25 Text Messages You Should Send Right Now
Today, we're introducing a weekly series called "Tips and Tricks Tuesday" that highlights articles around a monthly topic. July's theme is "How can I make more money with my phone?" Read on to learn more about the latest mobile apps and innovations that can help you be productive from anywhere: As a real estate agent, you're probably next to your phone 24 hours a day, waiting for something to happen. Instead of doom-scrolling or checking your emails, start churning up opportunities by sending text messages! Texting is one of the most effective marketing channels available and is easy to start using. With 98% of SMS messages being read within minutes, there's no reason to exclude texting from your top marketing efforts! To help you, we've created 25 take-and-bake message templates you can use today. These templates cover various scenarios, from lead generation and follow-ups to appointment reminders and closing deals. Feel free to customize them to fit your personal style and business needs. Lead Generation Hi [Prospect's Name], I noticed you were looking at properties in [location]. I'm a local real estate agent specializing in that area. Can I assist you with any questions or provide more information? Hi [Prospect's Name], I can access exclusive listings in [location]. Would you like me to send them to you? Hi [Prospect's Name], I just listed a beautiful property in [location]. It has [key features]. Would you like to schedule a viewing? Hi [Prospect's Name], I'm hosting an open house this weekend at [address]. It's a fantastic opportunity to see the property firsthand. Will you be able to attend? Hi [Prospect's Name], I noticed you were searching for [property type] in [location]. I have a great selection available. Let me know if you'd like to see them. Follow-Up Hi [Prospect's Name], I wanted to check if you received the information I sent earlier. Do you have any questions or need further assistance? Hi [Prospect's Name], just following up on our previous conversation. Are you still interested in [property type] in [location]? Let's discuss your requirements. Hi [Prospect's Name], I recently came across a property that matches your criteria. Are you available for a showing this week? Hi [Prospect's Name], I noticed you've been exploring the market for a while. Have you found what you're looking for, or can I help you with more options? Hi [Prospect's Name], it's been a while since we last spoke. If you're still interested in real estate, I have some exciting new listings I'd love to share with you. Request for Referrals Hi [Prospect's Name], I'm glad we could meet your real estate goals. If you know anyone else looking to buy or sell, I'd appreciate a referral. Thank you! Hi [Prospect's Name], word-of-mouth referrals are essential to my business. If you have any friends, family, or colleagues who need real estate assistance, please let them know about my services. Hi [Prospect's Name], if you were happy with my services, I'd love to ask for a small favor. Could you leave a review about your experience working with me? It would be greatly appreciated. Hi [Prospect's Name], I'm always looking to expand my network and help more people with their real estate needs. If you have any referrals, I'd be grateful for the opportunity to assist them. Hi [Prospect's Name], my business thrives on referrals. If you come across anyone in need of real estate services, please keep me in mind. Your support is invaluable.Holiday and Special Occasions Hi [Prospect's Name], wishing you a joyful holiday season filled with warmth and happiness. If you have any real estate-related questions during this time, I'm here to help. Hi [Prospect's Name], as the year comes to a close, I wanted to express my gratitude for your support. Wishing you a prosperous New Year filled with exciting opportunities. Hi [Prospect's Name], it's National Homeownership Month! As a homeowner, you play a vital role in our community. Thank you for choosing me as your real estate agent. Hi [Prospect's Name], happy birthday! May this year bring you success, joy, and new beginnings. If you're considering any real estate moves, let's chat! Hi [Prospect's Name], congratulations on your new home! As you settle in, don't hesitate to reach out if you need any recommendations for local services or contractors. Market Updates Hi [Prospect's Name], I wanted to share the latest market update for [location]. It's a great time to explore real estate opportunities in the area. Let's connect if you're interested. Hi [Prospect's Name], the real estate market in [location] is heating up. If you're considering selling, now might be the perfect time to capitalize on high demand. Let's discuss your options. Hi [Prospect's Name], mortgage interest rates have dropped significantly. It could be an excellent opportunity for you to refinance your home loan. Let me know if you'd like more information. Hi [Prospect's Name], I came across an insightful article about real estate trends in [location]. Would you like me to forward it to you? It might help you make informed decisions about your property. Hi [Prospect's Name], there's a new development project underway in [location]. It could have a significant impact on the local real estate market. Let's discuss how it might affect your property value. Don't forget to add the recipient's name and relevant details to these templates. With text messaging, you can connect with prospects, nurture relationships, and provide exceptional service. Try out different templates to see which resonates best with your audience. Happy texting! To view the original article and read more articles about real estate marketing, visit the Virtuance blog.

Text Etiquette: The Do's and Don'ts When Texting
Texting has emerged as the "go-to" communication tool for real estate agents and their clients. Six years ago, the National Association of Realtors put texting as the third most popular form of client communication, behind email and telephone. The most recent NAR study shows texting is now the No. 1 way agents connect with their clients (93%), topping telephone and email communications. More importantly, agents texting past clients and prospects have grown more than 25% since 2016. Because texting is efficient, quick, and convenient, it often is the most effective way for agents to engage with their clients and co-workers. But sending a text can sometimes be fraught with risks. And while texting is especially vital to Millennials – who open their text messages about 98% of the time versus 20% of emails being opened – an unwanted or unsolicited text can cause an immediate and adverse reaction. Real estate agents must also be aware of TCPA: Telephone Consumer Protection Act. This Federal law protects consumer privacy rights. It was created to limit both annoying and unwanted telephone calls and texts. Here's a quick primer on texting etiquette – some of the essential dos and don'ts you should follow when texting. The Do's Do remain professional: The best overall texting rule in real estate is to maintain a professional demeanor. When texting a client for the first time, start by identifying yourself and explaining why you are texting them. Use short and complete sentences versus abbreviations or text lingo until you can observe their texting style. Also, hold off on using emojis unless you know the recipient well. Once you have begun a text exchange and see their style, you can determine if you should loosen up a little. Most importantly, be mindful of the time (and their time zone) and unless there's a compelling reason, keep your text exchanges limited to business hours. Not all clients are keen on receiving texts late at night or early in the morning unless they expressly permit you. A best practice is establishing text boundaries with clients in advance when discussing the best ways to reach them and for them to reach you. Do keep texts short and on-topic: When texting prospects or past clients, it's essential to keep your text messages brief. They are more likely to be read and remembered versus deleted. Texts should never be lengthy – that's the job of an email or phone call. If you have a lot to say, put it all in an email and if it's important, send a short text making sure they read the email you just sent. They will appreciate that approach. Otherwise, you also risk that they will lose interest. Also, remember to use their name in a text; it can be powerful to share something you know about them, such as a birthday or anniversary note. Finally, if you expect a response, you must end your message with a question. That's how to get most people to respond. Do send targeted updates and links: Since you're likely sending clients emails – perhaps suggested listings or requests for document review – feel free to text them a link to a relevant video or article about the community they are shopping. They will feel like you are giving them inside information and special attention for what they want. Potential homebuyers will also be intrigued by a digital walkthrough of a listing, especially if you send them a personalized tour shot on your smartphone and use their name(s) throughout it. Do reply ASAP: Texting is an immediate form of communication: it comes across as more urgent than a phone call or email. Clients who text you during the business hours you've established will expect a quick response. Even if you are busy, it's better to text back sooner than later out of politeness. Otherwise, they might think you are ignoring them. Do provide opt-in and opt-out opportunities: If you are using text to share more general versus individual-specific information, give recipients the option to opt into receiving texts when needed. This is especially true when promoting an event like an open house. If you plan to text them regularly – i.e., once a week – set that expectation upfront by letting them know what to expect. On the flip side, if a lead asks you to quit texting them, then stop immediately. You should also confirm their request promptly. If you are using a professional texting service, you should add a line at the end that says "Reply STOP to opt-out of future messages" to let your contacts know they can stop any time they wish. The Don'ts Don't use group messages: When someone gives you their mobile number, it creates a new level of responsibility. Use their number wisely to earn their trust. Including clients or prospects in a group message is rarely a good idea, as it can quickly erode the trust you are building with them. Instead, customize your text communication for each recipient. Yes, it takes extra time to create separate texts versus a group text, but it is worth it. Don't text bad news: Texting is not the best communication method if you need to share unfortunate information. Sharing bad news via text could be interpreted as cowardly or callous. If you need to be the bearer of bad news, it's better to call the client directly. That way, you can answer your customer's questions, provide additional advice, and, most importantly, read and respond to their non-verbal cues. Don't send without proofreading: Do you use the dictation feature on your phone to write texts? If you do, be extra careful, as autocorrect can wreak havoc with the English language and cause unplanned embarrassment. While some clients may be forgiving of an accidental typo or two, others will see it as a negative reflection on you. To maintain your professional image, before sending a text to a client or prospect, take a breath. Make sure you proofread and check for any errors that need to be corrected. And if you accidentally send out a text with a mistake, take ownership of it and quickly clarify what you meant to say. When texting, you can correct an error by immediately responding using an asterisk before the corrected spelling of the word (*ample – instead of apple) that appears in the text you just sent. You could also use a virtual editor to assist you with your writing. Don't send too many attachments: Sometimes, you need to send photos or short videos to a client or prospect via text. But you want to send as few as possible. Sending too many images and videos can negatively affect one's data plan or phone storage limits. Too many photos and videos also can make you appear to be pushy. If you want to send multiple images, text a link to the photos and videos on a web page or a shared online document folder (i.e., Dropbox, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive). Don't text numbers on the Do Not Call Registry: Do not ever text a number on the DNC registry without permission. While doing so could potentially lead to heavy fines, more importantly, it could damage a client or prospect relationship. Remember, if you want to text a number on the Do Not Call list, you must either have a business relationship with them or get their written permission before you send them a text. The popularity of texting remains strong: 97% of American adults text weekly. Over 6 billion texts are sent daily – that is, 27 trillion texts are sent yearly. But real estate agents need to use texting wisely because they are entrusted with personal mobile phone numbers. Perhaps the best rule of thumb when deciding whether to text or not to text is if you must ask that question, don't text. If you need help with smartphone texting or other issues, remember to contact someone at Tech Helpline for assistance. To view the original article, visit the Tech Helpline blog.

Friday Freebie: 67 Text Message Templates that Get Replies
Emails can be missed, phone calls can be screened, but text messages? With a 90% open rate, they have one of the highest engagement levels of any type of communication. But just because a real estate lead is likely to read your text doesn't mean they'll respond to it. How can you up your chances for starting a conversation with real estate leads over text? This week's Friday Freebie to the rescue! Today, we're highlighting a collection of 67 text message templates that are designed to reach leads and initiate a response. Read on to find out more. Free copy of 67 Text Message Templates that Get Replies from Real Estate Leads, courtesy of Zurple Here's the good news: Most text messages are read by recipients within 90 seconds. The bad? Not everyone is willing to respond to text messages from people they don't know—and real estate leads don't know you…yet. Zurple's text messaging guide aims to help you change that. The guide offers insight into why leads respond to texts, and provides text templates for various scenarios and lead sources, including cold leads, follow-up on free home valuations, referrals and more. Here's a brief glimpse at what's included: Text messaging tips that increase replies Text message templates for general leads Text message templates for homebuyer leads Text message templates for home seller leads And more! Ready to start engaging more leads? Download 67 Text Message Templates that Get Replies from Real Estate Leads now!

Clever Ways to Use Text Message Marketing for Real Estate
As a real estate professional, many things you do are time-sensitive. It's possible that you can lose out on a deal simply because you were waiting for a buyer to listen to the voicemail or check their email and they acted too slow. Text messaging allows agents to provide updates to buyers and sellers that are quicker and more immediate than email. Communication in real estate is critical. Text messaging or SMS (short message service) gives agents, Realtors, and brokers a valuable channel where prospective buyers can easily contact them, allowing them to increase sales. If you didn't already know, text message marketing in real estate is a powerful tool when used right. Let's consider the following statistics: 93% of real estate professionals prefer to communicate with their clients through text messages Text messaging as a whole has an open rate of 98% 90% of text messages are opened within three minutes compared with 20% of people who open an email Text messages have a response rate of 45% compared to email's 6% 68% of buyers would rather receive property info via text messages And even more telling, people respond to a text message within 90 seconds—by contrast, they respond to emails within 90 minutes. There are many benefits to leveraging text message marketing in real estate. Text messages can be a great way to send important reminders to your current clients. In Amarki, you can schedule and deploy automated text messages to remind clients of any important dates. One example is to set up an open house reminder text message that will send two days prior to the open house and then the morning of. It's cost-effective and generally less expensive than other forms of marketing, such as direct mail. Text messages create a far more personal touch to your marketing efforts. It's easy for clients to miss your emails in the sea of other messages they receive in their inbox. As people don't typically get as many text messages, they will at least see your SMS message. You can even launch mass text message marketing campaigns, but before you do this, you should ask your contacts how they would like to hear from you. While millennials may prefer texts, older generations might prefer email or even a phone call. Automated text messages can also be a great way to stay in touch after your clients have closed on their home. Here are just a few examples of text message templates you can consider setting up: Two weeks after close check-in: How is everything going? Are you getting settled? One year anniversary after close: Can you believe it's been a year since you bought your home? Congrats! On the client's birthday: Happy Birthday, [name]! You may not realize it, but sometimes even the smallest touch can have a big impact. Incorporate text messages as one more touch in your marketing strategy. Using the right tool or platform is a big investment in your bulk text message marketing strategy. It will empower you to reach potential buyers effortlessly and save you time and money. Here is how you can benefit from a perfectly chosen text message tool: Initiate a personalized, one-on-one text conversation with clients or prospects Increase attendance and engagement by scheduling important reminders Entice new clients with special keywords and calls-to-action So, do not limit your clients to just calling or emailing. Make your new home listings, price drop alerts, and links to real estate video tours available for them by choosing the right tool or platform, like Amarki. About Amarki: Amarki was built by real estate experts for Brokerages and Agents based on years of industry experience and firsthand feedback. We developed a marketing tool accessible to anyone, no matter the experience or marketing budget. By providing an intuitive tool that works "for" the agent, Amarki is able to remove the complexity of marketing tasks making agents more active. Check us out by clicking here.

Put the Power of Text Message Marketing to Work for You
As you read this story, four out of five Americans own a smartphone. Include in that number those folks who use phones that aren't app-friendly, and you get 96%. It's a sure bet nearly everyone who needs your real estate services also uses a mobile phone daily. And although not all phones can play Angry Birds, virtually all are designed to receive text messages. Formally called SMS text––the acronym stands for Short Message Service—text messaging has exploded in popularity over the last decade. And texting isn't just for teens any longer. During 2017, experts estimated that about 26 billion text messages were sent each day in the United States. That adds up to over 780 billion texts monthly and more than 9.3 trillion every year. People of all ages use text messages. Because they will often text with friends and loved ones instead of calling, texters are likely to check their messages within minutes of a new notification. Sure, there are some caveats. Most people aren't checking texts in the middle of a meeting at work––we hope. All in all, though, mobile research firm MobileSquared says 90% of people read a new text within three minutes of getting it. Three minutes! Not surprisingly, this means text messages rock for real estate professionals. In a report published by the National Association of REALTORS®, 94% of REALTORS® said the method they preferred to communicate with clients was text messaging. In 2020, there are huge horizons for growth. And there are plenty of good reasons why you should take advantage of text messaging for your real estate business. Stop Calling, Start Texting If someone reaches out to you on your website, calling them right away makes good business sense. Calling a prospect back within five minutes is estimated to increase your chances of a successful contact by a factor of 100. After all, they are expecting it. And the faster you are, the more impressive it is! But what about all those times when a prospect or lead isn't interested in a call? An unwanted phone call is about as interruptive as it gets. It's exactly what people think of when they think of pushy, unwanted sales behavior. On the other hand, people willingly look to text messaging when they want to communicate––but don't want to stop their whole day to do it. With that in mind, text messaging is a phenomenal way to stay in touch. From the sales associate's perspective, texting makes plenty of sense. Texting is extremely cost-effective. Compared to virtually any other marketing technique you can name, you'll pay fractions of pennies for your text messages. You can customize texts and even automate the process based on each prospect's interests and past behavior. That means texting gives you a superpower all associates should have: Personalization. From email to social media and everything else in between, effective digital marketing thrives on personalization. Every communication should be relevant, friendly, and helpful. Text messaging makes it easy: Your messages arrive when your prospect is most likely to see them and contain only information useful to that person––without having to do it all by hand. But there is one caveat before you begin. Understanding the Ins and Outs of Opting Out Are you using your real estate website to turn prospects into leads? You should be! The odds are good you're already collecting some information about your prospects as they use your site. You may even already have an email subscriber list. Just as you can't send emails to people without their consent, you also need to be sure they affirmatively opt into texts. Rules about this are much more strict in Europe, but the U.S. is catching up. America's most comprehensive data privacy rules recently went live in California, and other states are following. So, whenever you collect phone numbers, be sure you set expectations upfront. Forms should never come with an "accept text messages" box pre-ticked, and your text should let subscribers know how often they can expect to hear from you before they commit. Likewise, anyone on your list should be able to withdraw consent at any time by texting back. Sending unwanted texts after an unsubscribe request could expose you to fines. Luckily, many of these issues are automated for you with the right software. How to Use Text Messages to Convert More Leads Texting has a tremendous amount of potential. But how do you tap into it? Luckily, there are a few powerful formulas for effective real estate text messages: Text Important Property Listings and Updates - In 2017, the National Association of REALTORS® found that 62% of all buyers prefer having property info sent to them via text message. You can start this process even before you speak to a prospect, based on the listings they've spent the most time on while browsing your website. Once the relationship develops, a text is a great way to send leads info about a weekly spotlight property. Start New Conversations With a Question - It's important to talk with prospects, not at them. Text messages should provide an opening for conversation––and a question is very difficult to ignore. Keep it short, simple, and personalized: "What's the #1 thing you're looking for in a home, Bob?" will get Bob thinking about his ideal next home and give you details to start narrowing down his interests. Follow Up From Live Events Like Open Houses - Open house attendees are active leads, but they can still take months to make a decision. Follow up with your event attendees by text – right away and again if you don't hear from them in three to five days. The property they saw might not have inspired them, but the text can keep the fires burning. If they're still interested, roll out those property listings! Rekindle Cold Leads with Follow-Up Texts - Since it only takes a few seconds to read and respond to a text, most people don't mind getting them even if they've fallen off the radar. Again, a question works well: "Hi, Joan. Are you still interested in a home here in Walnut Creek?" In most cases, the worst thing that can happen is nothing at all. But now and then, you could open the way to another great sale. A Quick Text Can Move Mountains In a service-oriented field like real estate, the key to marketing is to be where the customers are. It only takes a quick look around at a store or restaurant to see most of them are on their phones! Phones are now an intimate part of our lives, shaping our daily experiences. And even the most important professional relationships, like yours with your clients, can start and develop there. Sure, you won't do all your marketing by text message. But it is a powerful way to expand your presence and augment the other marketing you do on your website and in person. In real estate marketing, the right emoji at the right time can be worth a thousand words! Not getting your copy of Delta Media Group's magazine, Real Estate Marketing & Technology? Sign up today. Your subscription is FREE. To view the original article, visit the Delta Media Group blog.

Close More Real Estate Deals with Text Messages
It's no secret as real estate professionals you've had to adapt to our changing times to keep your businesses going strong. From mastering the art of virtual open houses to guiding your clients through the uncertainty of real estate during the coronavirus, you adopted new methods to close more deals. At one time or another, you've also inevitably faced the challenge of dealing with people who don't answer your calls and emails. Often this isn't because they're trying to avoid you, but they're too busy or don't want to feel put "on the spot." So what's the answer? Start text messaging! Texting is one of the most effective ways to cut through the noise and ensure that your message reaches your prospect. There are many different ways that you can use text messaging to close more deals. Here are a few ideas to help you get started. Use Keyword Ads Even if a prospect has your business card with all of your contact information, there's a good chance that they'll forget or just put off reaching out to you. You can get around this barrier by creating ads that prompt leads to text a single keyword to a designated phone number. This makes it easy for people to make the first move while also opting in to receive your messages. Even better, using unique keywords gives you the ability to segment your leads by interest, so you're only sending relevant information. Text Closing and Listing Updates You take pride in helping your clients through every step of the process. However, it's challenging to stay on top of things when they don't see your messages. Nowadays, people get so many emails that it's easy for even important messages to get lost in the shuffle. However, it's much less common to miss a text message. Using text messaging to send important information about new listings or requests for the client to complete paperwork will make you a more effective real estate agent. Not only will this help you close more deals, but when clients see how proactive you are, they'll be happy to send you referrals. Send Scheduled Reminders It's no fun when a prospect forgets to show up for a scheduled appointment or showing. Sending scheduled reminders decreases the chances that this will happen and makes it easier for them to text you back if something has come up, and they're not going to make it. This will save you time and frustration and streamline your closing process. Ask for Reviews Studies show that 91% of people read reviews, and 84% trust the reviews they read online as much as a personal recommendation. One of the best ways to make sure you're a top-rated agent is to ask for reviews shortly after the closing. Increase the chances that your clients will follow through by texting them a link to submit a review. You can send the same message to multiple clients at once, simplifying the process for you and them. It's a win-win! Ready to Get Started with Text Message Marketing in DeltaNET 6? We Can Show You How! If you're ready to get started with text message marketing, contact us. We'll help you set up your system and create a perfect marketing plan for your individual needs. You'll be surprised by how quickly this simple move will improve your closing rates and contribute to your bottom-line. To view the original article, visit the Delta Media Group blog.

Warm Up Cold Real Estate Leads with SMS Texting
The real estate industry is changing, and so are the needs of clients. These days, people want speed and convenience. Providing rapid, responsive service is crucial for top-notch customer service. One of the best tools for growing rapport is something you probably use daily but might not have applied to your business just yet. It's SMS texting.

RU Getting the Most Out of Txting?
Texting has quickly become the favored mode of communication between friends and family, outpacing voice calls and emails. But how do consumers feel about businesses using text to communicate with them? Turns out, they are receptive to it. A nationwide survey found that individuals actually read 82 percent of text messages sent from businesses within five minutes of receiving them.

Text Templates for Getting Homebuyers Interested
How often do you find yourself stuck with a "poor quality lead"? While some dead ends are inevitable, most "bad" leads are simply good leads that weren't contacted soon enough. Speed to lead is critical for turning leads into closings. And texting is one of your best tools for contacting those leads quicker and with higher response rates. In fact, by using text engagement instead of email, our clients saw a 450 percent increase in lead responses.

Friday Freebie: Text Messaging Stickers for Real Estate
From smiley faces to common objects to various fruits and vegetables, emojis today cover just about every situation imaginable. That is, however, except for one--real estate. That's all changed, though, thanks to an Arizona-based brokerage that has released a collection of real estate emojis that integrate right into your smartphone's keyboard. Now real estate agents can use emojis that range from various houses to sales related icons like "Offer Accepted," "Price Drop," and more in their communications with clients. Read on to find out how you can nab this real estate emoji collection for yourself!

Real Estate Email Marketing: How to Run Email and Text Drip Campaigns
The secrets of real estate email marketing may seem cryptic and confusing at first. Why are some agents so successful with their email newsletter campaigns when others struggle to get a single open? Is it the time of day? Is it the quality of their email lists? Is it as complex as the right subject lines or is as audacious as learning graphic design and typography? Email marketing is a powerful marketing tool when in the hands of the right marketer. In the hand of the wrong person, it can yield undesirable results. In fact, real estate is the no. 1 offender for email spam and list abuse according to a 2017 study by MailChimp! If you are seeing unexpected results from your real estate email marketing campaigns, or if you want a quick refresher to improve click-thru rates and see better engagement, this is the guide for you.