In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, I considered how home improvement companies actually sabotage their leads with Google Earth. By using Google Earth to check out the exterior of a home before setting an appointment, they can unnecessarily downgrade a perfectly good potential sales opportunity.
Smart remodelers won’t stand for that. Instead, I’d expect them to first book the appointment . . .and THEN use Google Earth to come up with ideas on how to sell to that homeowner. Home improvement salespeople have long researched their prospects using Google searches, Facebook, and other background information they find on line, and the smart ones have now added Google Earth to their arsenals.
In preparing for homeowner appointments, use Google Earth to familiarize yourself with the exterior of a home before you visit. In addition to Google Earth’s satellite view, use Google Earth’s Street View to familiarize yourself with the front of the home, as well as the lot line and roof line.
What you’ll find is excellent information that will help you devise your sales strategy. This sort of preparation can only help you sell discriminating homeowners in increasingly competitive markets.
A note of caution: don’t lead off your appointment with a brag, “I’ve already checked out your home on Google Earth.” Many homeowners don’t realize that the entire world can walk around their home virtually—and calling immediate attention to it can cause your meeting to begin on a very uncomfortable note.
This is particularly true of older homeowners who guard their privacy, and who may not appreciate knowing that you’ve been checking them out online.
So there you have it, Google Earth for home improvement companies in three parts. Google Earth can be a terrific tool, but can also spoil a great appointment before you ever knock on the door. Use it wisely and prosper!
Homeowner Connections Through Performance Online Advertising
