3 Reasons to use Print Media

Chris - you will find a huge variety of opinion on this issue among realtors!  But, here is my 2cent worth.  I have been in residential real estate since 1999.  I have spent/wasted money on every method you can imagine for promoting my professional presence - not to mention advertising my listings. (Newspaper classified, color mags, cable home shows, seminars, Home Shows, etc ). I do not operate as a "TEAM", it's just me - I haven't found the knowledge to hire an assistant (as most have advised me to do).  But, as of 2 months ago, I realized that the $$$ I spend for a full page ad each month in a color real estate magazine is DONE!  I am doing something to help me promote my business, and I have signed up with a "coach".  It's been a month since the coaching started, and I am glad I made this choice. 

So, if you are advertising for self promotion and growing your business....check out the different coaching companies.   I have researched 3 of them, and selected Buffini & Company. 

As for print media - beware !  Everyone in media advertising is out to get your hard earned money! 

Newspaper advertising is not dead yet.  Every listing I have requires a unique approach, and usually an ad in the Sunday paper's open home guide is worth it to me.  But, you have to consider many different kinds to connect with the right audience.  In the Bay Area, I think the Sunday Chronicle is still the resource most people go to. 

As for general advertising of me and my services, I agree with Christine.  I am longtime member of the Buffini network, and it has paid off so well, through coaching and referrals.  My money is better spent on that than full-color ads.  And, through available online services like Active Rain and blogging.  I blog on the East Bay real estate market and culture, and that is really paying off.

1 You have more money than you know what to do with.

2 Your brother is a sales rep for the local newspaper.

3. Your broker gets a kickback from the local paper from all the agents advertisements 

Chris, I think this is a great blog to post!  Here are some of my thoughts on the matter.

I think for my business, the print marketing is still very important.  Our senior clients have the time and enjoy reading newsprint and mail.  We continue to place newspaper ads, magazine ads, postcard campaigns and newsletters because I think they appreciate the information.   I also keep an internet presence by having our listings on Realtor.com and using virtural tours.

As a property owner in Pagosa, I subscribe to the local newspaper to try and keep up with the local news of the area.  That really is the only info I receive about the area, and the real estate market in general  there.  I would think that when someone is wanting to list their house in a resort type town, they may choose a Realtor that really has a presence in paper media.  It's not the reason we chose the Realtor that  we did, but I can see why some would.  Every time we come to Pagosa we pick up all the home magazines and look through them while in our hotel room or when we go out to eat. 

The difference to me in print vs electronic is that I have the leisure of looking at the print material when time allows at any location I choose.  With the Internet you have to pick specific blocks of time to view material.  Like for me, it's only at my office when unfortunately it's filled with distractions all day or at home when I can break away from family and isolate myself in our home office for reading and research. 

I hope some of my insight is helpful...

Print media advertising reasons:

1) some people actually read the stuff (It's declining, they don't buy what they read, and older people)

2) a seller says he wants to see your ad and doesn't believe in the Internet (probably an older person too). You have to convert him to the effectiveness of the Internet

Basically, it gets less and less each year. Some say you need diversity in your market mix. How about throwing some money in the dumpster? That's another mix.