What's the best CRM for agents? The one they will use. But for brokerages, offering a CRM can create two perpetual challenges: First, about one in four agents don't even use a CRM. Second, for the ones that do, most agents are using CRMs based on outdated technology and limited integration. 

Today's DeltaNET® gives brokerages a way to overcome both these challenges, as its fully-integrated CRM offers the new technology today — and tomorrow.

Moving Their Cheese

So, how do you get your agents who use their own CRM to move to one fully integrated with the newest tech, including artificial intelligence, or AI, that leverages machine learning?

Moreover, how do you get your agents who do not use a CRM at all to embrace one and make it part of their everyday workflow?

Taking the fear out of transitioning to a new CRM or getting agents to use one regularly for the first time is all about showing agents the WIFM: What's in it for me?

Agents who use a CRM know it is one of their crucial tools for success. CRM statistics back them up. 

Businesses can see a 50 percent sales productivity boost when their salespeople use a CRM. Of those who use a CRM, 47 percent say CRMs improve retention, and almost half also say CRMs improve customer satisfaction.

Once agents understand that a CRM will positively impact their bottom line — and do so immediately — they are more open to making a CRM tech tool one they use daily.

What's Holding Agents Back?

A reluctance towards adopting a CRM can often be for several reasons. Among the most common ones:

Fear of getting started: Many agents just are not tech-savvy. They are apprehensive and sometimes overwhelmed by the thought of using new technology. They may fear the unknown because they have never used a CRM. They also may worry they will waste time trying to learn something they may not be able to use.

Too complex: CRMs often are seen as complicated and, therefore, not intuitive and require training. Agents see this as a barrier. They don't believe they can spare the time to take a bunch of classes to learn how to use a CRM. 

Tech fatigue: Agents are tired of technology that over-promises and under-delivers. They have been told before by other real estate technology vendors that the tech was easy to use — and it wasn't. 

Fragmented contacts: Agents who often do not use a CRM will have the information for their sphere in many different places: on address labels, in emails, on business cards, within spreadsheets, inside Word documents, and more. Setting up a CRM will require collecting all the contact information from these different sources and entering them into the CRM. Getting started seems too cumbersome and time-consuming. 

Minimal contacts: Some agents feel that their network is too small to warrant the use of a CRM, thinking that these tools are for those who have spheres with thousands of contacts.

Protective of their database: This is often one of the biggest hurdles to overcome. Many agents are highly protective of their contacts, fearing sharing this information with their brokerage. Agents see themselves as owning their clients and don't want their broker to take them if they decide to leave.

Lack of knowledge: A lack of understanding of what a CRM is and its benefits holds many agents back. While a CRM can be a game-changer in turning missed opportunities into new deals, agents don't know what they don't know.

Skepticism: Some agents simply believe that the effort of setting up and maintaining a CRM doesn't translate to tangible benefits.

Changing CRMs

Transitioning to new software isn't just about clicking different buttons or looking at a different user interface. It's a shift in how daily tasks are performed, data is managed, and interactions with clients evolve. 

For many agents, their current CRM system is like an old friend; they've become accustomed to its quirks, know its strengths, and have found workarounds for its limitations. They've invested time in mastering it, tailoring it to their needs, and embedding it into their daily routines.

Abandoning this familiarity to start fresh with a new system can be daunting. Put yourself in the agent's shoes and the questions they might ask, such as, "What if I lose my data when I switch?", "How long will it take to learn a new one?", "What if I don't like the new CRM after I switch?"

How do you address their fears?

Understanding the Need For Change 

Before diving into the 'how' to transition agents to a new CRM, agents first need to understand the 'why.' As the real estate industry becomes increasingly competitive, having a merely 'functional' CRM isn't enough. 

Agents need to understand the value of a system that's cutting-edge, offers integration capabilities, and, most importantly, grows with them: like DeltaNET. The first step to overcoming transition fear is recognizing that the potential benefits of a new CRM far outweigh the temporary discomfort of the switch. 

Here are a few suggestions for helping them do so:

Engaging with peer champions: Every brokerage office has its "go-to" tech enthusiasts. These individuals embrace technology and, more readily, are champions of the new CRM. When other agents engage with them, they can offer insights into the best features of the new system, shortcuts, tips, and tricks, making the transition smoother for others.

Emphasizing long-term gains: Keeping the bigger picture in mind is crucial. While there may be an initial learning curve, the long-term benefits — be it in terms of time saved, increased sales, or enhanced client relationships — are monumental. A modern CRM isn't just a tool; it's a long-term investment in an agent's success.

Intuitive and easy wins: No one likes feeling lost, especially when dealing with a tool as integral as a CRM. The thought of having to have comprehensive training sessions and tutorials can overwhelm even a more tech-savvy agent. What wins is what Delta built: the easiest-to-use, intuitive CRM inside the all-in-one DeltaNET that typically requires little training. But if an agent needs support, it's available. Simple to use means eliminating the anxiety associated with a CRM transition.

While the fear of transitioning to a new CRM is real and valid, it's a hurdle that can be cleared with the right mindset, support, and approach.

What Makes the New Tech CRMs So Much Better?

The modern CRM that DeltaNET built into its all-in-one platform isn't simply about incremental enhancements. It creates a transformative shift in how real estate agents approach, manage, and nurture their relationships. 

Designed for the modern real estate landscape: The real estate industry is constantly evolving. Market changes alter client expectations. Lower inventory increases competition. A mobile workforce, like one made up of real estate agents, relies on digitalization: the tools on their phones must be in sync with whatever is on their desktop or in the cloud. 

Today's CRMs are not just reactive; they are proactive. They anticipate clients' needs and keep agents "in the know" about client behavior before actions are needed. This foresight ensures that agents are always a step ahead, making them invaluable assets to their clients today — and in the future.

AI and machine learning = personalization at its best: Gone are the days when one-size-fits-all communication sufficed. Today's discerning clients expect personalized interactions. The DeltaNET itself was built to offer maximum personalization and customization. 

But most importantly, CRMs like the one integrated into today's DeltaNET leverages state-of-the-art AI and machine learning to ensure that client communications are tailored. Whether predicting potential property interests based on past behaviors or sending timely reminders about market fluctuations, these intelligent algorithms empower agents to deliver a service that fosters trust and loyalty.

Seamless integration quals streamlined workflows: Historically, real estate agents often juggled multiple apps: one for tracking client interactions, another for marketing campaigns, and another for managing listings. This fragmentation often led to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. 

The revolutionary aspect of modern CRMs is their integrated nature. Everything from lead generation to sale closure to post-sale engagement is housed under one digital roof. This holistic approach ensures consistency, reduces the chance of oversight, and saves precious time, allowing agents to focus on what they do best: building relationships.

Dynamic marketing strategies with comprehensive insights: Because the real estate market is as dynamic as it gets, with trends shifting almost daily, agents must be agile, adjusting their marketing strategies to these fluctuations. With integrated tracking and reporting systems, modern CRMs integrated into an all-in-one platform like DeltaNET uniquely offer real-time insights. Agents can instantly gauge the effectiveness of their campaigns, understanding what resonates with their audience. Making it easy to leverage this data is what can keep you ahead of the competition and connected to clients.  

Always evolving: One of the hallmarks of creating revolutionary technology is ensuring it continues to evolve. CRMs like DeltaNET are not static. It continuously adapts, incorporating the latest technological advancements, and providing agents with the best tools. This commitment to evolution ensures longevity and relevance in an industry characterized by rapid changes.

Modern CRMs are not 'upgrades' — they are game-changers, revolutionizing how real estate agents operate, ensuring they remain competitive and leaders in their local markets. With platforms like DeltaNET taking the lead, the future of real estate CRM is transformative.

What's in it For Agents? The Lifecycle of a Listing

When we think of selling a property, we often envision the tangible steps: putting up a 'For Sale' sign, listing it online, hosting open houses, and finally, negotiating and closing the deal. However, a property's sales journey begins well before a homeowner decides to sell their home. 

The role of a modern CRM in this process is paramount. 

Let's explore how a CRM plays an integral role in each phase of the listing's lifecycle:

Prospecting and lead generation identification: The fuel for every real estate business is leads. Far before a homeowner contemplates selling, an agent is already laying the groundwork by prospecting. Unique to DeltaNET is integrating all the tech tools an agent needs to prospect within and outside their sphere. 

Because the CRM is fully integrated into DeltaNET, agents have access to a wealth of data from past interactions, helping to pinpoint potential leads and automate outreach, keeping the agent top-of-mind. 

Relationship building: Once potential leads are identified, relationship-building begins. A CRM ensures that agents don't just cold call but engage meaningfully. Agents can make personalized touchpoints by tracking past interactions, preferences, anniversaries, and even birthdays. Whether it's a custom newsletter or a local automated Market Report, My Customer for Life, SMS Texting, or one of DeltaNET's most successful engagement programs, these interactions help position the agent as a trusted advisor.

Pre-listing phase: As a homeowner starts considering selling, agents must be armed with the tools to attract and connect with prospective sellers. Staying top of mind is critical, and a modern CRM makes prospecting and engagement a breeze. Delta agent and brokerage websites use lead capture forms with CRM integration. Ad Wizard allows agents to leverage social media to increase top-of-mind awareness. The power of machine learning inside DeltaNET ensures that agents send the right content at the right time to their sell-ready prospects. This is where the power of the modern CRM shines. 

A winning listing presentation: The beauty of an all-in-one, CRM-driven platform like DeltaNET is all the information an agent needs to create a winning listing presentation is already in the system. Delta Pitch helps take them across the finish line. 

Listing and promotion: With the property ready for sale, the listing process begins. A modern CRM transforms this step because data only needs to be entered once. This makes property promotion a breeze, as a wide range of digital marketing easily created inside Delta Create can instantly push the property to all channels, including maximizing social media exposure through Ad Wizard.

Perhaps no marketing, too, is more powerful than video. One of Delta's most popular tech tools inside the DeltaNET continues to be Properties in Motion, which quickly creates virtual tours. It is a vital and highly effective way to reach modern home buyers, the vast majority of which are tech-savvy.

Engagement and feedback: When agents are promoting a property, gauging potential buyer interest is vital. Integrating a modern CRM into an all-in-one system like DeltaNET allows agents to track inquiries, open house attendance, and feedback.

Open House Connector can help maximize success when hosting an in-person open house. Delta offers Virtual Open Houses for sellers who want an alternative, allowing agents to showcase homes for buyers seeking added convenience or located in different states or countries. All this Open House activity also has the potential to feed new contacts automatically into an agent's CRM, expanding their sphere for future business.

Closing: Because agents can use a CRM to keep tabs on their client's needs and preferences when it comes to completing the transaction, an integrated CRM can make a closing even better. It will track the property sale's date for anniversary notices and can help send just the right closing gift.

Post-sale opportunities: A property's journey doesn't end with a closed sale. An astute agent knows the value of post-sale engagement for future referrals and repeat business. A CRM facilitates this by automating future content as the client will be in the My Customer for Life program, birthday greetings, and even anniversary celebrations of the home purchase.

At Delta, a modern CRM is more than just a tool; it's like an agent's virtual partner, guiding them through the intricacy that is the lifecycle of a listing. From the initial spark of prospecting to the final joy of closing and beyond, a CRM ensures every step is informed, and strategic, and ultimately, helps deliver success.