Are Your Mortgage Prospects "Googling" You?
It's time to "Google" yourself. Go to google.com right now and type in your name. Click "Enter" on your keyboard or "Google Search" on your screen. The result that is displayed is your online identity or profile. You can search using my name for a comparison...tom domin.
If you don't believe some of your mortgage prospects are checking you out using Google...think again! Thanks to Google, it's become ridiculously easy for prospects and customers to find out more about you as a mortgage professional, just by typing your name into the Google search engine.
Here's the thing...they're looking for search results of you on the internet, to see what third party references will reveal about your mortgage business. Essentially, they are "checking you out."
They are looking to evaluate your "online identity or profile" which is a collection of all of the information about you on the Internet, and whether that information is mostly positive, or negative.
Here's a quick review of what a prospect might find when they "Google" you, and what impact that information might have on their decision to do business with you.
1. Positive identity/profile - Your prospect finds numerous mentions of you online including the website you set up using your name.com as your mortgage site. They find articles you may have written about mortgage and credit issues. They may also find your name associated with the city they live in, local newspapers, as well as any professional associations you may be connected with.
Congratulations, your prospect found you. This goes a long way in establishing credibility and trust in their eyes. I'm sure they won't hesitate contacting you and discussing their mortgage requirements with you.
2. Negative identity/profile - Your prospect found negative comments or testimonials about you from previous customers, or your name was found associated with a negative website or negative group or association.
This one is trouble...your prospect can form a pre-conceived opinion of you and may then pass you by and contact another mortgage professional.
3. Neutral identity/profile - Your prospect can't find any information about you.
Neutral is not good - Despite your attempt to make your mortgage business look successful, your prospects may decide that since they couldn't find any record of you...you are a very small cog in the big mortgage wheel...and may decide to go elsewhere. Warning...In the months and years ahead, your desire to remain anonymous on the internet will cost you and your mortgage business big bucks.
The chances are good you need to establish and/or improve your online identity/profile. The best way to do this is to focus your efforts and some time on actually building that positive online identity/profile. Here are a few ways to do that...
1. Reserve a domain name for your personal mortgage website and use your personal name. The search engines will find you in short order. When someone does Google your name, your website will come up first in the findings.
2. Write a few good mortgage and credit articles for homebuyers and homeowners and submit them to article directories, local newspapers, and community websites. Use a reference box at the end of your article which identifies both you and your mortgage website. Google will find your articles and they will eventually be listed when someone does Google your name.
3. Sponsor or help with a community event. Ask the organization you are supporting if they post information about the event online, including the names of the sponsors. A Google search that associates you with a major local charity would be viewed very positively by your mortgage prospects.
4. Start a "blog" (short for web logs). This one requires some research and a little learning curve on your part...that's why we left it for last. However, once set-up, your investment of time each week is really minimal. Search engines like Google love blogs, readily index them, and then show the results, when someone Googles your name.
OK, there you have it. Remember, it will become increasingly important for you to manage and control your online identity/profile. By increasing the positive search results of your name online, you'll give added confidence to your Google savvy prospects and customers and increase your mortgage business as a result. Your mortgage prospects and customers are definitely working smarter...so should you!
Related Articles
Promoting Your Mortgage Business on Valentines Day
By: Tom Domin | 07/02/2007 | Marketing
Here's a great promotion you can use for your mortgage business on Valentines Day.
Things My First Mortgage Mentor, Trainer, Broker Should Have Told Me...part II
By: Tom Domin | 22/04/2007 | Marketing
In Part I, we covered the fact that you’re in business for yourself and, never stop learning, just to name a few. Here’s Part II of the article...
There's not a Bulletin Board in Existence That My Mortgage Marketing Program Doesn't Like
By: Tom Domin | 28/06/2007 | Marketing
Yes, I love bulletin boards. Now, just so you know...I'm not talking about "electronic bulletin boards" found on the Internet. That's a different topic for another day. I'm referring to those old fashion "cork boards" that in order to post notices require the use of push pins, thumb tacks or even staples (a bulletin board no no). Read the entire article...
15 Low Budget Ways of Marketing your Mortgage Business
By: Tom Domin | 01/08/2007 | Marketing
One challenge that is always there is...how to inexpensively get the word out about your mortgage business and generate new prospects and customers. This article explains all...
6 Reasons Why You Should Use Magnetic Mortgage Signs
By: Tom Domin | 09/02/2007 | Marketing
One of the best decisions you can make if you're originating mortgages is to invest in a quality set of magnetic car signs. Here are the details to get you started...
Do you Have a Mortgage Attitude?
By: Tom Domin | 18/03/2007 | Marketing
Of all of the steps involved in a successful real estate transaction, the mortgage process is the most detailed, most intense, most involved and, most important part of the entire process.
Eight Cardinal Sins That Mortgage People Often Commit
By: Tom Domin | 22/05/2007 | Marketing
If you could identify mistakes that are killing your mortgage business, would you take heed of that information and correct those mistakes? Here are some mistakes we all make...
6 Postcard Marketing Tips That Can Improve your Mortgage Business
By: Tom Domin | 14/07/2007 | Marketing
If you're currently involved in a postcard marketing campaign or just thinking about starting one, here are some significant tips you can add to your knowledge base that will help make your mortgage marketing efforts a real winner...
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
My credit is very low .. how do improve it beside ...
By: alliejochilds | 23-10-2007
my credit is very low .. how do improve it beside's paying everything off?
Open or Closed Mortgage
By: ROY | 13-08-2007
I'm about to take a mortgage (Canada). Should I take a 5.0% fixed or a variable open one? What are the upsides and downsides and where is the Prime heading?
I have an outstanding payday loan and my job was ...
By: jazzie | 09-08-2007
i have an outstanding payday loan and my job was called and then someone called said they was an officer and left a message and said that i am a fraud and the police was coming to arrest me for fraudulent activities and then i called them and they said that a case being filed against me for fraud and that a case is pending now i am in jepeorday of loosing my job can they do this
What is the average life of a mortgage loan? I ...
By: jewelinbend | 30-07-2007
What is the average life of a mortgage loan? I need a verifiable and credible source to quote.
How long should it take to get a mortgage agreed?
By: Dan Peters | 04-07-2007
how long should it take to get a mortgage agreed?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Marketing Articles
Tell Them Why They Should Buy
By: Karen Scharf | 21/08/2008
Our customers don't know our products inside and out. They do not make the mental leap from features to benefits. We need to show them, to spell out exactly what our product or service will do for them.
The Number One Killer of Information Marketing Success and How to Avoid It
By: Caleb Scoville | 20/08/2008
The longer you hang onto an idea without implementing it, the less viable it becomes. It's better to implement and learn from your mistakes than to obsess over it for weeks or months that you could be focused on more important things.
Want to Attract New Dental Patients? Think About a Referral Contest
By: James Erickson | 20/08/2008
A referral contest is a great way to get your current patients bombarding you with new, quality patients. Referrals are always the best new patients, because they generally come in already liking you. So, why not do something to double, or even triple the number of referral you receive?
Relationship Marketing: Lead Scoring for Success
By: Christian Fea | 20/08/2008
Developing a relationship marketing platform for your business is an important step in every marketing campaign. Having a relationship marketing plan for your business puts the focus of your business on customer fulfillment and strong customer relationships.
5 Powerfull Tips For Optimizing Your Viral Marketing Campaigns
By: Paul Baican-Vist | 20/08/2008
The media has focused recently more on Viral marketing, or "refer-a-friend" email campaigns. These campaigns are making more active the recipients of promotional emails to forward the messages to their companions. They were garnering both positive and negative comments from customers, privacy advocates, and industry pundits.
The main issue are the...
The "Secret" of Voice Broadcasting Exposed
By: David Seldon | 20/08/2008
Voice broadcaster exposes a little-discussed yet obvious "secret" that has major implications for those considering using voice broadcasting. Those considering utilizing voice broadcasting in their business should consider this before spending any money for voice broadcasting.
Article Submission Services: How To Choose The Right Company
By: Deep Arora | 20/08/2008
These days the mantra for modern business is marketing. Marketing plays an integral role in your end results of sales for your organiation. While you may understand the benefits, for many the process of article submission may be better left to experts.
How to Design a Slick and Professional Website
By: Chris Coleman | 20/08/2008
It's amazing how quickly business changes. Before the internet, the only contact you had with customers was using the phone and face to face.
Now, due to the advent of e-commerce via the internet, customers can discern much about your company without leaving their office or home.
More from Tom Domin
Mortgage Marketing List Management Made Easy
By: Tom Domin | 09/01/2008 | Marketing
Many of you have huge databases and do a great job of keeping in touch with the contacts on your lists using frequent mailings. This article explains all...
Two Mortgage Marketing Lessons From Sheldon Uthman
By: Tom Domin | 02/01/2008 | Marketing
Last week, I was checking my email and I noticed a message from a "Sheldon Uthman." The subject line of the email simply said "A message from Sheldon Uthman." This article explains all...
How To Fully Automate Your Mortgage Marketing Postcard Program
By: Tom Domin | 28/12/2007 | Marketing
You do recognize the fact that if you're not following up with your prospects multiple times, you're just wasting your time. This article gives you a solution...
7 Tips To Help Your Mortgage Business Survive The Current Mortgage Meltdown
By: Tom Domin | 26/12/2007 | Marketing
When dramatic market changes happen as they are now, many people are taken by complete surprise. On the other hand, if you have prepared well, paid attention, followed some if not all of the following tips, you can do business in any market...the best and the worst. This article explains all...
30 Minute Mortgage Marketing
By: Tom Domin | 25/12/2007 | Marketing
Here's a solution that can help with your mortgage marketing program and your loan originations. Especially, if you can't find enough time to really do your marketing...
Getting Lucky in your Mortgage Business
By: Tom Domin | 20/12/2007 | Marketing
Every one of us who is trying to develop a successful mortgage business needs to worry less about luck and more about work, consistency and persistence.
How to Market your Mortgage Business and Website Using Articles
By: Tom Domin | 06/09/2007 | Marketing
This approach called "Article Marketing" can make a powerful new addition to your mortgage marketing program. This article explains all...
Numbers That you Must Know About your Mortgage Business
By: Tom Domin | 04/09/2007 | Marketing
Successful mortgage people know their numbers. Just for your information...I'm not talking about the normal mortgage numbers that we use every day. You know...mortgages rates, closing costs, yield spread premium (YSP), and all of that kind of stuff. This article explains all...
Marketing 
