Two tools to build your online presence to get your testimonials noticed

The real estate market is fiercely competitive, and one of the best ways to differentiate yourself is to have a cache of stellar reviews in multiple places so consumers can find you. Success requires a solid reputation, and getting positive reviews is key to surviving in this business.

When to ask for your reviews

Many agents think the best time to approach their clients for a review is right after the close. It is not, so don’t make this error. As happy as they may be to finalize the deal and to enjoy their new home, they most likely won’t have the time to write one up for you. They will be busy with the move and preoccupied until they get settled. Do it before the close! Better yet, when they are at their happiest — when it clears escrow, the remaining earnest money is in and the deal looks like it’s going to make it to the finish line. They are excited to own a new home, and they are grateful to you for your efforts. Plus, they will have more time as they wait until the day of their close.

Where reviews are most important

The most important sites for your reviews to be seen by consumers are:

• Realtor.com
• Zillow
• Google
• Yelp
• LinkedIn

These are where most consumers go when they are looking for the right agent.

The problem with gathering reviews

Most require their own forms that must be sent directly to your client to protect the integrity of the reviews. Some even require that the review be tied to a specific transaction and verified to ensure its legitimacy. This is understandable to prevent fraudulent reviews, both positive and negative. However, this means that many links must be sent and redundant forms must be filled out by your clients when it’s hard enough to get them to do just one! The client may not want to be bothered. You may get only one review that is good for only one site. The others get left out, and your “stellar” review (and you) get missed.

The solution

The good news is that there are sites that can streamline the process for you! This will save you and your clients time. They are one-stop portals that require just one form to be filled out, and then the most important sites are auto-populated. Two to consider: RateMyAgent and Testimonial Tree.

1. RateMyAgent

RateMyAgent is a digital marketing and agent review platform for Realtors to gather, promote and share potential clients’ feedback and reviews.

How it works
RateMyAgent enables you to publish past reviews and requests new ones from buyers or sellers. Additionally, each review is instantly connected to the associated property transaction, letting buyers and sellers know they are legit. Once your reviews are up, you can publish them on your website or social media accounts to promote yourself.
RateMyAgent is one of the easiest review platforms for Realtors and their clients. With just a single click, potential clients can check your local reputation and reviews, keeping you in the forefront of their minds.

Benefits of RateMyAgent
• All of your feedback in one place
• A simple experience for your clients
• No registration required to post a review
• A single request across many platforms
• Secure personal data

Pricing
RateMyAgent offers both free and subscription plans for its users. The price for paid plans ranges from $16 monthly to $1,500 annually.

2. Testimonial Tree

Testimonial Tree is a web-based service that offers review management through gathering, storing, filtering and sharing testimonials. It is one of the most prominent online reputation management companies.

How it works
Testimonial Tree makes it simple to gather client reviews and post the most inspiring ones on your website, your social media and review sites like Yelp.

Benefits of Testimonial Tree
• Easy to use
• Get reviews in one place
• Produces quick results
• Excellent customer service

Pricing
Testimonial Tree charges between $30 and $300 per month. However, it offers a 30-day free trial.

Comparison of RateMyAgent vs. Testimonial Tree
Both RateMyAgent and Testimonial Tree tout their ability to help your business expand by using real estate testimonials or reviews as a springboard. Still, with so many comparable features, it can be challenging to choose between the two services.
Both offer API integration services, allowing you to access your profile listings, statistical data and reviews, and integrate them with a third-party website. This makes the whole process a lot easier.

Bottom line

Your reputation directly influences your bottom line. Having your reviews on the most important sites is a must. Using these portals to gather reviews not only will be easier for your clients and save you time, but also will allow you a greater online presence and more business! More business means more commissions, and who wouldn’t want that?

Anne Ewasko is a veteran Realtor in the Chicago area and a longtime techie. Visit her at anne.luxhomechicago.com.

3 open-house tech apps that can turn visitors into clients

If you’re still using paper and pencil to register guests at your open houses, then it’s time to get on board with technology that will make your life easier. Here are three apps to consider that will save time, keep you organized and increase your bottom line with simple follow-up tools that can turn these visitors into clients.

Spacio

Spacio is the most effective open-house app for lead generation. Guests sign in, and the software gives you the lead resources available with tools and integrations to turn these visitors into long-lasting clients. It’s basically an integrated CRM builder that requires little effort from you.

How does Spacio make open houses easier?

Spacio collects social media data on open-house guests, automates email follow-up, provides customizable seller reports and includes additional features for teams and brokerages — like team reports and auto-populating listings when available. The software consists of Android and iOS apps for managing and sending data directly to your CRM.

Pros

• Automates lead collecting for 100% follow-up
• Helps you maximize lead-generation prospects for all of your listings
• Makes it simple for you to remarket to client lists from your previously sold properties
• Increases exposure for all of your listings through optimal digital advertising
• Saves time and energy

Cons

• There is a bit of a learning curve to get started
• Spacio is not free

Pricing

• The Agent plan is $25/month
• The Team plan is $100/month
• The Brokerage Plan is $145/month
• Free 30-day trial

Depending on your MLS rules, auto-populating listings may require a setup cost.

Curb Hero

Curb Hero is a free, simple, digital open-house sign-in app that has been shown to get more visitor information and saves agents time. It is compatible with Android and iOS phones, tablets and the web.

How Curb Hero Works

The Curb Hero app helps Realtors quickly create a digital open-house sign-in sheet styled with your logo, your color palette, your property photo, custom questions, follow-up messaging and more. Interestingly, it even works offline. In addition, Curb Hero provides social media marketing tools such as a “link in bio” feature that integrates listings and lead capture, as well as other interactive information, directly into an agent’s social media account. It works for Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and more, all while remaining in compliance with real estate regulations.

Pros

• Is very user-friendly
• Can sync leads with more than 2,000

CRMs

• Automates text message follow-up with open-house visitors, making communication much easier
• Offers branded templates

Pricing

Curb Here is free, and there is no membership fee. Yes, you read that right: It is completely free!

Open Home Pro

Open Home Pro is a commonly used open-house app that helps agents locate and interact with potential customers. With the help of Open Home Pro, you can generate more leads, make your open house more visible on social media and send interested parties follow-up emails.

Pros

In addition to excellent digital sign-in capabilities, the premium plan provides the following:

• Lead management within the app
• Automated and trackable lead follow-up emails
• Personalized email branding
• Automated sellers’ reports

Cons

Open Home Pro has its limitations for teams and brokerages and is best suited for individual agents.

Bottom Line

Using these tech apps will set you apart from your competition. Visitors (and potentially your future clients) love to see the latest technology. It is your opportunity to make that great first impression by using simple tech open-house apps. Plus, no more trying to decipher scribbled handwriting!

These apps will clearly log in their information and provide easy follow-up campaigns so you will never miss another opportunity to turn that visitor into your next client. And more clients means a better bottom line for your business.

Anne Ewasko is a veteran Realtor in the Chicago area and a longtime techie. Visit her at anne.luxhomechicago.com.