Title Underground 6-Oct-2024
The Title Industry News, Stories, Events, Resources and Podcasts You Won't Find Anywhere Else
Wicked Smart Sales and Marketing Moves
I'm Cheryl, Executive Director of the Wicked Title Forum and curator of the Title Underground newsletter. I started in the title industry in 1998 working for a new startup. I've been a business consultant to the industry since 2001 and have been an agency owner on and off over the years. I'm a RevOps consultant meaning I help businesses maximize their revenue, not just through improving sales, but in every aspect of their operations.
One of the biggest mistakes I see agencies make in their marketing is not being clear who they are targeting with this marketing. Our recent poll showed that most title agencies actively market to referral partners, but are they really? Does a real estate agent who's been in the business for 25 years really want another "What is Title Insurance?" or "Why is Title Insurance Important?" post, video, article or Lunch n' Learn? When formulating your marketing plan, it is critical to start with clearly identifying who you are targeting. Be very specific.
Instead of "Realtors," target:
Newly licensed agents
Luxury agents
Part-time Real Estate Agents who are also Moms
Real Estate Agents who are also crazy cat ladies
Agents who are really into working with dog rescues
When you are hyper-specific about your target market, you can create marketing materials that will speak straight to their heart and build a relationship with meaning.
Let's take a look at some agencies who really understand their target market…
Check out this excellent series of social media how to videos that Arrow Title Services made for their target market of "Real estate agents who struggle with social media marketing." It's a great opportunity to get ideas to market to your referral partners, plus you can brush up on your social media skills too!
Alternatively, Title Junction has a beautiful collection of videos geared toward consumers.
Sponsors
What Do Title Agents Actually Do? This white label eBook from the Wicked Title Forum answers the question in an easy to understand format and is perfect for title agents to rebrand and distribute to new real estate agents and loan officers as educational promotional materials. Title Agents, get your Marketing Kit today!
Wicked Insights: Crowd-Sourced Solutions
Question:
What software are y’all using for mobile EMDs, and what are the (approx) costs? Feel free to DM.
Answers:
Commentors answered back listing the following vendors. All comments reflected positive experiences. Most payment models charged the person sending the money and transfer fee ranging from $12 - $25 dollars. One person suggested that whatever vendor you use, it's important to ensure that there is no "claw-back" period.
Earnnest: Earnnest provides a secure, digital platform for handling earnest money deposits, allowing real estate agents to send and receive funds electronically without paper checks. The system is easy to use, and their pricing is often transaction-based.
Zoccam: Â Zoccam uses mobile technology to simplify the delivery of earnest money and documents. Users can securely upload and share funds, which streamlines the escrow process. It integrates with various title and escrow companies.
Payload: Payload offers a digital solution for handling real estate payments with a focus on security and compliance. They offer features like encrypted payment processing and secure fund transfers.
ClosingLock: This platform focuses on wire fraud prevention, allowing title companies and real estate agents to securely request and track escrow payments, helping prevent fraud in real estate transactions.
Deposit link: DepositLink specializes in digital earnest money deposits and rent collection, offering agents and brokerages a fast, easy way to handle payments. They offer integration with other platforms for a seamless experience.
Each vendor emphasizes secure payment processing, but their specific integrations, security features, and ease of use vary. It’s important to contact them directly for pricing, as most of them use transaction-based models.
Last Week's Poll
This Week's Poll
Upcoming Title Industry, Real Estate Industry, and Mortgage Industry events for education, networking, and business development…
October Events
Who: RESPRO
When: October 7-8, 2024
Where: National Harbor, MD
Commercial Real Estate Transactions & Title Insurance Webinar
Who: Conestoga Title
When: October 8, 2024
Where: Online
1CE/CLE PA, MD, VA, OH
Who: Inman Connect
When: October 9, 2024
Where: Austin, TX
FNF Family of Companies Western PA Agency Seminar
Who: FNF
When: Oct 9, 2024
Where: Cranberry Twp, PA
PLTI - Lien Priority & Divestiture Webinar
Who: Pennsylvania Land Title Association
When: October 10, 2024 ~ 9:30 a.m. ET
Where: Virtual
Subscribe to Get the Full List of Upcoming Events ~ Promote Your Event
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**DISCLAIMER**
The information provided here is for general guidance and educational purposes only. I am not an attorney and am not giving legal advice. Information should not be considered legal, underwriting, or financial advice and is followed at your own risk. Readers should consult with their attorney and/or underwriter to obtain advice tailored to their specific circumstances.
Some outbound links may financially benefit me and the page through affiliate programs. The affiliate relationship doesn’t influence my opinion, and I would never endorse programs, products, or services I didn’t use, approve of or feel familiar with. So If you use it, I will get compensated — but there’s no additional cost to you.