Agents, it’s crucial to understand that follow-up is far more than a routine task—it’s a strategic advantage that can set you apart from the competition. Effective and consistent follow-up is the cornerstone of building and nurturing strong client relationships. By maintaining engagement and delivering ongoing value to your past, present, and future clients, you not only cultivate trust but also significantly boost your chances of closing deals and securing valuable referrals. To leverage follow-up to its fullest potential, keep these best practices in mind:
Leverage Your CRM Capabilities
Before you begin diving into your follow-up strategy, ensure your CRM or technology platform is all-encompassing. A robust and comprehensive CRM system should automate tasks, organize leads, and track lead behavior efficiently. It should also be user-friendly to simplify implementation and management. Features like automated reminders, task management, and lead tracking can streamline your follow-up efforts and enhance your overall efficiency. Having a CRM system like Lofty enables agents to leverage data insights, tailor their approach and provide a more personalized experience to each prospect, fostering stronger relationships and increasing the likelihood of conversion.
Build Effective Smart Plans
Every agent inevitably questions whether they're on the right track. Am I sending too many messages? Not enough? Is a call more effective than a text? Discovering the optimal method is challenging, and sticking to it can be even tougher. That’s where Smart Plans come in. Developing an automated follow-up campaign or "Smart Plans" ensures consistent communication with your leads. They enhance traditional drip campaigns and action plans, offering automated recommendations tailored to a lead’s behavior and profile. With Lofty, you can reach out with confidence.
Prioritize Speed to Lead
As an agent speed to lead is vital if you want to beat your competition. Aim to make initial contact with leads within 30 minutes of contact. Speedy responses can significantly increase conversion rates. Follow up with a multi-channel approach, including phone calls, texts, and emails, and be prepared to make multiple contact attempts over a 10-day period—5-6 phone calls, 4-5 texts, and 4-5 emails, to be exact. In the competitive realm of real estate, mastering lead generation is both an art and a science. At Lofty, we recognize that no single strategy guarantees success. That's why we advocate for a multifaceted approach that combines the power of speed to lead with digital advertising and organic tactics to create a holistic lead generation strategy.
Use the Right Communication Channels
Did you know that text messages often yield higher engagement rates compared to emails, with open rates around 90% versus 20% for emails? Furthermore, calling leads twice within a 5-minute window can help bypass "do not disturb" settings and increase the likelihood of connecting. Incorporate these strategies into your follow-up plan to enhance effectiveness.
Utilize AI Assistants for After-Hours
For clients or leads that contact you outside of regular hours, consider using an AI Assistant. An AI-driven assistant can engage with leads, handle initial conversations, and schedule appointments, ensuring that no lead slips through the cracks and that your follow-up efforts continue seamlessly. Did you know that Lofty has an AI Assistant? Lofty’s AI Assistant is a game-changer for agents, especially after regular hours. This advanced, pre-trained virtual assistant is designed to boost your productivity and improve lead conversion rates around the clock. Imagine having a dedicated team member available 24/7, managing conversations through the entire buying and selling process. The AI Assistant helps schedule appointments, arrange showings, and even turn cold leads into hot prospects through long-term, strategic campaigns.
By following these best practices, you can optimize your follow-up processes, improve your lead conversion rates, and build stronger client relationships. Want to learn how Lofty can help you do all this and more? Check us out at lofty.com