Do you hear me? How can MLSs best communicate with members?

Mar 31, 2008 Michael Wurzer

We’ve been hearing from several clients recently about challenges communicating with members.  Most are using e-mail but the problems with spam, filters, spam filters, and the delete key are making e-mail less and less effective.   Inside many MLS systems, there is a dashboard that allows the MLS to display messages, but that’s not reliable either — most just blow right by the message board.  So, I’m writing this post to the agents out there — what would be the best way for the MLS to communicate with you?

FBS recently implemented the ability for agents to leave messages for each other listings and we’ll soon be offering notification options, where each member will be able to specify e-mail, Atom/RSS, and hopefully SMS for different message types.  Could such an internal messaging system work for MLS communications?   Another MLS has come up with the idea of having users enter a separate e-mail addres just for MLS communication, which won’t be published anywhere else.  Do you think that would work?  What other ideas do you have?