This edition of 20 Questions is coming to you from a veteran Calgary real estate expert. Introducing, Ross Aitken.
Our good friend and fellow-Ninja, Ross, is coming up on his 19th year as a Calgary REALTOR®. Born and raised in Calgary, he found his passion for real estate at an early age. Ross has been proudly connecting with Calgarians and helping them with their real estate needs since the ripe age of 21!
These days, more seasoned and experienced, Ross typically sells 35-40 homes a year, and has been presented with numerous professional awards over the years. Including the prestigious Platinum Club award, and the RE/MAX Hall of Fame award.
We’re so proud to have people like Ross Aitken as part of the Ninja family. Visit Ross’ Calgary Real Estate Website.
When you visit Ross’ REALTOR® website, you immediately get the feeling that he knows who his visitors are and why they are there. Before diving into the Q&A with this Ninja, I thought I’d give you a closer look at 3 of Ross Aitken’s modern real estate marketing victories.
Marketing Victory #1 Call To Actions
Ross provides three unique call to actions on his website home page. As soon as you arrive you are faced with some awesome options. You can Meet Ross, Search Calgary Properties, or Find Out Your Home Value. In other words, you can get to know the human behind the website, you can search for real estate listings in the area (lead gen potential,) and you can find out your own home value (more lead gen potential.)
Takeaway #1
Include multiple, obvious calls to action on your website’s homepage. Don’t leave visitors stranded without anywhere to go. When someone visits your website, they should be faced with at least a few directions to go without having to scroll through the menu/navigation. Ross has provided call to actions in 3 big, (fixed) circular buttons, but also via his rotating slider. Ross is smart; be like Ross.
Marketing Victory #2 Awesome Blog Articles
So far in 2017, Ross has blogged more times than we have. We love that! I know how powerful and pivotal the RealtyNinja blog has been to our company’s growth over the last year. Anybody who is blogging more than us is going to experience the same (or greater) power. However, quantity never makes up for quality… upon closer inspection it’s obvious that Ross is not just publishing articles on a whim – his blog posts are well thought out and VERY relevant to his audience. Articles like these are going to attract a wide array of Calgarians to his website and to his business, and will help position Ross as the expert-of-note with his demographic.
Check out my 3 favourite articles on Ross’ real estate blog:
- Where to Buy in Calgary: The Snowman Index
- Calgary Dog Parks Foster a Sense of Community
- Community Names: Past & Present
Takeaway #2
Don’t just write and publish irrelevant jargon on your blog for the sake of saying you have an active blog. Constantly sharing market reports without any personal commentary is not doing you any favours. Take a page out of Ross’ blog and produce some content that your audience is going to care about, and want to read. Put your articles to the ultimate scrutiny, and ask yourself before publishing: “Would I want to read this?”
If the answer is anything but “Hell ya, this is sweet.” (which is likely how Ross reacts to his 2017 articles,) you still have some work to do.
Marketing Victory #3 Facebook Page
Rather than spreading himself thin across 18 different social networks, Ross has put the majority of his focus into building his Facebook audience – almost 1,000 Likes and counting! Ross has collected seven 5-star reviews on his Facebook Page, which he also shares to the Testimonials section of his website. He has been sharing his blog articles to Facebook, as well as his listing updates (with photos.) One thing I love is that Ross uses emojis in his Facebook posts! Makes them really stand out in a fun and engaging way.
Ross’ latest blog post on Facebook has received over 30 reactions, and I’m willing to bet over 100 clicks to his website.
Takeaway #3
Pick one or a few social networks, and work on them every day. Make it your fun corner of the web to visit, and make it about the visitors – not just about you and your listings. Engage your community with relevant posts and awesome articles/videos/photos/content… but also focus on ways to drive social media traffic to your website, like Ross has.
We couldn’t be more proud to have Ross in the Ninja family. He’s seen the Calgary real estate industry shift and change many times over the last 19 years. He’s adapted his realty business to stay on the cutting edge, each time; the mark of a true modern real estate marketing ninja.
It’s hard to believe, but Ross isn’t some super-agent with mutant sales powers… he’s a human being like you and I. What I’m trying to say is, if Ross can do it, so can you.
Without further ado, I’d like to let Ross tell you a bit more about himself by answering our 20 Questions!
1. What are you most excited about for the spring?
Getting the dust off the golf clubs.
2. What’s the last photo taken on your phone?
My daughter and nephew staring from our dinner table onto the street lights of Stephen Avenue in downtown Calgary, one of our most beautiful streets year round !
3. If you were an animal, which animal would you be and why?
Octopus- extra arms to get more done :)
4. What’s your favourite neighbourhood in Calgary?
Hillhurst. It’s one of Calgary’s early communities that has been at the forefront of inner city revitalization. Hard to beat the location as your in the core within minutes, so close to the river pathways, excellent schools and the fabulous Kensington district close by.
5. If you could start learning a new skill or take up a new hobby today, what would it be?
Padel Tennis
6. If someone was making a film about your life, which famous actor would play you?
Jason Statham
7. What might that movie be called?
Fast Approaching 40
8. What are three items you want with you if you were stranded on a deserted island?
My phone & the two fabulous ladies in my life; girlfriend Kirsteen and daughter Payton
9. When you think of the word successful, who is the first person that comes to mind?
Roger Federer. One of the greatest talents around, so humble and gracious as a competitor
10. If you could erect a giant billboard in the middle of Calgary with anything on it, what would it display?
A great picture of Calgary in the summer, to get everyone through the cold winter & slower traffic.
11. What is one unique ritual you have in the morning?
Every morning my daughter and I look at each other, lock fingers and say “Life is Good” , it’s just a little reminder to each of us to be thankful for everything and make the most of the day.
12. Who is one person you wouldn’t mind ninja-kicking?
On behalf of all Calgary Flames fans everywhere it’s Connor McDavid.
13. Name three people (alive or dead) that you’d like to invite to dinner.
My Dad, Wayne Gretzky & Jack Nicklaus
14. It’s Saturday at 9:00 pm: What are you most likely doing and where?
Could be a night out at one of our favourite restaurants or a heated game of Ticket to Ride at home with family.
15. If you were not in Real Estate, what would you likely be doing today?
In my dreams ? The PGA Tour.
16. If you could time travel and witness any moment in the history of the world, what would it be?
I’d jump to the front row for Sidney Crosby’s winning goal at the 2010 Olympics
17. What’s one question you enjoy being asked?
How’s the real estate market these days ? I really do love talking about Calgary & Real Estate
18. What movie have you watched more than once?
Shawshank Redemption.
19. If you could teleport back-and-forth between Calgary and one other place in the world, where would that be?
MaKena Beach on the south shore of Maui
20. Would you mind telling us something cool about one of your active listings?
An exceptional condo located the in the heart of Kensington that has an off the chart walk score of 95/100! Check out the Kensington listing on my website.
Contact Ross Aitken
W: www.rossaitken.ca | FB: @CGYRealtor | TW: @CGYRealtor
Feel free to leave a message for Ross in the comments below, and we’ll be sure he receives them!
