matt: FARMER MATT HAS A WIFE !!! - 06/26/08 11:35 AM
Yaah for Brooke !!! She was my pick for Matt. She's from Texas and I think the closest match for him. She's not afraid of hard work or having fun or being respectful. Hope things work out for them both !! It was time for Christa to head back to … (0 comments)
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matt: Guaranteed to make you smile - The best YouTube video ever. - 06/22/08 05:01 PM
A unique and interesting video was uploaded to YouTube this weekend that already received over a million views the first day alone which is unprecedented - and for a very good reason. This video is such a poignant reminder, in a world where it is all too easy to misunderstand … (15 comments)
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matt: Create Content That Your Audience Will Actually Read - 06/11/08 02:33 PM
“It's no longer just enough for people to believe that your product (your services) does what it says on the label. They want to believe in you and what you do. And they'll go elsewhere if they don't.” ~Hugh Macleod
One of the biggest issues surrounding real estate marketing these days … (4 comments)
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matt: Viral Video Finds Its Place In Marketing for Century 21 - 05/19/08 08:30 PM
A few posts ago I wrote about Mike Lefebvre, a real estate agent who shows promising results as a real estate agent and a unique ability to offer his clients an edge in the marketplace. In the post I also correctly predicted Mike's winning video.
I am very pleased to inform … (5 comments)
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matt: Aren't We All Storytellers? - 05/13/08 04:23 PM
We forget sometimes that we are all storytellers. Even the products we are selling (your houses) tell stories. It's human nature to feel at ease when we listen to story. There is nothing better then when Evan, my 18-month-old son, grabs a book and turns around and backs up which is … (3 comments)
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matt: Talk To The Shakers - 03/13/08 08:56 AM
I was getting my haircut the other day (there is much less to cut then there used to be) and a real estate agent walked in the door. They knew who she was because she gets her haircut at the same place. She spent a minute or two talking to each … (2 comments)
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matt: The Information On Your Direct Mail Postcard - 03/12/08 12:29 PM
There is some confusion floating around the real estate industry about the definition of value as it relates to direct mail pieces. Should you send recipe cards? Should you partner with local companies to provide retail discounts? Should you stick with sending out market statistics and only marketing statistics? Here are … (20 comments)
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matt: Are You Yelling At Me? - 03/10/08 02:13 PM
I grew up in a small town just outside Burlington Vermont where my Uncle was the Mayor, I knew the postman by his first name, I could tell you the names of most every person on the fire department and my 5th grade teacher taught not only myself and my 3 … (26 comments)
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matt: What Is Your Mean Green Machine? - 03/07/08 11:34 AM
Xpressdocs has announced its aggressive green initiative, making it one of the first real estate partners to do so. As real estate’s leading print on-demand technology company it understands the importance of creating a business environment that is both energy efficient and eco-friendly. While the plan incorporates recycled papers and environmentally … (2 comments)
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matt: Social Marketing Stages of Intimacy - 03/03/08 12:34 PM
If you ask any serious marketer, they will tell you that real estate marketing is just as much about basic human psychology as it is about designing an advertisement. Of the many types of human psychology, social marketing is defining the way in which we conduct our business.
Social Marketing has … (0 comments)
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matt: Do Your Socks Match Your Marketing? - 02/25/08 08:37 AM
The year was 2002 in San Francisco, CA when four friends realized that the world was facing a crisis. People were wearing the same socks; white, black and gray. Most people stick to these colors simply because they know they eventually lose one.
So the Little Mismatched Company was formed. With … (7 comments)
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matt: Why A Bag of Chips Cost Me $2,000 - 02/22/08 04:24 PM
Author’s note: Hang in there, this does relate to real estate.
I have a passion for chips. Not just any potato chips. I’m on a quest to find the crunchiest chip and I think I found it. After devouring my first chip in the bag I felt a small piece of … (42 comments)
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matt: Direct Mail Idea #11: Never Forget A Call To Action - 02/19/08 12:03 PM
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
Keeping your targets from saying “So What?” after they finish reading one of your postcards is easy. Give them something to do. As important as it is to include your phone number, website and email address, give them something to do if they are truly interested in … (10 comments)
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matt: Creativity and The Best of ‘08 Super Bowl Ads - 01/30/08 04:02 PM
Creative inspiration for your real estate business comes in many forms from a variety of sources. This year’s Super Bowl ads are no exception.
In all likelihood you will probably never use television to advertise your services as a real estate agent but some of you may. For those … (29 comments)
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matt: The Math of Marketing Harmony - 01/22/08 09:30 PM
There are big brands like Disney, Coke, Wal-Mart. Then there are small brands which is the same category you as individual real estate agents fall in.
Large or small, everyone is after the same thing. It’s called marketing harmony. It is the pinnacle that a company reaches when everything just … (20 comments)
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matt: Don't Tell Me How To Blog - 01/12/08 10:02 AM
In society, we are guided by rules and laws which govern what we are supposed to do and how we are supposed to do it. There’s no question that without these institutions, we would not be able to have the living environments that we enjoy today.
In the artistic world, … (34 comments)
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matt: The Real Estate Application of Twitter - 01/08/08 03:51 PM
On many occasions Twitter has been called a glorified chat room. However, as more and more professionals log on to use it, it is proving itself to be a useful tool.
Twitter is much like instant messaging in that you can type to a group of people who all instantly see … (51 comments)
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matt: Social Marketing Distractions - 01/02/08 09:18 AM
Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Flickr, Pownce, Dopplr, Jaiku, Yelp, Plaxo, iLike, VodPod, Mahalo, Satisfation, Seesmic, YouTube, Google Video, Digg, Technorati, Reddit, del.ico.us, StumbleUpon, Furl, Spock…this list could go on for days. Web 2.0 has given everyone and anyone a reason to make a social website service.
Social marketing and the importance of … (4 comments)
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matt: No More Excuses - 01/01/08 08:01 PM
I had a professor in college who’s email used to be noexcuses@aol.com. He didn’t want to hear them. None at all. If you didn’t do something that was your fault. “Own that fault” he sometimes said.
I hear a lot of excuses from agents when I am on the road. … (5 comments)
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matt: Change Your Packaging - 12/31/07 02:15 PM
Pancakes have been around, seemingly, forever. So how could they ever get any better?
For one, the packaging could change. Pancakes are commonly a weekend food because of the length in time of preparation, unless of course you are fine with the frozen pancake thing.
One company has created a new … (5 comments)
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matt: Change Is Good, Goodbye 2007 - 12/27/07 03:15 PM
Author’s Note: This is my last post until 2008. I’m astonished and overwhelmed with the attention that my book, My Blue Goose and my blog, Blog of Geese have received since launching. Thank you to each and everyone of you who have read, commented, forwarded and linked my blog posts.
… (0 comments)
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matt: Peas. Twitter. Cancer. - 12/20/07 08:06 PM
Peas. Twitter. Cancer. These three seemingly unrelated items have been brought together in an act of courage and zest by Susan Reynolds. Together they hold a powerful and valuable mission: to bring awareness to breast cancer and to raise money for research.
Susan has captured the power of the Twitter community … (1 comments)
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matt: Direct Mail Idea #10: Make Your Mailing Lists Interest-Specific - 12/17/07 09:52 AM
The greatest asset you have in companies like Xpressdocs who allow you to order small numbers of quality, direct mail pieces is that you can target a very select group with special interests. You are only able to take advantage of this if you have your mailings lists sorted accordingly.
… (0 comments)
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matt: What is this video blogging thing all about anyway? - 12/13/07 05:43 PM
I will answer this question and more in the next series of blogs, Video Blogging The REAL Way.
… (4 comments)
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matt: Let's Put Being P.C. Aside This Christmas - 12/11/07 05:18 PM
After lunch with a colleague and some clients I was told I should be more careful about wishing people a Merry Christmas just in case they weren't Christian. Then I ran past an article from Ben Stein. Most of you know Ben. He was a speechwriter and lawyer for … (4 comments)
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matt: The Holidays Hit Yankee Candle Where It Hurts - 12/10/07 02:56 PM
On Yankee Candle's website they have a disclaimer that due to their high volume of orders this year they will be unable to process more orders on time to get to the destination before Christmas. This was posted a week ago. It amazes that a company like this can make … (9 comments)
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matt: Direct Mail Idea #9: Provide As Much Information As Possible - 12/05/07 07:36 AM
I’ve heard about 200 agents this year alone tell me that they will never give out the address or price of a home on their property marketing. Their rationale is that if they do, there is no reason for a homeowner to go to them directly if they are interested.
… (1 comments)
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matt: Direct Mail Idea #7: Be consistent - 12/03/07 12:57 PM
If you aren’t mailing out to your blue list at least six times a year, don’t bother. Phyllis Peznik, Director of Sales for a NYC real estate company says that the secret to real estate success is “constant contact with the buyer and seller.”
Why? A Mayflower Transit study tells … (4 comments)
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matt: "I Hate Technology..." - 12/03/07 12:33 PM
...Ruth said to me as I finished up a presentation to a group of real estate agents in Pennsylvania. Ruth is a 36-year veteran of the industry and used to believe that computers represent an end to a personable real estate experience.
“I dislike computers so much that I pay … (8 comments)
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matt: Tell Me About Your Company - 11/26/07 08:40 AM
After walking into a Dunkin Donuts in Quincy, MA I asked my barista if she knew where the first Dunkin Donuts opened up. Truth be told, I already knew the answer but she did not. While making my iced caramel latte, she asked a couple other people who also weren’t sure … (5 comments)
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matt: The Ultimate Agent Tool Belt - 11/07/07 06:11 PM
Get ready for the most innovative, useful and must-have tools for your real estate business. Here is a great list of tools to give you that blue goose factor we have all been talking about.
Pixenate.com
Agents take a lot of photos and as you know they don’t … (11 comments)
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matt: I'm IN VEGAS at the NAR conference (well, I will be soon) - 11/06/07 09:50 PM
If you didn't see my earlier blog, I want to make sure you stop and see me at my location at the NAR Conference. Introduce yourself at the Xpressdocs booth. I want to know who you are, why you are in the real estate industry, what you have done differently. I'm … (2 comments)
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matt: Send Out Holiday Cards! - 10/31/07 06:31 PM
I actually love receiving them but they take so long to write out....until now. See my message below.
This year my company, Xpressdocs, is very excited to announce a new website that allows you to design holiday cards using family photos and personalized messages. Xpressdocs is the leading provider of on … (1 comments)
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matt: Damaging Your Business One Recipe Card At A Time - 10/30/07 11:32 AM
After writing the title I figured I had just about said it all. “But Why?” Some of you may say. Others will get defensive and tell me that they have been sending them for years and their clients love them. In fact they look for them in the mail. I even … (11 comments)
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matt: Where Agents Spend Their Money - 10/29/07 09:37 AM
Our friends at Xpressdocs have come out with an impressive survey that shows us where the top 100 real estate professionals that use their system spend their marketing dollars. Some conclusions from the survey include:
Agents spend at least 10-15% of their gross commissions on marketing
100% … (7 comments)
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matt: Beat 'em To The Punch - 10/29/07 08:15 AM
Sometimes to be the first to do something is what will define your blue goose .. Not all of the time though. I’m reminded of Arthur Hienemen who built the first motel (he coined the phrase) in 1925 called the Milestone in San Luis Obispo, CA. Although the ideas was cutting … (5 comments)
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matt: When Race Matters - 10/24/07 10:10 AM
To Managers and Brokers of Real Estate Offices:
It’s time we had a talk. I have been doing some thinking and have some questions to ask.
1. As a company, what are we doing to market to people of different ethnic backgrounds?
2. Can all of our legal … (6 comments)
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matt: Direct Mail Idea #3: Use Quality Paper (Plus All 11 Direct Mail Ideas) - 10/24/07 08:37 AM
Direct mail has become the standout element in the successful real estate professional’s business. In 2007, it will reach $64 billion in U.S. spending making it one of the top mediums used by companies in the country.(Direct Marketing Association)
Besides purchasing the right kinds of lists and using them consistently, direct … (0 comments)
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matt: There Are Too Many Agents Here - 10/23/07 07:54 PM
Here are the facts. Over the last couple of years we have seen a decrease in the number of transactions and an increase in agents. Below is a graph charting the increase of agents versus the decrease of transactions. All of the numbers are as reported by NAR. It shows that … (13 comments)
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matt: 7 Tips To Get An Audience To READ Your Blog - 10/17/07 09:19 AM
7 Tips To Get An Audience To READ Your Blog
Real Estate Tomato, always a great real estate marketing source, gives us 7 great blogging must-haves that we should all probably post on the side of our computers. These represent the absolute basics to making sure your blog is read and … (2 comments)
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matt: Direct Mail Idea #2: Watercolor - 10/15/07 07:55 AM
Direct mail has become the standout element in the successful real estate professional’s business. According to the Direct Mail Association, direct mail spending min 2007 will pass $161 billion in U.S. spending making it one of the top mediums used by companies in the country.
Besides purchasing the right kinds of … (10 comments)
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matt: Direct Mail Idea #1 - 10/10/07 09:47 AM
Direct mail has become the standout element in the successful real estate professional’s business. According to the Direct Mail Association, direct mail spending min 2007 will pass $161 billion in U.S. spending making it one of the top mediums used by companies in the country.
Besides purchasing the right kinds of … (3 comments)
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matt: Should I Yell Or Whisper About My Price Changes? - 10/06/07 05:01 PM
Dilemma, Dilemma. What a hot topic this has become over the last few years as we have seen the marketplace slow. On the one hand agents are afraid that if they tell the public that a home has been reduced, it may indicate their failure of selling the home. The other … (5 comments)
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matt: Come See Me At The NAR Conference in Vegas - 09/29/07 08:25 AM
I just wanted to let everyone know that I will be attending the NAR Conference in Las Vegas from Nov. 13-16. Be sure to stop by the Xpressdocs booth to say hi and to get a copy of my book, My Blue Goose, Exploiting The Wow Factor In Real Estate Marketing. … (4 comments)
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matt: 5 Ways To Beat Up Your Homeowner (with good service) - 09/27/07 08:47 PM
5 Ways To Beat Up Your Homeowner (with good service)
Matthew S. Gosselin, Author of My Blue Goose
MyBlueGoose.com
Let’s face it. Homeowners can be disgruntled. Especially in markets when homes don’t sell as fast as they used to. Many of them will assume that the problem is with their real estate agent. Some … (1 comments)
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matt: The End Is Near: 100 Days - 09/18/07 07:59 AM
Author's Note: This won't post on my own blog blogofgeese.com for a few more days. I thought I would give Active Rainers a chance to see it first. Enjoy.By Matthew S. Gosselin, Author of My Blue Goose-www.MyBlueGoose.com-Only 100 days until the end of the year. There is no better time to … (0 comments)
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matt: Hopeless In Times Square - 09/18/07 07:44 AM
Hopeless In Times Square
By Matthew S. Gosselin, Author of My Blue Goose
I’m sitting here eating breakfast and staring out into Times Square. Once you get past the initial awe of the street, the commotion and the billboards, it is easy as an advertiser, to feel a sense of hopelessness. Sean John, … (1 comments)
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matt: Hey Reporter! Look At Me! - 09/10/07 06:36 AM
Hey Reporter! Look At Me!
By Matthew S. Gosselin, author of My Blue Goose
In a recent interview with the Boston Globe I was able to turn the tables and ask the real estate reporter some questions. It confirmed much of what I already knew but was interesting to hear first-hand. (Since her … (4 comments)
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matt: Why R.E. Agents Suck - 09/04/07 12:52 PM
By Matthew S. Gosselin, Author of My Blue Goose
If any of you are in the Orlando area, you may have seen the following posted in the real estate section of the Orlando Sentinel.
“I’m ticked off at Realtors. I ask you why you don’t show my house that is for sale by … (19 comments)
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matt: “Homeowners Brag About My Services. Here Are 7 Reasons Why.” - 09/04/07 08:23 AM
“Homeowners Brag About My Services. Here Are 7 Reasons Why.”
By Matthew S. Gosselin, Author of My Blue Goose-Exploiting The Wow Factor In Real Estate Marketing
So much of Blue Goose marketing is about creating unique ways to present you to the public. These remarkable methods, when done correctly will result in a … (3 comments)
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matt: Why Brian Buffini Could Be Ripping You Off - 08/28/07 07:00 AM
Why Brian Buffini Could Be Ripping You Off
By Matthew S. Gosselin
Author of My Blue Goose, Exploiting The Wow Factor In Real Estate Marketing
Yeah, I said it.
Out in the real estate world, agents are craving solid and innovative information. In their quest they discover the low-hanging fruit--the companies out there that want to … (12 comments)
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matt: Free CMA Request - North Georgia - 07/12/07 02:15 PM
FREE C.M.A. Request! Have you ever wondered, "What's the current market value of my home in today's market"? By providing us with some information on your home we will furnish you with a FREE Comparative Market Analysis Report that will give you a good idea of your home's current value.
This service … (0 comments)
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matt: Matt...Lydia...Caleb....I'm Sorry! I Promise to Visit..... - 06/24/07 11:28 AM
Yesterday I had the privilege to meet Matt, Lydia and Caleb. They had put together a wonderful bash at Logan's Road House Grill in Orlando, Florida.
I had the opportunity to really get to know these 3 people and imagine they flew all the way from Washington to meet me! OK, … (20 comments)
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