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Going, going, gone: Why real estate recruiters are sold on SMS.
The real estate industry is fiercely competitive. And we’re not just talking about the race to be first across the line in signing new clients. Competition is also strong in the recruitment stakes—in fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, 40% of firms were actively recruiting sales agents in 2023.
Question is, what can you do as a realtor to find, attract and hire the top talent? Let’s take a look at how SMS helps you get a headstart on your competitors and sign up your next hire faster.
Going mobile helps solve today’s real estate recruiting challenges.
When it comes to recruitment, real estate agents face similar challenges to other industries. There’s the aforementioned fact that the industry is highly competitive, with agencies vying against each other—as well as virtual agencies—to secure top talent.
Many real estate agencies also have their sights set on finding qualified candidates who align with their values and goals. Indeed, two of the top reasons real estate firms were recruiting in 2023 were to find more experienced agents and expand the diversity of their teams.
To do all this, agencies need to put the latest tools and technologies to use. Yet this, in itself, can be problematic, with 38% of firms saying that keeping up with technology is a challenge.
It’s why more and more realtors are turning to SMS. This proven communication channel is efficient and easy, and it helps position your agency in a professional light to prospective candidates. Plus, with the fact that 83% of adults say their smartphone is almost always within reach, it gives you the peace of mind that your recruitment offer won’t get through.
Using SMS for recruiting delivers a raft of benefits.
The real estate agents you’re trying to hire want to see that you have your finger on the tech pulse. In fact, according to HR technology company Nexxt, 36% of job seekers say they prefer to communicate with recruiters via text message (compared to just 23% who prefer LinkedIn and 4% for social media).
As well giving prospective agents what they want, SMS also delivers tangible benefits to your own business. Here’s what it can do for you:
- Boost efficiency. With SMS, you can reach a wide audience quickly and efficiently. Send messages to multiple candidates simultaneously, saving time and resources.
- Make it personal. Want to grab each candidate’s attention? SMS lets you personalize each message, which helps establish a more direct and engaging connection with potential candidates.
- Use with recruiting software. A multichannel messaging portal can seamlessly integrate with your existing recruiting software, streamlining how you send and monitor candidate interactions and two-way conversations.
When compared to other recruiting methods like phone calls and websites such as LinkedIn and ZipRecruiter, text messages boast a 98% open rate. No wonder it’s such an effective tool for real estate recruiters — in fact, SMS shines for all types of recruitment.
Ready to give SMS a go for real estate recruiting?
6 tips to hit the ground running with SMS recruiting.
Now that you’re sold on the benefits of SMS for real estate recruiting, let’s explore how to get the most from the channel.
1. Choose a proven SMS platform.
Don’t waste time on an SMS serive that only lets you send out individual messages. Instead, choose a platform that automates, personalizes, and replicates messages in bulk. With Sinch MessageMedia, for example, you can reach as many candidates as you want — all at the click of a button.
2. Keep it short and sweet.
Think about the kind of candidate you’re looking for, and then think about how you can tailor your messages to resonate with this group — while highlighting the benefits and opportunities your agency offers.
3. Time it right.
Identify the best times to send your messages, considering factors such as time zones and recipients’ availability. Get the frequency right, too. Not enough messages and you might lose the candidate’s interest. Too many, and you could come across as annoying or desperate.
4. Know the legal ins and outs.
Brush up on the relevant SMS regulations and guidelines for sending messages about recruitment. To avoid copping a fine, you’ll need to ensure compliance with data protection and privacy laws. You should also respect recipients’ preferences and provide opt-out options for those who don’t want to receive further messages.
5. Keep monitoring and improving your text tactics.
Like all things in life, SMS recruiting involves some trial and error. Track the performance of your SMS campaign, analyzing metrics such as open rates, response rates, and conversion rates. Then, use these insights to continually optimize your recruitment campaigns. Soon, you’ll be using SMS like a pro.
Get started with real estate text recruiting.
Ready to boost your chances of finding and hiring the best agents for your real estate business with SMS? With Sinch MessageMedia, it’s easier than ever. Start your free trial.
