Remember when email marketing was the big thing in real estate? Well, it doesn’t work as well anymore. People get bombarded with junk emails, so they either ignore them or unsubscribe. Instead, they’re browsing property listings when it suits them.
Online marketing still matters, but email is losing its touch. These days, almost everyone’s glued to their smartphone—that’s where the real connection happens. If you want to stay ahead, it’s time to get on board with SMS marketing.
Why SMS marketing works for real estate
Here’s why SMS marketing is a game-changer:
- Instant delivery: You can reach potential sellers and buyers almost immediately—way faster than emails, which can get lost in crowded inboxes. Some may not check their email, ever.
- High open rate: Almost everyone reads their texts, so your important property updates are sure to be seen. According to a study by Gartner, SMS messages have a 98% open rate.
- Quick response time: Text messages are usually read within 3 to 5 minutes of being sent. This rapid response time can lead to quicker engagement with potential customers.
- Reliable: Your texts go straight to a customer’s phone without getting stuck in spam filters, ensuring your message gets through.
- Low cost: SMS marketing is cost-effective. You can just add a small fee to your vendor-paid advertising (VPA), and most vendors are happy to pay a little extra to sell their property faster.
Tips for effective SMS marketing in real estate
If you’re adding SMS marketing to your real estate marketing toolkit, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Follow the rules: Make sure you’re following Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act, which says you need to get permission from people before sending them marketing texts.
- Know your audience: Figure out who your target audience is and group your contacts. This way, you can send personalised messages that really speak to their needs and interests.
- Timing matters: Be careful about when you send your messages. Avoid texting too early in the morning or too late at night, and don’t send messages too often—no one wants to be flooded with messages.
- Keep it clear and engaging: Write messages that are easy to understand and grab attention. Make sure to include strong calls to action (CTAs) to encourage people to respond or get involved; for example, Want to know how much your property is worth? Get a free estimate in minutes!
- Make opting out easy: Always give recipients a simple way to unsubscribe from your messages. This helps you maintain trust and stay compliant with regulations.
- Track your success: Monitor how your SMS campaigns are doing. Look at open rates, response rates, and conversions to fine-tune your strategy.
- Integrate with your CRM: Use a real estate CRM that supports text messaging to simplify your SMS marketing efforts and keep your client relationships organised.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can boost your SMS marketing strategy and connect better with your customers.
Seven text message scripts for real estate you can try today
Here are some simple text message scripts you can use in your real estate communication:
1. New listing alert
Hi [Client's Name], I wanted to let you know about a new property that just came on the market. It’s a [3-bedroom home] in [Suburb]. Interested in scheduling an inspection? Just reply 'YES' for more info.
2. Follow-up after an inspection
Hi [Client's Name], it was great meeting you at the property today. What did you think? If you have any questions or want to see more homes, just let me know!
3. Open home invitation
Hello [Client's Name], I’m hosting an open home this [Day] from [Time] at [Property Address]. I’d love for you to stop by and check it out. Let me know if you can make it.
4. Market update
Hi [Client's Name], just a quick update on the real estate market in [Suburb]. Prices are trending [up/down/stable]. If you’re thinking about buying or selling, let’s chat!
5. Reminder for upcoming appointment
Hi [Client's Name], just a friendly reminder about our meeting on [Date] at [Time]. I’m looking forward to discussing your real estate needs.
6. Client appreciation message
Hi [Client's Name], I just wanted to thank you for trusting me with your real estate journey. If you need anything or have questions, I’m just a text away.
7. Feedback request
Hi [Client's Name], I hope you’re doing well! I’d love to hear what you think about the properties we’ve seen so far. Your feedback really matters to me!
These SMS templates will make it easy for you to engage clients, improve response rates, and follow up after meetings or open homes. They can be personalised to make your clients feel valued and help streamline marketing efforts, like announcing new listings or sharing market updates. Plus, using well-crafted scripts like the ones above can enhance professionalism, build trust and credibility as a real estate agent.
Benefits of a real estate CRM with text messaging
As a real estate agent, you should definitely consider using a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system for SMS marketing, and here’s why.
First off, a CRM makes communication a breeze by keeping all client information in one place. This helps you send targeted SMS messages to the right people quickly and easily. Plus, with automation features, you can schedule messages in advance for reminders or property updates, so you don’t have to do it manually.
Using a CRM also lets you personalise your messages. You can tailor texts based on what each client likes or needs, which builds stronger relationships and gets clients more engaged. CRMs are great for tracking how well your SMS campaigns are doing too. You can see which messages get responses and adjust their strategies to improve results.
Another big plus is compliance management. CRMs help ensure you get consent from clients before sending SMS messages, which reduces the risk of legal issues. They also let you segment your contacts based on different criteria, making it easier to send targeted messages that resonate with specific groups.
CRMs can integrate with other marketing tools, allowing you to sync your SMS campaigns with email and social media efforts for a more unified approach. This improves efficiency and ensures nothing important gets missed.
Overall, using a CRM for SMS marketing helps you provide timely updates and relevant information to clients, making their experience better. And as your real estate business grows, a CRM can easily scale up to manage a larger client base and expand marketing efforts.
Get started with SMS marketing today!
Managing SMS marketing might seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Tools like Rex Software make it easy. You can set up the system to automatically send texts to buyers when new listings that match their preferences hit the market. With our smart AI SMS Composer, you can create messages using info you already have—like listings and buyer profiles—in just a few clicks.
Take a load off your plate by reducing routine tasks, so you can get more done with less effort. Spend your time building stronger relationships with clients through easy, personalised SMS communication.
If you haven’t started using SMS marketing in your strategy yet, now’s the perfect time. Reach out to discover how Rex CRM can simplify SMS marketing and help you connect with buyers effectively.
