Get to the Source
We learn from many different resources how to market to clients, what they want to hear, how to expand our customer database, how to maximize our websites … but wouldn’t it be great if you could hear right from the consumers themselves?
Coffee for Time?
How about setting up your laptop in the local coffee shop and getting to hear directly from potential buyers or sellers how they find their information? It might sound a little strange; you might have trouble the first couple of times you attempt this. How about offering to buy drinks for 10 minutes of their time to peek around your website? Be sure and tell them, their criticism will help you.
What’s in it for You?
When you get a “yes”, don’t keep them too long, just quick thoughts will be valuable – whether you to chose to do anything with their information or not. You also would have the opportunity to do a little bit of talking while there (do I have to mention to do the bonding thing – don’t shove Real Estate down their throats). If you have been satisfied with the amount of comments they share with you, feel free to ask if they would like to help out again sometime – maybe step it up to lunch.
Lastly, don’t forget to give them one of your special moo cards or business cards – so they know how to get in touch with you.
I wish I could take credit for that rockin’ idea… but it was Eric Stegemann with Tribus Group that deserves all the hand claps on that bright light bulb moment.
Eric Stegemann
June 19, 2009 at 3:03 am
I can tell you from my own experience this works so very well. You get the best insight from people. Hints: Do NOT go at 8am or at 5pm. NO ONE will answer you, they just want to get in and out. The best time to go is during the day say around 10am and on Saturday afternoons! It offers a wide age range of people to choose from and the insights you will get will be worth 100s of times more than the $5-10 you’ll spend on their coffee…. Get in there, ask them really open ended questions How would you make this better? What works? What doesn’t? etc….
As Matt Dollinger said it’s better than any analytics you could possible have running on your site.
Matt Stigliano
June 19, 2009 at 10:56 am
Kim – Thanks for sharing Eric’s idea with us. It’s so simple, but it’s one of those ideas that smacks you around the ears and makes you think “why didn’t I think of that?” I may have to set up one of these days and try it out. Of course, I have to figure out how to curb my love for coffee as by the time someone finally approaches I’ll be 10 cups in and shaking like some crazy nutjob asking people “I just need a minute of your time….pleeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaasssssse!”
Eric – Thanks for letting Kim share. I like the follow up hint as well. I’ve been in there in the early hours and know how people are. They need coffee, not chatter. During the day, everyone and their mother wants to talk to you in a coffee shop.
Ken Brand
June 19, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Smart. I might add that wrapping your notebook in a custom made and clever marketing skin would help attract interest and curiosity.
Here’s an example what I’m talking about – https://www.schtickers.com
Disclaimer: I don’t own one and I’m not a rep or anything, just sharing the info.
Cool idea.
Joe Loomer
June 19, 2009 at 12:47 pm
I like Matt’s comment – sometimes we get knee-deep in the next great idea and forget that at our core, we’re a social bunch who like to interact. Simple acts generate the most results in real estate sales – it all starts actually meeting people.
Navy Chief, Navy Pride
Kim Wood
June 19, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Eric – Thank you so much for allowing me to share. I love what Matt Dollinger referenced comparing it to analytics 🙂
Matt – Maybe on those days you should stick with water … or decaf ….. geesh… picturing you and I together – we’d be bouncing !
Ken – Great idea! Especially when used creatively with a “call to action” vs. a “sales pitch” or “ID card” !
Joe – Yes! And we can use it to our advantage as well 🙂