NEED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ME? HERE'S HOW!
While this may seem rather obvious, in this day and age of technology, and busy lives, it seemed appropriate to share how you can get in touch with me.
Communication with prospective, current and past clients is key to being successful, and I know that being able to get in touch with me, for whatever reason, is a priority for you.
Different forms of communication suit differing purposes and individual styles. So while I use all of them, it's important I communicate with you in a manner that works best and suits your preference. So please let me know. However, there may be times where certain forms of communication won't work as well because of urgency or the nature of the information.
Need to get in touch with me? Here's how:
TELEPHONE
I use my cell exclusively (760-840-1360) and I answer it. Exceptions are when I am with a client or on another call, which I know you can appreciate. My phone is on from 7 am until 9 pm Monday through Friday and on the weekends from 9 until 6.
TEXT MESSAGE
I do a great deal of text messaging, and some clients use that almost exclusively. If it works for you it works for me. I don't text while driving. If you don't get a quick response, say within several minutes, it's because I am unable to text you due to clients, being on the phone, or driving.
Probably the most popular and maybe the most effective for information sharing. Good ANY time of the day or night (No, I won't likely answer at 3 in the AM since I don't work 24/7). You can reach me at JDowler@remax.net. I get email on my phone so I am pretty accessible no matter where I am.
VOICE MAIL
While I prefer to not have to use it, voice mail is often essential, and a good way to let me know what's going on or asking your questions when I am unavailable. My voice mail is transcribed into text and then emailed to me (as noted above, I get email on my Blackberry) using a service called Voice Cloud so I can see your message soon after you leave it. I try to return my calls as soon as I can after receiving them - I don't reserve a special time for returning calls since that simply does not work well and I find most folks don't do what they say in this regard. But my messages are also stored on-line indefinitely so I can always get your message or relisten to it at any time on my laptop.
SKYPE
I am happy to skype with you, whether you are in the local area or overseas. My skype id is "dowler.j". We can have an on-line conversation via skype, too, if you prefer, or you are not sure of the time differences and worry I might be sleeping.
MYBLOG
lots of folks write me questions from my blog when they are reading an article. The downside is that if it is a personal or private matter I won't publicly post the response and I won't have your email to write to you. In some cases emailing me (JDowler@remax.net) or calling (760-840-1360) may be better to address your questions or provide the information you need.
CONTACT ME ON MY WEBSITE
Many people make the initial contact via my website on the Contact Me page. That works well - I get an email that I can respond to while on the road via my Blackberry (OK, NOT when I am driving).
SOCIAL MEDIA SITES
Yep, this works too. You'll find me on Facebook (I have a business page, too), Twitter (@JDowler, @CarlsbadHomes,and @BreakingCarlsbadNews) and many other sites. These are a good way to stay in touch and see what I am up to and talking about in my local real estate market.
Of course there is always face to face, at open house, local Carlsbad and Encinitas events, and more.
Need to get in touch? That should be no problem.
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If I can provide more information about Oceanside real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
All content copyright © 2010 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits
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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, the housing market, or otherwise assist you, friends or family in a home search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
Serving Carlsbad, Encinitas, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Carmel Valley, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, Escondido, Oceanside and San Diego
Carlsbad Breaking News ~ Oceanside Breaking News ~ Encinitas Breaking News
Jeff, looks like you've got all the bases covered for keeping in touch with your clients. I've noticed more people prefer email or text messaging when communicating.
It is good there are so many ways to get in touch with you... As a Realtor my biggest problem with communication is with other Realtors... They just don't seem to want to pick up the phone...The other day (10AM) I had a client with some questions and the rEaltor had not uplaoded HOA docs... It was 9pm before she called me back, to busy taking care of her 4 month old she said???
Jeff, what a great informational post for how to reach you. While looking at this, I thought if you were to make a color printing of this it could serve as a wonderful informational flyer in a listing package as well as a buyers information package and again with a copy of the ratified contract. I like it!
Jeff - This is a very useful post for consumers on the multiple methods available to contact you. It will add to their confidence level.
What a great post - I wouldn't have thought of this for a blog post - it's so basic, but so USEFUL!!! I hope you don't mind if I do a similar one sometime - or I could just re-blog this one, right?
Jeff:
It is amazing exactly how many ways there are these days to stay in touch with everyone. And, it sounds like you are making full use of every one of them.
Nice Job Jeff! It amazes me how this business has changed over 10 years ago when I started.
I think you've got your bases covered!
This is one of the things that is usually right at the top of a clients needs and wants...to be able to reach their agent at a beckons call!
Jeff:
Great post. I was thinking or reblogging, but I think you have just inspired me to do my own version of the mediums that I use. I had never heard of voice cloud. Great info.
Tere
Brilliant post Jeff! We all should be sure to at least do a like email to our clients. One of my first questions I've learned to ask when starting with a new client is "how do you best like to communicate". You'd be surprised at the positive responses I get when I ask that question... congrats on your feature!!!
Hi Jeff,
Never thought to put it out there like this-I guess it doesn't hurt to remind everyone how to get in touch with us. You will certainly never be able to say you didn't get the message...
Michael - I have seen the same. And more TM in the last year or two.
Barbara - oh yes, that is probablt my biggest gripe. And that, in turn, becomes an issue for my clients.
Jeff
Jeff it certainly helps when people know the best form of communication for you in ordert to generate timely responses. Like you, I am very accessible. The only downside is that when I need or take a break people will blow my phone up (so to speak).
It's a great idea to formalize your contact policy. You're easy to contact, yet you have set some reasonable boundaries.
Bookmarked. Jeff, this is an excellent "do as I do" post for colleagues as well as a service to your clientele.
Great posting and it is something that I will make sure that I adapt and use for my next newsletter and a page on my website.
Peggy - great minds. I had planned to do just that. In fact that was really the genesis for this post - assembling something to give to buyers and sellers.
Marc - I hope so. Unless technology fails, which it does from time to time. :)
Jeff
Jeff, what en excellent idea to post this as a virtual contact card and there is no way that a person can NOT reach you now ;-)
That is a great idea. Many times people know to reach my by phone, email, but not by the other means that you mentioned. I also use a service that allows my office phone to route to my cell phone when I'm out of the office and if the call goes to voicemail it will send an email that I can read on my Blackberry.
Perfect! We are so busy being on top of everything, that we may forget that the general public may not as on TOP. Good idea to break it down and get everyone comfortable.Thanks
good information today on your blog. thanks for breaking it down...
I am beginning to believe that Facebook is the new email. I get more immediate communication with text than anything. Next stop Twitter.
Great list of ways you can be contacted. I use Skype for personal contact with kids and grand kids but not for real estate
Like the Mash IDX in the sidebar. Very cool! :)
Jeff...our electronic leashes are mulitfaceted for sure. There are days though that I long for the simplicity of one contact method.
Jeff,
Great list....and a great idea! I think loads of us will write similar posts for our clients....I really like the way you lay it out!
Jeff - simply put I love this. There's nothing more frustrating then having to search and search for how to contact someone and you nailed it with this. Love the idea of putting this into your listing packages,etc. Shared it on Facebook with everyone because I loved it that much! ~Anne Marie
Good post. You certainly use every tool possible to be accessible to your clients and customers.
Jeff, your are totally wired! And we have to be. It's not about how we communicate, but how our clients communicate.
LOVE IT!!! and Congrats on the feature. We spoke about this yesterday at a meeting on listings and you touched just about everything!
Excellent message to all of us, you didn't miss a thing.
It looks like it's pretty easy to get in touch with you. I like to know what method my client prefers.
Hello:
I really enjoyed this post. These are the kinds of things I'd like to believe a client or fellow agent would iinstinctively understand, but it seems that many times they don't.
Very good blog. You have your clients best interest at heart!
Good idea to publicize your PREFERRED CONTACT METHODS with explanations as you have done, so everybody knows how to best reach you for a given situation. Now if we can get other agents to ready your policy and follow it rather than contacting you in the way THEY prefer--it helps us all work smarter.
Excellent Blog Jeff! Contact is a crucial element in client relations. You have explained the reasonable limits for contact with you. If the seller or buyer client responds with the same expections for themselves, you are well on the path to a great relationship!
Ha ! Ditto for me too !!!
:o)
That's a great post, I need to do one like that for all of my blogs.
Never heard of voice cloud. Maybe I will check it out. Reading your blog post made me tired; it is hard to believe all of the ways that we can contact one another and all of the different things that we need to balance in order to be at the top of our game.
Love this post! My favorite line " If it works for you, it works from me!" I just started to use Skype and actually sold a home to a couple last month from across the country. The husband flew in town and the wife was out of state and I walked my computer all over the house with her asking me to show different views. I am such a nerd and love technology. Thank you for writing this! You have inspired me!
Jeff great post. I am like Melissa, i had notheard of voice cloud. I like the idea of that method.
I like talking to my clients and fellow Realtors.
I also like email because it creates a paper trail.
I don't like texting because one cannot keep a record of texts.
Jeff
Tell me you really don't have three phones. Lol.
Have a great weekend.
Jeff - What about your mailing address, dude? :) Kidding, of course. This is a great idea for a post.
Great post, well thought out. This needs to be forwarded to those hard to reach agents... who knows if they will receive it??
Jeff,
Yes, all great ways to communicate. I am so happy I have teenagers at this point, it's really helping me get up with technology:-) I've told one he's about to become my video expert. He's been doing YouTube videos for years and editing!
I understand technology, it's just not something I love so much that I search out the latest and greatest.
Although, I do love my iPhone. Easy and love that you can make the screen larger - magnified!
All the best, Michelle
PS Love Peggy's idea to add it to a listing presentation.
Pam- feel free to reblog, or better yet create your own that suits your market and what you do. Glad it was useful.
Claudette- I do indeed. There are so many different buyers and sellers these days. I probably missed some options, though. And thanks again fro your email. Very much appreciated.
Jennifer- and it keeps changing, doesn't it? I didn't mention using video to stay in touch. Perhaps clients won't use it but I have sent video emails. And we even get the occasional REAL snail mail letter.
Joseph- hope so. It's interesting how different people are about how they want to communicate. I am, however, shocked when I come across someone who does NOT own a computer nor use email. That requires a shift in how I usually work.
Bill - takes me back to the days of using a pager.
Tere- well a reblog if flattering but why not do something for YOU and your readers - then you can use it with your own clients. Glad it was an inspiration.
Lee and Pamela- what a nice compliment. And I ask that question too. And people DO appreciate it - some have very specific ideas. And I always ask about sending email to work, even if they give me that address, just to be sure.
Jeff
I can't go too overboard. I don't use text, but I have clients that do. I usually find the text a day later and a dime short. I think I will make my list a lot shorter, but this is certainly useful for us to pass on to our clients.
How strange...I was typing and it seemed that everything reset itself and I was back to your blog without the comments being open... cliced on comments and started all over again... only to have it "blink" again..
Seems it's going to be Ok now.. ??
There are soo many ways to get or stay in touch and communicate these days. I believe that text is my favorite, but I work with a lot of different ways, I don't like SKYPE, but other than that, email, cell, text, fb, twitter, or even fax :)
Jeff, I love this idea. It lets prospective clients know right away the many ways to contact you. I think I'll use this idea in a future post. Thanks again.
Hi Jeff, I think we are unique here in San Diego. We actually answer the phone and return e-mails. :-)
It amazes me how many times I go to a Realtor web site or blog and can not figure out how to contact the agent. I also use skype, phone, text blacberry messenger, email . .. . favebook, twitter and the list goes on and on. Sometimes I get business just by being there.
Lisa - true, unless technology fails.
Charita - isn't that always the way?
Brian - agreed. Some would say the boundaries are not limiting enough for the phone. I find it hard to believe that some folks says they are avaialble 24/7
Philip - thanks. I apprecicate the compliment. Glad it is helpful.
Robert - good for you. Your clinets will appreciate it.
Jeff
Jeff - You are so connected! There isn't any reason for anyone to say that you are hard to find. And the time of day isn't an issue either. Great list and I think it would be a good page for our pre-listing presentation. Thanks!!
I always ask my buyers/sellers how they prefer to be contacted. Just don't assume someone does texting on their cell or checks email every day.
Jeff, great way to let your customers know your availability. Like Erica, I also ask my customers how they prefer to communicate. Most of my younger ones are happy with texting. I actually love it. There's nothing wasted when asking a question and getting an answer right back. If I'm driving, I call back though. lol
Great post, Jeff. I think it's great that you even include your Skype contact information!
Nice way to break it down, I ahve a communications page I give to clients that breaks things down like this. It is great for them to understand when to use what.