In our last blog post about One Team, One Experience I talked heavily about alignment. If the move from online to onsite is done well, it should feel natural from the buyer’s perspective. Exciting, even. The OSC should be building anticipation, not creating confusion. It should sound more like: “I’d love for you to meet my good friend; they’re going to have a much better handle on those specific house questions and help you take the next step.” That is a handoff. Not:…
What DiSC Can (and Can’t) Tell You About Finding a Great OSC
Hiring an Online Sales Counselor (OSC) is like finding a unicorn that can juggle fire while smiling at strangers and analyzing a spreadsheet—all at the same time. No one person is going to nail every skill on the wishlist: people skills, task management, analytical thinking, adaptability, emotional stability, and the drive to perform. That’s why tools like the DiSC assessment can be incredibly helpful—not as a crystal ball, but as a flashlight to illuminate learning…
Spring Selling Season Means Spring Hiring Season
Ahhh spring. That magical time of year when the birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and home builders suddenly realize… they needed an OSC yesterday. Let’s be real—when the spring selling season ramps up, it’s like someone flipped a switch. The leads are pouring in, the phones are ringing, and suddenly, builders everywhere have a lightbulb moment: “We need an Online Sales Counselor!” …To which I say, “No kidding. And let me guess—you wanted…
IBS 2025: What Happened in Vegas Is Too Good Not to Share
IBS 2025, you did not disappoint. I’m still riding the high from three jam-packed days of innovation, connection, and let’s be honest… sensory overload in the best way possible. Vegas was buzzing (and not just from the slot machines). Builders, marketers, sales pros, tech wizards—you name it—came together to share the latest and greatest in the home building industry. You know how they say, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”? Yeah, no. Not this…
The Power of Cross Training: Harmonizing Online and Onsite Sales for a Seamless Customer Experience
In the fast-paced world of home sales, the harmony between online and onsite sales can be likened to a well-tuned orchestra. When each section knows its part and plays in sync, the result is a beautiful symphony that resonates with potential buyers. Cross-training between online sales, and onsite sales ensures that everyone is singing from the same sheet of music, leading to better teamwork, seamless handoffs, and ultimately, more sales. Understanding the Roles: Building a…
Understanding Lead Traffic and Conversion: A Guide for OSCs, Marketing, and Leadership Collaboration
In the competitive world of new home sales, Online Sales Consultants (OSCs) play a pivotal role in converting website visitors into buyers. Understanding lead traffic and conversion rates is crucial for OSCs to optimize their efforts and collaborate effectively with the marketing team. By tracking key conversion points and analyzing lead behavior, OSCs can provide valuable insights to the marketing department. These real-world interactions can help drive strategic improvements in marketing spend and overall sales…
Marketing in the Home Building Industry: Crafting Strategies for Effective Lead Generation
In the home building industry, marketing is more than just creating pretty brochures and planning events. It’s about developing a robust strategy to generate traffic to your website and convert visitors into viable leads. Effective marketing involves a blend of creativity, technology, and strategic thinking, all aimed at engaging potential buyers and guiding them through their journey. Here’s a closer look at the essential components of a successful marketing strategy for home builders. Beyond Brochures:…
Getting Outside the Box and Hiring an OSC
I love it when a client says, “Honestly I would have passed over those two candidates’ resumes.” And then they see how strong they’d be for the OSC role when I vet them, and then we interview them together. This makes me happy. I’m genuinely happy when I can help a client cut through the stacks of paper and find a good fit for their company, culture, and someone who is willing to learn to…
Addressing Under Performance in OSC Programs
In our most recent Annual Homebuyer Mystery Shop Report it was disheartening to see that 4 OSCs never followed up. This points to significant issues within some OSC programs. While there are builders out there that know they need Online Sales Counselors they don’t always know how to set the program up successful, manage it properly, and create the proper expectations and oversight. These results don’t mean that OSCs need to be micromanaged, but it’s…
The Three C’s of OSCs in The Building Industry
OSCs In the new home building industry are called by a variety of titles. They are Online Sales Counselors, Online Sales Concierge, and Online Sales Consultants. They also are called ISPs Internet Sales Specialists, ISSs Internet Sales Specialists, ISAs Internet Sales Assistants. And so much more. No matter what you call this role there are three C’s that are important to understand behind who they are and what they do for your building company. The…
Spring into Success: A Comprehensive Guide to Improving Profitability in Online Sales Programs for New Home Builders – Part 1
In the competitive world of real estate, having a strong online sales program is not just an option, it’s a necessity. With the rise of digitalization and changing consumer behaviors, home builders need to adapt their marketing strategies to stay ahead of the game. Online sales programs are not just the online sales counselors behind the computer or the phone, it’s a systematic approach to creating a great customer experience and giving buyers the information,…