What is an Online Rental Lead and Tips to Convert Them

There seems to be some confusion within the rental advertising space on what an online rental lead actually is.

A lead is NOT:

1. When someone views your ad
2. When someone clicks on your ad
3. When someone clicks on your ad map
4. When someone prints out a flyer
5. When someone forwards your ad

A lead IS:

1. When a potential renter emails you directly 
2. When a potential renter calls you directly

That is it. A phone or email lead.  Tips to convert these leads into leases:

1. Answer your phone. Over 50% of all phone leads go unaswered
2. Respond to email leads within 4 hours. If you don’t, your competition will
3. Cross sell other properties. If the property they are interested in just got rented out, offer them other like properties that fit their needs
4. Build a relationship with your customers
5. Offer move-in specials - (sign a 1 year contract today and receive a free iPhone)
6. Track phone and email leads. Some potential renters don’t leave a message. Use caller ID to call them back.