Generation Y – It’s Time to Start Speaking their Language
Generation Y is defined as the age group born just before 1980. Statistically, their income is much higher at a younger age than past generations, a college degree is almost assumed, and with technology always at their fingertips, they are armed with knowledge about any one subject at the drop of a hat. In this market, they are buying homes bigger and sooner than ever before, making them a large part of your client base and one genre that you want to impress.
They are nothing like the Boomer generation. They have a different set of values, a different upbringing and different communication tactics. Knowing what we know about this demographic we MUST conform to the way that they want to be communicated to. Tactics such as inundating them with phone calls, spending tons of time pulling MLS reports, and advertising on billboards to grab their attention no longer apply to this generation. We’ve compiled a few tips for you to follow in order to appeal to this new generation of buyers and sellers!
This new generation requires a new language and it’s time to start speaking their native tongue.
Communication:
Generation Y’ers communicate through text messaging as much as possible. An actual phone conversation is something that they avoid at all costs. They like that they can avoid the courtesy of a long drawn out phone call. Texting is efficient. They can easily see a message from you about a new listing you just sent them on the way to work or their next class. They can get back to you immediately with a few short words, or get back to you later when it’s convenient for them.
If abbreviated expressions, T9 modes or just cell phones in general intimidate you, then it’s time to do something about it. The text messaging craze is not going anywhere so don’t continue to avoid it. The friendly people at your cell phone provider are more than willing to help you out. Once you buy the phone from them, it is their job to serve as your personal phone tutor. All you have to do is stop into the store and ask someone to explain the features of your phone and the best and fastest ways to text message. If you would rather not admit your naivety to a stranger, don’t forget that the best experts when it comes to cell phones are often your children or even grandchildren. I’m sure they would be thrilled to teach you all of their texting tactics.
Instant Gratification:
Next tip about Gen Y’ers – they like automated feedback. They are used to having everything available to them at a moment’s notice. They live in a world where everything has an email subscription list and every website has free information.
Most REALTORS® offer an Automated Search to their clients. The buyer selects their home requirements – beds, baths, area, price range, etc. – and receives automatic emails (often through their phone) whenever a new listing that fits their needs comes on the market. If you are still spending hours pulling MLS reports and faxing or sending them to your clients, not only are you wasting your time, but you are not communicating to your client in their language. They feel guilty knowing you spent so much time on a house they may not even be interested in. Automatic emails require no guilt and no obligation on their part. Don’t be afraid to let them know that these emails ARE automatic – rather than feel snubbed, this generation take comfort in the concept of feeling no obligation to reply.
A Whole New Network:
As I am sure you have heard, networking has reached a whole new level with the influx of social networking sites on the market today. Even though Facebook has only been around the last 5 years or so of their lives, Gen Y’ers don’t remember another way to connect with friends or enter business relationships.
Yet another unavoidable phenomenon, you as their REALTOR® must jump on the social networking bandwagon if you want to continue to stay in the forefront of your potential clients’ minds. Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are a gold mine of marketing opportunities. Younger people are actually more likely to check their Facebook page before they check their email account. One of RealSupport’s latest blogs offers a few great tips to set up and get the most out of your Facebook Fan Page. This is something that is the perfect task to pass on to your Virtual Assistant. It is easy to get overwhelmed by all of the different options and the extent to which you have to keep up with your fans or friends or tweets. Have your VA do the upkeep for you. At the very least get a profile of your own.
If you don’t know where to begin – ask the people who know it best – your kids, grandkids, friends or co-workers of Generation Y.
Carrie Gable of RealSupport, Inc. is our “VA Quick Tip” columnist offering expertise in real estate marketing, technology and more. RealSupport’s office and team of 9 full-time staff members is located near Chicago, IL. Their successful team works virtually for many top real estate agents nationwide. Pioneers in the Real Estate Virtual Assistant industry, RealSupport offers marketing, website and logo design, branding, lead generation, technical support, transaction management and more.
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