PropertyManagementMaven: Mastering the Fine Points of Craigslist - Part 3

You have undoubtedly read Part 1 and Part 2 of our Craigslist series illustrating the detailed procedures we follow to help to maximize this free opportunity to promote your listings.  To recap, we've gone over what the Craigslist Team with Best Agent Business does and what we stand for, as well as how we do kickoff and marketing.  Now we'll find out about systems and how we find outstanding team members!

We mentioned in Part 2 that we list what system was used in the follow-up email that go out to each client after posting.  By "system," we mean that we indicate whether the post was via Postlets, Vflyer, Elistings, Boomtown, or a manual post.  Postlets/Vflyer/Elist/and Boomtown all create very nice HTML codes that can be copied and pasted right into the ad for Craigslist.  It is fast and looks very professional.

Some agents are just dead set against using these free systems (yes, I said FREE, in most markets, anyway), and choose to have us create an ad using information from places like their MLS. That's where the manual posting comes in.  All of our Craigslist Listing Assistants are trained on how to use these sites, and are actually tested on them to make sure they know how to use them before they are assigned a client.

Speaking of testing, the Craigslist team started out as a testing ground for new hires (we call them "newshidos") and for anyone wanting to get on the Listing Management Team.  We designed a test to see how well candidates can follow instructions and carry out the task.  We have a very detailed wiki page that gives instructions on how to do the test; the test is administered 2 times per week at specified times.  We use one of our actual client's listings in hopes that people will have extra incentive to strive to pass the test with flying colors.  It's also "extra" free advertising for that client!

We're sure you are wondering about budgets.  The rule of thumb for Craigslist is that it takes 5 minutes per listing.  That is a high end estimate, as it usually only takes about 3 minutes per listing. We say 5 just in case there's some tricky website or in case the agent wants specific things added to the listing to cover ourselves.  So, if you have 12 listings, you can figure an hour, but the actual time may be less if there are no complications.

All Craigslist accounts that post to the real estate section must be verified.  If we take on a client, and their account has not been verified (i.e., if it is a new client or one that has not used their CL account much for posting listings), we will need to be in contact with that agent to get it resolved before we can post.  Another thing that triggers this verification is when a new IP address starts posting, Craigslist will want to make sure it's a real person and not some computer out there trying to post spam.  We take care of resolving these issues with Craigslist for you.

We strongly recommend that you USE CRAIGSLIST!  Even if you don't use the Listing Management Team, you can still use the Craigslist Team.  Once you see how efficiently the process works for you, you might want to give our Listing Management Team a try.

Ready to harness the power of the Internet to promote your listings through Craigslist? Visit our website and then schedule a 30-minute call with Steve Kantor today to get started. Steve can review the big picture for your business and help you come up with a plan to increase your marketing presence, optimize your database, and raise your sales revenue.

Interested in a part time career with us?  Visit our employment website for more information.

 

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