While at first glance, real estate seems to be all about selling houses - we all know it’s really about working with people. Yes, there’s the regulatory side, the boxes to be ticked, and all the negotiations, but at the heart of it, it’s about human decision-making, relationships, and communication.
So, as a real estate professional, how can you communicate better?
Of course, there’s the face to face communications - like keeping your cool in a tricky situation and being present with the people you meet. But here at Blerb, we’re committed to helping you improve your written communications, so you can increase your productivity and spend less dead time in the office.
On any given day, think of all the writing you produce - from emails to texts, to property ads, and even social media posts. Here are a few quickfire tips to help you save time, and improve the outcome, next time you’re typing up a storm.
1) Break up your writing into easy-to-read chunks
It’s fairly well established that large blocks of text are difficult to read. This is particularly true when it comes to writing emails. We all just scan through them, rather than carefully reading every word and taking notes. Think about each point you need to make, and include the next step you need from the receiver. Bullet points can be really useful in this context and a couple of extra line breaks can go a long way.
2) Write your subject line last
Subject lines are one of the biggest factors determining whether your email will even get opened, let alone replied to. Keep it short, but fill it with intention. What do you need from the receiver? If they could only read one sentence of your message, which one would it be?
3) Personalise within a script
There’s a fine balance between saving time by standardising your comms and still speaking to the individual. Scripts can be really useful, but make sure you add a personalised touch to each message.
4) Check spelling and grammar
Grammar and spelling are considered hygiene factors in any piece of text. It's not a total disaster if a typo slips past your watchful eye, but mistakes can distract readers from the content itself. Grammarly is a great tool for catching grammatical errors, and it’s suggestions are becoming increasingly useful as their system becomes more sophisticated.
5) Write to your capability
Don't worry about trying to sound too fancy. The most important thing is to get your message across with minimal interference. There's nothing wrong with using a short word instead of a long one, or a simple one instead of something complicated.
6) And finally, as always, focus on the reader!
Think about the context of the communication, and treat your reader's time and attention with respect. Frame your message in terms of what value you can give, not what you can gain.
Until next time, Happy writing!
