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What about BILLBOARD advertising?

HELP! Just like the rest of the world, I'm looking for inexpensive advertising with maximum exposure. I see so few real estate billboards around town. Is it because of the expense or because it doesn't generate much business?

Other business folks I've spoken to claim they have increased their exposure and closed business through the billboard ads, but real estate is different. I want to drive traffic to my website, which in turn will convert browsers into buyers/sellers. A bit different from the traditional business owner who captures the walk in customer from a sign.

Would love to hear your thoughts or experiences.

Posted by Jen Edwards on 10/07/2007 10:20 AM

Comments (8)

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Originally posted at: buyorsellwithjenandbob: What about BILLBOARD advertising?

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8 Comments on What about BILLBOARD advertising?

OCT

2007

Jen...I feel that if you can get a good price on billboard ads, it is a great way to "brand" your name and face in the community. However, I don't believe it is going to drive traffic to your website. Billboards can be very costly and probably won't provide you with trackable response.

Jen,

I've seen different Realtors use bill boards on and off. That tells me that the ROI isn't consistent and great, or the particular Realtor is overwhelmed with business. I think the earlier. Bill boards are generally expensive. The huge ones can cost about $2000 - $4000 per month here. Pricing depends on LOCATION (traffic passing the billboard) and whether it's a "Right Read" or "Left Read." Right leads will generally cost more because most people look right side - the side that they are driving on.

Because many people use the internet for home searches, I think your money is better spent on an initial/occasional hard copy advertising and SAVY web development optimizing SEO meta tags. Updated content is very important on a website. Though have to be careful not to change too many stuff because the Googles, Yahoos, etc. search "Crawlers" use certain criteria for Ranking. To get higher ranking, it takes the website to be seasoned - be on the internet for three to six plus months from what I've been told.

As always, direct mails and consistent mail campaign is invaluable.
Don't forget the Rolling Billboard! Your Vehicle! It's virtually FREE advertisement!

Good luck. As for Florida, I love the Florida Keys! I miss Duval Street, Sloppy Joe's, and Mallory Square.

Jen:

If you are wanting to drive traffic to your website then I am not sure a billboard is the way to go. However, I've used them in the past and they were a great source for new business and instant name recognition. One of the biggest mistakes that I made was when I opened my own company and took my personal billboards down (didn't want my agents to feel intimidated). If I had it to do all over again...I don't think that I would have done it.

For the same price as a good billboard just get a moving truck with your face on the side. Works great. Generates business. But most of all it provides a service to your clients.

Just my $0.02 - hope it helps.

Jen, I'm in a very small town and have so many other marketing strategies that the billboard fit in...for a time. It is an expensive item, and it really does have to be a part of a larger marketing picture. I've never responded to a billboard, so I figure most of my prospects won't either.

The exception is if you have a great 'direct response' message.

For me, it was better as a branding tool

Good luck!

APR

2008

Great question...I have been wondering the same thing. What about advertising just your website address on the sign? Unless your website says something about homes, houses for sale, etc then I think it would intrique the interest of people and have them come to your site.

I am in the process of having a custom website designed and my web address is www.mistysoldit.com. When it is up and running I plan on doing an entire marketing campaign with just my web address. People will hopefully wonder what Misty sold and go to it...on my site I will have community information that I hope most will find useful enough to come back to.

Not sure how affordable the billboards are in my area but I do plan on checking them out to drive traffic to my website....

let me know what you decided to do! Thanks for posting!

OCT

2008

I am researching billboards as well. I came across this post and thought I would add my input. I have known agents that have had billboards and thrived and some who have not. I do think it all comes down to what you put on it.

Hey, here I am, I am great will get you nothing. Offfer a specific service, deal call to action you will do better. My billboard goes up on October 15th with a specific deal. Previously I tried with a very boring I am me, and the phone never range. This time I hope to do better. I am more experienced now and have read a very interesting marketing book which gave me the idea. Wish me luck!

Oh I forgot to say that my billboard will be seen by 30,000 cars a day plus everyone who is waiting at the McDonald's drive through for their order.

Also love the info on the back of that Suburban. I might do something similar for my Tahoe.

SEP

Interesting comments...as a new agent, I've also been considering the pros and cons of billboard advertising...I think it would be a great way to just get my name out into the community. Love the 'mobile billboard' on the back of that SUV!

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