Today's question comes from Joanne O'Donnell of Chic Home Interiors in Oakland CA.
She writes:
"Do you think Localism will help stagers as much as it helps realtors? Our main marketing is to realtors, not consumers - what do you think?"
Well, Joanne, I'm not a Staging Professional, but as a licensed agent I would suggest that your marketing needs to be a two-pronged approach. You need to educate/promote the value of staging to both consumers and agents. Through posting to Localism, you can provide excellent exposure/education/information on the services you provide, and help consumers to understand the value of staging, especially in today's challenging market. Localism, like other 'socially-oriented' platforms allows you to effectively expand your sphere of influence/contact 'virtually' with greater speed and reach than traditional methods.
Thanks for the great question!
Rich Jacobson
Rich, I am honored to have provided you with your first post on questions from the droplets... Of course, you are right, we all as stagers have this two prong approach to our markieting. I was really wondering if you felt localism brought up our profile in the realtor community. Consumers have always been about 40-50% of the referrals and calls I get, and they are welcome calls. Many times they call me first and it gives me the opportunity to refer their business to the excellent agents I know. I for my question - you are all amazing - I can't believe all you guys do with such a small staff. I'm going back to all my posts later today and take out the ones that shouldn't be there now that I read your earlier posts on localism and what it's all about and what it isn't. Onward and upward!
What a great question Joanne.... I am also glad to hear the answer!
We've received some great exposure through Localism! We had staged a home that was on the Home Builders Tour of Homes. The Home Builders Association had not updated their website and did not have tour information on their site -- I had blogged and posted to Localism . . . and at first didn't understand why we were getting calls about where the tour homes were, and where to pick up maps. Of course I sent all these callers to our staged Tour Home . . . our realtor was delighted!
Just one example of how Localism can help any type of real estate business!
Rich: Localism, if used, and used both properly and consistently, can be a great additional source of business. Thanks for sharing.
A resounding YES!
I post any pertinent home staging information on localism in my community to not only educate and receive good SEO but to position myself as the expert in my local area in my field of expertise. I believe I have two main customers - Realtors who will bring repeat business and sellers who may only use my services once but their SOI is their neighbors and friends who they'll share a good experience and service with.
Thank you for bringing this to light Rich and Joanne for asking!
Yes!
I reblogged a staging post a few months ago - it has had 1327 page views and 269 clicks - quite a bit for a Realtor's blog - and it was a reblog, so it didn't even get to go to Localism.
I imagine that a stager blog with stager links and stager keywords on Localism would get good results.
Sellers need results now more than ever - staging gets results.
This is good advice Rich. I know that I have struggled with that initially because Im a mortgage guy. You find how you fit in and provide information that Realtors take interest in. Its a balancing act.
any time you can get your info and services to the public - it can only help you and them
If a client knows what staging will do for them, they will ask their agent to work with them to stage their home - or they could even hire a stager directly!
Wow, I can't believe that she wrote that! She needs to sell herself and her ideas to both realtors and the public. Consumers still don't have a good grasp of how important staging is until they see it first hand. And Mr. Buyer wonders why he likes staged House A better than beat up and sloppy House B!
From my perspective it makes complete sense to post my staging before and after pictures on both ActiveRain and Localism. Staging is a visual business, and I'm happy for the opportunity to show Realtors in my region examples of my work, as well as potential homeowners who may come to appreciate how our services can help them prepare and market their homes for sale. (Not to mention that Localism has the profile and contact information on the same page as the blog -- all the easier for a reader to get acquainted with my company and contact me!) Both ActiveRain and Localism rock on Google -- why wouldn't I want to double the exposure to my staging portfolio? Thanks for your question, Joanne, and thank you for the post, Rich!
Holy moley -- so much for exposure online! I wrote the post above not realizing that I wasn't yet logged in this morning. Sorry for the confusion! I'm gonna go get some coffee now...
I would have to say Yes as well. It can't possibly hurt.
Great question, I had not been posting to my Localism unless it pertained to something specific to out area, now I will do different!
Keep your profile out there for the public also. Many prospective clients may do there own search for a staging professional and not necessarily rely on a Realtor. And, when Realtors search, they may just use the same search patterns as a customer.
Hi Joanne, As said earlier, the 2 (or many) pronged approach is the best! I educate every one of my clients on the value of staging. It bewilders me when an agent doesn't get how critical, especially in this market, a well staged house is in relation to time on market and selling price!
Rich, Joanne's photo makes your site look pretty hip and classy! I am a stager and a realtor. Maybe using stats on how local homes sell faster staged vs unstaged might be helpful.
Rich... great question and great answer. If a stager convinces a seller through Localism, they'll tell their Realtor they want their house staged whether the Realtor thinks of it or not. it can be especially beneficial in today's market.