We’ve all experienced it: A lead that seemed to be hot has suddenly stopped responding. A buyer has gotten discouraged during the search process and now won’t return your calls. If you’re looking for a way to restart a conversation or reboot a professional connection, it just may be that a quick text is the answer.
According to a recent Pew study, 31 percent of Americans say that they prefer texts over calls. This is especially true with those all-important Millennial and Gen-Z buyers, who tend to have even higher averages for text use and preference.
How can you use smart text messaging to help you connect with a lead or client who has chilled? Here are some reader favorites to help you get back in the flow of communication.
Peyton Moore
Bite-sized market info
“I think if your clients are on the fence about buying or selling, texting short reminders on interest rates or market snapshots in their neighborhood are great text messages. Stay top of mind!” —Peyton Moore, Realtor at Bird Nest Properties and Marketing
Check for updates
Depending on where you were in the process and how you want to restart it, Angela Territo of Angela Territo Coaching and Broker Associate, Engel & Vӧlkers Delray Beach, suggests texting any of the following:
- Just checking in; the market’s changed since our last conversation.
- Just checking in. The market changes daily — let’s talk.
- Is this still the best number to reach you? Let’s set up a call to update your search criteria.
Nathan Sykes
Keep it simple
Industry veteran Dean Jackson’s “9-word email” works just as well for text messages. “It revives dead leads using a short, non-committal email or text message that you send to 90+ day dead prospects. It’s basically just ‘Christy, are you still looking for a house in Glendale?’” —Nathan Sykes, Howdy Interactive
Check the calendar
“I hit ‘em up on a holiday so that I have a reason to reach out — even a minor holiday like Columbus Day. I’ll try and think of something witty to say in reference to the holiday, then say, ‘I woke up with you on my mind. Just wondering how things are going.’ It’s amazing how many people will respond to that type of friendly ‘How are things going?’ message.”
“I generally send out cards to my sphere to remind them of the time change, but that would be another easy time to reach out to your phone list with a text reminder.” —Ophelia (Opey) Angelone, Broker Owner of Action Realty
Ben Hearn
Change the subject
“Text them something unrelated to real estate, asking their help in some (small) way. After they help you, they’ll think about how they wouldn’t have offered help to someone they don’t care about, and since they just convinced themselves they care about you, they’ll be more responsive and open to looking at homes again.
“True story: One of my clients is a nephrologist, and it had been a month or so of just one way communication. I had blood work done, and my creatinine levels were off, which just so happens to be what nephrologists specialize in. I asked her for her opinion about it and what I should do, and not only did she respond immediately but then she asked me to go see houses again!” —Ben Hearn, Compass, Greater Philadelphia
Christy Murdock Edgar is a Realtor, freelance writer, coach and consultant with Writing Real Estate. She is also a Florida Realtors faculty member. Follow Writing Real Estate on Facebook, Twitter, Instagr
