Brush Up On "Do Not Call" - Internet Marketing Tip #42 of 100
Real Estate Internet Marketing - 100 Tips in 100 Days
Tip 42 of 100 - Brush Up On "Do Not Call"
Real estate Internet marketing is a leads-oriented affair. When things work well, you get leads from your website. You would then follow up on those leads to try and further the relationship.
Call it Good Business 101. Proper follow-up can increase the value of your real estate Internet marketing program by turning those email and form inquiries into actual clients.
But following up with potential clients makes some real estate agents nervous, because of the "Do Not Call" laws. There is no reason to fear this law, so long as you understand it. Here's a brief summary of what you should know about the National Do Not Call Registry, as it applies to your real estate Internet marketing program.
When Does the Law Apply?
You have to be able to make phone calls to conduct your real estate business, and the government knows this. So follow-up phone calls are obviously permitted. The registry is not intended to prevent follow-up phone calls to people who have contacted you first, nor is it intended to prevent regular phone calls to existing clients. It's those unsolicited cold calls that the legislation focuses on.
Other Key Points of "Do Not Call"
Are Real Estate Agents Telemarketers?
Now, you might not think of yourself as a telemarketer. But by the FTC's definition, if you call a prospective client (with whom you have no existing business relationship) to offer your services ... you're a telemarketer. A good example would be calling an FSBO or an expired listing with whom you have no previous relationship. In that particular case, you fit the legal definition of a telemarketer.
Don't fear the Do Not Call Registry -- just understand it and abide by it. Avoid cold-calling a person unless you're sure they're not on the registry. Just realize that 3 out of 4 adults in the U.S. are on the registry.
The average person will not file a legal complaint against you, but it has been known to happen from time to time. And the FTC is not shy about handing out fines.
Want more info? Go to the source and ask the horse:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/alerts/alt129.htm
Want the NAR's spin on it?
http://www.realtor.org/libweb.nsf/pages/fg707
Look for real estate Internet marketing tip #43 tomorrow!
~Brandon
Tip 42 of 100 - Brush Up On "Do Not Call"
Real estate Internet marketing is a leads-oriented affair. When things work well, you get leads from your website. You would then follow up on those leads to try and further the relationship.
Call it Good Business 101. Proper follow-up can increase the value of your real estate Internet marketing program by turning those email and form inquiries into actual clients.
But following up with potential clients makes some real estate agents nervous, because of the "Do Not Call" laws. There is no reason to fear this law, so long as you understand it. Here's a brief summary of what you should know about the National Do Not Call Registry, as it applies to your real estate Internet marketing program.
When Does the Law Apply?
You have to be able to make phone calls to conduct your real estate business, and the government knows this. So follow-up phone calls are obviously permitted. The registry is not intended to prevent follow-up phone calls to people who have contacted you first, nor is it intended to prevent regular phone calls to existing clients. It's those unsolicited cold calls that the legislation focuses on.
Other Key Points of "Do Not Call"
- Telemarketers and sellers are required to search the registry at least once every 31 days and drop from their call lists the phone numbers of consumers who have registered. This rule may have changed as of this writing, so you'll want to read the current requirements.
- If a consumer makes an inquiry or submits an application to a company, the company can call for three months (unless the consumer makes a specific request that you do not call them).
- In other words, if somebody calls or emails you to request information of any kind, you may call them as needed (even if they are registered on the Do Not Call list). But if they request that you do not call them, you must honor that request.
- A company that has an established business relationship with a person may call that person for up to 18 months after the consumer’s last purchase or payment [or last business meeting, in the case of real estate agents], unless the consumer asks the company not to call again.
Are Real Estate Agents Telemarketers?
Now, you might not think of yourself as a telemarketer. But by the FTC's definition, if you call a prospective client (with whom you have no existing business relationship) to offer your services ... you're a telemarketer. A good example would be calling an FSBO or an expired listing with whom you have no previous relationship. In that particular case, you fit the legal definition of a telemarketer.
Don't fear the Do Not Call Registry -- just understand it and abide by it. Avoid cold-calling a person unless you're sure they're not on the registry. Just realize that 3 out of 4 adults in the U.S. are on the registry.
The average person will not file a legal complaint against you, but it has been known to happen from time to time. And the FTC is not shy about handing out fines.
Want more info? Go to the source and ask the horse:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/alerts/alt129.htm
Want the NAR's spin on it?
http://www.realtor.org/libweb.nsf/pages/fg707
Look for real estate Internet marketing tip #43 tomorrow!
~Brandon
Labels: Internet Marketing
posted by Brandon at
8:18 AM
