I guess I must have signed up for a GoogleVoice invite at some point. Yesterday I recieved a link to register for a FREE account.
So I signed up and for the last 24 hours I have been brainstorming on how to effectively use this program in my in my real estate business program and as part of my real estate website.
My thought process begins with considering where in my system is there a problem and how this program can help fix it? So I'll give you my biggest problem....
In the scenario when I am with clients showing homes, learning their likes and dislikes, making small talk and learning about them; I CANNOT always answer incoming calls, review voicemails and return calls as quickly as I would like. If I could only screen the voicemail for importance without being rude and tuning out my clients who are in front of me..........
Along comes Google Voice and this is how it has helped in one big way for me:
All voicemails recieved by GoogleVoice are transcribed to text and either emailed to me, text'ed to me or both. I can read text and email when with clients in front of me and qualify the callers' reason for calling as to whether I need to excuse myself briefly to return a call. "Response" time is of the essence! Ever had an agent call to ask where to send an offer on one of your listings? Ever have a call from your sign rider from a cash buyer in town for 12 more hours and needing to buy a home? Need I go on?
A few other items that are seemingly useful:
- As mentioned above, all calls including any agent showing feedback is transcribed to email, making it super easy to forward feedback to seller clients. (firsthand feedback)
- Documentation of voicemail for legal reasons and/or papertrail
- Free national calls
- Web-based texting and calling function(it rings your phone when call is sent thru)
- Embeddible "click to talk" feature for website which calls Voice number for free
- "ListenIn" function to easedrop on voicemail in realtime
- Call record function
- Group-able custom caller messages for your voicemail-a function that uses caller ID from contact list
I am sure in the next 24 hours I will discover more usefullness for this program. Go here for official functions of the program.
My website has my new Google Voice #. Call and leave a message with your email. I'll forward back the transcribed message for you to see. Please clarify if you are a Realtor, if not I will send you property listings.
Eric Bracht
Licensed Idaho E-Pro Realtor
Market Pro Real Estate
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Why Buyers should hire a "Buyer Agent"
Eric Bracht
Boise/ Meridian / Eagle / Kuna Area Real Estate Expert
SEARCH MLS Listings Like an Agent Here
(208) 991-4552 TEXT/Voice
Gosh, not only had I not figured out how to use it, but I have never heard of it--proving again that technology can be a full time job (if you allow it). Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I think your uses sound fantastic. You had to get a new phone number for it?
Holly,
I guess I didnt mention; you get to choose a local phone number when signing up. (still free) If available, you can choose a vanity number. The whole program runs thru the google phone number.....make sense?
Eric Bracht
Market Pro Real estate
Boise, Idaho
http://AgentIdaho.com
Thanks Eric for the information. I am anxious to obtain Google Voice for myself as soon as possible. Perhaps we can get together soon for lunch to discuss this in further detail - by then I hope to have my Google Voice invite.