Transform Transform March 2014 | Page 4

3 Everyday Tech Tools That Can Grow Your Real Estate Brand Selling real estate has always been a highly competitive game, but in today’s slowly recovering economy - novice and veteran agents alike need an edge. That’s where standing out from the rest, or branding, comes into play. I know that branding may sound like a daunting and expensive task, involving a formidable advertising budget and time, but I’ll show you how by investing a few dollars, using everyday technology and dedicating a few hours of work a week, you can launch and build your own brand – quickly differentiating from your competitors. Smart Phone - If you haven’t done so already, you should consider purchasing a “smart phone.” A smart phone is a phone that for all practical purposes is a mini computer that is connected to the Internet and can be used as a virtual office. They are either made by Apple or other manufacturers like Samsung or HTC. Telephone service providers such as Verizon and AT&T often run promos where you can pick one up for under $100, if you commit to a cellphone service contact. Why a smart phone? The savvy real estate agent uses a smartphone as her direct phone line and sets 4 it up so all business emails are automatically forwarded from the office to this dedicated tool. This gives you instant access to your clients, or potential clients, and ensures that no matter where you are or what you’re doing you’ll never miss a listing or sales opportunity. Web Site - While you will certainly get leads from your office’s website when it’s your turn, there is no substitute for launching your own site, where you can tout your experience, listings and contact info. This is true whether you are just beginning or are an established agent. If you are tech savvy, you can launch your own site with a hosting company such as Bluehost or Hostgater for as little as $100 a year. Or, if technology isn’t your strong suit, then consider using a service such as Point2, where you can launch an individually-branded real estate agent site with point-andclick templates for as little as $199 per year. The company also offers a free, two-week trial. No matter which method you use to create your own branded site, it is a necessity in today’s real estate mar