Category: Social Media

Oh No! I Got a Bad Yelp Review!

Marci Sepulveda Leave a comment

In today’s technology-driven world, broker reviews are easy to find. And although most brokers work hard to perform well for their clients, even the best brokers get a bad review once in a while. However, knowing how and when to respond can mitigate negative reviews and could even turn them into a positive for brokers. Whether good or bad, word of mouth recommendations carry a certain level of authority among consumers, with nearly 90 percent of consumers saying they trust online reviews as much as word of mouth recommendations.  If you want to know how to get more online reviews, we’ve got you covered.

While 17 percent of consumers say they would write a review after a positive experience with a brand, many reported that they would be more likely to write a review after a bad experience. Once something is posted online, it’s there forever; as a result, many agents worry that a bad review would be detrimental to their business. That’s one of the reasons why building a strong collection of online reviews is a smart way to set yourself up for long term success and part of this strategy is managing negative reviews by addressing them quickly.  

Responding to negative online reviews 

If you don’t regularly monitor and take care of your online reviews, you are risking sending a potential client straight to one of your competitors. But it’s not just the review itself that’s important — how you respond to that review is often just as important, if not more, than the review you received.  

And keep in mind that improperly responding to a negative review can often be just as detrimental as not responding at all. And just like the review, your response will live online for all to see — anyone who searches for you will likely come across your response, so always remember that there’s a huge audience for whatever you post.  

When it comes to responding to negative online reviews, a good rule of thumb is this: simply handle your response the same way you would in person. Even if the customer is in the wrong, begin your response with a sincere apology.  

Here are some other tips for responding to negative online reviews:  

  • Don’t let your ego or pride get in the way. 
  • Always keep your response professional — don’t be defensive and let your feelings take over or get the best of you.  
  • Be empathetic and try to imagine things from your client’s point of view. It can help to think of the client as a friend or relative — respond to the review as if you were talking to someone you care about.  
  • Do your best to try to resolve any issues and help the client — offer them an easy way to contact you directly to resolve any outstanding issues and to get the problem taken care of.  

Lastly, remember that people are looking at how you respond, so it’s always in your best interest to show that you are trying to be as understanding and helpful as possible.  

Using Yelp to Grow Your Real Estate Business 

For real estate agents, having a Yelp profile can give you the edge to help you get ahead of your competition. You may already have a strong online presence marketing your real estate business on social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, but if you’re not actively promoting your business on Yelp, you may be missing out on a valuable source of referrals.  Starting a newsletter or blog is another great way to build your referral network.

Many agents are getting referrals and growing their business through Yelp. To learn more about how Yelp can work for real estate agents, how to set up your Yelp profile, how to regularly get reviews, and how to respond to negative reviews, sign up for our course Yelp for your Real Estate Business today.  

AgentEDU® is a platform where agents at every level can come to watch 10-minute video courses for the many situations that successful agents must master. From essential to advanced level and everything in between, AgentEDU® courses help agents become top producers with increased earnings and a plan for continued growth. 

AgentEDU® is an Agent Publishing brand. For 18 years, Agent Publishing has been committed to providing residential real estate professionals with the information and training required to build successful and meaningful careers in their local markets. Agent Publishing’s influence extends to every career stage and reaches agents across print, digital, events and online learning. 

How to Correctly Use Facebook as a Marketing Tool

Anne Hartnett Leave a comment

A marketing plan is key in both generating more leads as well as increasing exposure for your business. Given that the technology landscape is ever-changing, it also comes with its fair share of scrutiny and controversy at times. Here are a few best practices in utilizing Facebook as a marketing tool.

To mention Facebook is to also mention some of its downfalls. More recently in March, Facebook was charged with violating the Fair Housing Act by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In the suit, Facebook is accused of restricting who can view a housing-related ad, since Facebook allows users to customize ad campaigns to target certain people and locations.

Teachable Moment

The dispute with HUD and Facebook has created an opportunity for agents to adjust their marketing plans and educate their clients on the rules and regulations that come with marketing a listing. This means that when clients are asking for more social media engagement and bold ideas to get their property to sell, mentioning fair housing is key to being on the same page and clearing any confusion. This also calls for agents to check their marketing plans; if you use a third-party vendor it’s best to follow up on their alignment with the Fair Housing Act.

Make It Personal

It’s more than likely you’re active on some social media platform. Whether that’s Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube, you have the opportunity to reach out and create a brand image. With that in mind, creating content for your business profile doesn’t need to be pure real estate all the time. Adding in a personal touch — such as posting about what you do on your free time, with family, or on nights out with co-workers or fellow agents — creates more connectivity with your clients. It allows prospects to see you as a person, rather than just a business owner.

Engage

Another key component of any marketing plan is to be engaging with your clients through social media channels. Along with making it personal, this is another great way to connect with your followers and clients. Allocate some time, or even hire an intern to assist you, to write back to people who comment on your posts and take time to comment and like their posts as well.

Being a Dependable Source

With social media at everyone’s disposal, the issue of misleading information and confusion is also a problem. As an agent, building trust is an area you should always be working on, and this also means making Facebook a part of those efforts. Creating content that counters false information is a great way to become a dependable source. This can go hand-in-hand with educating your sellers in regards to the Fair Housing Act, but also it can be incorporated in marketing, such as showcasing your recent sales figures or the current state of the market.

In all, Facebook is a fundamental platform and needs to be a part of any marketing strategy you have. Incorporating Facebook in your business activities allows for more growth and exposure. However, as explained here, there are rules and regulations to follow and be aware of.

For more tips on how to create effective marketing, start your seven-day free trial of AgentEDU and gain access to the fundamental advertising track.

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AgentEDU® is a platform where agents at every level can come to watch 10-minute video courses for the many situations that successful agents must master. From essential to advanced level and everything in between, AgentEDU® courses help agents become top producers with increased earnings and a plan for continued growth. For a 7-day free trial sign up here.

AgentEDU® is an Agent Publishing brand. For nearly two decades, Agent Publishing has been committed to providing residential real estate professionals with the information and training required to build successful and meaningful careers in their local markets. Agent Publishing’s influence extends to every career stage and reaches agents across print, digital, events and online learning.