Call Capture System Features That Generate Real Estate Leads

As a real estate agent, generating leads and turning them into sales is the only way to guarantee that your business will succeed, and a call capture system can help drive those leads and sales. Companies and independent agents that fail to create the proper client-driven environment will find themselves short on both customers and time, as properties pile up without being sold. The first step that must be taken by any real estate agent to secure their business is to create a viable method for lead generation.

While things like business cards and attending community events, as well as more "typical" advertising options like a local paper, can garner some interest, it's important to have a system in place that operates twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Such a system is of extreme benefit in a world where consumers can get their information about homes and home purchasing at any time of the day or night. A call capture system can act to assist in providing a continuous supply of information to potential clients.

There are a number of features that come with a call capture system that contribute to its ability to generate real estate leads. The first is caller identification technology. Just as the name states, these systems are able to "capture" information about a call itself, including the all-important phone number for call back. Most call capture systems are purchased from a provider which will generate a unique 1-800 or toll free number for the agent's dedicated use. This number and its corresponding capture system will typically use a technology known as "Automatic Number Identification" (ANI), which is a more sophisticated form of caller ID.

Any calls made to an ANI-equipped system will have their numbers stored. For many agents, this brings into focus the question of legality and the Do Not Call List. Fortunately, calls that are made to capture systems fall under the "90 day business inquiry" rule which means that since a potential customer has expressed interest, documenting their phone number for a return call is entirely permissible. Call capture helps agents to complete the first step of generating leads - identifying people that are interested in buying or selling a home and getting their phone number.

Once an agent has a call capture system in place, they would do well to put their new toll free number on every piece of advertising they own. From business cards to print and television ads, every time the agent or their services is mentioned, the call capture system number should be displayed.

Most call capture systems will come with a large number of "extensions" which can be attached to the main line, as well as a feature known as "ad tracking" that will allow companies to determine which of the extension numbers is generating the most interest. By placing extension "1" on a business card and "2" on a for-sale sign and then examining the results, an agent can do advertising tracking and determine which number received the highest volume of calls, and at what time. This allows a real estate agent to more effectively market their services by focusing their marketing in areas that generate the best results.

In addition to offering multiple extensions, call capture systems will also come with the ability to direct a call to multiple locations once it has been received. A caller can be taken to an electronic menu of choices with pre-recorded greetings and options, or can be prompted to leave a message for a particular individual or at a general mailbox.

As well, some systems employ the concept of "follow-me" call forwarding. This allows agents to have the call capture system try multiple numbers in order to reach them directly before going to voicemail. This means more human contact and can generate more leads more quickly, while simultaneously protecting the agent's privacy. The call capture number can forward a call to the agent's home without their home number ever being given out.

Call capture technology can be very effective if used properly. A business must take care to display the number prominently, but also program it in such a way that clients get up to date information and have their phone calls returned as quickly as possible. Taking care to select the right message and tone, as well as being diligent with follow up on forwarded messages, can give call capture systems the potential to generate a substantial amount of leads for a real estate business.