Category: Social Media

Despite your best efforts, it’s possible to receive a less-than-stellar review on Yelp and other social media platforms. While about 79 percent of the reviews on Yelp receive three stars or more, every business will likely receive negative feedback at some point because it’s impossible to please 100 percent of the people you deal with 100 percent of the time.

With this knowledge in mind there are ways to boost your online reputation and make sure that your Yelp profile is working for you and not against you. In this blog we’ll cover the four ways to handle a negative Yelp review.

Start with Great Customer Service

Most real estate agents place an emphasis on making sure their clients feel great before they walk out the door. But in this age of social media, business owners should always treat their customers as if they were newspaper reporters. Anything you say or that your customers observe while they’re working with you can end up online.

Stay Cool if You Read a Negative Review

If you find yourself getting too emotional about your reviews, you may not be the best person to respond to an upset customer. Appoint a trusted admin or another agent at your brokerage to manage your online reviews. Also, if you see a negative review written by someone without a photo and no friends, it may not be worth losing sleep over. Consumers on Yelp naturally gravitate to reviewers who have established presences on Yelp.

Be Diplomatic

When it’s time to respond to a critical reviewer, use Yelp’s free review response tools to join the conversation about your business. You can respond privately or publicly but remember to always take the high road when it comes to your customers and your reputation. If you feel like a review violates Yelp’s terms of service, you can flag it for evaluation by Yelp’s user support team.

Implement Feedback

Online reviews can help you figure out what you’re doing well and what you can improve upon. Some business owners discuss Yelp reviews with their employees during staff meetings and implement corrective measures according to the feedback they receive.

If you work hard at customer service and promote a positive image of your business, many of the reviews you will receive will be positive. Over time, all of the positive reviews become like an online book of testimonials for your business. You can send new customers to your Yelp page so they can learn more about the great service they will receive if they choose you as their representative.

Developing your Yelp profile with positive reviews of your services is a great way to improve your referral sources online. To learn more, start your free seven-day free trial of AgentEDU and watch the full Yelp For Your Real Estate Business course.

_________________________

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.

Are you using the power of Instagram to attract qualified clients and leads, or are you relying on MLS listings and your website to take care of that for you? If you or your team of brokers are not active on Instagram, then you’re missing out on a great opportunity.

After reading this blog you’ll understand why it’s beneficial for every agent to have an Instagram presence, and how you can build a profile that will enhance your brand and attract leads.

Reasons to Create an Instagram Business Profile

To Separate Personal from Professional

Even if you have a personal Instagram account, you need to create one for your professional self. Your personal and professional Instagram accounts should be separate. Your professional Instagram account shouldn’t contain pics of your trip to Cancun or your Sunday tailgate at the Bears game, for example. You wouldn’t post that content to your business’s website, and you shouldn’t do so on your Instagram business page either.

To Create an Interactive Portfolio

If you’re unfamiliar with Instagram and how it can help businesses, think of it as an interactive portfolio that can visually showcase your listings, projects and accomplishments. It’s the perfect place to upload photos or videos of your listings. If you’re only posting photos to your MLS listing or company website, then there’s a good chance potential buyers will not be engaging with these pages on a regular basis. But with Instagram, your newest posts will appear in the news feed the next time a follower logs on to Instagram.

To Get Access to Data

With an Instagram Business account, you will also get access to Instagram Insights. These insights show such data as visitor traffic, clicks and user demographics. This is a feature not offered to general accounts, and can help you determine which posts are most popular, what time(s) of day are best to post and if you’re reaching your target audiences.

How to Build Your Instagram Business Account

Step 1: Download the App

If you’re currently without an Instagram account, you will need to set one up. You must download the app directly to your phone using Google Play, the Apple app store or the Windows app store, depending on which mobile device you use. Simply head to your app store, type “Instagram” in the search field and begin downloading.

Step 2: Create a Bio

After installing the Instagram app on your phone, you must first create a bio. This is going to be the first impression many potential clients have of you and your business. You’ll need to make sure that it is short, compelling and informative. Make sure you include such details as your location/area, contact information, link to your website and your areas of expertise. Feel free to use this example by substituting your own details.

“I’m John of Oak Park, and I specialize in helping families find the single-family home of their dreams, as well as helping homeowners with their sale. You can reach me by phone at 555-123-4567 or email at John@OakPark.com when you’re ready to start living your dream.” www.OakParkHomes.com

Step 3: Your Professional Photo

A professional photo is also key. This will help display trustworthiness to followers and make your profile more personable. This photo should have high resolution and convey a professional image.

Example: Izabela Sloma (@SlomaRealEstate), senior vice president of sales at Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty, has an excellent bio and professional, high-quality photo. Her bio sums up her role, her career aspirations, and includes a website where you can learn more about her and her causes.

Step 4: Posting

Just like with your professional website and promotional materials, your Instagram page must be consistent with your brand. You’ll want to come across as reliable, well connected, knowledgeable and capable. Remember, this page will be a visual sales pitch for potential clients. All photos should be clear and high resolution.

When posting images and videos of new listings, remember to include details about the home and your contact information in the caption. If your post catches the eye of a potential client, they’ll want to know further details about the home and how to get in touch with you.

Example: @MattLaricyGroup does a great job of highlighting recent successful sales and new listings in a way that is visually engaging and consistent with his brand.

Step 5: Maintain and Grow Your Audience

The ultimate goal is to grow your audience and utilize Instagram to get your listings and professional brand in front of potential clients. That can’t be accomplished if you aren’t active on Instagram. You need to stay active by posting multiple times per week.

Here are a list of types of pictures and videos you can create that are appropriate and will amplify your brand:

• New and current listings
• Updates to a previously listed home
• Recent sales
• Testimonials from satisfied clients
• News and information related to your market
• Community involvement
• Team-building activities

Now that you’ve built your Instagram page and planned out your first few posts, you’re ready to start Instagramming! Remember, building a large following won’t happen overnight. You need to stay consistent. To learn more about marketing yourself, sign up for AgentEDU and receive a free seven-day trial to check out our eight-course Advertising track.

_________________________

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.