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to Billboard or not to Billboard?

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Heritage

I spend 80% or my money in web marketing, which seems to be pretty effective. I am busy but I want to be so much busier. I am wondering whether the expense of a billboard (between $500-$1000 a month) is worth it in the long run?

Many agents in our area have billboards, some are just a name and a picture, some are clever little slogans. I tend to think the most effective billboard might one that drives people either to your web site or to call your cell when they see the billboard. But maybe they are all about long term name recognition.

Anyone had success with billboards? What do you think is the most effective approach to advertising on billboards?

In addition- where do you get a slogan? It seems that a (sometimes cheesy) slogan can be one of the things that sets us apart in a sea of advertisements. My last name doesn't rhyme with sold or anything for that matter and I want something unique that stands out in people's minds. If you have a good slogan, how did you come up with it?

-Kristine

Eric Bouler
Gardner Realtors, Licensed in La. - New Orleans, LA
Listening to your Needs
How many websites do you have? Do you have your own blog? I have not tried it since bill boards are much more expensive here. Is you site on the first page of google? I would tend to put more inot your website and make it better. Thats my idea! 
May 20, 2007 10:57 AM
Michael Eisenberg
eXp Realty - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham Real Estate Guy
Billboards seem like a big expense, I think I would send elsewhere.
May 20, 2007 11:01 AM
Kristine McFadden
Keller Williams Heritage - New Braunfels, TX

I have several domains that all feed into one site I have through home.com, I don't really blog as I am busy right now with my young children when not working (although I'm sure blogging would be helpful).

My site is sometimes one of the first sponsored but I do pay-per-click so I am paying a lot for it.  I know that appearing in the organic results is supposed to be better but I have very little idea of how to do that..

There is a LOT of competition here to be on the first page of Google but maybe I should spend the big money to make sure I am! 

May 20, 2007 11:07 AM
Eric Bouler
Gardner Realtors, Licensed in La. - New Orleans, LA
Listening to your Needs

Pay per click can help but you need to be specific on your target and limit your expenses daily. Look at niche markets to make it more effective. It all get back to the content of your site and can people find it. Spending time to do this will pay off. I will ccheck out your site and you can check one of mine out. www.neworleanscondos.net . Lots of content and I still have ideas? 

May 20, 2007 11:12 AM
Kristine McFadden
Keller Williams Heritage - New Braunfels, TX
I LOVE your site, it has a lot of content and is very personalized.  I see Advanced Access created your site, are they pretty affordable?
May 20, 2007 11:27 AM
Eric Bouler
Gardner Realtors, Licensed in La. - New Orleans, LA
Listening to your Needs
I created the site and they gave me the tools to get there. It is a combination of my knowledge and a niche that I like. I am still working on my other site www.ericbouler.com to review neighborhoods in the metro area where I work. Its a lot of work but it tends to pay off.
May 20, 2007 11:31 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA
I never used a billboard, but I am big into webs.  The Internet accounts for over 80% of my business.  I do all my own webs so I have no real overhead.  Does your closed business support the cost of a billboard?  Things are slowing down, so it is time to watch spending dollars.
May 20, 2007 11:37 AM
Kristine McFadden
Keller Williams Heritage - New Braunfels, TX

That's probably a good idea, I think my closed business would have supported that until this expensive transition to Re/Max!  I don't ever want to move again this has seriously been more stressful than changing homes!!

So it seems the consensus is that the web is the way to go... I appreciate the input!

May 20, 2007 04:38 PM