Comments on: Search shows Santa what we all want for Christmas

By: snoop

snoop — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:07:34 +0000

I think the probelm with print is you dont know if it worked or not
you know how many property views and enquiries you get online.
Print seems more a vanity thing esp in the higher priced suburbs.
I used a service called sell my castle ,the differnce in vendor pid advertising quores/suggestions from the three different agents was mind boggling.
If i have a quality listing i dont expect to pay for the advertising.
one agent quoted 800 for listing on portals!!!!
Needless to say he went straight to trash.

By: Greg Vincent

Greg Vincent — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 04:04:46 +0000

Robert, over the internet, real estate agents don’t have the benefit of non-verbal communication and the ability to show their well trained scripts & dialogues in full swing.

The key to a successful career in 2009 is about a real estate agencies ability to build trust online.

I recently read this in the book ‘The Speed of Trust – The One Thing That Changes Everything’.

“Trust is a function of two things: character and competence. Character includes your integrity, your motive, your intent with people. Competence includes your capabilities, your skills, your results, your track record. And both are vital.” Steven M. R. Covey

As you said Robert, “It is a lot easier for consumers to identify the IT savvy agencies over the pretenders.”

I agree. A real estate agencies competency or lack of competency online will have a resounding affect on their success. For some the internet will act like an accelerator for others ‘the brake’.

That’s the transparent nature of the web.

By: Robert Simeon

Robert Simeon — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 02:48:50 +0000

Greg,

I read this announcement with interest as there is obviously a move away from generic advertising of the major franchises. Although some never appear to learn given that today some still ban individual offices from hosting their very own websites in this day and age. No secret that these franchises struggle to understand the basic fundamentals of online.

Already in 2009 we are seeing vendors cancelling print campaigns until such time that they see anecdotal sales evidence in the marketplace. So there is a very strong possibilty that the market will officially open in 2009 with minimal print and all the new properties being online – which will be an industry first!

Agency focus this year will be much more dependent on their very own online operations just that for some it is too late to play catch-up. The global economic crisis is fundamental in already changing consumer influence across the globe where what was previously the norm may not be the case in 2009.

It is a lot easier for consumers to identify the IT savvy agencies over the pretenders. With the property markets set to officially open in 2009 after the Australia Day weekend – there are a lot of questions being asked and head scratching. Just that purchasers will be online to “read all about it.”

By: Greg Vincent

Greg Vincent — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:46:09 +0000

Thanks Sean, Did you see that Tom Kunz, president and CEO of Century 21 the biggest real estate network in the world has openly announced last week that they are moving away from TV advertising & are allocating there spending online instead?

Here’s the interview http://tinyurl.com/7ua5os. ( He announces it about 3-4 minutes in).

Interesting to hear what he says about the Global & Local markets too.

By: Sean Wyld

Sean Wyld — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 05:33:06 +0000

Hi Greg,

Google aren’t huge offline media spenders. The offline media which it has done tends to be market specific depending on the country. For example, they’ve done a fair bit of TV in Japan.

As far as i’m aware, in Australia most of the focus to date has been on community based initiatives and events such as Doodle for Google and Developer Day. There’s also been a little bit of print advertising for AdWords in trade magazines.

Sean

By: Greg Vincent

Greg Vincent — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 07:26:08 +0000

Thanks Craig…interesting find Google’s “Lets Take It Offline” Blog http://google-tmads.blogspot.com/

It looks like Google are going to change the advertising landscape again.

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:54:03 +0000

Greg, your should google that. http://www.google.com.au/search?q=google+offline+media

By: Greg Vincent

Greg Vincent — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:27:47 +0000

Sean, I know it’s a bit off topic, but I was wondering…Do Google spend anything in offline media or do they simply rely on PR to do that for them?

I know they probably don’t need to advertise on TV, radio, newspapers etc. but do they spend money in offline media at all?

By: snoop

snoop — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:03:37 +0000

Google wont be the disruptor the industry thinks it will be.
I dont know what all the fuss is about.

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 09:51:40 +0000

Maxallen, you are correct Google won’t create a portal. But they can easily tweak their search products which could have a detrimental effect on the portals.