Why Create a Text Messaging list for Potential Tenants
Landlords all over this great country of ours are consistently looking for the next tenant to fill their next vacancy. The problem in this process is that too often a lot of leads are not utilized. Only one family can live in a single family home at a time, or to our knowledge lol. What happens to the potential clients that call our ads, call our signs, and come to our showings, but don’t become the next tenant for 1023 Main Street? So how do you capitalize on the remaining leads? My answer to this problem is to create your own text marketing system. That’s why text messaging list for potential tenants is essential.
1.) Capture every lead. When advertising rentals we receive a lot of calls to our cell phones, offices, etc. The question is how many of those calls are actually captured? The first step to successful text marketing or any marketing plan is to capture all leads. Every person that calls your signs, newspaper ads, online ads should be captured because they can be your future client or put you in contact with your future clients. No matter if you pay or if you paid for the leads with time due to placing the ad on a site capture every lead. Capturing as many leads as possible will allow you to start with 20-30 maybe even 100 leads instead of starting every vacancy with zero leads. The more leads you have from the beginning of your search for a new tenant the faster and easier it is for your home to go from vacant to a home occupied with a tenant.
2.) Create a group or list for your captured leads. Once you captured the lead create a list or group for your leads that is specific to their needs and the services you can supply to them, in this case it would be finding a new rental home. In my personal text marketing system I would name the group “potential renters” or “potential tenants”. Creating a group allows your text messaging to be directed toward your lead’s interest, which in this case is renting a home. Also recommended when creating a group or list is to get specific with your leads wants and needs. An example of this is pairing their names with the type of rental they are looking for as a potential home. Tom would be saved in your cell phone as Tom 1/1 or 2/1 renter. This pairing allows you to know what your leads specific needs are and allows you the landlord to have a better chance of renting your home more efficiently.
3.) Create a Text Message that is catered to your target group’s interest. Next step is creating a message that is catered toward your target market. The ultimate objective is to create enough interest that your home rents quickly. I often offer my vacant rentals to my text messaging group before I advertise on Craigslist, newspapers, or put out sign in the front yard. The rationale behind this is that these individuals are people I have worked with before, looking to rent from me, and understand our procedures. They understand it may take a while or an appointment is needed to view the house due to the current tenant being in the process of moving. Often I will text them a message that will read as follows: “We have a new 3/2 rental coming available in May. It is located in the 123 Subdivision for $950 a month.” Often times they will respond with, “What’s the deposit?” “What’s the address?” You now have their interest; next you answer the amount for the deposit, give them the address, and inform them that the tenant is still in the home. My text normally says: “The tenants are in the process of moving but feel free to drive by it. The 3/2 in 123 Subdivision address is 123 main street, San Antonio, Texas 78208.” Your text message is twofold at this point. First you keep their interest in the home and get them a step closer to actually renting the home. Second you don’t want to disturb the current tenant with a million tire kickers. Once the potential tenant drives by and texts me back, “I love the outside! Got any pictures of the inside or is there any way I can see the inside.” Once you get this text immediately send them a couple pictures of the home, ask for several times the prospective tenant can view the home, contact the current tenant with the times that would be convenient for both parties, and finally show the home. This method works for both parties and often shows a great deal of respect to the tenant that is moving out, which in my opinion can only place you in a positive light with your prospective tenant. Again never forget to do your due diligence of the prospective tenant via rental applications and job verifications.
4.) People will not be part of your list forever. Sorry! Leads unfortunately come and go so always be willing to remove contacts from your group. People’s contact information will change and people will rent someone else’s home. Never be afraid to send disgruntled members of your group the following text: “Would you like me to take you off our list.” This shows that you are not desperate and are not looking to text spam, but to let people know about available homes and services. When they requested to be removed simply take them off the list, and send them a text similar to the following: “You are now off our list. If you know of anyone looking to buy, sell, or rent a home please let us know. Visit us on the web at www.jphomesinvestment.com” You are then done with that contact and have not violated any rules regarding solicitation.
5.) Continue Advertising. Continue with your advertising plan, not every home you have for rent will be rented by an individual on your text list. The text messaging list is a source of leads, but should never be your only option when advertising your rental properties. When a current tenant is in the process of moving out of a home I am placing back on the market I often begin my normal advertising campaign about a week or a week and a half before they move. However, when the home is vacant the advertising plan begins the minute the home becomes vacant. Always remember a potential tenant waits for no landlord.
6.) Constantly build your list. Finally, constantly add and build on to your text marketing list. The list is a very useful tool and can be used for various groups. There are several groups you can have listed in your cell phone including buyers, renters, wholesalers, and investors looking to buy cash deals. Calling all these people would be very difficult and time consuming. Calling one hundred people could take hours, but texting one hundred people would only take minutes. Your clients are busy people. Texting your clients help to get your point across in a timely and effective manner. So don’t forget to get those thumbs texting, LOL! . As always thanks for reading and successful investing. Jarnell Porter