Real Estate agents come from all different backgrounds. Most real estate agents are not marketing experts. Most do not know how to create a compelling marketing campaign to sell a home, most do not know what SEO or HTML stands for, and many do not know or value the importance of implementing a lead generating and money making website. So how do agents learn about marketing? Most agents copy other agents. Is this wrong? Well, most of the material that is being copied was probably recycled over and over before, since most real estate marketing is not original. Just look at newspaper ads or even generic virtual tours. From "Special" buyer seminars to "Buy Now, Before the tax credit is gone!" ads, there are not to many ways to spin the same dull material.

However, I do not think the problem lies with the agent copying marketing material, but I see the problem is with the understanding and implementation of this material. Real estate agents need to be original, unique, and innovative. What works for one agent may not work for the next. There is not a "one size fits all" model in real estate. By not understanding this, you could be wasting valuable time and money.

I think agents who copy and assume success fall into 3 groups:

A) "Blind Leading the Blind..."

Newspaper ads or magazine ads- Even though, we as real estate agents are told that the newspaper is a sinking ship and the Internet is the way to attract business, agents still use this source of advertising for themselves and their sellers listings. The assumption for many agents is, if "Successful Realtor A" is doing newspaper ads, then I should do newspaper ads! This is a false assumption, since, how do you know that any real estate agent advertising in the newspaper is truly successful from this source? Did you call the agent and ask them what their ROI is? Also, did you really analyze their ads to see if they were advertising to drive traffic to a specific marketing campaign or website. Or maybe they were implementing a 1800 hot line?

Open Houses- The NAR has done numerous studies on what marketing activities lead to a successful sale and open house ranks at about 7% for the total sales derived from this method. So why do so many agents hold open houses for their sellers? There are many reasons and studies show they benefit the agent more than the seller. So if your are using a clients home to drive prospects to you, is this a good business practice? Again, the assumption is that open houses are a great way to sell a home and at the same time pick up some buyers? I bet you have heard this before? It may be time to educate yourself and your client on the importance of an open house in 2010. However, I do feel that there are some properties that may benefit from a public open house, such as the new release of a luxury apartment building or a model home in a new subdivision with a lot of traffic and interest from the public.

B) "Monkey See, Monkey Do..."

Website- I see many agents copy other agents websites and the assumption is that if I use that particular website than my business will be successful. Remember, a website is just a glorified business card on steroids. There is so much that goes into the internal workings of a website that will generate money for the you. Before you copy a website of a successful agent, first ask yourself, "How am I going to advertise the website" or "What types of lead generation will I implement to drive consumers back to the website" or "Who am I attempting to attract to this website?" There are so many template websites and just because you copy a successful agents website does not mean you will achieve the same results.

C) "Get Rich Quick..."

Lead Generation- All the experts will tell you that 90% of consumers looking to purchase a home start on the Internet.  The assumption is that if you invest into every lead generation company then you too will be a success. Wrong! There are so many agents that have attempted lead generation and in a matter of months or even days that have thrown in the towel. Most comments are "Internet leads have no money" or "Internet leads live in Disney land" There is no easy way in real estate, and the 10% of agents succeeding on the Internet have taken the time to truly understand and master this process. This did not happen overnight! Believe me, there are a lot of companies that want your MONEY! I have seen an increase of agents in my market subscribing to pay per click advertising with the major search engines. But, it is truly amazing that most of the agents have no clue as to how lead generation really works. Some of these agents are directing consumers back to a website that has no lead capture, no call to action, an no contact management? Some are even sending consumers back to Realtor.com to view listings? Again, learn how this really works before you spend the money and make sure you have good systems in place to manage the leads.

In conclusion, I feel that most agents that are progressive, forward thinking, and innovative have had some of their marketing material or websites copied. Take it as flattery. Most of the agents do not understand the process behind most systems. My final advice to agents is that instead of copying, develop a marketing campaign that fits into your business model and take marketing ideas from others and mold them into your business plan and you will achieve success!

If you are buying or selling a home visit http://www.CNYAgent.com or to speak to me directly call 315-882-6610.

Welcome to my Central NY Market Report Blog. This report will give you information about the current market conditions in Baldwinsville, NY. You can also request a full comprehensive Market Report by calling my direct line at 315-882-6610 or visiting my website at www.CNYAgent.com.

Every quarter data for Fayetteville, Manlius, East Syracuse, Dewitt, Jamesville, Cicero, Clay, Liverpool, and Baldwinsville NY will be posted.

Baldwinsville, NY Homes Closed in the 4th QTR 2008 versus the 4th QTR 2009.

To find the "true" value of your home, Please Visit SyracuseCMA.com or call Bob McTague at 315-882-6610.

If you would like a free list of homes in Baldwinsville, NY for sale, Please visit SyracuseJustListed.com or call Bob McTague at 315-882-6610.

"Based on Information from the Association/Board of Realtors (alternatively, from CCAR MLS, OCBR MLS, or the CNYIS MLS) for the period 4th QTR 2008 and 4^th  QTR 2009."

Welcome to my Central NY Market Report Blog. This report will give you information about the current market conditions in Fayetteville, NY. You can also request a full comprehensive Market Report by calling my direct line at 315-882-6610 or visiting my website at www.CNYAgent.com.

Every quarter data for Fayetteville, Manlius, East Syracuse, Dewitt, Jamesville, Cicero, Clay, Liverpool, and Baldwinsville NY will be posted.

Fayetteville, NY Homes Closed in the 4th QTR 2008 versus the 4th QTR 2009.

 To find the "true" value of your home, Please Visit SyracuseCMA.com or call Bob McTague at 315-882-6610.

If you would like a free list of homes in Fayetteville, NY for sale, Please visit SyracuseJustListed.com or call Bob McTague at 315-882-6610.

"Based on Information from the Association/Board of Realtors (alternatively, from CCAR MLS, OCBR MLS, or the CNYIS MLS) for the period 4th QTR 2008 and 4th QTR 2009."

Welcome to my Central NY Market Report Blog. This report will give you information about the current market conditions in Manlius, NY. You can also request a full comprehensive Market Report by calling my direct line at 315-882-6610 or visiting my website at www.CNYAgent.com.

Every quarter data for Fayetteville, Manlius, East Syracuse, Dewitt, Jamesville, Cicero, Clay, Liverpool, and Baldwinsville NY will be posted.

Manlius, NY Homes Closed in the 4th QTR 2008 versus the 4th QTR 2009.

To find the "true" value of your home, Please Visit SyracuseCMA.com or call Bob McTague at 315-882-6610.

If you would like a free list of homes in Manlius, NY for sale, Please visit SyracuseJustListed.com or call Bob McTague at 315-882-6610.

"Based on Information from the Association/Board of Realtors (alternatively, from CCAR MLS, OCBR MLS, or the CNYIS MLS) for the period 4th QTR 2008 and 4th QTR 2009."

Welcome to my Central NY Market Report Blog. This report will give you information about the current market conditions in Dewitt, NY. You can also request a full comprehensive Market Report by calling my direct line at 315-882-6610 or visiting my website at www.CNYAgent.com.

Every quarter data for Fayetteville, Manlius, East Syracuse, Dewitt, Jamesville, Cicero, Clay, Liverpool, and Baldwinsville NY will be posted.

Dewitt, NY Homes Closed in the 4th QTR 2008 versus the 4th QTR 2009.

To find the "true" value of your home, Please Visit SyracuseCMA.com or call Bob McTague at 315-882-6610.

If you would like a free list of homes in Dewitt, NY for sale, Please visit SyracuseJustListed.com or call Bob McTague at 315-882-6610.

"Based on Information from the Association/Board of Realtors (alternatively, from CCAR MLS, OCBR MLS, or the CNYIS MLS) for the period 4th QTR 2008 and 4th QTR 2009."

Welcome to my Central NY Market Report Blog. This report will give you information about the current market conditions in Jamesville, NY. You can also request a full comprehensive Market Report by calling my direct line at 315-882-6610 or visiting my website at www.CNYAgent.com.

Every quarter data for Fayetteville, Manlius, East Syracuse, Dewitt, Jamesville, Cicero, Clay, Liverpool, and Baldwinsville NY will be posted.

Jamesville, NY Homes Closed in the 4th QTR 2008 versus the 4th QTR 2009.

To find the "true" value of your home, Please Visit SyracuseCMA.com or call Bob McTague at 315-882-6610.

If you would like a free list of homes in Jamesville, NY for sale, Please visit SyracuseJustListed.com or call Bob McTague at 315-882-6610.

"Based on Information from the Association/Board of Realtors (alternatively, from CCAR MLS, OCBR MLS, or the CNYIS MLS) for the period 4th QTR 2008 and 4^th  QTR 2009."