There are many benefits to fax to email service, but the most important is the ability to exchange sensitive information on required forms without a trip to the office or the expense of a fax machine and related materials that take up space in an office. The forms will be received via the mobile professional’s email account, so they can be accessed immediately. Fax to email service also eliminates the need to use pay-per-fax locations that may not have adequate security in place; an important consideration given the type of information required for sensitive transactions. In addition, the fax can be received by more than one person simultaneously if the fax to email account is configured to allow it. This means everyone involved in a transaction can be in the loop, no matter where they are at crucial moments during the process. Fax to email service also eliminates the need for someone to man the fax machine at an office location so that a fax can be scanned and emailed, or received and delivered via messenger or priority mail, to a mobile professional who is out of the office at a critical time.

There are many additional advantages to fax to email service. First, nothing needs to be printed unless it is necessary. This cuts down on wasted paper as well as filing space for documents that may never be accessed again. It also reduces the need for toner cartridges and the recycling of those products. Fax to email service puts the faxed documents where they’re instantly able to be viewed – on the mobile professional’s computer. Once there, the documents can be saved to disk or to the cloud, printed if necessary, and/or deleted when no longer active or required. The faxed documents can also be attached to transactions, added to a virtual client file, and distributed to any parties with a need for them. Multiple copies of paperwork can be printed when necessary, without a trip to the file room or office. All of this takes place within the confines of a secure environment where clients know their sensitive information is protected.

The biggest advantages over a physical fax machine is the associated paper and materials, and that there is no need to be in a specific location to send or receive a fax. If a fax comes through when the mobile professional is not online, it “waits” to be received like a standard email. It can also be delivered to the professional’s PDA, if it has email capability. The fax can be sent from a laptop. To do this, the sender with online fax service logs into their account and enters the fax number of the recipient. If the receiving individual also has fax to email service, the document goes directly to their email account. If the receiving party does not have online fax service, the fax goes directly to their fax machine. On the other side of the transaction, a professional with fax to email service will receive a fax sent from a fax machine to their email account. This means that no paper needs to be printed and no physical machine needs to be used by a mobile professional with fax to email service, whether that individual is the sending or the receiving party.

In the course of a day, a mobile professional is going to be on the move. The professional is also likely to be dealing with a number of time-sensitive transactions simultaneously. The transactions may include sensitive information that gives clients legitimate concern about the security of any documents being exchanged. With fax to email service, it’s possible for the mobile professional to be on top of things while ensuring an appropriate level of security and a satisfactory turn-around time.

Despite the sheer number of properties available for viewing on the web, home purchasing is never so simple, and clients never find all they need online. The process of selecting a house, having detailed questions about its price and construction answered, to say nothing of the initial offer and eventual closing of a sale, is not something that can be conducted fully online. For this reason, 800 call capture numbers are continuing to demonstrate their worth as a real estate lead generation tool.

For any agent looking to use an 800 call capture system, there are a number of points to bear in mind in order to ensure that the number works in tandem, rather than against, the way many consumers now shop for houses. The key point here is that consumers want access to information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; and set up correctly, an 800 call capture number can offer this kind of accessibility.

800 call capture numbers are purchased through private vendors who then provide the real estate agent with a dedicated toll free phone number. Typically, this number will also come with options for multiple extensions, often numbering in the hundreds, so that agents can keep track track their advertising and where their calls are coming from. For example when marketing a particular property, extension 100 can be placed in the newspaper ad, number 200 on a sign rider, and number 300 on a website. When interested buyers call in to get more information on that property, the 800 call capture system will identify which of the extensions was called, allowing the agent to see which ad is the most effective.

In addition to a dedicated line, an 800 call capture system also allows for call forwarding to an office or cell phone. This allows potential buyers the ability to reach the agent for that property right then when their interest is piqued. If the agent is not available, they can leave a message and the agent will be notified by text message or email of the lead. Even if no details are left, the agent is notified and a callback is permitted under the 90 day business inquiry rule of the Do Not Call regulations. As well, the 800 call capture system will notify the agent as soon as the caller enters the property extension.  This way even if the caller doesn’t press a key to be forwarded to the agent, they will still capture the caller’s information. This makes for powerful lead generation.

When marketing, it is important that agents don’t neglect the traditional sign rider. While this may seem counter-intuitive, as the majority of business is conducted online, sign riders are actually a very effective way to generate leads with an 800 call capture number. This is because a home is not something that can simply be purchased online – clients need to see the home itself, in its neighborhood, to get a feel for not only the house, but its surroundings. This trip to the neighborhood can happen at any time, day or night, and many clients are equipped with cell phones to make inquiries should the need arise. A sign rider with an 800 call capture number on it provides an opportunity for an interested client to get information about a property immediately. A company name or website may generate a lead, but it may also be forgotten as new houses are examined. Together, cell phones and sign riders can help easily prove the worth of 800 call capture systems.

The 800 call capture number must also be listed prominently online. On every website the company manages, and on every page, the number should be listed. Individual extensions should be shown for each home, and the number displayed on the home page and on every subsequent page for general information, free reports on the real estate market for the area, or other lead generating materials that prompt people to call the number. This is again about accessibility. Consumers are now computer-savvy, and use the Internet to find and compare the best home listings in their area. If their interest is piqued on a property, and they have a desire for specific information, the toll free number allows them to call any time of the day or night and be met not only with details about their chosen property, but also with the opportunity to speak to the agent directly.

With the correct physical and virtual placement, 800 call capture numbers can assist an agent in marketing their services as effectively as possible in the new real estate landscape. Making sales in real estate is about making the connections – the right client, selling the right property, with the right buyer, at the right time.  800 call capture allows real estate agents to tie together more traditional and modern ways of marketing to meet the needs of today’s real estate consumer to make that connection happen.

Today’s home offices share a few common elements. Typically, they are short on space, and they are rarely dedicated offices. Generally, they occupy the corners of larger rooms such as bedrooms, dens, and living rooms. The result is cluttered surface areas and messiness that diminishes the look of the room with which the home office shares space as well as productivity.

Consider all of the things that clutter the average desk. There is usually a computer, a mouse, keyboard, fax machine, printer, speakers, a stack or stacks of paper, books, pencil holders and other miscellaneous items. How much room would there be if a fax machine were eliminated from the surface area and replaced by Internet fax? Considering a fax machine is one of the larger items found on a desk, it could add quite a few inches back to the work space.

Leveraging the convenience of Internet fax makes saving space possible. All faxes, whether received or sent, are handled directly through the computer.

However, Internet fax saves space in more places than just on a desk. Closets, storage units, and desk drawers also experience the disorder that comes from owning a fax machine. With Internet fax, all supplies related to fax machines, such as boxes of ink cartridges and extra reams of paper, are eliminated. As a result, there is less clutter-and any time there is less clutter, there is more efficiency.

Of course, whenever a fax is received, it must be kept somewhere. In fact, a large portion of filing cabinets are filled with faxes. It is not unusual to find thousands upon thousands of pages of faxes in filing cabinets, adding bulk, weight, and time to the file retrieval process. And most small businesses not only keep the faxes they receive, but also the faxes they send because they want to keep record of all their correspondence. Imagine all the file space that would be saved if it were digital instead of physical?

With Internet fax, all fax communication can be kept right inside of the computer. If a hard copy must be made, just print it. If the same fax needs to be sent repeatedly, just archive faxes in your Internet control panel with your fax provider. Otherwise, the entire catalogue of faxed documents is eliminated from any physical storage space.

Now what does it mean to have less bulk, less paper, and fewer supplies in the office? One moves quicker, freer, and has a smaller foot print. Less trash is created and the mind is occupied with fewer things, so thinking moves just a tad faster. And what businessperson doesn’t want the benefit of being a little quicker on the draw?

Of course, Internet fax saves money too.

When considering all that is spent on ink cartridges, paper, fax repair costs, electricity, and of course the cost of a fax machine itself, it’s a wonder that there is any budget leftover at all. Consider the time it takes go to the office supply store when ink or paper has run out, or the time it takes to find a place to have a fax machine repaired. Or perhaps more importantly, the day-to-day costs of time spent having to physically print and hand-insert originals into the fax machine tray, and then dial the number. With Internet fax, simply send with a few clicks from the convenience of a neat and tidy home office space.

If there is more than one worker in the home office, then having an Internet fax means that each employee has his or her own faxing capabilities. And while it is true that Internet fax saves space, time, and money, it also helps save the world. Paper and ink production are costly to the environment, and utilizing Internet fax contributes to preserving it.

As technology continues to advance, eliminating machines of the past is always a difficult task to accomplish. However, once it is done, many people easily realize the benefits of new technology, and never turn back and yearn for what was. Internet fax represents yet another convenient and practical technological advancement that can improve home offices the world over.

The first way an agent can start using call capture to increase business is by obtaining a capture phone number. These are generally toll free numbers and include multiple extensions in which to store information that can retrieved by the caller.  They are then placed in a variety of places to help generate business. Often times, the agent will place the number on the sign-riders that many individuals recognize from its placement next to a “For Sale” sign outside a house on the market. Calling the number will provide the potential client with a number of options like leaving a voicemail, listening to a description of the house, or hanging up.

Another option provided is the ability to transfer directly to the agent. But what if the prospect hangs up? Without call capture, the real estate agent would not be aware of the potential clients that expressed interest by dialing the phone number. However, by utilizing the features of call capture, the real estate agent is actually notified every time anyone makes an inquiry by dialing the phone number listed on the sign. Additionally, the agent receives details on the client’s name, address, the phone number they called from, as well as the property they were interested in. These records can then be added into a database of potential clients, which can lead to higher conversion rates.

Even if the client does not pursue the original house listed, the prospect’s interest in buying a new house still acts as a lead, as the real estate agent might be able to find a better match for them. This also eliminates the frustration of cold calling, as every person in the database has expressed some interest in the agent’s services. A more accurate term would be warm or even hot calling, because the real estate leads are directed straight to the agent, reducing costs.

Further, there are minimal legality issues associated with this type of calling due to the fact that “Do Not Call” laws apply differently to returning calls to leads captured by this kind of system than traditional telemarketing rules. In telemarketing, an associate will cold-call businesses or residences to generate sales for their company. This information is stored in a database and displays the vendor ID, address, phone number, and name. In these instances the person being called most likely has never contacted the company on whose behalf the telemarketer is calling on. With call capture, because the potential client made the first contact with the agent when they called to get more information about their services or property, agents can then legally contact them for 90 days even if they are on the Do Not Call List (unless they specifically ask them not to call them back).

Call capture provides businesses with a steady way to track and approach information. As agents work with current leads and clients, which can take a couple of months to a year, other agents can work on generating future business and gathering information on potential leads. By leveraging the sophistication of the technology, call capture can help to transform a good real estate agency into a great business.

Since faxes can be sent over the Internet, documents can be re-purposed for targeted marketing. It also means that a company can maintain brand consistency. Along with company image which helps to acquire and retain customers, consumer information can be kept all in one place. Consumers have come to expect rapid responses to their inquiries and concerns. Faxes sent directly into an email can help companies stay at the top of their game.

One can read documents that are sent to an email inbox without fear of smudging or poor quality. With traditional fax machines, it is unsure whether a fax will even come through, let alone be readable. An Internet fax does not have the same issues as a traditional fax when it comes to reliability and speed.

Also, one does not have to wait until one fax is sent before sending another using an Internet fax. In other words, there is no waiting in line to complete tasks. This means that businesses can run more smoothly. Having the option of sending more than one document at one time helps a business become more efficient in serving customers.

Since an Internet fax does not need to connect directly to a phone line, there is no frustration with busy signals. It is also much less expensive than a traditional fax machine because there are no extra costs for faxes sent to and received from other countries. Even when used to sending a fax to a traditional machine, an Internet fax makes life easier. This is because when software associated with an Internet fax encounters a busy signal, it will continue trying until the fax has been sent successfully.

With a global economy in place, businesses benefit from having a tool that works anywhere and at anytime. This enables companies in various countries to work together more easily. A worker does not need to be at the office to complete communications for a company. This means that a company’s work hours in one country can be accommodated by a company in another country.

Maintaining consistency among documents is crucial for branding a company. It also helps customers recognize information they receive from a company. Since faxes are saved as files on the computer, the same one can be used throughout the company. Also, employees can access those files and change the content to fit an individual client’s needs.

A system put in place with an Internet fax can allow each employee to use a password in order to access files. Nonetheless, those files can be shared. Being able to access documents and change existing documents to fit current needs allows workers to increase their productivity.

Increasing productivity means customer concerns are resolved quickly. It also means that a business owner will not have to hire as many employees or have their current employees work as many hours. Being able to cut expenses at this end allows customers to pay less for products or services, enabling them to feel all their needs are met.

One thing customers are constantly looking for when choosing a company to work with is whether that company is eco-friendly. An Internet fax system is one way to “go green“. It is not essential to print faxes out and if one does choose to do so, it can be done sparingly. This means that less paper is used, saving trees. It also saves on ink which cuts down on overall waste in the office. Also, one does not need to use the extra energy required by having more electronics when an office faxes over the Internet. By meeting this aspect of consumer needs, an Internet fax leads to better customer service.

Customers are also looking to save money. Using an Internet fax saves money by cutting down on paper, electricity, and hours worked. These savings are passed on to the customers which gives them a better service experience.

Businesses that use an Internet fax show that they are willing to innovate and change as the market evolves. This helps businesses work closely with customers and meet their needs quickly and efficiently. The improvement in customer service achieved by using an Internet fax will keep customers coming back and lead to referrals for the business.

Although selling a property depends on many factors – including location, amenities and condition of the market at the time of the sale, many otherwise stellar agents ignore ways to increase their lead generation and potential sales. This is often because agents are already bogged down under a mountain of work as they collect and sort through property data, while at the same time trying to get their company name out onto the street. One option for agents to increase productivity is a switch to an 800 call capture system, which fulfills the double role of disseminating information to the public, and allowing the public to reach an agent or find out property details at any time.

There are multiple companies now offering the 800 call capture system, each with different packages and options that can be purchased. At its heart, however, the system is as simple as a purchased 800 call capture number that belongs exclusively to the agent or company, and can then be placed on all signage, business cards and displayed prominently on all advertising materials. The 800 numbers will typically come with the option for multiple extensions, so that a business can keep track of not only who is calling, but which 800 call capture display drew their attention. A newspaper ad might tell the caller to use a “105″ extension and a business card might say “107.” The recordings played for consumers could be made to be the same regardless of which number was called, but the system allows businesses to do ad tracking too and see which types of advertising are the most successful.

800 call capture systems will, as stated above, allow for the recording of one or multiple messages about properties. These messages can include price details, amenity listings, or even another number that can be called for further service. Agents are able to set up the 800 call capture system so that any or all of the lines will go to voicemail and allow a potential client to leave their questions, or they can have the line ring directly to an office or cell phone of their choosing.

Most systems allow companies to select from several options for call forwarding. In addition to simply having the 800 call capture line send the call directly to a mobile or office phone, it can also often be programmed to announce the name and number of the person calling, and will give the option to send the call to voicemail. This allows a mobile agent on the move from property to property to still receive the calls that are important and time sensitive, but also to forward calls to voicemail if they come in during a meeting, document signing or house showing. 800 call capture systems let the company know exactly how many phone calls are coming in and who is making them, and also gives control over exactly what to do with them when they arrive. Systems with forwarding options also mean that personal cell phone numbers do not need to be given out, and new users to the system can easily be added.

Many businesses are concerned about the legality of recording a potential client’s personal information and Do Not Call regulations, especially if they have a blocked number or are unlisted. Fortunately, any call to an 800 call capture line is considered to be a “business inquiry” and falls under the 90 day rule, allowing businesses to collect phone number and caller information. This means that 800 call capture forwarding not only gives the choice of immediate contact with a customer that calls in, but will also store all of their information for later use if an agent wishes to obtain property specifics before calling back.

The world of real estate is fast-paced by nature, and with many Americans now working a full-time job or multiple jobs in one day, having information available only during business hours simply isn’t enough to stay ahead. 800 call capture systems allow information about a property to be available anytime, anywhere, and call forwarding on these systems ensures that not only are agents aware of who is calling and when, but also which advertisement attracted their interest. These 800 call capture lines allow businesses to fine-tune their advertising choices, while ensuring that no call goes unanswered.

Network marketing businesses deal with a set of unique challenges that other marketing professionals don’t even consider. It’s important to find new marketers, develop them to ensure professional output, and regularly interact with a rapidly growing array of clients. Multi-level marketing involves a lot of careful planning, as it’s necessary to train and develop an entire team of marketers, and a lot of fast communication to keep clients interested.

Any person who runs a network marketing business is probably already aware of the potential value of good communication and organizational tools. Modern Internet based fax systems fit into both of these categories, and provide a potentially revolutionary way to engage in smart network marketing.

For those unaware of the technology, Internet based fax services allow images and documents to be sent from any computer with an active Internet connection. Faxes can be scanned in with normal scanners. Unlike traditional fax machines, Internet fax services can receive and send dozens of faxes at a time, since all connections are digital rather than analog. There are no busy signals, but a dedicated line can still be set up for Internet based fax. To someone faxing in, there’s no difference between a standard fax machine and Internet fax, but outgoing faxes look better and more consistent.

This can help a network marketing business set up a professional image, which is an absolutely essential element of success. Whether a company is trying to grow a network of marketers or rapidly develop a uniform image among hundreds of clients, Internet fax can be used to standardize all outgoing faxes and allow a more focused, unique approach. If it’s appropriate to market through fax in a business, Internet fax makes it easy to do so, and without many of the problems associated with marketing-by-fax (clogged fax lines, unreadable faxes, looping numbers, etc).

Internet based fax services offer network marketers the ability to receive hundreds of orders at a time–or, when working for a primary company, faxes can be rerouted and sent directly in to speed up order time. This keeps clients happy, and helps to organize a large team of active marketers. The organizational aspects of Internet fax can also make it easy to quickly find out which marketers in a network have been the most and least active, and to chart the growth of the network via the number of incoming sales. Since faxes are stored in common document types, like PDF, searching for a certain client or marketer is easy.

This wouldn’t be possible if Internet fax were overly complex, as network marketing businesses need to train all of their marketers on new technologies. Needless to say, complex technologies don’t tend to go very far. Internet fax services are based on simple computer concepts. If a person can email, he or she can fax over the Internet. In fact, many marketers find Internet fax services easier to use than traditional fax machines. Training costs are essentially eliminated, and marketers don’t need large, unwieldy fax machines to operate successfully. Those same marketers can easily train down line, allowing a network to grow with very little involvement from each successively higher level. Different numbers can be easily set up for each marketer, and no matter how many orders that individual brings in, faxes can be easily handled and organized by the system.

Cost is another major advantage of faxing over the Internet. At larger levels, Internet fax is much less expensive than traditional fax, especially when considering the cost of a physical fax machine, toner, and separate phone lines. Almost every aspect of Internet fax costs less than a traditional fax machine. This allows it to be set up over a vast network of multi-level marketing professionals without a major investment in either capital or time.

Multi-level marketing is a competitive field, and every potential advantage could mean the difference between skimpy, basic commissions and a sizable income. Regardless of a person’s location in an MLM network, it’s important to have the right set of tools. Focus, organization, and professionalism are key aspects of all successful network marketing businesses, and each of these is improved with the addition of an Internet fax service.

The problem exists in advertising. Where should real estate agents display their 1-800 number? What markets will be reached if the number is posted in different places? Obviously, where the number is posted has a direct connection to how many people call the real estate agency or individual agent. For this reason, using a capture system strategically is the best way to increase a business’s list of reliable clientele.

A real estate agent should place his or her 800 call capture number in a variety of locations. The first and most obvious is in front of the properties that he or she is trying to sell. The 800 call capture number can be easily placed on the sign rider in front of the property. Additionally, the agent may choose to instruct visitors to press a certain number for information about that particular property. This will encourage potential buyers to call the 800 call capture number, as they know they will be getting essential information about a property they are interested in buying. They will also be more likely to listen to all of the information if they are not forced to listen to a long recording that does not interest them. Real estate agents must not rely on signs outside of their properties, however. Seeing an 800 call capture number may pique their interest and at least prod them to begin looking.

To reach out to these leads, real estate agents may post their 800 call capture numbers in public spaces. Billboards are one popular location to advertise information about home ownership and properties in the area. However, the problem with billboards is the fact that many people see them only when driving, when they generally are not holding a pen to take down the number. Even if people are interested in the billboard advertising a agent’s number, they could quickly forget to call the number when they get to their destination. For this reason, it is important for real estate agents to put their 800 call capture number where potential customers can walk away with it. Agents might consider sponsoring a high school event or production in order to get their advertisement, and 800 call capture number, on the program. Also, 800 call capture numbers can be placed on business cards that real estate agents can hand out to individuals who come into their offices, as well as to the public at events.

Because real estate agents usually give their 800 call capture numbers to a large variety of individuals, they can use the information gained from the capture system to develop a strategic marketing plan. For instance, agents can use the 800 call capture number to determine where the caller is located. They can also obtain the name of the caller to do some research. This allows real estate agents to tailor a marketing plan to the prospective buyer. With this technology, the real estate agent can identify properties in the potential client’s price range, as well as properties that are close to the client’s workplace and have room to accommodate the client’s children.

By using 800 call capture, real estate agents have the ability to reach larger groups of potential clients. 800 call capture also allows agents to reach out to different kinds of clients, from those needing low income housing to the affluent. With 800 call capture, real estate agents can be aware of the client’s needs before even speaking with him or her. By strategically placing the toll free capture number, agents have the chance to maximize their sales.

From a small business’s perspective, it doesn’t make much sense to invest hundreds or thousands of dollars in a new technology if that technology isn’t going to offer a significant and immediate return on investment. Internet fax services save time and money almost immediately, as there’s no more waiting for fax lines to be free, no wasted paper, and instant cataloging and archiving via standard computer formats. Internet fax services are inexpensive and don’t require much employee training, since they often work on existing email systems; so they’re a great example of a fast and reliable return on investment. Small businesses can’t afford to waste money, especially in a bad economy – there’s really no money to waste. Internet fax services represent a very stable, very logical business investment.

Smaller businesses can also project a much larger image with the help of an Internet fax service. This is mainly due to the standardization that is provided by Internet fax services; every outgoing fax looks the same, from the cover letter to the appearance of the ink on each page. Higher quality faxes are often possible through Internet based systems, as many allow common file formats to be digitally faxed, completely avoiding the use of paper on the sender’s side. There’s also no limit on the number of faxes that can be sent out with an Internet fax service, so small businesses can run major ad campaigns via fax or instantly send numerous faxes to different contacts at a larger company. Any contact with another company that involves a fax machine is made easier with an Internet based fax system, and small businesses can show themselves to be more efficient and professional with the help of a digital service.

The organizational aspect of an Internet fax service is certainly noteworthy, as well. Many small businesses have problems with organization, especially where incoming faxes are concerned, because it’s quite easy for a single (but important) piece of paper to be lost, misfiled, or even accidentally thrown away or shredded. Internet based fax services are, by nature, better at filing than any of the busy employees in a small business, and emails can be arranged and stored in folders with a few clicks of a mouse button. Organization is made easy with the system as files are easily found and discarded, as needed.

This saves time, and it’s also a very secure and accurate method of archiving. Digital faxes can be searched using a standard computer’s simple search feature, allowing a business owner or secretary to instantly locate all received or outgoing faxes that contain certain keywords. All faxes sent to a certain client can be pulled up immediately, ready for review, and of course each fax can also be printed and stored physically when necessary. Faxes can also be backed up using traditional data backup methods, for instance, an external hard drive, flash drive, or Internet backup system. This allows a small business to easily keep copies of key documents off-site, so that in the event of a fire or other natural disaster (or even a simple hard drive failure); company records will still be secure and safe.

Any business that uses one or more fax machines will quickly benefit from an Internet fax service, as there’s simply no comparison between this new technology and slow, archaic standard fax machines. Small businesses see special benefits, and really have much more to gain; at a small business’s level, every saved dollar is important, and functionality and efficiency are key. Internet fax services help small businesses operate cleanly, quickly, and professionally, allowing them to forge better business relationships and streamline almost every aspect of day-to-day work. At every level of a small business, Internet fax services are capable of making a major difference, and no small business should ignore the potential money-saving power of this exciting new technology.

One tool for improving the performance of a real estate marketing campaign is 800 call capture. With this technology, the telephone number of any incoming call to an agent’s toll-free number is retained for future follow-up, even if the in-coming number is blocked or unlisted. With 800 call capture, a return call or automated message can then be made to any number that previously called the agent, whether or not the caller left a message.

An 800 call capture system is easy to set-up as part of a marketing campaign. No new equipment is required. A real estate agent can purchase the service through one of the many capture providers. The provider will then make a toll-free number available to the agent, along with all of the call capturing features. When callers dial the toll-free number at any time of the day or night, they will hear a recorded message, such as a property listing description, and will be provided an opportunity to leave a message or talk to someone live. However, even if a caller hangs up without leaving a message, or if no one is available at the time to answer the call, the caller’s number will be captured for future call-backs.

An 800 call capture system can be a highly effective part of a real estate marketing strategy. Callers are more likely to call any number, even those on a sign rider, when it is toll-free. They also tend to prefer numbers that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and where their first introduction to an agent or property will be low-key and with minimal sales pressure. An 800 call capture system offers all of these conveniences for callers.

For real estate agents, 800 call capture has many benefits. The price is generally affordable and can fit easily into most marketing budgets. There is no additional expense for new hardware or equipment. It generates leads whenever a call is made to the agent, even if they are not available to take the call. Finally, the leads are specifically those people who have an interest in a property or other services offered by the agent.

An 800 call capture system cannot be the only strategy employed in a marketing campaign, but it can increase both the number and quality of leads. Besides 800 call capture, a agent will need to have an aggressive plan for disseminating their toll-free number. Some combination of brochures, signs, advertisements, mailings and web listings will be necessary. The easier it is for a customer to find the toll-free number, the more calls to the agent will be generated. The purpose of the 800 call capture system is defeated if no one knows what the agent’s toll free number exists.

Another consideration before using an 800 call capture system is how to respond to callers’ privacy concerns when an agent follows up on incoming calls, especially when callers do not leave call-back messages. Many callers will be surprised, and perhaps upset, that their blocked telephone numbers were uncovered by the agent. Each agent will need to script a standard explanation that addresses these concerns.

A third consideration in building a marketing campaign around 800 call capture is how to use the leads. Following up with callers who do not leave messages will be closer to cold calling than responding to direct inquiries. Certainly, by making the initial contact on the toll-free number, the caller showed some interest in the agent’s services. Follow-ups to these types of leads should be approached as a way to provide information and build customer trust. Many of these leads will go nowhere if the customer feels pressured at such an earlier stage of being introduced to the agent.

For many real estate agents, 800 call capture can be an effective part of a marketing campaign. Agents should use this tool to the fullest extent of its capabilities, but understand its limitations as well.