UWSocial Media in Business

Small Business Case Study

Veritus Realty Group

Chuck Reiling

3/29/11

SITUATION

• Chuck Reiling – xGeologist, xTech Exec, xConsultant– details (too many) at www.LinkedIn.com/in/ChuckReiling

• Now Realtor and Owner/Broker – Veritus Realty Group• Partnered with wife, Diane – “the family business”• Referral business model – all over the Seattle/Eastside area • Network of 850 contacts – 100 As, 250 Bs, 500 Cs• Active ‘Contact, Care & Community’ programs• Websites:

– www.GreaterSeattleHomesToday.com– www.GreaterSeattleHomeSearch.com

• Blogs:– www.GreaterSeattleHomesBlog.com– www.facebook.com/Greater.Seattle.Homes– www.activerain.com/blogs/GreaterSeattleHomes

• Monthly e-letter: Reiling’s Real Estate Market Report

CHALLENGE• 2003 – 2007

– Built up business to average 20 txns/yr– Lead eastside referral agent for Redfin – 2006– Engaged with all new e-real estate ventures

• 2007/2008 – Mortgage market & Stock market crashes– Escalating issues – qualification, confidence, equity gridlock

• 2008 – 2010 – Business average 10 txns/yr, 25% lower price pt– No market recovery in sight– Need 2nd source of leads

• Purchased leads don’t work• Limited funds for marketing

ACTION• Formed Veritus Realty Group to reduce brokerage expenses

• Consolidated branding to ‘Greater Seattle Homes’ theme

• Started Facebook business page

• Built ‘Greater Seattle Home Search’ site with listing indexing• Tried Google Direct ad words – good click-thru/poor conversion

• Rebuilt GSHS site – Bigger buttons – Parker LePla advice

– Better calls to action

• Trying some Craigs List ad techniques

• Consulting assignment to Windermere Solutions– Learning new stuff

• Need to re-direct blogging to Gen Y/Echo Boomers

RESULTS• Business still slow; seasonally picking up• Web traffic improving, conversion to leads still way too low• TBD

Problem Statement: Need to dramatically improve hit rate and engagement rate with minimum expense

Expected Outcome: More web-sourced leads and expanded business volume

Contact: Chuck Reiling, (206) 850-3507chuck@reilingteam.com