Category: lead generation

Auto Added by WPeMatico

Enhancing the Borrower Experience: 14 Key Touch Points for Optimal Lead Gen

Effective lead generation involves identifying and implementing pivotal touchpoints, or points of contact, throughout a mortgage lending buyer’s journey. It is a survival strategy. You miss one touchpoint, and your prospect drops off and gives another lender their money.

It takes an average of eight touchpoints to make a sale. However, this is a general stat, and the number varies from industry to industry and depends on what buying stage a prospect is in. The mortgage industry requires almost twice as many touchpoints.

Touchpoints should also be leveraged post-sale, as it’s vital that you stay in touch with clients to generate new business through referrals, refinancing, etc.

Read on to see the 14 touchpoints you MUST incorporate for a successful mortgage broker lead generation strategy.

Transform Your Lead Gen – Book a Demo Now

Before a Sale

  1. Intuitive Website

Your mortgage website serves as the initial gateway to your professional brand, and it’s crucial that it exudes intuitiveness and user-friendliness. Ensure that every visitor finds all the essential information at their fingertips, including:

1. Specialized Loan Offerings: Clearly present the types of loans you specialize in, making it easy for potential clients to identify the financing solutions you offer.

2. Service Areas and Licensing: Highlight the regions you serve or are licensed in, establishing trust by demonstrating your commitment to local expertise and compliance.

3. Contact Information: Make it effortless for potential homeowners to reach out to you. Your contact details should be readily accessible and prominently displayed.

The significance of a professional brand cannot be overstated.

It sets the tone for your mortgage business and instills confidence in potential clients. To optimize your website’s potential, consider incorporating interactive tools that facilitate the collection of crucial information to enhance your engagement with inbound mortgage leads.

The result of a well-branded, user-friendly website is that it not only exudes professionalism but also fosters a seamless and professional experience, leaving a lasting positive impression on your audience.

  1. Social Media

An impactful social media presence is a vital touch point in the homebuyer’s journey. It provides a unique platform for sharing invaluable industry insights that empower prospective homeowners with a deeper understanding of the homebuying process. To maximize this engagement:

1. Share Your Wisdom: If you consistently produce informative blog content on your website, make it a point to broadcast it across your social media channels. This approach broadens your reach and ensures that your expert advice reaches a wider audience.

If producing share-worthy content is a struggle, check out our new LHP3 website builder! It has a built-in AI blog-writing tool to help you blast through writer’s block. Plus, all LHP3 websites come with a library of ready-to-use social media content, so you always have engaging and valuable content ready to share.

2.  Ask The Audience: Enhance your connection with your audience by creating polls or asking questions that delve into their behaviors and preferences. Gain valuable insights and use this information to tailor your content and services to meet their needs.

3. Personalized Interaction: Acknowledge and engage with interested homebuyers by responding to their comments and direct messages promptly. These personalized interactions demonstrate your commitment to fostering a supportive and approachable relationship.

Incorporate social media as a cornerstone in your strategy, and you’ll discover an array of dynamic opportunities to connect with your audience, bolster your brand, and offer invaluable guidance at essential points along their homebuyer journey.

Done-For-You Social Media – Get a Demo

  1. Online Ads

Elevate your impact in the homebuying consideration phase by strategically leveraging targeted online advertising campaigns on platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads.

1. Precision Targeting: With Google Ads and Facebook Ads, you have the power to precisely reach your desired audience. Craft ad campaigns that resonate with potential homebuyers at the exact moment they are researching the market. By targeting specific keywords and demographics, you can ensure your brand is top of mind when they are actively seeking information and making critical decisions.

Make it even easier by using a landing page builder –no design or coding know-how needed!.

2. Outshine Competitors: Don’t overlook the opportunity to run Google Ads for terms that indicate someone is researching your competitors. This tactic positions your brand to stand out and articulate its unique strengths. By addressing the competition head-on, you assert your brand’s superiority in the eyes of the consumer.

3. Retargeting Advantage: Reach out to those who have already visited your website but may have temporarily strayed from their homebuying journey. Implement retargeting campaigns to reignite their interest and gently guide them back to your offerings. Remind them of the advantages of choosing your mortgage services, reinforcing your brand’s presence in their consideration set.

By harnessing the potential of online advertising, you not only create additional touch points with homebuyers but also tailor your message to address their specific needs and preferences. This proactive approach strengthens your brand’s position and influence during the pivotal homebuying consideration phase.

  1. Blogs & Expert Content

Blogs play a vital role in the homebuying journey. Homebuyers often feel overwhelmed by the complexities of the process. To ease their path, create expert content on a range of mortgage-related topics. Additionally, generate content on less-saturated subjects to attract more readers.

Blogs serve as an essential touchpoint, offering clarity and guidance while establishing your brand as a credible and valuable resource in the journey to homeownership.

Below are some ideas for unique mortgage blog posts:

  • 10 Insider Tips for First-Time Homebuyers in Tyler, TX
  • Guide to Understanding Fixed-Rate vs. Adjustable Rate Mortgages in West Palm Beach, FL
  • Cedar Falls Homebuyers: How to Improve Your Credit Score Before Applying for a Mortgage 

Coming up with original and valuable mortgage blog content on a consistent basis is a challenge.

That’s why we introduced an innovative AI-blog writing tool into our new LHP3 Website Builder. We recently demoed this ground-breaking feature at AIME Fuse 2023 in Las Vegas, and the response was phenomenal! 

LenderHomePage at AIME Fuse 2023 Las Vegas Rocky Foroutan

  1. Events & Webinars

Active homebuyers likely attend real estate events, so every mortgage broker marketing plan should include events to pull in strong prospects. Sites such as Eventbrite list out all the events happening in your area, and you can always do a quick search for ‘real estate’ or ‘mortgage’.

If budget and time permits, consider hosting your own in-person mortgage events, where you educate interested homebuyers on complex mortgage subjects such as building a good credit score, making the most out of a home loan, etc.

Webinars are typically engaging and in-depth versions of blogs, where you have a chance to put your face on the knowledge you distribute online and answer questions directly in the sessions. There’s a lot more content you can cover in a 40-minute webinar than a 1,200-word blog post.

Joint webinars with your best clients better convince prospects to work with you.

  1. Referrals

Referrals represent a pivotal touch point in the homebuying journey. These recommendations, originating from satisfied past clients and trusted real estate agent partners, serve as beacons of assurance for potential homebuyers. They provide a roadmap, directing individuals towards your services with confidence.

Incorporating a robust customer referral program is akin to crafting a bridge of trust throughout this journey. The referred leads approach your services with an established sense of reliability, saving you the effort of creating an initial favorable impression. Now, your primary task is to perpetuate and enhance this positive image, ensuring the promises made by previous clients continue to be fulfilled.

Referrals, therefore, do more than streamline your lead generation efforts; they fortify your brand’s reputation and solidify your role as a trusted expert in the mortgage industry, creating lasting impressions along the way for potential homebuyers.

Boost Realtor Referrals – See a Demo

Tip: Ask prospects what exactly they heard about you that made them want to reach out. You can then elaborate on those points to further solidify your brand as the #1 option in your audience’s minds.

During a Sale

  1. Direct Conversations & Discovery Calls

The discovery call stands out as one of the most pivotal touch points in the homebuying journey, as it often serves as the decisive factor in whether prospective homebuyers will choose to work with you. It’s the moment when their aspirations and your expertise align.

To make the best use of this crucial interaction, meticulous preparation is key. Gather all the information necessary to guide them toward their homeownership goals. Some essential talking points that you must not overlook include:

1. Financial Profile: Understand their financial situation thoroughly. Inquire about income, credit history, and outstanding debts. This insight enables you to tailor mortgage solutions that suit their unique circumstances.

2. Homeownership Goals: Delve into their homeownership aspirations. Determine their ideal property type, location, and budget. This information allows you to recommend properties and financing options that align with their desires.

3. Timeline: Discuss their homebuying timeline. Whether they’re in a hurry to secure a home or taking a more deliberate approach, this knowledge helps you set realistic expectations and provide the right guidance.

4. Potential Challenges: Identify any potential challenges or concerns they may have. These could range from understanding mortgage terms to navigating the homebuying process. Addressing these apprehensions instills confidence and trust.

5. Communication Preferences: Inquire about their preferred means of communication. Some clients prefer regular updates, while others may favor a hands-off approach. Understanding their communication style ensures a seamless partnership.

6. Next Steps: Clearly outline the next steps and the path forward. Providing a roadmap of the process and setting expectations ensures a smooth transition from this touch point to the next phases of their homebuying journey.

By giving thorough attention to these talking points during the discovery call, you not only gain a deep understanding of your clients but also showcase your expertise and commitment to guiding them in the right direction. This sets the foundation for a successful and harmonious partnership as they embark on their path to homeownership.

8. 1003 App

Much like your website, your 1003 application serves as a vital touch point in the homebuying journey. Ensuring its ease of use is paramount. An intuitive, user-friendly interface is key, as it streamlines the application process and minimizes any potential hurdles for prospective homebuyers.

An interview-style questionnaire 1003 emulates a conversational experience, creating a sense of engagement and personal connection. This unique approach sets a tone of interaction, making applicants feel like they’re having a guided conversation with a knowledgeable expert.

9. Reviews & Testimonials

Direct potential borrowers to your best reviews and testimonials to further build trust. This is easy if you have testimonials for a broad range of clients, so you can direct them to a client of a similar persona. 

Since this is a high-converting element you MUST HAVE on your website, make sure to keep these updated. A built-in automated review posting feature for your mortgage lead generation website helps a ton.

10. Point of Sale

While an easy 1003 application allows you to receive more completed applications, there are a handful of other features you can offer to quickly close more deals.

Quick document uploads help keep everything in one secure portal. Regular loan status updates allow you to hold your audience’s hand without contacting them directly. Automated preapproval letters make borrowers feel in control.

Lastly, direct messaging and communication within the same platform your audience uses for all of the above helps the whole process feel less intimidating and more connected.

Loanzify POS – Schedule a Demo

11. SMS Updates

People generally get annoyed by text message reminders, but when it comes to homebuying, your audience WANTS to be updated by text.

Use an SMS reminder platform such as Loanzify to easily set up automated and customizable SMS updates to gently remind clients to continue their application process or alert them to any updates to their loan file.

12. Secure Mobile or Web Portal

Detailed documents are required to get a mortgage. However, the last thing homebuyers want is to sacrifice sensitive information.

Let your audience know that their information is secure in the Loanzify portal, with safe and easy documentation uploads. This further convinces prospects to work with you, as it’s one less worry for them.

After a Sale

13. Thank You Letter

Don’t cut off all contact with clients once you receive payment. Show your audience that you appreciate their business. Take the time to craft a thoughtful email and personalize it to make them feel special.

At the end of the letter, make sure you ask them to leave you a review and link to your review platforms such as your Google Business profile, Yelp, Facebook page, etc.

You can also link to private feedback surveys so you can collect valuable insights into how your service was. Encourage them to be honest.

Lastly, you can gently ask them to recommend you to friends and family if they enjoyed your service.

14. after-Sale Emails

After-sale emails are not just an essential touch point; they are the invisible thread that keeps you connected to your borrowers long after the deal is sealed. By sending after-sale emails with pertinent market updates and valuable homeownership tips, you stay firmly on their radar.

These post-sale emails offer a dual benefit. Firstly, they provide your borrowers with valuable information, helping them make informed decisions regarding refinancing or other financial matters. This thoughtful approach enhances their trust in your expertise and fosters a sense of ongoing support.

Secondly, these emails are subtle reminders to your previous clients about your extraordinary service.

By consistently delivering informative content, you remain a trusted resource in their eyes, making it more likely that they’ll recommend you to friends, family, or colleagues who are embarking on their homebuying journey.

In this way, after-sale emails serve as a powerful tool to not only engage and educate your audience but also to subtly cultivate referrals and maintain your position as a top choice in the mortgage industry.

Final Thoughts

The mortgage lead generation strategies shared in this guide are more than just a roadmap; they’re a compass that points toward a future where lenders not only survive but thrive. 

By leveraging these 14 key touchpoints, you’re not just enhancing the borrower experience—you’re transforming it into an unforgettable journey that sets you apart from the competition.

Your borrowers are waiting, your leads are out there, and now you possess the tools to make an incredible mark. Here’s to a future of lending excellence and unrivaled success.

Interested in learning more about mortgage touchpoints? Check out our post on How to Use Touchpoints to Drive Mortgage Lead Generation.

Schedule a Demo

Read More
Jason October 12, 2023 0 Comments

How to be a Successful Loan Officer in a Challenging Market

If you’ve been a loan officer for any number of years, you’re familiar with the ebbs and flows of the mortgage market. When things are good, they are very good. And other times, they are “less good.” Then there are times like the one we’re currently experiencing where it’s particularly challenging.

The good news is that all signs indicate we’re over the worst of it. The market has somewhat stabilized, and consumer confidence is on the rise. However, while the market is steadying and self-correcting, it’s still a far cry from a booming demand; profitable lead gen and conversion continue to be tough.

Thriving in the current environment and preparing for booming success when we’re on the upswing again means loan officers must adapt and innovate now.

You must take charge of the future by embracing change and finding new solutions that set you apart from the competition.

In this blog post, we’ll explore key strategies to help you become a successful loan officer in any market—from understanding your most lucrative channels to knowing how to leverage mortgage tech to win more referral partners. With our insider tips, you’ll be on your way to becoming a top-performing loan officer –no matter the market!

Ignite Business Growth! Book a Website Demo

Successful Loan Officer Lead Gen Strategies

Consider the following four recession-proof strategies to have a pipeline of consistent leads coming through.

1. Identify 3-4 marketing channels that bring in the most qualified leads.

When you focus on too many lead channels at once, it’s difficult to keep up, and you may spend too much time on marketing strategies that bring little to no return for your business. 

Instead, examine your analytics to understand which marketing channels are truly most successful at converting leads to customers. Your channels could include social media, co-marketing with existing realtor partners, paid leads, paid mortgage digital marketing, organic leads from Google searches, review sites, referrals, and social media platforms.

Examine which channels supply the most leads and have the highest/fastest conversions.

Filter it down to the top three or four that work best for your mortgage business, and see how you can take it a step further. Be sure to set smart, attainable goals which motivate you to work better towards them.

Since digital marketing is a major part of successful mortgage lead generation marketing, be sure to also check out our eBook on how to increase your digital presence online to gain more traffic and leads. The eBook also covers using mortgage loan officer marketing tools to your advantage, including leveraging social media platforms and search engines to find high-quality mortgage leads.

2. Establish new realtor relationships and nurture existing partnerships.

With higher rates and most mortgage transactions lying on the purchase side, you’ll want to consistently work to establish new realtor partners and add value to existing ones. Keeping regular contact with your realtor partners and continuously providing value is key to gaining more purchase leads. Sending a sporadic text or call to “check-in” and see if they have a prospective borrower they’d like to send your way is a poor and ineffective way to build a mutually beneficial relationship.

Instead, you must think of ways to positively contribute value to your existing realtor’s business, especially in the form of digital currency, such as content, tech tools, and marketing. Plus, you need a way to engage new realtors with a compelling reason to work with you. 

For example, originators using Loanzify Mobile App are able to co-brand the mortgage mobile app with their realtor partners to keep prospective buyers engaged with home searches, location-based mortgage payment calculators, and instant mortgage readiness checks – instrumental and advantageous features that consumers won’t find on other real estate apps like Zillow.  

Boost Referrals: Demo the Ultimate Marketing Platform

Going above and beyond to provide extraordinary value to your real estate partners is the only way to stand out and strengthen your relationship and is one of the best strategies for mortgage lead generation.

3. Leverage mortgage technology as a unique differentiator.

One aspect that will forever help your business stand out from your competitors is the technology you use and provide to your customers.

But this is where most companies get it wrong. It’s not just about having tech or even the latest tech (although legacy software is ill-advised).

The #1 benefit you want from your technology is providing customers with the best mortgage experience possible. Home financing is intimidating enough –it should not feel like a chore, too. Luckily, intuitive consumer-facing mortgage software from LenderHomePage helps homebuyers obtain home financing easily and quickly while making the journey exciting. 

If you resolve the issue of borrower experience better than your competitors can, you’ll close loans up to 5x faster. Not only that, but building out a stellar customer portfolio attracts other marketing-qualified leads, and you’ll be well on your way to success. 

4. Gain Insight into Your Local Market and Niche Opportunities

As a loan officer, staying informed about national mortgage trends is essential to providing excellent service to your clients. However, it’s equally important to understand your local market thoroughly. National headlines may not always apply to your region, and being aware of the nuances of your local market can help you identify revenue opportunities that might otherwise be missed.

One way to stay on top of your local market is to cultivate relationships with real estate agents in your area. These professionals are often the first point of contact for home buyers and can provide valuable insights into the current state of the market. And as mentioned above, real estate agents are a vital aspect of lead generation –particularly in a challenging market.

Another strategy is to track the data and metrics specific to your region. This can include things like the number of new home starts, the number of homes on the market, job market demands, and significant city improvements that may draw the attention of curious home shoppers. 

By staying up-to-date on these metrics, you can identify trends and changes in the market and adjust your strategies accordingly.

You can also use this information to create short blog posts to send out to your prospects and referral partners.

Wrapping up: How to stand out as a loan officer

Loan officers must stay informed of the current market shifts and use strategies such as optimizing their marketing channels, leveraging mortgage technology, building relationships with realtors, and understanding local markets to succeed. Whether in a booming market or a downturn, there are ways to remain competitive and profitable. 

Plus, being prepared should never be underrated when it comes to achieving long-term success as a loan officer—regardless of what type of environment you are working in.

So if you’re ready to take action, contact us at LenderHomePage today and get access to powerful digital tools that will give you an edge against all competitors in any market. We look forward to partnering with you to win.

Drive Success: Demo Our Digital Mortgage Marketing Platform

Read More
Jason June 24, 2023 0 Comments