Fall Folder Cleaning

When it comes to leads, the more the better. However, that makes for an organizational challenge. Here's a quick reminder on how to use the folders.

New: Only includes new leads just assigned to you. After attempting to make contact, move the lead to the appropriate folder based on their initial communication.

Retry: Only includes leads that haven't responded to you yet. You will need to attempt to contact all retry leads with a phone number. Ones without a phone number will get an auto email at 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months.

Active: Only includes leads that are communicating with you. They may be looking up to a year down the road before they purchase. Because this folder will become rather full, a good rule of thumb is, every active lead should have a reminder set up to check on them once a month. If they remain active, great. If not, you can see if their circumstances have changed, and you may want to move them to the inactive folder until they become more active again.

Inactive: This should be the largest folder you have, but when a lead's status changes, the Activity folder and reminders will keep you posted. If a lead is placed in here because they are long term, just looking, etc., set up reminders to send an email or call. Also in this folder are leads that never reply to you and after sitting in the retry folder for about 6 weeks. Watch for them to resurface on your website via the "activity" bin. Have several "just checking in" emails pre-written and saved so they can be sent quickly.

Hot: Only includes leads that you are working with regularly. They may be on their way to closing, or may have pre-approval and you may be showing listings. You should know all these leads by name.

Sold: This is the folder for leads that you sell listings to.

Trash: Very few leads should go in to the trash folder because they will be unsubscribed from the website automatically. These include leads that provide no phone number and a false email address (you have no way to contact them), and leads that ask that you not contact them anymore.

Now, take a few moments this week to get your lead folders in order once more!