| It's no surprise in this market that the real estate | | | | bypass blocking capabilities or unlisted numbers that |
| industry is relatively concerned with gathering high | | | | call into them. Even when numbers are blocked, caller |
| quality leads. If an agent doesn't have good leads, after | | | | id information is captured. The overwhelming majority |
| all, he or she won't make sales - there won't be any | | | | of calls accepted by a capture system provide an |
| prospects to sell to. Therefore, it's especially important | | | | agent with a viable lead - a number that he can call, a |
| for agents to consider all possible avenues when | | | | name, and even an address. |
| looking for real estate leads, and all possible | | | | Of course, once a prospect is contacted, a real estate |
| technologies that can bring them the business that they | | | | agent's job isn't done. It's important to remember good |
| need. One such technology is call capture systems. | | | | follow up, and to make sure consistent contact is kept |
| Call capture systems are able to generate new leads | | | | up with a lead. Call capture systems are again useful in |
| from a rather obvious yet often ignored place - an | | | | this respect. A call forwarding extension is a feature of |
| agent's own incoming phone calls. | | | | many systems. This allows a prospective buyer or |
| Call capture systems work as their name implies. They | | | | seller to get straight through to a real estate agent at |
| capture information from each new call to a phone line | | | | any time of day. This is because the calls are |
| by gathering data from the call and from the actual | | | | re-routed to the agent's cell phone. This constant |
| caller. Different extensions can be used to organize a | | | | contact improves a client's trust in a real estate agent, |
| call capture system. In real estate, they're very often | | | | and avoids missed calls that might result in lost sales |
| tailored to deliver virtual audio tours of properties to | | | | opportunities. |
| potential clients or to offer free reports available to | | | | Forwarding can be used in a variety of creative ways |
| consumers. Their contact information is then saved for | | | | to aid sales. For instance, at the end of an audio |
| an agent's follow-up. The systems have gained a lot | | | | presentation, a call capture system might urge the |
| of popularity with some agents, as they represent a | | | | interested client to press a certain button to find out |
| non-invasive way to get information about potential | | | | the price of a house. When the client presses the |
| clients that call. | | | | button, the call is forwarded to the agent. This allows |
| All sources of real estate leads must be evaluated to | | | | the agent to speak to the interested customer at the |
| determine whether they're worthwhile. Since call | | | | moment that his interest is most pressing. Those who |
| capture systems are organized by extension, agents | | | | do not take this option are still given relevant, specific |
| can also use the system to track the response to | | | | information about the property. The agent is then |
| specific ads by placing different extensions in different | | | | notified by the call capture system that the lead came |
| advertisements. These ad-tracking features show an | | | | in and can follow up with them using the information |
| agent which ads are effective. From this gathered | | | | the system has captured. |
| data, the agency can design an advertising plan that's | | | | The number of viable leads generated by a real |
| effective in generating high quality leads. Money that | | | | estate agent is vital to keeping a steady stream of |
| was wasted in bad ad campaigns is fed into more | | | | new business. Call capture systems can be very |
| effective campaigns, leading to a better return on | | | | helpful in this respect when employed correctly. |
| investment. As a result, an agent will see a dramatic | | | | Creativity and organization are key. As with all new |
| increase in the number of quality real estate leads they | | | | technologies, there's a slight learning curve to call |
| receive. | | | | capture systems. However, they begin generating |
| One of the more amazing features of a modern call | | | | leads almost immediately. With the right sales |
| capture service is the technology's ability to get all | | | | approach and a steady source of quality real estate |
| information relating to specific phone calls. Some | | | | leads, every agent can build a successful and lucrative |
| systems, those that use toll free numbers, can even | | | | career. |