Help Me From Getting My Real Estate Flyer Thrown In The Trash!
I'm seeking help from the Active Rain community for help on creating a clean and effective flyer, a flyer for hand out to prospective clients not just for a single listing. Any tips in the comment section would be greatly appreciated!
The two pictures above are the flyer (back and front) that I had done for the month of December. It's got the right information but the layout and over-all appeal is lacking something. That something is what I need help with.
So i've got some questions for you (assuming you use flyers for hand outs and that you do the flyers yourself):
1. What do you use to make the flyer? Are you on a Mac or Windows? What program/website are you using to do these flyers?
I use the program 'Pages' with my Macbook.
2. Is there a specific method that you use? (ex: Pictures of listings on the back, Real Estate info on the front, Info on the bottom) Has it proved to be effective? Do you pay more attention to the layout and design, the info, or both equally.
My current method is basically just to have a mixture of pictures and info on each page so as not to bore the reader with JUST information on one side. I don't think anyone will pick up a flyer with words stacked from top to bottom.
3. The small details - Font - Is there a specific font that you use for your flyers? Do you use one font throughout or do you change it up to keep the flyer from being monotonous. I've personally heard that using Arial font as opposed to Times New Roman that it saves money on ink when printing.
Symmetry - How do you align your information and pictures?
As you can see on the backside of my flyer that i have two of my pictures placed at opposite sides. I thought this would keep the flyer from being boring but is it just annoying to the eyes of the reader?
Substance and Technology - What information do you include? Do you keep it strictly Real Estate? Or do you throw in some fun facts like people do with their blogs on Active Rain? Are you adding in QR codes and websites with your personal information? Have these helped at all?
I keep things strictly Real Estate but am thinking of throwing in something a little more 'light' to try a different, personable approach.
Colors - Do you use different colors? A different color for different heading?
I use different colors with the top banner and heading of the flyer and sometimes withhin pictures so that they can actually be seen.
Anything else that you can think of to help my flyers become more appealing as opposed to trash? I do these flyers every month and would like them to become as effective as possible.
Thank you for any help you can provide!
This blog was inspired by: California Relocated Dude Talks
Homes for Sale:
Santa Ana
Corona
More about the author of this article:
Hi, I would like to introduce myself, my name is Jorge Martinez. I'm a full time Realtor at RE/MAX of N.O.C. We service the Orange County real estate market. I have lived and worked in Orange County since 1989. I speak English as well as Spanish and can cater to whichever language you feel most comfortable with. Being a Spanish and English speaking Real Estate agent has helped me gain more business that I wouldn't have received if I wasn't bi-lingual.
I like working in Orange County and its surrounding areas but most of all I like the people that I have met and come across in all these years.
I'm a member of the Pacific West Association of Realtors, California Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. It is only with these memberships that I'm allowed to be a designated Realtor. I uphold to a strict code of ethics. I graduated from the Realtor Institute Earning the GRI Designation. In addition, I'm also a Public Notary.
I'am a very enthusiastic, hardworking person, and remain professional at all times. I work well under pressure. My mission is to provide the very best real estate service to all of my clients in the purchase and selling of residential real estate in Orange County. This includes 1031 deferred exchange. I want them to feel not only satisfied but I want to make them delighted to have worked with me. I am sharing this with you because I feel it's important for you to know what I believe and how I feel about representing you.
If you're looking for an experienced full time real estate agent in Orange County, look no further. I specialize in SFR, CDPE, GRI, Short Sale, REO, and Foreclosures.
My other websites include: Re/Max Facebook eProperties Listingbook Twitter Zillow
Jorge Martinez
Cell: 714-423-1993 E-mail: RealEstateProducer@yahoo.com
My Website
Disclaimer: All information in this blog is deemed reliable but is subject to change at any time and is not guaranteed to be accurate nor are there any warrantees either express or implied. This blog is not intended to offer any legal, tax or other advice.
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12 Comments on Help Me From Getting My Real Estate Flyer Thrown In The Trash!
We need a good new source for flyers too.
I'm going to suggest this to get more comments. You may want to visit Jeff Dowler's post on Flyer Pros and Cons.
Love the question....1st right off the bat, try a "watermark" picture on the background (something simple). I like to normally do some type of landscape picture (backyard preferred). I use Microsoft Publisher program. Also more pictures instead of just one :) I do 3 to 5 pics. bullet & paragraph form is good. I don't do any fun facts (good idea) & I haven't started the QR code thingy & I know I need too. Sorry for being all over the place but I wanted to answer all your questions. :) Good Luck. I look forward to seeing the other peoples suggestions too.
Tammie - Thanks I will check it out.
Chritina - Thank you for all the tips and answering all the questions! A watermark picture for the background is a great idea I think I will implement in my next flyer!
Jorge
With flyers you want to keep a consistent message. Develop a generic background, logo, tag line and you use it on everything. Including your web stuff. A call to action is important and this is something many Realtors forget to ad to flyers. i.e. Free Home Warranty, etc. Open House, Give Away?
Thanks Kelly! Great info!
Jorge,
It is very important to keep your brand consistent on all of your marketing materials like Kelly mentioned. Check out www.eliteimage.ca -- we can create you new templates so you can click, edit and produce print ready files directly from Elite Image or we can take your existing materials and upload them into the system so you can ensure that your branding is consistent.
For more info send me a message directly and I can give you a run through of the system.
Catrina Elliott - President of Elite Image
yes u need more color besides the white background
I don't know how many real estate agents are "winging" it, when it comes to creating a flyer, but there are professional-looking templates available that can be used to streamline the process and ensure consistency. That way, almost all the design decisions are made for you, in advance, by graphic designers. You save time, while conveying a professional image to your prospects and clients.
I posted the following article on my website, with links to the real estate flyer templates to which I'm referring.
http://www.marketingsurvivalkit.com/template-for-real-estate-flyer.htm
Hope this helps.
Joel Sussman
Optimal Marketing Communications
www.marketingsurvivalkit.com
Quick followup... In addition to the article on <a href="http://marketingsurvivalkit.com/template-for-real-estate-flyer.htm">real estate flyer templates</a> that I mentioned in my previous post, I remembered an article I wrote, about five years ago, on <a href="http://www.submityourarticle.com/articles/Joel-Sussman-1097/write-sales-letter-6561.php">how to write flyers and sales letters</a>, which also provides some helpful tips.
I laminate each and every flyer I make....and yes, it is time consuming and can be costly if you don't "shop around" for cost effective laminate sheets (3 mil minimum) BUT the response has always been great! Some things to note:
1) use cardstock
2) buy a good laminating machine...not the cheap ones, no need for high end either. Mid range will work just fine
3) they don't get wet & destroyed in the flyer boxes (and here in Wisconsin they don't get frozen together either)
4) people have an aversion to tossing out something laminated so it stays around a bit longer
5) I utilize Publisher, I usually use a "washout" effect image on the background with small windows of pics around as well as bullet points. Try to keep the info easy to read and in kind of a clock wise manner (eye follows that way). I use the mls info on the reverse side for specific details
I can honestly state that I have gained both buyers and sellers from my flyers...so time consuming or not, they are a necessity for me :)
thank you very much for the informative and interesting post. I get so much out of the active rain network.