Podcasting for Property Managers: Expert Tips, Marketing Strategies, and Batch Recording Secrets

In this podcast, Harcourts Alliance reveal's why they started their podcast, The Alliance Experience, and how they leverage it to stand out to their clients.

Podcasting is a cheap and great option to start in your business, and helps with getting your message to a large audience and continue educating both owners and tenants.

This podcast will tell you how easy it can be to start and why you should!

This podcast is sponsored by Property Insurance Plus.

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Transcript

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Podcast Benefits in Property Management

Speaker 1 0:01

Welcome to the PM Collective , a dynamic hub designed to empower business owners , property managers and BDMs to excel in their careers Through access to intimate conversations , cutting edge of video training , mental health support and unparalleled motivation . Our community is the ultimate destination for individuals seeking to elevate their professional lives to new heights . So sit back , relax and enjoy our next conversation on our weekly podcast , the Art of Property Management . Hi .

Speaker 2 0:32

Finally , I feel like we finally got there . Thank you for having me . No problem , dad , have you been on this podcast before ? Yes , eight years ago now , I feel like probably over 18 months ago . Do you remember what topic we did ? So we spoke about BD . Banta was our subject and we just spoke about how I BD , basically for hard courts , that's right .

Speaker 1 0:57

And how is the BD ?

Speaker 2 0:59

world going . Bd world's good . To be honest , I think there's a lot of investors , as you know , looking in the market . I'm finding my biggest challenge , honestly , is just trying to keep people reasonable on what sort of rental figures they want at the moment .

Speaker 1 1:16

Yes , I'm seeing that as well , and I think that they're overpaying their properties , some of them , and then they're expecting these high returns , so I'm not sure if that's happening in your area ?

Speaker 2 1:27

Absolutely , and that's exactly why because they know they're paying top dollar to secure it . So then they want top dollar of rent , but you and I both know that that doesn't mean it's going to be an amazing tenant . But they also want the best tenant in the world at the highest price .

Speaker 1 1:40

Yeah , yeah , I mean , marketing doesn't lie at the moment . So for me I just say to them that some properties get zero inquiries , some get 50 . It is a little bit hit and miss . But as long as they make those changes to that rent , I think they need to make them pretty quickly early on in the marketing , like after three days or so . Like if you don't get 10 people , even maybe five people , booked into the first time open , your price point's too high .

Speaker 2 2:07

So straight away . Get it down 100% . And that's what I always say to clients . Like anytime I list one , I say you know , if you guys have that goal price you want , we will do one home open for you at that price and if it doesn't get applications that we think are suitable , then we drop it straightaway . So completely agree , do you ?

Speaker 1 2:24

find it in your area . Are there people that are suggesting that the owners can get a higher rent ? Do you find it is like agents that say , yeah , we can get that 100% .

Speaker 2 2:38

Yeah , Because they want the business , and I honestly think that when investors are choosing property managers at the moment , yes , it's obviously very fee based , but they go . Oh , such and such down the road said they can get me $50 more than what you said , so I want to go with them . So I reckon people are using it as a listing tool .

Speaker 1 2:56

Yeah , I think my feedback to those clients that do that when it comes up is I say to them listen , I can give you as many good case studies as an ex-person , but no one shares with you the crappy case studies as well , where there are properties being vacant , just so they don't get . They don't see those really good case studies and get distracted by them and think that everyone is like that .

Speaker 2 3:21

And that's the thing as well , because you know , like I said , the company down the road might say they can get them $50 More than I've priced it up , but the application might be rubbish . So I can get that figure , but it might just be a completely rubbish application which you wouldn't want to rent the house anyway . Yeah , yeah absolutely Um .

Speaker 1 3:40

Well , today that wasn't that great to be out topic today . Out topic was going to be about podcasts , and the reason why I Wanted to invite you on for this podcast is because I know that your office has started one and I am intrigued to see how it's going , because I think there are a lot of agencies out there interested in doing a podcast but probably don't know , like you know , where to start , what their themes going to be . So can you talk to us a little bit about your podcast for hardcourt , why you guys started it and the intention behind it ?

Speaker 2 4:13

Yeah , absolutely so . Our podcast is called the Alliance experience , so obviously I work for hardcourt's Alliance in June or up , and Myself , as the business development manager , I record with Sam Matt from Riley , so that's our head of property management . So we obviously , like we've seen what you're doing and you know I'm sure I speak on behalf of a lot of people in WA you are doing wonderful things for property management and I think , for us we . You know you hear so many horror stories and we deal with so many different people .

Speaker 2 4:44

Both Sam and I really wanted to have a platform where what we said came directly from us and it's our experiences , it's how we do things . Like we've got a team of 17 staff maybe more now over 1500 properties under management . Like you know , sam runs a really tight ship . But also , you know , it's probably completely different to other people because we're still the you know , one property manager Doesn't have more than 130 properties and then we've got a shared assistant . So every time we like record or we think of a topic , it's always on our opinion and also like our way that we do things .

Speaker 2 5:21

So we've spent a lot of time doing like , like , so I did one with Sam on fees and why .

Speaker 2 5:27

You know , I think , fees are worth what they're worth and what you know why , how our fees are worked out and things like that . Like , I didn't go into specifics on it , but I went and explained you know what the management fee does . So then if I have somebody call from over East and they go well , wa's fees are , you know , three to three times the price of the over East fees I can just send them a link to our podcast and they can listen to it , which I find is just a lot easier because there's , you know , a lot of people ask a lot of the same questions and you know if you're on the spot or if you're busy , you don't always explain it as well as you should off . So I think for us it was a lot of for perspective , but it was a lot of for Just trying to get it out there and making people in real estate Know that they're not on their own and we deal with just as much rubbish as , you know , the company next door .

Speaker 1 6:19

So yeah , I think that's sort of why we did it , I guess so the and it totally makes sense because quite often the discussions and the questions that come up , they they're very conversational . It's like it's really hard to sometimes put the Europeans and all of that into like a single post on social media , but it needs to be discussed . So , would you say , then your target audience is your , like current landlords , new landlords or tents .

Speaker 2 6:49

I would say it's a mix of everyone . I think , like we did some on final bond inspections and routine inspections , which I think you know as a tenant , listening to that would be really helpful because it goes through what we look for , how we work it out and things like that , and at the end of the day it's the owner who always makes a decision on your bond . We're not here in an ivory tower holding on to all their money . But then I think that's also really good for a landlord to hear , because they need to know exactly how it's done in that process . So yeah , and then we did so .

Speaker 2 7:20

I rented privately last year a rural house out past sort of near yanship , and it went to the market for sale . So then I recorded with the sales rep from our office who sold it on my experience Renting privately and having my house go on the market , and I've been in real estate for 16 years . So I thought like that is really good for like a private landlord or a tenants that are renting privately , because that was me going through that process for me and how it you know how in situations it was wrongly handled and then obviously how it was rightly handled through us selling it at work .

Speaker 1 7:56

Yeah , fantastic . And so if I can get into the like real nitty gritty , the only reason why I do is because I know people . I want people to understand . Like that . It is relatively simple to do and it's not a , it's not too typical in terms of the podcast .

Speaker 2 8:13

It's not daunting ?

Speaker 1 8:14

No , it's not , but you like . So I'm going to ask you some like really basic questions for people just to understand . So do you host yours on a platform ?

Speaker 2 8:25

Yep , so we use . We went to , I think , a shop you recommended and bought , basically just like a little . It's like a podcast recording machine Literally people can Google podcast recording machine and then we got three microphones , set it up in a room and then it's linked to our laptop and I wish I knew . I can't remember what the hosting thing is called , but link it . I'll send you the link of what we use and then we just do one take , like there's no editing , there's no takes , we record for 20 minutes , done , uploaded , yes , and then we pay a subscription , I think , to Spotify and Apple , I think it's like maybe $7 a month , and then it can get uploaded to both of those .

Speaker 1 9:09

Yeah , so the , that's great . So the so you can use like a roadcast or like a podcast machine , and then you can also just do podcast directly over Zoom as well . So there's a few options for people that and it comes down to your personal preference in terms of the quality and things like that that you're wanting and astound . In terms of the platforms , like I use Buzzsprout and I'm just trying to think of what the other one is , because I'll , lisbon is a yeah , I think that's what we use . They're the two popular ones Lisbon and Buzzsprout .

Speaker 1 9:46

Yeah , I think it's Lisbon , yeah , yeah , so , and both of them are really good and they're very low cost . So I guess I just want to stress to people that they're not it's not a costly exercise . Yeah , and that looks to all your spot of finalist stuff . So the biggest thing that I find which is and I don't know if you've come across this as the biggest pain point we're doing podcast is thinking of ideas and actually actioning it every single like , whatever you're doing , whether you're doing it weekly or not weekly .

Speaker 2 10:16

So we were doing it weekly . But gosh , what do you talk about every week ? I mean I could talk about the real estate market every week , like what's happened the week before , but I'm sure people wouldn't want to listen to that . So my biggest issue with Sam we've done routines . What are you talking about ?

Speaker 1 10:35

Yeah , well , let's take a couple of minutes to brainstorm , because it's really difficult , like my . One thing that I would say to anyone thinking of starting their own podcast cycle in their business is to have about three months worth of ideas and content ideas ready so that you know exactly what you're recording , because I think that's what people do and I see so many people do podcasts and they just have three ideas and then they , just before you know it , another week's gone past and you just start missing and becoming inconsistent . So one thing I mean I'm just brainstorming off the top of my head now for you , but also others might have some ideas , but I guess you could always interview any landlords or interview any tenants .

Speaker 2 11:21

And we have thought about that , like I know , like we had Shannon on from Property Assist and like I found that really , really good because she spoke about , obviously , what they do and the outsourcing , and I think that gives people a lot of value because that's , you know , introducing her to people that may not use her or don't know exactly what they do . So I want to get a few more people , even like an electrician , a plumber , so they can talk about how simple them going to a property is , or even just their process on ringing the tenant , booking the job . And then , you know , I love a market update , what's happening in my area . I could talk about that like all day , every day , but yeah , it's just tricky .

Property Management Podcast Topic Discussion

Speaker 1 12:01

Do you know ?

Speaker 1 12:01

One that I reckon would be good is and this actually might be interesting , like people in property management might find it interesting but overhanging trees on fence lines , like I've got one at the moment where the owner doesn't want to pay to have their tree trimmed back but the neighbours got the overhanging branches .

Speaker 1 12:22

So because we haven't been able to resolve it , I think the local council says they can cut back their side , they can throw the branches over and that's what they need to do . But a discussion like something like that I think would be quite interesting , like what to do and if you've got overhanging tree branches because your podcasts are only going for 20 minutes so you could talk about . Like for me , for example , first step is to try and mutually come to an arrangement , get some quotes , see if your owner is willing to come to the party and cut back those trees , and if they don't come to the party , then second option is to double check the local council rules and follow them and then basically let the neighbour know what the local council guidelines is , and just something as simple as that . It's not actually simple , but something as simple as that would be a good one to have on a podcast .

Speaker 2 13:15

Dividing fences and then dividing fences , dividing fences . You know the ongoing arguments . After the winter we've had Yep absolutely .

Speaker 1 13:24

Also . Another one would be like urgent repairs , like I think some tenants don't understand that . Like for an emergency , I'm like actually I shouldn't be quoting stuff in the lease without double checking it all because I haven't done it for ages , but like with urgent repairs , where I think it has to be done within 24 hours . It's not that the work has to be completed in 24 hours , it's that a work order has to be sent out and people understanding that .

Speaker 2 13:48

I think they'll find that quite fascinating , as well , yeah , and like you said , I think with podcasting like because we don't have one specific audience that we really aim at too , it's good to have all different experiences . So then different people like someone might put it on and go , oh no , I'm not interested in this , but then the next week they might like it . But just getting any sort of feedback out there , I think it's always good within our industry because you know every other person's reckons they're a professional and what's happening in the market . So it's actually nice hearing from professionals .

Speaker 1 14:21

Yeah , and I think so , and even that , just like the last thought is even breaking down the lease agreement or managing authority and just doing like an episode on a certain one of the conditions , one of the clauses , and then actually just to get some ideas , that would probably be quite a good one , like what does this actually mean when it says that you're responsible for gardens ?

Speaker 2 14:42

Yeah , defined gardens yeah .

Speaker 1 14:46

Yeah . So that would be a good idea for you , but a good idea for anyone listening thinking that they want to start doing a podcast . And I guess you have captured your audience with being owners , tenants and also new landlords . You've captured quite a big range , which I think is great . But the last thing I was just going to have a chat with it sounds like you're doing it pretty well . It's like how are you then marketing ? So , for example , for those listening , you just want to do a podcast . You create it . You know who your audience is . Next step is what are you gonna do with your content ? So you briefly mentioned how you find it easy just to forward on the links to clients that are asking questions and things like that , which I think is absolutely amazing and definitely a great option . Have you had any other ideas for marketing or any plans for how you're marketing your podcast ?

Speaker 2 15:40

So we put it all . The girls have it in their email signature like a link to the podcast . That just goes in like the banner on the bottom of their signature and then the sales reps have the option like we made just little brochures if they wanna take it and put it out at a home open . Obviously they meet a lot of people . But I think just realistically , social media I thought about doing some letterbox drops with it on there , but without a link it's not easy . You know they could scan a QR code and do that , but hopefully people just talk about it and share it . Really , yeah , so you're doing it weekly .

Speaker 1 16:12

You are putting it onto your content . Are you using it as a BDM point of difference at appraisals ? Like have you ?

Speaker 2 16:25

pulled that out . No , I haven't used it in that aspect . I know what you mean and what you're saying , but I don't love the sound of my voice that much , so I don't like , look , I love podcasting , but then , like it is , I still get a little bit nervous and embarrassed sometimes and I just I don't know , because I might not be as smart as I think I am- that's just a bit of an imposter syndrome , thinking that , but gosh , I wouldn't .

Speaker 1 16:55

No , I don't think you need to worry about that .

Speaker 2 16:58

I think that , like whenever I'm beating or winning a listing , I try and just focus on them and working for them . So I try not to make it about me and I feel like if I brought in the podcast it would be about me a little bit , maybe I don't know . Just honestly , I've just never used it as a point of difference .

Speaker 1 17:16

Yeah , I would absolutely use it as a point of difference . I think , like , I think , if you were to word it , that you also have an education platform for your clients and your tenants through . You know , I always say alliance , so alliance through the Alliance platform . So , and I , yeah , I would use it for that benefit , because I sort of sometimes use my YouTube for that same reason and I put there , you know , to , yeah , for further education regarding this , you know , head over to my YouTube account . So what you would be doing is , you know the same , just so we do do further ongoing education , because we really do value that with our clients , both with tenants and owners , and so we have a podcast that , yeah , allows people to , yeah , to further educate themselves on being a landlord or being a really great tenant . That's not putting , that's not being like being me , me , me . That's definitely a value add and I think you should use that .

Speaker 2 18:22

Okay , I'll take that note from this . I love that . Thanks , Ash .

Speaker 1 18:26

And I think that that's the reason why people should do a podcast in their business . You know , or take advantage of that and the effort that you're going to doing it . So it's a low cost exercise it is , you know . It does take , you know , half an hour a week , maybe an hour a week by the time you get your shit together to actually do it . But I think that it's really worthwhile and I think that , because we're in such a competitive industry , something as simple as that point of difference when a client has got three or four people through and they all look the same on , you know , rougher than someone fees , and if that one person's got a further education system through a podcast , I think that there's a no brainer that you would go with that person . So I would be . Yeah , I'd be using it definitely to my advantage .

Speaker 2 19:18

No , that's awesome . No , and good and not honestly . I love doing it , so hopefully people like listening to it .

Speaker 1 19:25

And my other tip before we finish is that make sure if you can try and batch your episodes , maybe you need to be having like a half day recording so that you've got four weeks of content done .

Speaker 2 19:40

Yeah , we did that a couple of weeks ago , I think . We did about three or four in a day and it was so much easier because you're just already on a roll . Yeah , like smash them out , and they're not long . Like you said , I think nothing more than 25 minutes ever is just the perfect podcast yeah , and we are currently at 22 minutes and 37 seconds .

Speaker 1 20:01

So we have timed it beautifully . It's so lovely to chat with you . We must catch up soon . I haven't seen you for ages and I always enjoy a catch up . So are you going to be at the RIMA Awards ?

Speaker 2 20:13

No , no , I went to Bali for the weekend , so my brain is just mush , so I haven't planned anything beyond like today .

Speaker 1 20:22

I can't , so you must have only gone over really briefly , or I was thinking it was an old photo on social media .

Speaker 2 20:29

Yeah , I flew outside of the morning and I landed this morning at 4 AM .

Speaker 1 20:34

How long were ? You there for Two nights , two and a half nights and is it worth going for two nights ? I always dream about going for two nights . Is it worth it or don't bother going ?

Speaker 2 20:43

for it ? No , I think so . We didn't take the kids , so we went with our best friends and I think 100% worth it , like we gatecrashed their honeymoon . Clearly no , yep . So I think if anything , I would have flown out Friday morning and then flown home last night instead of Saturday morning . But definitely do it . Highly recommend that Worth it . There you go ?

Speaker 1 21:04

Excellent , it's good to know because I've always thought , like on my weekends where I don't have the kids , god , can I be bothered going to the airport a lot ? Yes , because it's so close . Do it ? Yeah , I can . Excellent , wonderful . Well , it was lovely to have you . So , for those that do want to go out and check out this podcast , I think you're really going to love the style of it , how hard-pots have done it , and hopefully it gives you some more ideas . So I keep on telling you lots . I know it's a lion's experience . A lion's experience . Go over , check it out , have a listen to Sam and Kel , see what they've done , and if you've got any questions on starting your own podcast or needs some brainstorming , feel free to reach out to either of us and we will be more than happy to help you .

Speaker 2 21:50

Aisy , thanks for having me . Ash , thanks , kel , no worries , bye MUSIC .