Real Estate Virtual Assistant

August 24, 2008 | 1 Comment

Benjamin Matthew

A realtor needs help marketing real estate.  Real Estate sales online can be very effective, but keeping all your information current and marketing it to the local home searchers takes time.

That is why a Virtual Buzz Assistant is a perfect match if you are a realtor looking for a Real Estate Virtual Assistant.

I have known a few realtors in my day, and let me make some broad generalizations.

  1. They do not like to spend large amounts of money on the web.  (Especially in 2008)
  2. They like to be able to show clients what they are doing for them.
  3. They are much more effective with a good support staff.
  4. They often need to write listings, update pictures or video and market homes on the web.

A Real Estate Virtual Buzz Assistant can help you in a variety of areas.  They may not help you with your calendar or scheduling, but they will really save you time on the web.  Here are some tasks to consider.

  1. Updates to websites and blogs
  2. Set up local housing blog and keep it updated
  3. Monitor search engine traffic to improve listing performance
  4. Update real estate listings
  5. Optimize images and video
  6. Upload images and video
  7. Reach out to local housing market and try to grow email lists
  8. Publish email newsletters with home listings

The biggest reason to get a real estate virtual assistant to specialize in your online marketing is because they will help you be more effective and free up your time to show homes and network.  You can start out with one small trial project and decide how you will proceed.

Marketing Real Estate on the Internet does not need to be expensive and involve marketing firms and web designers.  A virtual assistant that has solid internet marketing skills can meet the vast majority of your needs.

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Posted by Ron McDaniel | Filed Under Blog 

Virtual Assistant Marketing Strategy

August 15, 2008 | 1 Comment

New York County

Your virtual assistant marketing strategy depends on some advanced planning from you. Most virtual assistants I have met are not mind readers and do not know your business better that you do. (There have been some exceptions to that.)

So with that, I thought I would write up a summary of what your virtual assistant marketing strategy should include:

  1. Good marketers know that everything either makes you money or does not.  They also know it takes time.  You need to decide exactly what the Virtual Assistant can do to make you more money.  Clearly lay it out to them and measure the results.
  2. Your marketing strategy should be written in a marketing plan and should include goals such as increases in website traffic, email subscribers, search engine hits, etc.
  3. If you try a tactic for a while and you are not meeting your goals, decide if it is because it is the wrong tactic or the wrong virtual assistant.
  4. Do not give broad instructions like create buzz, set up a viral website or I want to double traffic and sales. Virtual Assistants are not usually marketing agencies.  You have to craft your strategy or hire a marketing expert to do it.
  5. Agree on a length of time and an outcome.  (Don’t dictate, agree with the VA) Give them that long to get the results unless they are not meeting their obligations.
  6. Got someone good?  Try to lock them up in a longer commitment.  Throw in some training if you want to sweeten the deal.  I know someone that found such a good programmer that she paid for two weeks of training for him.

Your virtual assistant marketing strategy is different from hiring a marketing firm.  You have to know what you want and what you can expect for results.  It is a great, low cost marketing solution if you understand that.

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Posted by Ron McDaniel | Filed Under Blog 

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