last month to allow agents to advertise for-sale property listings.

The new Point2 system builds upon the company’s existing technologies and customer base. At launch the company already has about 104,000 members in 85 countries. In November, the company announced that 78 percent of its members were in the United States and 14 percent were in Canada, followed by Australia, India and the Philippines. The company offers a consumer-facing property-search Web site at Point2Homes.com.

“Our NLS gives complete control to the broker so that he can choose who his marketers are on a peer-to-peer basis,” said Brendan King, chief operating officer for Point2 Technologies. “There are no regional boundaries. Searching on the NLS, both for real estate professionals and consumers, won’t be bound necessarily by geography.”

Also, creators say the service is intended to thwart antitrust actions by allowing real estate professionals to make individual decisions about how to market property information on other Web sites. For example, agents participating in the system can select which agents they choose to share listings information with — and which agents not to share listings information with.

This peer-to-peer system of “Agent Handshake” agreements also allows agents to state specific reasons why they choose not to share listings information with specific real estate professionals, and calculates a performance index score for agents based on a variety of factors such as speed in replying to prospects and number of virtual tours and total Web site pages.

King said that the NLS system “now is outside the realm of the Federal Trade Commission or the Department of Justice because (real estate professionals) are making individual business decisions.”

The Justice Department is locked in antitrust litigation with the National Association of Realtors, for example, over the Realtor group’s approval of policies for the online sharing and display of property listings information, and the Federal Trade Commission announced several actions last year to combat MLS policies that it deemed anti-competitive.

There are several national Web services that offer real estate professionals a place to share information about for-sale properties at no charge, such as Edgeio, Google Base, LiveDeal, Oodle, Propsmart, Trulia, and Yahoo! Classifieds, among others, and the Point2 service gives real estate professionals the option to share property information with these sites.

This so-called “Exposure Engine” also allows agents to choose paid advertising for property listings on sites such as NYTimes.com.

The system offers detailed statistics on consumer traffic to property-search Web sites that can assist real estate professionals in determining which marketing venues are most successful.

While basic services for the Point2 NLS are free, the company does charge for advanced features, such as “predictive marketing” analysis that assists real estate professionals in tracking the online behavior and real estate interests of specific users.

Also, there are other lead-prospecting and text-messaging tools available for a fee. The company has made a name in the industry by building real estate Web sites and offering selling tools to assist with online marketing and lead management.

While several of the free online property-marketing services allow homeowners to list their own properties for sale, Point2 is focused on properties represented by real estate professionals. Most of the participants in the system are agents, and King said that agents are required to get broker permission to market listings in the system.

“It’s really the brokers who are in control of the listing content,” he said.

The traditional MLS system, which features hundreds of local, regional and statewide MLSs across the country, are not integrated and employ a wide array of business rules, membership fees and data standards.

Many MLSs are operated by Realtor trade groups, and in some cases membership in the Realtor trade group is tied to membership in the trade group’s MLS. The Point2 NLS system does not require Realtor or MLS membership, though many of the nation’s real estate licensees are also Realtors and members of at least one MLS.

Jay Thompson, a real estate agent in Mesa, Ariz., and a Point2 user since August 2005, said he has separate sections on his own Web site for posting shared property information derived from local MLS members and a separate section for posting properties from the Point2 network.

“My MLS lets me put (up to) six pictures in a listing. Point2 lets you put 36 — I get a lot more views on my Point2 listings,” he said. “I put a lot more pictures, so people tend to naturally gravitate toward the listings that have more information.”

Thompson, who works for Century 21 Aware, likens the Point2 capabilities to that of Google Base, Trulia or Zillow — “It’s just another Web venue for me to advertise listings on. It’s not going to replace the MLS; that’s not its intent.” He said he has established agreements through the Point2 network with about 1,100 real estate professionals in the area where he works, and he explains this to prospective clients during listing presentations.

Some industry participants may not embrace the concept of the Point2 NLS at first, Thompson said. But after they realize “that it’s not an attempt to take over their world then they should be OK with it,” he added.

Saul D. Klein, a real estate industry speaker and consultant and creator of the e-PRO real estate technology certification program, said that the concept for the Point2 NLS “is a great one,” though the company is “going to have challenges.”

“The ability for people to choose their own marketing partners is, to me, where the industry needs to go,” said Klein, who is also president of Internet Crusade, an Internet marketing company and an online community of real estate professionals.

While there has been industry controversy over how information is shared among real estate professionals, Klein said that Point2 seems to have the right idea with its “Handshake” agreements. “You should have the right to choose who you share your listings information with,” he said. “I think that’s a good thing, and I encourage that kind of participation. It’s up to the Realtor … and not the Department of Justice.”

Klein said there is potential for MLSs to misinterpret the intent of the Point2 NLS system, and that could be an obstacle for the system. “I’m intimately aware of the politics of MLSs, and I think if they understand it it won’t be a problem. But if they don’t understand it it will be a nightmare — people will react out of fear and not out of fact.”

He added, “I believe that if the MLSs take a hard look at this they will see that it’s not competition — there is more competition from major search portals.”

The cat is already out of the bag when it comes to the distribution of property listings information, Klein said, noting that real estate professionals now have many online venues to market properties.

“To be able to compete now — to defend yourself — you have to let it go to a number of places, otherwise one place does become more powerful,” he said. “The days where we put it on Realtor.com or only put it in two or three places, I think we’ve outgrown that.”

Brokers, too, may have a negative reaction to the NLS system, Klein said, and the company must show the industry “that they are not there to take anything away from them,” but rather to enhance the industry and provide more choice. “We know that there always is resistance,” he said.

Realtor.com, a National Association of Realtors-affiliated site operated by Move Inc., remains a dominant player for online property searches, Klein also said, though systems such as the Point2 NLS may push the industry toward “fuller, richer content on the Internet.”

With so many sites competing for Internet eyeballs, it remains to be seen whether Point2 NLS will gather significant participation to change the industry, Klein said. “A lot of companies spend a lot of money getting products to market. I think if it gets the right traction it can be an industry-changing thing. Getting the right traction is tough.”

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By Inman News