It's literally been over a decade since I used a lead company TJ Roberts but I do not remember ever having success. I remember chasing down a lot of misinformation.

I don't buy leads! I have had a company in the past that drove leads to my website but, that was not the same thing you're asking. 

For me, it's about the personal touch - referrals and repeat business are all I can handle! 

My legit lead generator is my phone, it works well.

Is there such a thing? I must be missing something TJ.

No, sorry answer is so short.

Long ago I learned that paid leads were not worth the money, especially if a forced registration was involved.

I do not pay for leads TJ Roberts 

Never used a lead generation company... except myself.

I'd have to say I have not. I do not even know what that is. If this is an automated market analysis ... no.

I've never used one.... I get my own leads..... I market for listings...

I have not heard or used them.

No, TJ Roberts.

I certainly have.  It's a system and it works if you work it.  Sadly the company I had much success with went out of business, but I hope to have a new one soon.

I have not and worked it hard and gave it more than a good chance. Many of the leads had just closed on their new home and thought I was crazy contacting them.

I sent you a brief email on this. So you know my answer. I don't use a lead generation system. Good luck. 

I try never to pay for leads, work your network it is free.

I am my own lead generation company.  My business is all repeat and referral.  Can't imagine any other company could do it better than I do myself.

TJ Roberts I've never used one, but I learned from other agents experiences with lead generation companies to stay clear.

Having success in a different industry where I do pay for leads. Real actual success. Nurturing and closing the prospects are key ingredients as well.

What Ron and Alexandra Seigel said, read this post by Francisco.

Yes.

Yes... 

who ?

...any actual success?"

That is a very subjective measure. The reality is, 'THEY ALL WORK" but the do not work for everyone.

Market Leader, for instance, does work. However it REQUIRES some care and feeding.  The horse that wins is the one you feed.

The other aspect is the agent MUST know the type of lead being cultivated and how far upstream they are. The agents must have the resources to properly cultivate that responder.

Lastly, the definition of 'lead' will vary greatly within the real estate agent community. Some want a lead to be defined as : "The owner has confirmed they want to sell in 90 days. This is the description and address of the house. They are expecting your call."  These usually come with a 1% price tag.

Then there is the 'What's my home worth?" responder. 

But, lets not overlook the 'traffic torrent' folks who will sort the wheat from the chaff later. These agents are LIST BUILDING knowing the 3% mobililty will create activity eventually. 50,000 contacts on a list has potential if the agent has the skill.

Success is directly associated with expectation.

The most legit lead generation I've ever done was through my Buffini & Company training and my own database. I've never hired it done.

Hi, TJ

   I asked a similar question about leads recently, on this Question board.  There are 38 answers.   

     Be sure to read the answer and rebuttals to my question from Richard L. McKinney P.A. , who has been successful with Zillow and R dot com. 

TJ,

Read the post by Francisco Peot .  A

I have used paid leads because I did not have a huge circle of influence since I moved to a new area. I have had great success with some paid leads. I’ve used it as a platform to build my database and work from there to get more referrals and a larger circle of influence. All these negative Nelliez poo pooing paid leads have probably tried them and expected a sale to fall in their lap. It doesn’t work that way. To each his own. Something that works for one person may not work for another. Just because open houses may not work for me, it doesn’t mean they are a bad way to get leads or contacts.

It’s just like anything else, if you work hard at it, you will see results. If you expect a paid lead to be ready willing and able to buy right away, then you should not buy leads. You will be wasting your money. You need to think of it as a way to grow your data base, and nurture the lead.

If it’s a rental lead, don’t poo poo it. They may think they don’t qualify, but do. Ask them follow up questions. If it’s a credit issue, refer them to a credit counselor. Help them with some general information on how to set up a search for themselves online. Ask if they know of anyone looking to buy or sell right now. You don’t know who they may know. Add them to your database and newsletter. If you were helpful, they will remember. The more your face is in front of people, the more likely they are to use you.

Follow up is the key. You need to contact online leads within 5 minutes and try to get them while they are still on the computer searching. Your odds on converting a lead go down significantly if your response time is not good. Call them, and if it goes straight to voicemail don’t leave a message. Call right back. If people see an unrecognized number they are less likely to answer even if they just requested information. Text and email them as well. People are busy, and your email or text may get lost in the shuffle. You need to consistently follow up for the first week to 10 days. If you don’t hear from them, then put them on a drip campaign and follow up every month. Ask for referrals. I have close a few deals with leads where the initial contact was a year prior. The good thing about that, is it’s a bonus. You may not be expecting it and out of nowhere that drip campaign or that follow up email got them to contact you.

If you are paying for leads, you need to know your areas. Does this zip code have a really low average sales price? How many homes are currently under contract? How many are active? How many sold? What Realtors work this area? What is the demographic? Could my bio or profile win over a buyer because of who I am and who my main client is? How much are the leads? All of these are valid questions. You don’t want a very low sales price, and if you are working with mainly first time home buyers you probably don’t want a really high price point. If there isn’t much sales activity in the area it may not be a good choice. If there are several mega agents in the zip code and you are not a mega agent, that probably doesn’t make good business sense. How much is each lead, what is the average price point, how many leads will I get, and who is my client in this area and does my business model appeal to them.

If you want any more information you can message me.

Have never paid a lead generation company, so good luck.

I have never been a fan of purchasing leads. The old fashioned way of pressing the flesh or picking up the phone worked for me!

Sorry not me.  I use that money to brand and market myself and get calls from years ago.

I have never gone that route.

Yes. If you or your office have lots of listings, it is easy to pass the leads around. Coldwell Banker gives out leads to agents as part of incentive.

Their source is nothing more having it direct to a marketing person. I got 4 times this year from Realtor.com(never paid for advertisement). One from Trulia from an employee.  I have bought seller leads. Great technology I spoke to another agent who had his listing term proposed.  I propose I will list it for $500 and it was not accepted.... You generate your own or work with another agent as a team. 

I have not found a need to buy leads, or website registrations.