Home > Blogs > Amanda Daniels > Amanda Daniels's (amandadee) Blog

What kind of marketing strategies are working for you?

By Amanda Daniels

Real Estate Agent with The Homefinding Center

August 24, 2010 07:51 AM

Do you send out letters to the homeowners who have just had an NOD filed in your farm too?

Do you sit in the office with sometimes nothing to do praying for a walk-in too?

Do you have your short sales on Craigslist?

How often do you blog?

What kind of service do you offer that makes your clients want to work with you again?
Refer you?

With all these things to think about when can an agent show property? I have been doing all of the above, and I've still found myself with clients who aren't really clients, but rather people hunting for information.

Marketing can be a super sensitive thing. Especially when contacting homeowners who are in default -
'May I please be your agent, and help you with a Short Sale? ' Nay, ' I am your local Realtor, are you in need considering a Short Sale? I can help! It's free, I priomise. Please may I please be your agent. ' Could that be considered duress; an agent begging for a client's business? :)

Unfortunately, as professionals, we MUST be professional. We must sometimes walk, no tip toe, around the issue, and circle about the actual question we are asking. We have to find a way to ask a question that could have the answer 'no', without giving the option of a 'no'. You have to ask a 'yes' question, or ask 10 more questions that are 'yes', to go around the 'no' If you ask me, this should be taught in Real Estate Practice.

My solution is this, just don't market - KIDDING!!

Market yourself knowing you will have to market to 100 people before 1 of them calls you back. And they might not even want your help, but free information.

In the last week I have put myself so far out there I feel like I'm on thin ice! I've sent letters to homeowners who are in default - totally tip-toeing around the fact that I know they need my help - and capitalizing FREE - FREE short sale help - FREE consultation - just to make my phone ring. I've listed homes on Craigslist.org hoping that someone calls me. I've been in the office everyday - waiting - for someone to walk in - for an offer to be accepted - for ANYTHING.

Well. Patience is a virtue, and God is good!!

- My clients have an accepted offer - nonetheless - I get them what they want and now they're not sure they want it (boo) - but I'm doing my best to keep that together.

- Someone contacted me off of my Craigslist ad - she's talking with my lender today!

- The short sale I am negotiating is assigned to a Processor, and I just submitted paperwork 5 business days ago! ( I call them everyday! I'm like a fly!)

- I got a decent walk-in this past weekend - why? - because I was in the office.

Now. Now, I just need my letters to produce for me - perhaps I should send some more out.

Happy selling ActiveRain friends! Stay strong and I hope God truly blesses your business!

Re-Blog

Comments(9)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Joe Feinhandler

First Priority Financial dba Best Equity - Coronado, CA

FHA, Jumbo, San Diego

So you listed a few things that you are doing but what is working best for you?

Aug 24, 2010 07:55 AM

Amanda Daniels

The Homefinding Center - Moreno Valley, CA

Hi Joe! Well, the funny thing is none of it is working better than the other - Craigslist is a good free marketing source - treating your clients they're the only ones you've got (even if they are) works well for referral and return clients - I think doing all of it is working, but I am going to do more because nothing is really working well enough - :) - Going to keep myself out there until I'm so busy I can't find the time to breathe.

Thanks for the comment!!

Aug 24, 2010 08:00 AM

PS - Joe, what works for you??

Aug 24, 2010 08:01 AM

Susan Emo

Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON

Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

Amanda - is there no one in your area buying? Is everyone upside down? Are there no first time buyers - renters looking for an escape? What about death and divorce listings? What about seniors downsizing? What about investers looking for great buys of which there are many?

Every market is so different from the next, I couldn't help but ask. I'm really interested in learning more about your area.

Aug 24, 2010 08:09 AM

The Elise Bickel Team

ReMax Select Realty - Pittsburgh, PA

Leasing, Property Management and Sales

Thanks for info. When I read these things I want to get straight to the office and work!

Aug 24, 2010 08:11 AM

Susan! There is a lot of everything going on here in our market! There are a ton of buyers, first time homebuyers, etc... Fact is, I think there are about 5 real estate agents for every buyer. ( I may be exaggerating, but that's how it feels) We were one of the hardest hit areas for foreclosures - and sometimes I think the media plays a little too big of a role in the wants of a buyer - yes there is a ton available, but the banks want specific things, and the media sometimes portrays that a buyer can give the bank what they want, as opposed to the latter.

Thanks for the comment!

Aug 24, 2010 08:25 AM

Good stuff Amanda. The old fishing saying that "the more lines you have in the water the better your chances to catch one" holds true in Real Estate for sure.

The thing that has been working for me is Call Capture in conjunction with Single Property websites. It takes a fresh listing for "bait" but the fish do come :)

Aug 24, 2010 08:30 AM

LaNita Cates

REMAX of Joliet - Joliet, IL

Good for you Amanda! I'm glad things are working for you!

Aug 24, 2010 01:46 PM

Janice Sutton

1st Stage Property Transformations - Murrieta, CA

Home Stager - Temecula Murrieta

Good for you Amanda! Have you thought about adding a Professional Home Stager to your team? I understand with Short Sales there is little or no money available, however I can offer many suggestions that cost little or no money to help market the property. :)

Oct 01, 2010 09:27 AM

Comments(9)

Amanda Daniels

Recent Posts