Let’s start with the basics of landline texting. You may be saying to yourself, “But wait a second… since when can you text a landline?” I know, I know. Technology is CRAZY!
Although, to be fair, the landline is not technically receiving text messages. With the help of a landline texting service and the internet, customers can text your business’ landline number. You can then receive and respond to texts through an internet browser. A lot of texting services offer mobile apps to manage landline texts, as well. The cherry on top is that receiving texts to your landline number will not interfere with incoming or outgoing phone calls.
Maybe now you’re saying, “Okay that sounds fine, but why do I really need landline texting in the first place?”
Read on to learn all the reasons your real estate business could benefit from landline texting.
5 Reasons Why Your Real Estate Business Needs Landline Texting
1. Buyer Convenience
Your buyers and potential buyers want to text you, and with landline texting, they can!
According to a 2017 report from The National Association of Realtors’ Research Department, 62% of buyers prefer to receive property information via text. Ultimately, the more convenient you can make the entire experience for your buyer, the more likely they will be to use your services again or recommend a friend to your business.
There is also a good chance that you’re already missing out on business without even realizing it! When people drive past a “For Sale” sign, some of them are probably already texting the landline number provided for more information. Unfortunately, that is a text, and a lead, that will never be seen without landline texting.
In fact, according to a whitepaper published by the WAV Group and Weichert Lead Network, 48% of buyer inquiries never received a response. Stop letting leads go unanswered and improve the buyer’s experience by implementing landline texting.
2. Streamline buyer-realtor communications
Although some services offer SMS short codes (aka five to six-digit numbers), you can still choose to use your office’s landline number instead.
Let’s imagine a scenario: a potential buyer drives past your “For Sale” sign and decides to call the office number listed for more information. This buyer prefers to hear the sound of the realtor’s voice.
Right behind her is another potential buyer driving past the same sign, but she has an exceptionally busy day ahead and does not have several minutes to sit on the phone. Instead, she texts the same number listed on the sign for more information.
If your office landlines are text enabled, you are able to nurture that lead as well! Remember, landline texting does not interfere with phone calls, so our second, super busy, buyer can contact you while you are still chatting with the first caller.
Without adding a new phone number, SMS short code, or purchasing any new equipment, you will be able to respond to both inquiries in a matter of minutes via the same landline number. This will allow you to further streamline your communication with potential buyers.
3. Follow up easily with interested buyers
Consider collecting phone numbers on your open house sign-in sheet and give people the ability to opt-in to text updates.
Buying a home is a huge financial and personal decision, so most people will want to take some time before making a decision. If they have decided to opt-in to text updates about the property, however, you can set up bulk messages to stay in touch. Shoot everyone a text thanking them for attending the open house and establish that line of communication by making yourself readily available to answer questions.
This will give you an easy way to keep your property on the top of their mind via their preferred method of communication. Plus, text messages have a 98% open rate, compared to a 20% open rate if you follow up via email.
If your landline is text enabled, it will also make it easier for buyers to switch between texting or calling your office, depending on whether they have a quick question or a more involved inquiry. Since you didn’t change your phone number, they can use the same landline number to do both!
4. Use landline texting to send pictures and virtual tours.
Text enabling your landline will allow you to send messages- and more!
As business communications become more and more virtual- especially mid-pandemic- there is a good chance that you may find yourself texting with a potential buyer who wants to see pictures or videos of the property in question. Instead of switching to email, you can send your potential buyer the desired photos or virtual tour via text.
This ability to keep the conversation in one place will save you and potential buyers the time and confusion of losing pictures and videos in the wilderness that is often referred to as the email ‘Junk’ folder.
Once all the necessary information has been communicated, you will be ready to meet your buyer, and close the deal!
5. Beat out the competition
There is a good chance that your competitors are already utilizing text message marketing.
In fact, 73% of real estate companies in the industry are already implementing text into their marketing strategy. If you want to keep up with, and hopefully beat, your competition, landline texting is an affordable way to begin taking advantage of text message marketing.
In addition to nurturing leads, many landline text services allow you to use campaigns to market your properties. A campaign is usually a series of messages that you can send to people who opted in to receive updates.
Email marketing campaigns have been used by various businesses, including real estate, for years, but it may no longer be the most effective campaign tool. Remember: 98% of text messages are opened compared to just 20% of emails. Consider using landline texting to send out your next campaign and compare the results to prior email marketing campaigns.
—Landline texting is an effective, affordable weapon to add to your real estate marketing arsenal. Of course, text messages will probably never completely replace your other tools, such as e-mail and social media. It will, however, make your real estate business that much more competitive and, hopefully, profitable.
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