Kick start your sales momentum in 2014! Here are 6 keys that your senior living team can do simultaneously or add one technique per month to increase occupancy.
- Decide to be proactive instead of reactive with your retirement community’s database. Set a goal of talking to the entire database this year. Make so many calls per week and per month. Call back every tour the next day.
- Create a new “wow” tour and teach other department heads the new tour.
- Study and learn a new closing technique.
- Ask for the deposit on every tour!
- Build strong relationships with prospects by caring about the senior’s best interests and not your paycheck. They will feel the difference.
- Generate new avenues for more prospective seniors to learn about and come to your senior living community.
Start the New Year with excitement, learn a new technique and hug your team! Group hug for everyone!
Please share your successes, failures or comment below to join the conversation and interact with other senior living professionals on what is currently being effective to increase occupancy on a nationwide basis.
Diane Twohy Masson is the author of “Senior Housing Marketing – How to Increase Your Occupancy and Stay Full,” available at Amazon.com with a 5-star rating. The book is required reading at George Mason University as a part of its marketing curriculum. Within this book, the author developed a sales & marketing method with 12 keys to help senior living providers increase their occupancy. Masson developed this expertise as a marketing consultant, sought-after blogger for senior housing and a regional marketing director of continuing care retirement communities in several markets. She has also been a corporate director of sales and a mystery shopper for independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled care nursing communities in multiple states. Most recently Masson was recruited to consult for two debt-free Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Southern California – Freedom Village in Lake Forest and The Village in Hemet, California. Interestingly, this career started when she was looking for a place for her own mom and helped her loved one transition through three levels of care.
Items 4 and 5 seem to be at odds. We are a not for profit entry fee CCRC. We NEVER ask for a deposit on the first visit! A potential resident must be given the Disclosure Statement and a copy of the agreement to read before receiving any monies from them.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for your comment. What is your process after they read the disclosure statement and a copy of the agreement? Do you set an appointment for them to come back or call the next day? Diane
Really enjoyed your article on the tips for database communication!
Thank you!
Anna
Thanks Anna, I am glad that you found it helpful.