Typically when Bob Stewart calls, I usually either screen it or pretend he reached an Asian laundromat. I demand payment for the drycleaning, he swears at me, I threaten to call the police, he swears at me, I shout unintelligible Mandarin obscenities and he hangs up on me. It’s a hoot.
For some reason or another, I took the call from the 425 last week in normal persona (granted, I use the term “normal” loosely).
The one-time Active Rain community builder turned paid vacationer wanted to know if I would be willing to take part in a grand experiment to colonize the moon with sea monkeys. It sounded cool, but I just put in a winter lawn that needs my attention and I don’t like the piped-in muzak they play on the shuttle. Fortunately, he had an even more staggering proposal as Option B:
Test out the new “Growth Leader” product from HouseValues.Com.
I couldn’t possibly turn it down.
Why, you ask?
Not that my personal decision making is any of your business, but it sounded like it had some real lead-generation potential. I have never worked with a lead-generation service and typically prefer to find my own clients, but given the current state of the market, I am amenable to trying new avenues. As one who has always relied most heavily on repeat and referral business, I originally jumped into blogging and internet marketing as more of a lark than anything. Now that we have to work twice as hard to drum up half the leads, I am plunging into darn near any dark alley where I hear a guy in an overcoat say, “Psst!”
Growth Leader is intriguing. It is a personalized website tailored to an agent’s individual market. The geeks behind the technology have SEO pretty well wired, and the site is sticky as all get-out. In the coming weeks, I’ll relate my experiences with the product, and I’ll give it to you straight. It features some pretty trick ability to track exactly what prospects are doing on your site along with a killer lead follow-up protocol. I haven’t been playing with the site long enough to provide much analysis yet, but that will follow. I will say that I've averaged nearly one registered prospect per day since I was set up, and it required absolutely no effort from me. Phase 2 will be to track the conversion success rate. All in all, I'm impressed to this point.
For a peak at what the site created for me looks like, you can see it here.
In a buyerless market, such as we currently have here in Phoenix, I would go to the ends of the earth for viable prospects. Fortunately, I only have to open my laptop.
For the good, bad and ugly of my experiences, come on back. I’m guessing I’m not part of the control group ;)
I swear to God, though, Bob, if you gave me a placebo, I’m going to burn this joint down.
Your source for Scottsdale Real Estate since the dawn of time ... or thereabouts.
Launch your Scottsdale Home Search now!
Funny - I almost went with a similar opening on my post about this product earlier tonight. I got 6 leads already! Talk to you soon - I want to share that story with you on the phone when you have a few minutes.
I'll try to catch up with you tomorrow, Jason. I want to hear about that. As for the product, I am digging it so far. I think I've got 5 registered leads. Amazing how intuitive the site seems to be for generating property matches, etc.
Hey, Paul - put yours in the "Thought Leader" channel - that way they will all stay in one spot. I think that is "bullet" number 5 on the syllabus! lol!
Thanks, Jo. Looks like I'm gonna be the slow kid in class.
Don't feel bad - I forgot, too. Just happened to notice it on the paperwork later.
It sounds exciting. I think I will look into this further.-Dinah
Paul,
At least we know now what area codes to block from our phones and I am glad to see that the paid vacationer had time to call you to help you get leads.....
I tried the Asian laundromat thing once and Bob just mailed me his dirty laundry.
(Do they not require a psych evaluation for Realtors getting leads on Growth Leader Program...... or is your state a buyer beware state too?)
Congrats on this.....I am still considering the listing router and trying to write posts for my communities I sponsor......
This sounds interesting. Yo coined the new term: "buyerless market", that's true and funny (or sometimes not funny at all)
Will be waiting for this new tool/toy.
Paul:
One important question you can ask for everyone ...
How much customization is allowed? So far, I have only seen one other Growth Leader site, the one for Jason Crouch,
http://www.servingaustintexas.com/
The template layout, colors and text are the same. The header image is different, I'll give them that. :-)
I'll be eager to learn the answer!
(I signed on with House Value's Just Listed when it first came out. Decided it was not worth the $300 per month cost. I am now very glad to be rid of it. :-) )
Paul,
I will be interested to hear how this is going to work for you. The site looks simple enough to move around in. How much of it is their stuff and how much is yours?
Very, very, very neat. Nice presentation.
"(granted, I use the term "normal" loosely)." I KNEW it! Oh...and I also am looking at trying trying new avenues for generating income. I have a healthy SOI but things are slower than I like. I look forward to your report from the lab...
Paul you crack me up man. Bob came calling here too but I was busy looking at a new colony of sea monkeys led by Jason Crouch stationed up on the moon through my new telescope. You should see what is going on up there it is amazing - LOL
Paul - I remain invisible to mr. stewart and the gods that run this site. i did not receive the call. i will say that i have had a relationship with house values. i have spent time with ian morris. much to the chagrin of their detractors, they continue to be on the cutting edge of all lead generation companies. i will be interested to see your results.
i can only hope the market improves for you. there must be pent up demand in your area. there are many clients that have not met you and will be better served if your number is the one they call when they get off the fence.
Dinah - So far, it's shaping up to be a good lead generator. We'll see what the conversion rate looks like, but it seems to provide all of the tools necessary to that end. I'll keep you posted.
Julie - I think they were actively looking for someone to fill the psych quota requirement of the testing. Kind of a "Hey, Mikey likes it!" safeguard. If I manage to utilize it to success and pass along a positive finding, you know it's gotta be gold ;)
Jon - I wish that were a term that needed not be coined, but alas, it is what it is. This looks to be one of the better products to come down the pike for lead generation/conversion, so do check back for my result reports.
Cheryl - Not much, if any, customization in the layout of the site to my knowledge. I've been focused on warming up the automated email responses, website language (very general without some editing), etc. Once I get comfortable with all of the functions I'll see if there are any layout/appearance tweaking capabilities. The good thing is that you basic own your geographic niche, so the similarity to other users is largely irrelevant. In other words, I don't have to worry about another user is Scottsdale sharing the same features and look. Not much concern on my end about similarity to users in other markets.
Don - It's virtually all their setup. I provided the barest of essentials (picture, some light bio info, etc). I don't think they want us to screw with the template much, if at all, given their prowess in driving traffic to the site. Far be it for me to throw a monkey wrench into their well oiled lead producing machine.
Lenn - I love having the platform for controlling the interaction and watching the prospect's activity. Sure beats the old form of lead generation in which an agent was simply sent contact information. Looks pretty spiffy so far.
Russell - I'll keep you posted, my good man. Change is not only reserved for our politics right now ;)
Bill - That Crouch is always one upping me. I bet he bypassed sea monkeys and went straight to sea orangutans. Show off.
John - AR's loss, my friend. There is palpable demand just waiting to be loosed in our market. Everyone is kind of waiting for the "All Clear" to be issued. We'll all be busier than a drowning quadriplegic when that happens, but I'll be chasing every two-bit lead that is funneled to me in the interim. I know a populace that would be well served to commit your number to mental speed dial as well, John. Thank you, sir.
Paul- I love reading your posts they always make me laugh and your sense of humor is top notch...really! Maybe you should tank this real estate gig and look into Comedy Central. If you decide not to take my career change advice and stick it out with the current profession I will come back and see your take on this new product.
All right - I'm watching this experiment closely since I used paid for HV in the past with no success. It goes without saying that I expect brutal honesty in your assessment, along with a good dose of AZ humor.
Paul, I am just now starting to work more with buyers so will be curious to see how this system works out for you. Do you have lead capture on your website now or is this somethng new for you?
Lori - I find a sense of humor makes for a good exoskeleton in this industry ;)
Lisa - If it's good, I'll tell you. If it sucks the big one, I'll tell you that too. Promise.
Bryant - I don't currently have lead capture capability on primary site, but that's no big surprise. I put that piece of crap together one night in the middle of a Nyquil binge. Their's works better.
Watching, waiting, hoping it is all good for you, Paul. Um, did the Growth Leader people ever read your blog?
P.S. I ADORE J-Mac!!!!
Elaine - Themhateme.
iwillneverbelievethat.
thetruthisoutthere
Paul, my website just went live, and I'm waiting for the first lead.... How long did it take?
Judy - First lead took about two days for me. I've had a bit of a lull the last few days with no new sign-ups.
Paul,
You must remind them that we do not like the term "insane", we preferto be called "mentally hilarious". What do they know anyway? The ubiquitous "they".....
Hi Paul! Catching up on some older posts as I've been a bit pre-occupied this week--and found this. I first must say that I'm really surprised that Bob didn't consider the Queen City (Charlotte) and THE Queen of Charlotte to use as a guinea pig--I would have been there with crown on!
Secondly, I do know a couple of folks that use this that swear by it and others say that they didn't make anything and the investment was a complete waste. I personally know two agents who make 6 figures with this product ONLY--no referrals, no ads, just these leads! I'm sure the new and improved version is going to be even better for you!
Best of luck and DO let us know how it goes for you. And let Bob know my feelings are a bit hurt--of course, I've been a bit emotional this week for some reason!!!
Paul, you and Jason Crouch are my guinea pigs on this one. I was a decliner. Let me know how it works out for you. HouseValues was an annoying Realtor to me before I was in the business and never thought much of them and their newsletter. It was too canned and didn't fit my own style.
Does anybody else smell smoke?
I think Paul is playing with matches again.
Hi Paul, My paperwork is going on Monday but was delighted to see what is in store for us. I like what was done and it should be interesting to see the type of leads we get.
Paul,
Bob called you....they just had House Values call me.....what does that say exactly.....
Julie - I actually prefer "endearingly unstable."
Debe - Don't take it personally. As evidenced by the selectees, they are trying to corner the freakshow market. The right tool for the right job ;)
Gary - We'll see if the new product turns that frown upside down. I enter the experiment with no negative nor positive history, so my reports will be untinged with preconceived expectation. Hoping for success.
Mandy - Beats rubbing two sticks together. Homey don't play that.
William - Considering some of the prospects I have found sitting next to me in the car the past several months, any lead is a good lead at this point. Have a predisposition to bouncing checks and regalling your company with stories of your frisky kitty for hours on end? By all means, let's go house shopping!
Julie - Sounds like House Values is crazy as defined by the transitive property.
Lol........hmm a placebo eh?..:-) Unfortunately yours isn't the only buyerless market.......definitely will be checking in to see the amazing flow of buyers that i'm sure is about to occur...........shortly....;)
Paul - I love your wonderful sense of humor! And somehow your blog snuck past me. I'd meant to be the first person reading your blog! Thank you for sharing your thoughts around Growth Leader, and also for giving it the opportunity to help you grow and manage your business. Hope you have a blast with it! Let us know if you need anything.
Liz - The buyers are throwing themselves at my car on my way to the office now! I'm telling you, they are falling from the sky! Just yesterday, one materialized in my living room like the Terminator! I didn't even question why he was stark naked. Who needs pants? He's prequalified!
Okay, now that I have that out of my system, I must confess that I am attracting consistent leads thus far. We'll see how they pan out.
Jennifer - Excellent timing! Got another lead this morning, and it holds the most promise to date. Honest to goodness dialogue with this one. I appreciate all of the help you guys have provided in getting the hang of this, and I'm looking forward to favorable progress reports going forward. That would be to everyone's benefit.
You make me laugh....I'd love a stark naked guy in my lvgrm.........but I'd definitely have to qualify him...lol
Are those them guys who call every week and say for a mere $99 they will give you a prequalified lead? And then you can buy your area....and if your area is gone they try to sell you the one 2 hrs away? :-)
Slightly different protocol on this one, Liz. You don't pay by the lead, but by the month. Not cheap either at approx $400-500/month, so you need to make some serious hay with the leads that roll in. You're right that you get to "claim" a particular area.
As far as the prequalification process, should I even ask?
Hmmm interesting - so if you took your hard copy advertising budget-if anyone even has one anymore.........and placed it into that type of lead generation..........the costs would no doubt not be higher..........but I'd say the rate of return on that dollar might just be better...........we shall be watching............and counting on you to be our unbiases reporter on the beat!
As for the prequalification process.....there would definitely have to be comparative market analysis....a serious review of the stats.......perhaps a photo review....and an update on any 'improvements' made............perhaps later some contractual terms...;-)
Thorough, Liz. Thorough ;)
For a peak at what the site created for me looks like, you can see it here.
Good evening Paul,
It looks interesting. However, I was rather surprised to find a $7,500 timeshare at the top of the list when I clicked on the North Scottsdale link.
How long is your free test drive?
Respectfully,
Bruce
Bruce - So you think the timeshare should be more mid-page? ;)
I think the length of the animal trial is dependent upon the performance of the specimen. I'm told it can be anywhere from one month to six. It may vary from user to user. Not tied to the tone of the review, I trust, but the time and effort put into it. If we rhesus monkeys find success, you can bet that it will be loosed upon humankind in the not so distant future.
Looking for a great deal on a timeshare? Have I got a deal for you!
Found this statement after leaving the registration page: "However, we are required to collect your name and email to give you access to view the MLS." Never heard of that 'requirement' before. Going to take a look at Market Leader's site and compare with 1 Parkplace.
John - I would hazard it is not a requirement of the MLS, but rather the site itself. Certainly their perogative to require such. Frankly, it's proven pretty effective thus far. I'm sure the demand will turn some prospects off, but it does help separate the men from the boys, as it were.
Looking for a great deal on a timeshare? Have I got a deal for you!
LOL
No thanks! We just bought one in Orlando. Why melt in the heat of Arizona when we can melt in the humidity of Florida. :)
WOW! What a good post. I received that call from Bob the Man as well. I have signed up. You will be hearing more from me.
Don Bradbury
I finally finished "The Open." The story was awesome, and the ended was priceless. I couldn't comment on the actual posts because they were members only, so I chose a random older post to congratulate you on your brilliance. I see that another story has been done now. Hopefully, I'll get to that one by the summer! Talk to you soon.
GenX, good to see you. Lately, it's been too much Generation Y around my house. "Y are you doing that, Daddy?" "Y not?" "Y I not go outside?" "Y, Y, Y ..." An arctic blast of Gen X indifference and apathy is just what the doctor ordered.
Thanks for reading it all the way through, boss. No small feat for that "short" story. Talk at you soon.