Empowering Consumers

What does the ideal consumer or customer look like? It might be difficult to put the answer to a question like this into words, and different professionals, even in the same field, would likely give extremely varied answers. Each person has a different set of strengths and aptitudes that make them more predisposed to dealing with different types of people.

The unequivocal ideal customer, then, could come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the ideals of the professional who deals with them. Each person’s ideal consumer, however, should have one thing in common: they should be empowered. An empowered customer can present challenges, to be sure, but will ultimately lead to a more rewarding interaction.

What does an empowered consumer look like?

Empowerment, like consumers themselves, can take many forms. An empowered consumer may be knowledgeable about real estate transactions, or they may not be. Regardless of their baseline expertise, an empowered consumer is one who feels confident expressing their needs and getting answers to their questions.

An empowered consumer does not feel helpless, but also does not turn down opportunities to accept help. They will understand and acknowledge situations in which they do not have all of the information they need, and take steps to acquire the information they desire. These steps, too, can look different depending on the consumer.

This type of consumer has a well-placed confidence in their own ability to get the best deal possible through both their own efforts and the efforts of their chosen professional contacts. By building a repertoire of skills, knowledge, and colleagues, they ensure that they are in the best position possible when it comes to negotiations and dealings.

What role do you play in empowering consumers?

Some consumers are intrinsically empowered due to their upbringing or their life experiences; when you encounter them, they may be strong-willed or boundlessly curious. This can be a bother or a balm depending on your outlook and specific circumstances; either way, however, you can direct their enthusiasm according to your own expertise by understanding where they are coming from and acknowledging their agency as consumers.

Other times, you can play a part in empowering consumers who may not be fully aware of the power they possess to decide their own fates. In your conversations with your clients, you will likely discover, either through your own efforts at communication or through the natural course of the discussion, where their interests and aptitudes lie.

Once you know this information about your clients, you can assess what you have to offer them in terms of empowerment. Empowering your clients means giving them the power to solve a lot of their problems on their own, or to get information they need. This does not mean they will not come to you for help – it simply means that when they do seek your help, it will be with more concrete, well-formed questions that are more likely to foster actionable answers.

You can suggest resources to your clients, direct them to other professionals, or offer advice as to how to investigate a new property. You can also suggest ways in which they can assess their own needs and goals and set new ones with your guidance.