Jacqueline Kyo Thomas
*If only there was a way to squeeze more hours out of the day. *
While we’re all limited to the same 24 hours, technology can help you become more productive. Below, we’re sharing our favorite tools to supercharge your efficiency and get more done in your workday. These tips are especially useful if you, like many others, are working as a part-time real estate agent.
BombBomb - As a real estate agent, you'll spend a lot of time in the inbox. Instead of churning out the same boring emails, use a tool like BombBomb to add video to your email communication. What makes it a useful tool for productivity is that you can schedule your video-embedded emails ahead of time. Also, set up tracking and reminders to follow up with those who haven't opened your emails.
Boomerang - Do you use Gmail as your email client? You've got to get Boomerang. Boomerang adds so much functionality to your inbox. From email scheduling to read receipts, Boomerang helps you manage your email communication more effectively. Boomerang offers a ton of features to boost your productivity, including delay send which allows you to write emails now and then send at a more optimal time. If you're up at 2 am emailing prospective clients, you can then delay the send time until 2 pm the next day when they're more likely to respond right away. You can also get more done with the inbox pause feature that stops new emails from crowding your inbox for an hour or two so that you can work without interruptions.
Calendly - Do you hate going back and forth when setting up a meeting with a potential client? Use Calendly, a scheduling software set up your availability on a calendar and then share a link to that calendar in your email. Your client can then pick a time that's convenient to them. It's confirmed. You're notified. Easy peasy.
Canva - Because you work in a visual business, you can invest a lot of your time and/or money into designing brochures, presentations, social media posts, web ads, and postcards. Canva is one of the best tools for doing that, and it only takes a few minutes to produce a professional-quality design. When you need to create real estate flyers on the fly, head to Canva for dozens of beautiful templates that you can customize to fit your needs.
CityBlast - Want to set up a social media ad campaign on Facebook, but have no idea how to do it and no time to learn the ropes? Use CityBlast to create and manage your social media ads. In addition to setting up paid campaigns, you can also use this service to create and schedule social media posts for you. They'll set you up with a social media expert who can post unique content that's relevant to your local audience, including your featured listings.
Cloud Attract and Cloud CMA - Every agent needs a quality CMA software to save time when creating comparative market analysis reports. Cloud CMA enables real estate agents to produce professional-grade CMA reports, property tours, flyers, and more. Customize your CMA template with your own logo or take it one step further by using Cloud Attract to immediately deliver the detailed CMA report on a lead-generating real estate landing page.
Disclosures.IO - Use Disclosures.IO to create and then share property info packets for your clients. Plus, with Disclosures.IO, there's no need to create a PDF to share disclosures about the properties. You can generate landing pages, which then allows you to monitor buyer activity and gauge their level of interest in a property. Increase your productivity by only following up on properties that your buyers show the most interest in. Disclosures.IO also lets you compare offers and terms side by side so that you can help your clients make a more informed choice.
Evernote - Do you have 1,001 sticky notes all over your desk? Evernote offers an easier way to keep your notes handy. As a real estate business solution, Evernote allows you to create notebooks where you can collect and save information about your current and prospective clients. Instead of hunting down that random piece of paper where you wrote information about a prospect, use Evernote to save time while keeping you organized. In addition to collecting information for future lead generation, you can also use Evernote to share information with your clients, including checklists, FAQs, and relevant articles about real estate news in your area.
Follow Up Boss - To be a productive agent, you need to invest in a quality customer relationship management tool. With Follow Up Boss, you can collect leads from over 200 sources, such as Zillow, Homes.com, and Trulia, then follow up on them automatically with a customized text and/or email. Because you can follow up to interested leads immediately, you'll get a greater response rate.
HelloSign - It's no secret that in real estate, there's a lot of signing going on. Fortunately, you can save trees and time by using HelloSign to capture electronic signatures for your clients. Forgot a document back at the office? No worries with HelloSign. Everything is right there on your tablet or smartphone. HelloSign stores all of your documents in one place so that you always have access to them. Get your agreements signed quickly— No pencil required.
Hootsuite - Are you sinking or swimming when it comes to social media? Use Hootsuite to see all of your social media profiles on one screen and manage them accordingly. Schedule posts, see who’s replied to you, create lists to make your time on social media more productive, and also geotarget your social searches to reach out to prospective clients who are in your local area.
Shoeboxed - Tracking your expenses and receipts can be time-consuming and stressful. Enter Shoeboxed, a dead simple expense report tool that operates automatically. Just take a picture of the receipt, and it will be input and categorized automatically. When tax time comes, you'll have an accurate record of your receipts and expenditures without the hassle of adding everything up yourself. And as a bonus, it also tracks mileage expenses!
Spacio - Hosting an open house in the near future? You need Spacio. This app, downloadable on your phone or tablet, allows you to electronically capture contact information for open house visitors. Save time by not having to transfer contact information from a paper to your CRM tool. Also, hooray for not needing to decipher illegible handwriting! Spacio can also send an automated "Thank You" email right away while the property is still fresh on their minds. Spacio will save you a lot of time and effort, making the most of your open house events.
Additional Resources
Before you go, don’t miss these related posts to amp up your productivity: