10 September Responsiveness: The Traits of a Successful Property Inspector September 10, 2024 By Melisa Rana Business Tips, Marketing, Social Media client satisfaction, Facebook, Google, inspection industry, time management 0 RESPONSIVENESS: THE TRAITS OF A SUCESSFUL PROPERTY INSPECTOR September 10, 2024 | Inspection Tips, Marketing, Social Media | client satisfaction, inspection industry, time management, Google, Facebook By Stepha Vesper, NPI, Inc.'s Senior Marketing Communications Strategist Throughout the years, we’ve spent a ton of time on this blog talking about what it takes to become a successful marketer, manager, and business owner in the property inspection industry. As a property inspection franchisor, we get to see firsthand the sorts of people who take some time before they hit their stride, as well as the sorts of people who will hit the ground running. Today, we thought it might be helpful to begin to dive a little deeper into one of these traits that seem to be a consistent determinant for early success. Being responsive is a valuable quality in any professional industry, but we’ve found that property inspectors who prioritize this trait separate themselves from their competition and set themselves up to leave a lasting first impression. Today, let’s discuss just how important being responsive is and what this looks like as a home inspector. Being Responsive is a Differentiator Sometimes starting out as a brand-new inspector can feel difficult. Referrals won’t roll in instantly, and crucial relationships often haven’t been made yet. But the truth is that new inspectors actually have an advantage or two built in out of necessity, starting with the fact that they will be the one answering their own phone. A natural part of growing an inspection business involves passing off duties, like answering the phone, to either another employee or to a call center. This is common, and expected for larger inspection businesses. New inspectors, on the other hand, do not have this option and will therefore be responsible for fielding calls, booking inspections, and answering basic questions from their clients and inquiring agents. This position shouldn’t be viewed as an inconvenience, though–far from it! Clients and agents love the ease of communication and accessibility that comes with an inspector who answers their own phones. On top of that, direct control over the phones means direct control over whether that phone is answered and whether follow-ups occur in a timely manner. Although this may sound surprising for those new to the industry, finding an inspector who consistently answers their phone the first time is incredibly rare. If you dedicate yourself to answering at inconvenient times, including in the evenings or on the weekends, you will immediately impress seasoned agents and clients. Being the inspector who is available and responsive will net new inspectors exactly what they’re searching for: opportunity. Responding quickly provides the opportunity for a very strong first impression, and you never know when an agent may be in a bind and calling for a last-minute inspection. This point may sound like basic common sense, but so few inspectors take being responsive to heart. Be available, and you will stand out from the bulk of your competition instantly. Be Responsive Everywhere Answering the phone quickly and reliably is a significant part of the equation, but being responsive can be applied to many other areas of an inspection business. In short, wherever you allow the option for contact, develop a system for fast responses if at all possible. This means via phone calls, texts, email, and social media. In case you’re unaware, social media is a powerful resource for home inspectors. When it comes to building relationships with local agents, reaching out to referral sources, and even acquiring new leads, social media should be an arm of every inspector’s marketing strategy. Success on social media doesn’t always come easily, though! If you set up a Facebook page, a Google business page, then post an update every month or so, the most you can expect from these sources is that you’ve confirmed that your business exists to online searchers. To get more out of social media, you need to make use of its features, optimize profiles for SEO, and (to fit along with the theme of this article), respond to comments and reviews! Posting consistently on social media will encourage engagement (comments, likes, and shares). Responding to those comments shows your audience that you’re listening on each platform, and will incentivise others to do the same. While Instagram, LinkedIn, and even TikTok have all risen in popularity within the inspection industry, Facebook still seems to be the most prominent when it comes to consistently reaching REALTORs. We’ve seen plenty of inspectors dedicate themselves to Facebook, in particular, and they’ve turned that platform into a lead generation source. Similarly, responding to reviews on platforms like ***Google*** and Yelp is an essential practice for any business that wants to grow their online presence and reputation. Responding to reviews encourages others to leave reviews, and is influential for Google’s algorithm. In short, be responsive online to foster future leads and get in front of more potential clients. Final Thoughts Hopefully at this point you can see how valuable being responsive is to new inspectors, but that doesn’t mean that veterans should ignore this quality in their business! When the time comes to pass on phone duties to someone else, make sure that they are on the same page as you on how quickly they need to respond and follow up on inquiries. Of course, there comes a time when, as a business owner, your time and attention is better spent on other activities. Train your employees in such a way that your work culture remains strong and consistent with how you would like things done. In the end, responsiveness shows your commitment to your job and displays a professionalism that subcontractors, new employees, agents, and others will be drawn to. So, strike while the iron is hot, and don’t let unique opportunities pass you by! Commit to being responsive, and watch others commit to you. By franchising with National Property Inspections, our marketing team works to take many recurring tasks off your plate so you can dedicate yourself to being the best inspector possible. Learn more about franchising with NPI here! About the Author Stepha Vesper, Senior Marketing Communications Strategist Stepha holds two advanced writing degrees and has more than nine years’ experience creating blog articles, PR pitches, emails, website copy, print mailers, social media posts, newsletters, and taglines. Stepha also specializes in marketing training, strategy, and consultation, particularly in the areas of social media and email marketing. Her favorite part of her job at NPI is assisting franchisees with their digital marketing strategies so they reach their goals faster. Comments are closed.