Mobile Real Estate Can Thank the iPhone
The title of this post is lifted directly from Joel Burlsem’s post. There’s good reason for that.
Lately I’ve been researching mobile advertising and mobile marketing for a different industry [fundraising] and came across Joel’s July 3 post. Joel makes a great point about the iPhone:
Realtors are going to love this thing. But more importantly, the average Joe is going to love this thing. And for that reason more than any other, the iPhone could be what really kickstarts mobile real estate.
The thing I want to bring up with Joel’s post is not that he is wrong…but that he is right. And that is part of the problem.
See, I’ve got into a number of recent discussionswith Realtors discussing the explosion of technology like smart phones, mobile videos and social media on the web. And invariably at some point the concern or worry that always seems to creep up is this: there is so much out there, how do I know what to use?
As one reader pointed out “It’s not enough to just sign up….you really have to participate [in social networks]…I think the concept of it all is truly fabulous, but honestly, I’m feeling quite overwhelmed!!”
Me too. And that brings me to my solution.
Your Real Estate Marketing Strategy
When discussing mobile marketing or vlogs or social networks like Facebook what you have to remember is that all of these things are tactics and campaigns that fit underneath the umbrella called your marketing strategy.
They are tools you use to help you reach your larger goals. They are not ends in themselves.
A carefully-planned real estate marketing strategy is your compass. It shows you where your true north is. It’s also part of a larger business plan, which, in the end, should drive all of your decisions. It is the big picture. The view from 30,000 feet.
Calculated v. Reckless Risk
In his book Failing Forward John Maxwell talks about the two kinds of risks: calculated and reckless.
Calculated risk plays to your strengths. Reckless plays to your weaknesses.
Calculated risk has a small room for error. Reckless has no room for error.
Calculated risk meets the needs of others. Reckless meets only your needs.
Calculated risk is built on a plan. Reckless is built on reaction.
The last example is the point I wanted to make.
According to Moore’s Law, it is more likely in the future that you are going to bombarded with even more technology and marketing ides than less.
And with so much out there for you to look at its easy to fall into a reckless state of reaction. You might find yourself throwing money in different directions. More importantly, you might find yourself [if you haven’t already] throwing your time in all different directions.
But you have to avoid that if you want to remain profitable. If you want to remain married. If you want to remain sane.
So, would you agree it’s even more important than ever to have a firm marketing plan in your pocket?
Count the Cost
Think about it: it may take you several days, even weeks, possibly fifty hours over the long haul, to knock out a solid real estate marketing plan.
Does that sound painful? Don’t have the time?
If you find that painful, look around you and ask yourself these questions: what’s most important to me, right now, in my business and my life?
How does this tool fit into my business plan? My marketing plan? My life?
What will it take away? What will it give in return?
Here’s what I know: invest more in less people. And less things. For those things that you isolate as most important to your business and life deserve your absolute best.
It’s all about returning back to the basics, folks.
While mobile real estate might thank the iPhone for it’s proliferation and while real estate networking might owe its success to social media, you will definitely thank your marketing plan for keeping you focused, profitable and sane.