Putting the App in a Happy Client

For Rick Smith, York, PA’s leading realtor, a genuine smile and warm handshake are his trademark. It’s the personal interactions that get him up every morning and keep him working till the wee hours at night. For over 30 years, Rick has provided his clients with the highest level of personalized customer service, relying heavily on telephone and face-to-face meetings to build his business.

So it was a bit of a leap of faith to suggest to Rick and his team that they needed a phone app as part of their marketing strategy for 2011. Could we deliver an app that would enhance the already stellar service that the team provided? One that would be as good or better than the other real estate search apps already on the market? One that would drive leads to the team and provide user data in real time?

Yes. After extensive research, we secured a development partner who could help us deliver an app that had all of the features our client was looking for, at an affordable price. Our ulterior motive was to be the first agent in York County to come out with an app, thus positioning Rick as not only the most successful realtor, but also the most progressive.

The result is a branded app that feeds local and national MLS listings to a home buyer’s cell phone and provides multiple search capabilities. For every property that the home buyer is interested in, a phone call or email can be sent directly from the app to the Rick Smith Team, whether it is a Rick Smith listing or not.

As we all know, consumers are looking for instant gratification, and marketers are looking for ways to connect with those consumers at their peak moments of need or interest. This app provides both and reinforces the Rick Smith Team’s brand as leaders in the marketplace.

To support the launch of the app on April 1, we created newspaper ads and a digital billboard announcing the app to the marketplace.

To try the app yourself, text RST3 to 87778