MLSs have long been a marketing center in some small way. Agents working with buyers and sellers create reports that are organized to provide listing information to clients. The reports are very useful, but aside from the ability to insert a broker logo, agent photo, and contact information, the design of these reports often falls short of achieving the goal of a well-branded and unique marketing piece. Some MLSs have begun to partner with providers to enhance or augment this MLS system functionality, and offer marketing systems that have full feature functionality.
MRIS, Metrolist Colorado, MLSListings, MLSLI, and a handful of others have taken the position that the best way to accomplish serving these member needs is to create a robust vendor partnership program. They have taken the position that MLS vendors can not be all things to all people. Although various MLSs System solutions excel at certain areas of technologies that benefit the agent-consumer relationship, they recognize weaknesses in other areas.
Here is a snapshot crafted by MRIS that outlines their strategy which is being delivered through a partnership with Seattle based Imprev.
The Marketing Center will provide MRIS customers with free and unlimited access to an integrated suite of professionally designed and simple to create digital and print marketing products and tools including Flyers, eFlyers, Postcards, ePostcards, and Virtual Tours. In addition to supporting marketing and promotional efforts, there’s productivity savings as well since MRIS customers will pull in real-time listing data – including photos –to create any of the marketing materials without having to re-enter data or upload images, tasks agents already complete when they create the listing.
“My Marketing Center will be the fastest way to reach home buyers and sellers with real-time, in-depth marketing information instantly. In seconds, a link to a polished Virtual Tour is posted to Realtor.com or to the agents website, another click and an eFlyer with the broker’s template and branding is posted on Facebook or sent out on Twitter,” said John L. Heithaus, MRIS Chief Marketing Officer, adding, “The faster an agent can respond in today’s digitally-driven economy in real time, the more successful he or she will be to generate more sales commissions.”
MRIS and Imprev also announced that a Premium suite of digital and printable marketing products and tools will made available to MRIS member agents and brokers at a low-cost. The lineup of Premium marketing products is expected to include access to premium Craigslist Display Ads, eCards (electronic Greeting Cards), Brochures, Digital Brochures, Newsletters, eNewsletters and more.
“Agents need three things from any business provider: quality, ease of use and value,” said Renwick Congdon, Imprev CEO and Founder. “At the end of the day, the finished product is what the consumer sees, so the quality of the product must reflect well on the agent and brokerage. Of course, if the agent can’t easily use the system they won’t, and cost is always a consideration. MRIS has addressed all three requirements with the ‘Gen M’ My Marketing Center. ”
Imprev has been in the business of providing marketing support to Franchise and Broker brands for many years through White Label solutions.
disclaimer (WAV Group does work for MRIS, MLSListings, MLSLI, Metolist, and Imprev from time to time.)
