Baird & Warner

Tech Tools Provided

Baird & Warner has a “suite” of tech tools called a One Touch Business System, which encompasses a CRM, marketing materials creation, individual property websites and database management. “This allows our agents  to work whenever, wherever and however they want,” Alter Warden says. The tools work in a “circle,” so to speak – agents can generate individual property websites and brochures/marketing materials for listings (agents  can select a template, and then an internal staff of graphic designers creates the brochures), agents can download a “Seller Report” for clients, which aggregates all the activity on a listing and integrates it with feedback from the appointment center, and the CRM alerts agents when a consumer wants more information about a property. Baird & Warner also buys an app for its agents, Baird & Warner powered by Smarter Agent, branded to Baird & Warner, and buyers can download it and search the company’s properties.

QR Codes/Text-Driven Campaigns

Baird & Warner uses a program called Texting Solutions – all listings have a number on them a buyer can text and receive property info and photos, and the listing agent is notified at the same time with the buyer’s info. Since mid-2011, the texting system has generated 61,000 leads.

Tech Training/Tech Education

Last year, Baird & Warner launched an initiative to provide an extra level of technology training to all sales support managers, individuals in each office who previously handled some administrative functions and are now being re-deployed to help agents with their technology. The company also has about five floating technology trainers who, when a new technology is launched, go from office to office and train everyone in the new technology.

Individual Agent Websites

One of the most popular programs is the company’s individual agent websites – full, functional websites that are highly customizable with testimonials, graphs and customized searches for clients to perform.

Pay for Syndication Sites

Baird & Warner sends its listings to Trulia, Zillow and Realtor.com, as well as enhances listings on ChicagoTribune.com. The leads go directly to agents from the website.

SEO Strategy

Baird & Warner invests heavily in SEO for the company website, and part of the tech training it provides agents includes SEO training. “We’ve created their websites, which can be optimized, then train them on the best way to do it, and Communications Manager Andrea Cordts helps them with SEO in terms of social media,” Alter Warden says.