All Forum Posts by: Robert Laird

Hey guys!

Welcome to the site! 

If your asking yourself if you should get your real estate license or not,  just look for some forum posts where people asked the same question. For example: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/311/topics/26...

I think the main question you want to ask yourself is: do I want to have the option to list properties? Or solely wholesale properties. If either of you have any specific questions as you start your businesses just holler! Also be sure to keep posted for Portland bigger pockets meet-ups :)

Rob

Welcome! Good luck on your brokers license exam next week and we will see you around the forums!

Welcome to the Portland Bigger Pockets community! Hope to see you at one of the meet-ups!

Call Tracking Metrics (https://www.calltrackingmetrics.com/) and Dynamic Interactive (http://www.dynamicic.com/) both have call tracking systems you can use through a monthly subscription. You then can buy phone numbers in the US that record phone calls and forward them to whatever number you want. These solutions might have a little more bells and whistles than you need, but now you have options!

@Trevon Peracca

I personally do not use a lot of SEO or lead generating websites, however I have seen their power in action before. It takes time and money just like any other marketing form. If your very tech savvy, you might feel more in-control of how your getting your message to certain groups of people and it could be cheaper than other forms of marketing.

@Trevon Peracca

That is a good point and follows along the same lines of the reply post I put on your other thread about Direct Mail. It is best to answer immediately, however the question is: is it in your budget to use PATLive and does it help you enough to justify the expense? In the end, the only way you will get your first deal is by making offers. 

Rob

Trevon,

I think your strategy is a good one and will definitely exhaust that list. You are also right in that by mailing weekly you will get a more "steady" stream of calls. 

We currently use PATLive and they are great. Their receptionists are very professional, stick to the script we wrote, and are able to handle a variety of strange situations on the fly. We have been very happy with their help, however it is imperative to call back people as soon as you can. That is how you get the most out of your money with any answering service, by capitalizing on your leads. You have to be aware, a lot of the people you mail have also gotten mail from other investors. Many times these people are calling through a stack of mailers. If they reach PATLive when they call your number, it may take a couple hours or even a day for you to call back. If they have called other mailers, they may have already received an offer or two. Just be sure to capitalize on those leads when they come in by calling them back as soon as you can. I have also found that people enjoy it when you take a genuine interest in them and can recall specifics about who they are. It makes a customer feel special. Which is why it is important to take notes and keep organized with your leads which brings us to the CRM.

In terms of a CRM, it is just a way for you to stay organized and keep track of leads. If a yellow pad of paper is easiest, an excel document, HighRise, or PropertyBase, at the end of the day it doesn't matter as long as you can stay on top of your leads. I would recommend figuring out what works best for you and trying to find the most cost effective solution. I hope some of this helps and good luck on harpooning that first deal!

Rob

I definitely agree with Michael, but would also add that it depends on how much time you have to put in. Because if you do 250 every week, it is going to take a lot more time and management to get each mailer out. Then when people call you back who want to be taken off the list you would have to take them off the 1,000 count list and the individual 250 lists. You might have more consistent calling through out the month if you do batches of 250, when compared to doing all 1,000 at once. You should really hone in on a strategy because when your only doing this many mailers every piece counts. 

This Thursday would work! Just let me know the place and the time!

Sounds great to me! 6pm Portland City Grill this Wednesday would be lovely. I hope it works out!