Real estate agents understand the relationship between time and money better than most.
With so many things to do, and so little time to do them, every minute of the working day is precious.
And the more of those minutes you spend tied to your desks, the less of them you have to do the really important things. Things like meeting new people, nurturing new listings and negotiating deals.
That’s where this list of productivity tools comes in handy. It’s a selection of apps and resources that will help improve efficiency; ten ways you can boost productivity, free up time, and concentrate on making people’s property dreams come true!
1. G Suite (Google Apps)
Instead of relying on things like Word or Excel, use Google Apps to create and share documents. You can tag people into specific documents, making it easy to collaborate on projects. And, because everything in Google Apps is stored in the cloud, you can access it anywhere, on any device.
2. Evernote
Evernote is a great application that allows you to create to-do lists, jot down thoughts and reminders during meetings, make notes about specific clients/properties, and even store photos. Evernote will sync across all your devices, providing on-the-go access to all of your notes.
3. Trello
Trello is a project management tool that’s perfect for everything from personal assignments to collaborative tasks (like shared listings). It’s a great way to manage all the moving parts of a marketing campaign, allowing you (and anyone else you assign to the project) to create to-do lists, manage timeframes and track overall progress.
4. Blerb
Blerb - the application that Jarrad and myself are currently building - is an ad writing tool that will save you time and money. Designed specifically for real estate agents, BLERB will help you write high-quality marketing content in just minutes. Say goodbye to hour upon frustrating-hour spent in front of the keyboard trying to find the right words, and say ‘hello’ to more time out and about in front of clients.
5. LastPass
Creating, renewing, and just remembering passwords can be both time-consuming and frustrating. LastPass alleviates that stress, storing all of your passwords in one place and enabling you to log into sites you set without having to re-enter your details.
6. Boomerang
Boomerang is an incredibly handy tool that allows you to schedule emails to be sent out at a later time. It can also send you automatic reminders if you haven’t heard back from a client by a certain time, and can even schedule important emails to return to the top of your inbox at a specified time.
7. Slack
Slack – which can be accessed on everything from desktops to mobile devices - is a great way for teams to communicate. Create private and public channels, start group discussions with colleagues and have one-on-one conversations with your assistant – it’s perfect for busy people juggling lots of tasks!
8. Amy
Scheduling meeting times can involve an endless stream of messages back-and-forth as you struggle to find a time that suits everyone. Amy takes the hassle away. Just ‘cc’ Amy into your conversation and the app will find a time that works for everyone.
9. Snapchat
Snapchat – a photo sharing app – is hugely popular at the moment. Use it to send pics to prospective buyers, share shots with your colleagues, or start a ‘Snapchat Story’ with multiple parties. It’s also a great way to promote new listings and celebrate recent sales.
10. Facebook Live
Facebook Live allows you to connect with your audience in real time. Broadcast a live walk-thru of a listing, promote testimonials from satisfied clients, or run online seminars about the property market - all of these are great ways to showcase both your industry knowledge and your fantastic personality!
Using some, if not all, of these tools will streamline your day and help make life that little bit easier. Give them a try (especially #4!).
In the meantime, best of luck with all of your listings!
Cheers,
Tim & Jarrad.
