Distribution Options for Your Real Estate Startup in 2017?
It’s safe to say virtually every single real estate technology product is plagued by distribution challenges in 2017. Some of you may have seen the news that Cloud CMA and Tom Ferry teamed up…see details here:
Having the most prolific speaker in the industry promote your product is obviously no small feat, even for Cloud CMA.
Unfortunately — not every startup has an industry vet with 25 years of experience & relationships (aka Greg Robertson) at their helm. In fact, virtually none of them do.
For the normal startup plagued with a distribution problem, what options are out there?
- Sell to agents one by one
- Sell to brokers one by one
- Sell through technology providers
- Sell through consultants
- Sell through influencers (I include coaches and speakers in this bucket)
- Sell through brokerages
- Sell through franchises
- Sell through MLS’
For the startups in the audience, which route are you taking? How is that strategy working?
Andrew Weinberger
Posted at 12:18h, 15 AugustI think a lot of these startups have problems with distribution because they’re simply providing too little. Realtors are already using too many vendors. Some of the most common requests we get from agents and brokers are to add more “features”, everything from CRM type software to open house sign-in and engagement. Building a CRM is a huge task, but CMA reports or an open-house app like spacio are minor and we’re likely going to build them into our portal as a way to differentiate from our competitors.
Drew Meyers
Posted at 12:43h, 15 August“I think a lot of these startups have problems with distribution because they’re simply providing too little.”
I agree with you there. But even if a founder has an amazing product that solves a big problem, distribution is a hugely time consuming and expensive endeavor.
Andrew Weinberger
Posted at 14:10h, 15 AugustIt really depends on how they go about it. Going directly to the MLS or through another established vendor/tech provider would seem to be easiest. Most of these companies need access to MLS data anyway.