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3 Marketing Tools I Don't Leave Home Without

By Karen Otto

Home Stager with Home Star Staging

July 20, 2009 12:02 PM

Ever consider the what your best marketing tools are that don't break the bank?

For my home staging business in Plano, Texas I have 3 marketing tools that I don't leave home without and they're inexpensive and have returned the investment countless times. I'd like to share them with you.

3 marketing tools I won't leave home without :

Name badge
Business cards
Company emblem on my car

Name Badge:

Cost: about $15 at any office supply store.

Any time I leave the house whether work related or running errands (in appropriate attire mind you) I make sure I wear my name badge. From the grocery store, Target to Networking events you never know who'll you'll meet and if they are selling a house or know someone who is. I get lots of people asking me what "home staging" is because of it and I'm always glad to share. It's also a great way to practice your 15 second pitch in a relaxed setting because you've already been invited to share what it is that you do.

Business Cards

Cost: about $175 for design and printing.

No. 1 rule of business: NEVER leave home without them! I run into people all the time who once we've spoken (they've seen my name badge and asked me what I do) ask for my business card. A suggestion I learned in a marketing workshop was to hand them 2 cards: 1 to keep and 1 to give away!

Company Emblem on my car:

Cost: About $70

I've written on this subject "CARketing - using your vehicle to advertise your business" before and each time I drive I'm advertising my business. It also makes me a more aware, cautious and friendly driver when I know I'm representing my company.

What are the inexpensive but effective marketing tools you don't leave home without?

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For professional home staging services and expert advice on preparing a home for sale in North Dallas & Collin County, TX Home Star Staging is here for you.

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Tessa Skeens

Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign - Grand Junction, CO

Staging For Realtors, Builders & Investors

Hi Karen! What a great reminder. I just stocked up on my business cards as I ran out while checking on a staged property. I like to leave some cards along with a small framed postcard with my business name at each staged home. Which reminds me, I need to get some more frames!

Good to "see" you!

Jul 20, 2009 12:06 PM

H H-S

Durham, NC

Karen, I always have business cards but the other two suggestions are good ones. I am going to look into the car sign this week! Thanks for sharing your ideas.

Jul 20, 2009 12:28 PM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Karen -- your reminders are good ones for all of us. Another marketing tool I don't leave home without is a smile! Simple, but sometimes we forget the basics. :-)

Jul 20, 2009 12:44 PM

Karen Otto

Home Star Staging - Plano, TX

Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Hi Tessa, great idea about the framed postcards. I leave business cards too. Hope to see you on the 30th!

I got mine done at a Sign A Rama locally Holly.

I have a magnetic one Shayla, it's lightweight metal and I got it at Office Max.

Definitely Maureen - S M I L E S ) are free!

Jul 20, 2009 12:54 PM

Donna Schoby

Liberty Bank of Arkansas - Bentonville, AR

Great advice Karen, I have 2 out of 3. Working on getting signage for my van.

Jul 20, 2009 01:00 PM

Karen Otto

Home Star Staging - Plano, TX

Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Great to hear Donna! I put only the website address as a contact for me because I figured it's easer to remember a name when driving in traffic than a phone no.

Jul 20, 2009 01:13 PM

Ginger Foust

Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA

Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Got all 3 of them and try to always have them with me Karen and it's the last, signage on my van, that has brought me the most business short term. Sometimes I forget the name tag but now my polo shirts have my company logo and my name. Hopefully they will help also.

Jul 20, 2009 01:55 PM

Cathy Lee

CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA

ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

Great post and helpful info for newbies.

Jul 20, 2009 04:40 PM

Michele Hess

Simply Staged Inc. - Rockford, IL

Home Stager Rockford - Simply Staged Inc

Great basics to have wherever you go! Thanks Karen!

Jul 21, 2009 12:21 AM

Virginia Tatseos

Stage-Show-Sell - Bloomfield Township, MI

I love the comment - when dressed appropriately :-)

My home depot attoire is much different than my Bed Bath and Beyond attire

Jul 21, 2009 12:38 AM

Ashley Whittenberger

Ashley Whittenberger Fine Art - Austin, TX

Karen, I always love your posts (and by the way, I have TWO of your business cards sitting right here from when we met in Houston -- one for me, and one to give away!) :-)

Also, one nifty little contraption we've added is a card holder to our vehicle. Have you seen those? They are pretty cool!

Jul 21, 2009 02:44 AM

Kathy Nielsen

http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA

Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Three incredible tools for any business. Great post, Karen.

Kathy

Jul 21, 2009 07:37 AM

Karen Otto

Home Star Staging - Plano, TX

Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

That's great Ginger and the polos are another great marketing source

Thank you Cathy and Michele

Yes Virginia I must be dressed appropriately and you did not see my name badge on the other day I was at Home Depot after being caught in the rain...

I love your car Ashley I think I even may have a photo of it myself having taken a picture outside of CORT in Houston for the Expo I was thinking about that little box too - so glad you have my cards - I don't know if you'll have reason to hand one out in San Antonio but I guess you never know ;-)

Thank you Kathy

Jul 21, 2009 11:50 AM

John Cannata

214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX

Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

I have been debating the name tag, because I think it would start conversations. As for the car, I've looking into the magnets but I think I need a better car before I start displaying business on it. :-)

Jul 21, 2009 12:47 PM

Jerry Spicer

Sonoran Property Inspections LLC - Scottsdale, AZ

Great tips, I am looking into painting my company name on the vehicle as I think it looks better than the stick on signs. Either way it is a free traveling billboard. Have you looked into the car wraps for advertising? I saw a Hummer her in Scottsdale that was entirely wrapped with the agents name ect and it looked great.

Thanks,

Jerry Spicer

Jul 21, 2009 01:34 PM

Karen Otto

Home Star Staging - Plano, TX

Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Hi John, yes the name badge can start conversations - I understand about the car! Oh btw, those magnets can strip paint off your car if left on too long, so be careful to remove them in extreme weather and regular intervals.

There are a variety of options Jerry and yes those car wraps look great but I don't think I'm ready for anything like that just yet. I have wondered if you do that if the car is able to be written off as a marketing expense because you're constantly advertising.

Jul 21, 2009 02:30 PM

Emma Vargas

Simply Staging - Cameron Park, CA

Simply Staging

Great suggestions Karen! I never thought about the name tag. I do my best to start staging conversations with anyone willing to listen, but I'm usually initiating the conversation. This would be a great way to have them ask me about it. What a great idea!

Jul 22, 2009 06:53 AM

Beth Lester

Beth Lester Designs - Torrance, CA

Home Staging & Interior Decorating

I never thought about a name badge. Aren't you clever?

I have designed the car signs - just trying to get my brochure finalized so I can order them at the same time. Thanks for the prompter.

Jul 22, 2009 11:56 AM

Sharon Tara

Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH

Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I have the car magnets and I find that it makes you very aware of your driving. If only everyone had their name on the side of their car. Imagine how much safer we would all be!

Jul 22, 2009 12:52 PM

Karen Otto

Home Star Staging - Plano, TX

Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

The name tag certainly helps Emma & Beth and it also helps at networking events so others can recall your name.

You're so right Sharon about the driving. I had magnets so make sure you're taking them off regularily, they tend to get stuck in extreme weather.

Jul 24, 2009 02:07 AM