Enhance-Resident-Experience

Exploring Ways to Enhance the Resident Experience

In today’s fast-paced world, residents seek a place to live and an experience that enhances their overall quality of life. Let’s delve into how leveraging technology can streamline operations and, in turn, enhance the resident experience.

Streamlining Move-In/Move-Out Procedures

Moving in and out of an apartment can be a stressful experience for property managers and residents alike. Automating the move-in/move-out procedures can significantly alleviate this stress and make the transition smoother for everyone involved. One thing you can do is offer an efficient checklist that helps save time for both residents and the onsite team.

Ensure your team allows residents to easily track the tasks residents must complete before or after their move. This could include setting up utilities, notifying service providers, or even remembering to return keys. Your automation solution should provide reminders and deadlines, ensuring everything is noticed.

Streamlining these procedures demonstrates your commitment to making the resident’s life easier and more convenient from day one. This positive impression sets the stage for a great overall resident experience.

Automate Maintenance Workflows

Residents expect quick and hassle-free solutions to their maintenance needs. In today’s digital age, they prefer to submit maintenance requests through user-friendly interfaces rather than making phone calls or sending emails. This is where automation shines.

You can simplify the process by allowing residents to submit maintenance requests through your automation solution. Residents can describe the issue and receive instant confirmation that their request has been received. This not only saves time for the resident but also streamlines the workflow for the onsite maintenance team.

Moreover, your tools may provide residents with real-time updates on the status of their requests. This transparency fosters trust and shows that you value their time and comfort.

Be Transparent with Residents by Answering FAQs

Communication is vital in enhancing the resident experience, and one of the best ways to do this is by providing answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs). Residents often have similar inquiries regarding lease terms, rent payments, and community policies. By proactively addressing these FAQs, you can save time for your residents and staff.

Populate this section with commonly asked questions and provide clear, concise answers. This reduces the workload on your onsite team and empowers residents to find the information they need quickly.

Easy Access to Assistance

Residents may need assistance at various points during their journey, whether it’s a maintenance emergency, questions about internet connectivity, or general property management inquiries. Simplify access to this assistance by centralizing essential contact information in one place.

Your tools should provide instant access to emergency maintenance numbers, internet service providers, and property management contacts. This ensures that residents can promptly get the help they need, even outside regular office hours. It’s all about making their lives more convenient and stress-free.

In conclusion, look for tools where functionalities offer a powerful experience to enhance the resident journey through automation. By streamlining move-in/move-out procedures, automating maintenance workflows, being transparent with FAQs, and providing easy access to assistance, you demonstrate your commitment to resident satisfaction and make their lives easier. In a competitive market, this commitment can make all the difference in attracting and retaining happy, long-term residents. Find out how you can do just this with BetterBot’s unique approach to a standout solution, ResidentSkill

ResidentSkill

Introducing BetterBot’s ResidentSkill

It costs more to bring in a new resident than to keep an existing resident — that’s a fact. By having open and effective communication with residents, they are more likely to be satisfied with their experience and incentivize them to stay in your community longer. 

In the past, residents have struggled to find the information they need on their own terms. Leasing offices are inundated with assignments relating to prospects and residents alike. There is no way on-site teams can be everywhere at once, which is why BetterBot is taking even more of the busy work off their plate. 

Introducing BetterBot’s Automation for Residents — ResidentSkill

BetterBot’s ResidentSkill assists current residents with finding information on their terms. Instead of calling the office for non-emergency maintenance assistance, residents can now enter their own maintenance requests within the bot. BetterBot will capture their information, and the resident can rank the severity of the request. 

Residents can also find quick answers to their questions with a few touches of a button. For example, they can find who to contact when the property is closed, such as a courtesy officer or other much-needed resident contacts. In addition, ResidentSkill will assist with move-in and move-out tasks that need to be completed. This saves the property’s time and the residents, as well. 

Where can I sign up? 

Simply fill out the contact form below or email us at sales@betterbot.com to learn more and get started. We have some special offers for early adopters of Resident Skill, so don’t forget to ask for more information. Stay tuned for more information on product launches and enhancements.

3 Ways To Master Omnichannel Marketing in Multifamily

What is omnichannel marketing? 

Omnichannel marketing is a way to reach your customers through multiple sources. Your prospects are finding you in a myriad of ways. You can reach them no matter where they are to find the information they are looking for quickly and turn it into a lease through omnichannel marketing. 

Here are 3 ways to master omnichannel marketing: 

Knowing what platforms your customers use the most

Take some time to research where your traffic is coming from. Find out which platforms are most used by your customers so you know where to focus your energy. Then you can market heavily on these platforms to reach your prospective residents using omnichannel marketing. Some that have been most popular sources in the multifamily industry include: 

  • Google
  • ILS Accounts
  • Craigslist
  • Facebook
  • Yelp

BetterBot is one chatbot solution that integrates with just about everyone, so you never miss a prospect. This product is easy to use on any platform, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, ILS accounts, and more. Help create a seamless experience for your customers so they remember your product and are more likely to lease at your community. 

Consider the customer experience.

It’s important to consider how your customers are finding the information they need. Are they sending your property a DM on Facebook? Are they filling out the contact form on Apartments.com? Consider where it would be best to reach them on their journey. You’ll also want to consider what point in the conversation they should enter. 

Think about your online reputation. What are your reviews saying about your communities? Are there processes that can be improved? Is there an easy way you can win over a disgruntled resident? A vast majority of prospective renters read online reviews before deciding, so your online presence must tell a story you can be proud of. 

Customize your user experience so they can join at any point in the conversation you choose, including scheduling an appointment, virtual tours, or giving them the whole experience. Cater to your customer by meeting their needs and providing them with precisely what they’re looking for.  

Measure results 

Take time to measure what’s working. This way, you know what is resonating with your customer and what to focus your attention on. There are several ways you can gauge your property’s performance. Some of the top vital metrics worth considering include: 

  • Guests Greeted
  • Conversations Shared 
  • Appointments Set
  • After Hours Conversations
  • Hours Saved
  • Dollars Saved 

Be sure to use tools with robust reporting that will help you navigate how you can best serve your prospective renters. Evaluate what’s working on an ongoing basis so that you stay up to date on the latest trends for your user’s journey. 

Adopting an omnichannel marketing strategy is going to help you reach more prospects than before. You can be sure that your prospects are always catered to, and BetterBot can help. Check out more information on how to boost your omnichannel marketing efforts.

Student-Housing

6 Ways to Prepare Your Student Housing Properties for Busy Leasing Season

The beginning of the school year signifies a fresh start. Everyone is excited to get back to campus after an extended break or even begin for the first time. Preparing in advance for the busy season can seem overwhelming. You have a short window to get your property leased up for the season. Here are six ways to prepare in advance for that peak leasing season in your student housing communities. 

Enhance student housing curb appeal 

First impressions matter, so focus on enhancing the property’s curb appeal. Ensure that the landscaping is well-maintained, with trimmed lawns, neat flower beds, and fresh mulch. Paint or touch up the exterior if needed, repair any damaged fences or gates, and consider adding some decorative elements like potted plants or outdoor seating areas.

Update and upgrade amenities 

Evaluate the amenities offered by the student housing property and consider updating or upgrading them to attract more tenants. This could include providing high-speed internet access, installing modern appliances, refreshing communal areas with new furniture, or adding recreational features like game rooms, study areas, or fitness facilities.

Review and update leasing materials

Update all marketing materials, including brochures, websites, and online listings, with accurate and appealing information about the property. Highlight the unique features, amenities, and benefits of living in the student housing community. Include professional photographs that showcase the property’s best aspects.

Develop a marketing strategy

Implement a targeted marketing strategy to reach potential student tenants. Utilize online platforms, social media channels, and student-oriented websites to promote the property. Collaborate with local colleges and universities to spread the word among students. Consider hosting open houses or virtual tours to showcase the property’s features.

Streamline the leasing process 

Simplify the leasing process to make it more efficient and convenient for potential tenants. Provide online application forms, virtual tours, and digital lease signing options. Ensure that all necessary information, such as lease terms, rental rates, and move-in procedures, is readily available and communicated clearly. Implement automation wherever possible in order to ensure all prospective renters are tended to. 

Train and prepare staff

Equip your leasing and property management staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle inquiries, conduct property tours, and assist with lease signings. Ensure they are familiar with the property’s features, amenities, and policies, and provide them with updated information and scripts to communicate with prospective tenants effectively.

As mentioned, the busy season may seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With proper preparation, your communities can take advantage of the traffic coming into your offices and lease up the property in no time. Learn more about how automation can help your teams efficiently streamline processes to make your most high-traffic seasons a breeze. 

Short-Staffed-Leasing-Team

3 Ways Bot Technology Can Help Short-Staffed Leasing Teams

Staffing has been one of the biggest struggles for leasing teams over the past couple of years. With more and more millennials and gen Zers desiring a work-from-home atmosphere, leasing offices have been sparse. However, there are many ways digital leasing agent (bot) technology can interject and assist when leasing teams are shorthanded, including:

  • Information Sharing
  • Pre-qualifying
  • Lead Nurturing

Information Sharing for Short-Staffed Leasing Teams

Sure, all your property information is located on your website; however, renters want to find what they need as quickly as possible. Bot technology can help them get the answer they’re looking for. Not to mention, 62% of traffic happens after office hours. Therefore, having a solution that can manage traffic during those times is critical. When sharing information, you want to ensure that prospects are as engaged as possible with the platform. For instance, you wouldn’t want a prospective renter leaving your site because the chances that they will come back start to decline. You want a digital leasing solution that has everything in one place so that their experience is seamless.

Pre-qualifying

Pre-qualifying is vital for all property types and for different reasons. For instance, active adult communities may need to prequalify age constraints. Affordable and conventional communities may need to prequalify for income restrictions. Many properties experience an influx in unqualified traffic, which is why it’s so important to put the proper guidelines in place ahead of time. Having a digital leasing solution saves teams valuable time that could be used for more complex tasks.

Lead Nurturing

Follow-up is something that leasing teams often dread. It can be very time-consuming, especially when it comes to nurturing leads that may not be serious. Short-staffed teams should look for a bot/automation solution that offers lead nurturing capabilities to take some of the burdens of the site team. By utilizing lead nurturing and bot technology simultaneously, properties typically see an average time savings of 100 hours per property each month.

At the end of the day, there are endless lists of things that on-site teams have to tend to. That’s why it’s important to help prioritize what’s most important. Taking menial tasks away from the leasing teams allows them to focus on what’s most important — being human. Bots were never meant to replace humans but to help them. That’s why leveraging technology where it matters most can change how your communities do business.

Senior Housing Bot

How To Find The Right Bot For Your Senior Housing Community

Your tech should work for you, not against you, especially in the senior housing industry. Finding a bot technology that works for your team can be overwhelming, so we have put together a few ways to know you are making the right choice. Here are some things to consider when trying to decide: 

  • How it works
  • Insights
  • Value it brings

Consider How a Bot for Senior Housing Works

Consider how the digital leasing agent (bot) works. Complete a demo or a trial of the digital agent to determine how it works and ensure it has all the desired features. If possible, read reviews or chat with someone who has used the product before to see how it works in the real world. Will this tool solve the problem you are trying to resolve? Ask yourself these critical questions before making any decisions. Think about if the widget is making a process more straightforward. For instance, BetterBot’s solution streamlines the beginning stages renters typically go through. The bot pops up and says, “Hey, I’m here if you need me.” When engaged, the bot can provide many options and allows the prospective renter to guide the conversation. It also helps prequalify prospects by ensuring that they meet the age requirements necessary. Plus, it’s customizable so that your community can show off aspects that are most coveted. All of these actions can be met and straightforwardly facilitated by the digital leasing solution. 

Insights

Ensure the tool you are looking at has all the insights you need. For instance, most active adult communities have age restrictions. Therefore, you would want to know how much qualified traffic you get to advertise in suitable spaces. If you can pull or schedule reporting from a dashboard, that is a great sign. If you can see what sites the bot is best leveraged on, you can also find out how much you should be spending on those avenues. 

Value it brings

You’ll want to consider the value you receive for the price. For example, BetterBot customers typically see a time savings of 62 hours a week per property each month by utilizing automation. That’s valuable time the on-site team saves to shift their focus to more critical tasks. Many tools will offer a free trial period, as well, so you can try before you buy. 

It doesn’t have to be overwhelming to bring a digital leasing agent to your senior community. When evaluating what tools work best for your prospects, consider utilizing bot technology that is easy to use, time-saving, and valuable. Being able to see insights in your platform’s dashboard is crucial to measure the success of your tools. Don’t forget to consider the different types of chatbots and what might be best for the end-user experience. 

What Problems Your Bot Should Solve

In the past decade, no tech has advanced customer service more than chatbots. From changing when and how audiences connect with brands, to transforming the way brands personify themselves, bots have had an incredible impact on the industries they’ve been adopted into. And if you’re in customer service, chances are you’ve seen firsthand just how bot technology can make you and your team’s lives easier. If you’re new to chatbots though, it can feel overwhelming trying to integrate them into your processes. In today’s BetterBot blog, we’re going to hopefully create a little more clarity by zooming into several common ‘problems’ customer service teams face – and why the right chatbot will solve them. 

5 problems your chatbot should solve

Giving back precious time to your teams

In the multifamily real estate space, around half of all prospective leads go unanswered. Why? Simply because property management teams don’t have enough time. This is a common problem across many industries and is one that’s easily remedied with a bot. A chatbot is like a customer service rep that’s always available, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. And with less time spent answering hundreds of inquiries each day, you and your team can spend more time on high-level tasks – like improving your social media presence. In fact, bots can save on average 57.1 hours a month per property. That’s a huge chunk of time your team could be saving.

Handling endless queries with ease

We’ve all experienced that one type of customer that can’t stop with just one question (or five). It can be frustrating and time-consuming to go back and forth with someone when you’re trying to juggle the rest of your day’s tasks. Enter a chatbot, which allows customers to ask as many questions as they’d like and always receive service with a smile. Never again will you have to deal with these extra-inquisitive prospects.

One of the great things about chatbots is that, with the right programming, they can not only share information but crunch numbers and handle tasks like resetting passwords as well. All of the dull and repetitive tasks your customer service team used to have to handle can be taken off your plate!

Personifying your brand

Many brands struggle to create an engaging presence and persona online. It can be tough to create a tone of voice that people want to engage with on your website alone, which is where a chatbot comes in. Guided conversation chatbots like BetterBot are programmable with a variety of different conversational styles and “personalities”. Want your brand to come off as fun and humorous, or direct with no-frills? It’s easy to give your chatbot whatever personality you think your customers will engage the most with. And when you strike the right tone, your audience will keep coming back to engage with your bot (and your brand). 

Less stress on your audience

Most people today don’t want to have to call or email a customer service rep to get an answer on something. It’s time-consuming and anxiety-inducing – especially for those of us who dread phone calls. Having a one-stop customer service bot can greatly reduce the stress on your customers and make it easier for them to engage with you in positive ways. And, if they have a question or complaint that can’t be answered by your bot, they can let you know how best to contact them with a human representative. 

Making it easier to get customer info

Traditionally, if you wanted to get information from a customer, you had to direct them to an oftentimes tedious form. Unless people really want to do business with you, they’re unlikely to spend 5 minutes on a form and freely offer up their info like that. With chatbots, you don’t necessarily need to shove forms in your customer’s face. Chatbots can actually get all the information that traditional forms can, like email address, phone number, etc. And, they can do this through a naturally-flowing conversation. If you’ve had a hard time following up on leads because you didn’t have any contact info, a bot can help you get the info you need to be able to reach out and convert that lead. 

While chatbots can’t solve all our problems (we wish!), they’re definitely a powerhouse when it comes to creating easy solutions for everyday customer services issues. Learn more about chatbots and what they can do for both your teams and your audience in our guide here

Want to learn more?

Get inspired with
our latest case study

Want to learn more?

Get inspired with
our latest case study

Want to learn more?

Get inspired with
our latest case study

Want to learn more?

Get inspired with
our latest case study

Want to learn more?

Get inspired with
our latest case study

BetterBot_2020-favicon.png

Well hello there.

BetterBot_2020-favicon.png

Well hello there.

Better Bot Fav Icon

Well hello there.