Cold calling is an essential component for maintaining and growing a real estate business. This is true for one-person operations and for companies with huge call centers. Regardless of the size of your business, using a real estate dialer can help you get more done in less time so you can keep your focus on communicating with leads. Real estate dialers can vary significantly and there are a few things you need to know to make sure that you’re using the right dialer software for your needs. 

Using an Auto Dialer in Real Estate

Cold calling leads with an auto dialing system allows you to streamline your calling process while reducing downtime between calls. It also eliminates dialing errors that come with manual dialing. You simply input your list and work your way through your leads. Auto dialers can be configured to a single line or your dialers can be set up to serve an entire phone bank. 

Cold calling is a challenging enough task without having to manually dial numbers. Auto dialers give the caller the freedom to focus on their script with few distractions or side-tasks while presenting the caller with the necessary information for each call in an easy-to-scan format. Using an auto dialer allows the caller to be focused on the conversation, and hopefully converting that lead to a sale. 

Types of Dialers

Selecting the right dialer for your business depends on your needs and strategies. Some dialers enable the caller to pause before initiating the next call, while other dialers instigate a new call as soon as one ends. Many dialers are able to switch modes, so businesses don’t need to commit to one method for outbound calls. 

Preview Dialers

Depending on the type of calls you make, a preview dialer may be the right fit for your business. For callers who may need a moment to do some research before their next call, preview dialers that wait for user input before dialing the next number are a great choice. 

Unlike auto dialers, a preview dialer allows the caller to review information related to the property owner they’re about to call. For businesses that offer multiple products or services, preview dialers are particularly useful because they give the caller an opportunity to determine the best opportunity for conversion.

Progressive Dialers

Progressive dialers are simple, straightforward, and efficient. The system calls the next number immediately after a disconnection, taking your wait times down to the few seconds it usually takes for someone to pick up a phone once it starts ringing. The only time you might experience a prolonged delay between calls is when several phone numbers in a row fail to connect you with anyone, and even then, the system speeds along to the next available number as quickly as it can.

Predictive Dialers

A predictive dialer can help increase connection rates and is ideal for businesses that experience a high percentage of rejected or missed connections. Predictive dialers call several numbers simultaneously, so when one call concludes there’s already someone else on the line. This is especially useful for call centers, where multiple sales reps can get on the line once someone has answered.

Predictive dialers track average call lengths and the rates at which numbers fail to yield a connection, so it’s easy to pace them with a bit of practice. If you are reaching out to a list of numbers generated through methods like skip tracing, this type of real estate dialer can help cut through the outdated or disconnected numbers.

Maximizing the Benefits of a Dialer

For businesses determining what type of dialer to use, the most practical investment is a dialer that works as an app on the phone or VOIP system you’re already using, with modes that let you switch between preview, progressive, and predictive dialing. That way you have flexibility with your calling strategy and can switch up your approach according to the types of leads you are contacting. 

Phone Number Reputation

Too often, businesses that rely on high-volume outbound calls are having their calls flagged as spam, or even worse “scam likely.” This is an issue for legitimate businesses, and they’re frequently unaware. They may notice a drop in their connection rates but not have any idea why it’s happening. This issue is so pervasive that 40% of businesses that rely on cold calling are having their phone numbers flagged.

There are a variety of reasons why a business’s phone number reputation can be negatively impacted. If your business is routinely calling disconnected numbers, numbers on the do not call registry, or making recurring calls to uninterested parties, these practices can get your phone number flagged. That’s why it’s so important to use a dialer that makes protecting your phone number reputation one of the most important features. 

In addition to using a dialer that maintains clean phone numbers, you’ll want to ensure that your dialer lets you know if your number has been flagged. If any of your outbound numbers have been flagged, your dialer should immediately cease using the flagged number and switch it out with a “clean” number that hasn’t been flagged. 

Another way to increase connection rates is to use a dialer that uses the recipient’s number to select the outbound number, either matching the area code or selecting a number with an area code that’s in close proximity. This increases the likelihood that the recipient will answer the call, and improved connection rates help protect your phone number reputation.

Shopping for a Dialer

Regardless of the type of dialer you choose, it’s a good idea to check out today’s app-based dialer software platforms because they deliver cost-effective, scalable service. You will not find an easier way to serve your needs while keeping your options open as you grow your business.

If you source your dialer and your real estate investment software from separate providers, you’ll also want to ensure that the dialer you choose is user-friendly and that the tools can be seamlessly integrated.

Autodialer Legalities

Businesses that use autodialers need to familiarize themselves with the laws regulating autodialer use. While auto dialers present a lot of freedom for businesses that rely on cold calling, there are some restrictions. If you stick to landline leads, then using a dialer is pretty straightforward. 

Generally speaking, if you use your autodialer to contact people on their mobile numbers, they need to have opted in to receive calls. This can include opting in via sources like interest cards or online forms.

As stated previously, it is absolutely essential to make sure that you do not call any numbers on the Do Not Call registry, whether they are landline or mobile numbers. A violation of the Do Not Call (DNC) provision of the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) can carry a fine of up to $43,792 per call. Some states also impose additional penalties with fines that range from $100 to $25,000 per call. 

Conclusion

Even if you think you only need one type of dialer right now, it’s important to remember that your needs will likely evolve as your business grows. It’s a wise idea to find a dialer that can be set to automated or preview modes. 

Whether you’re a solopreneur or managing an acquisition team, real estate dialers are a game-changing resource for any business that makes high-volume outbound calls.