I have a great partner, Dakno Marketing, that develops my Tyler, TX real estate web site and keeps everything in order. I thought I would interview two great guys, Brad Carroll and Bobby Carroll and get their take on Real Estate Marketing. These guys are my trusted advisors. By the way, both of them are both licensed Realtors.

Better Site for Tyler Home Buyers

Brad Carroll-CEO of Dakno Real Estate Marketing

Brad, what’s your take on current web site designs for Real Estate Agents? Steve, the days of lean cookie-cutter real estate web sites are over. Consumers make instant decisions about a website the moment the homepage loads. If the site doesn’t reach out and engage the visitor immediately, the consumer will click the back button to filter through the rest of the search results in order to find the resource that speaks to their needs. Of course, the overwhelming majority of consumers want to search for homes. Specifically, in your market, they want to search for homes for sale in Tyler, TX. That’s why we have predetermined Tyler, TX search queries based on price,front and center, on your homepage. It’s all about making it super easy to access the information a Tyler, TX home buyer wants to find.

Bobby Carroll – Vice President of Marketing

What tips can you give a Realtor or business owner to engage and connect with others? Steve, you know me! I’m all about listening, and using social media tools to engage and show incredible value to my target audience. Anyone seeking to move their business forward should be making the most of online networks like:

• Facebook personal profiles
• Facebook Fan pages
• Twitter
• YouTube
• and to a lesser degree, Flickr and LinkedIn

People in Tyler are using these networks and it’s incumbent upon Tyler, TX real estate pros like yourself to be engaged. The reality is, people in your area are talking about real estate. The question is, are Tyler, TX Real Estate agents listening and engaged in the conversation. These tools also help agents guard their reputation by serving as listening devices. It’s also about using social media sites to connect with like minded people. The old saying is still true… people like to do business with people like themselves. That means if you enjoy horseback riding, I suggest you get involved with other people who are passionate about riding horses. And you will find these people online talking all about horses. Want to build your sphere of influence? Use social media tools to extend your reach! That way, when a consumer is ready to engage in the home buying process, the real estate agent will be “top of mind” with that consumer because of that online relationship.

How important is a real estate website to the Tyler, Texas Home Buyer searching for a home? While a few traditional forms of real estate marketing still work, the most preferred tool for a home buyer is a real estate website or a blog. If home buyers are just starting their Tyler home search, the primary mission is to use an online property search tool to see what properties are available based on their search criteria. The second most popular tool for a Tyler, Texas buyer is market data. Often, real estate blogs (like this portal) are used to share market stats about a hyper-local market. One other integral piece of information buyers seek is local area information. We place a great deal of emphasis on an agent like yourself providing hyper-local information. Specifically, Tyler, TX neighborhood information. Why? Because Tyler home buyers are buying more than bricks, sticks and mortar on a piece of dirt. They want to know about the amenities of a neighborhood:

1. the local schools
2. the businesses nearby
3. does the neighborhood offer a pool, tennis courts, a golf course – we’re talking lifestyle!
4. another key ingredient for neighborhood information is a searchable map to determine how far the homeowner has to drive to their job/office

If your real estate website will answer these questions, that Tyler home buyer will come back to your website over and over again. That’s our goal for your Tyler, TX real estate website. To be THE trusted real estate resource for Tyler, TX home buyers!

My Tyler Texas Real Estate Blog

These two guys keep my site and Blog above the competition. They made my Tyler,TX Photo Blog caveman easy. I also want to give special recognition to Leslie Vegter, Marketing Director at Dakno, for her expertise. The next learning curve I have is Posterous. It’s all about learning and making connections with home buyers in Tyler.

Searching for a Tyler Home

I’m always trying to improve my real estate web site for Tyler TX. It’s all about making it super easy for you to search for a Tyler home. How can I make it better?

See you next time,

Steve

Recently I was in my Tyler, TX real estate office and noticed something. I was following an online conversation via a hashtag on Twitter, loading some information on Facebook, and watching a live stream of the New Media Atlanta Conference through my real estate marketing partner Dakno. During the stream I also responded to a consumer from my Tyler Texas real estate website and loaded a picture on my photo blog.

What Does This Have To Do With A Tyler TX Home Buyer?

Times are changing for Tyler TX home buying consumers and real estate agents. For real estate pros, engagement is the new networking mantra. It is called YEO-”you engaging others” to quote Real Estate Shows Founder and CEO Jeff Turner (AKA @ResPres on Twitter). As a firm believer in YEO, first, I’m actively reaching out by listening, and engaging with others via social networks but I also offer connecting points like my Tyler Texas real estate website, blog and photo blog. Of course, the #1 reason why you come to my site is to search for a Tyler TX home. But you can reach me in many other ways too.

To name a few:

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Linkedin
• Email
• Text
• Phone
• Homes for Sale in Tyler TX Real Estate Website
• Tyler TX Real Estate Blog
• Tyler TX Real Estate Photo Blog
• Tyler TX Media Blog

I want to listen, engage and show value to you as a Tyler TX home buyer and become your trusted area expert for all your Tyler TX real estate needs. Along the way we will have connect and have some fun. As an avid student of social media, I am learning and meeting awesome people right here in Tyler. What a great job!

Real Estate Technology Tools

To help me stay connected with all clients, and my network, I rely on several tools. Those tools include:

1. my iPhone
2. my video camera and my digital camera
3. a webcam
4. and of course, my laptop

Now you know why I always have a “ninja grip” on my iPhone. It’s my lifeline to my online and offline world!

It’s All Fun Here in Tyler

Tyler is a great place to live and I’m having fun selling real estate. I learn something new everyday and want to connect with you. These social media sites help me stay in constant touch with home buyers. Knowledge is the key and by interacting with everyone, I can stay on top of my A game. Are you on Facebook? Do you Tweet? Many people do! Let me know how and where you are connecting with others?

Until next time,

Steve

P.S. It Takes a Partnership to Manage My Tyler TX Real Estate Website

How do all the home buying and selling tools, Tyler TX area information and relocation resources appear on my website? Tune in next time. I am going to interview my real estate marketing partner. By the way, I think they do a great job.