Agent Advertising...does it GET you or just get TO you?

Re: Sign --Oh Lordy!  Creepy, desperate, sad, so many adjectives, so little time.

As for designations, it's more about peers being impressed. Clients just want to know you're competent and will work hard for them.

Ron, Like you they just make me scratch my head. Personally I don't think people want to hear about us they want information about buying a home.

I'm not sure about the "Hungry, Call Realtor" ad either... Not exactly the standard of professionalism and experience you want to broadcast to your community!

Hello Ron and advertising can really help create business if it's done right, and well I really don't believe this type is! Maybe the people should go and get something to eat so he doesn't have to say he's hungry ... ;o)

Vegas Bob

Bad News: Most Sales Professionals don't know near enough about marketing.

Good News: Most Sales Professionals don't know near enough about marketing.

Ron,

All I can say is they are "cute" jingles, but that isn't what sells.  The best advertising anyone can have is word of mouth.  Work hard at having a good reputation and the business will come.

Thanks for the chuckle.

Brigita

@Brigita: I heartily agree word of mouth works and works very well as a form of advertising!

Having said that, the downside is that it is usually only effective on a small scale, is very unpredictable, takes quite a while to establish, and is not easily duplicated.

Word of mouth is really a side-effect to other marketing efforts. Marketing should be a series of small things consistently and continuosly done to ensure your target audience KNOWS you, LIKES you, TRUSTS you, & REMEMBERS YOU!

--Coach KC™

Coach KC said: "Word of mouth is really a side-effect to other marketing efforts."  

In other words, if you want people to say nice things about you, give them reasons to do so. The law of reciprocity is really just another way of looking at cause-and-effect.  Good "word of mouth" - i.e., referrals and recommendations - is a consequence of having impressed someone positively and deeply.  Absolutely true.  

Now, I happen to believe that the process can be accelerated through effective advertising.  It saddens me to see so much money being wasted by agents who blithely do what every other agent in their market is doing (same size ads in the real estate guides, same kinds of blogs, websites, etc.), simply trying to establish parity, instead of blazing their own trail.  

You have a story that is uniquely yours.  Uncover it.  Then tell it, relentlessly.  Know your brand and be true to it.  And if you're fortunate enough to know a local radio station advertising rep who understand the principles of effective copywriting, take him or her out to coffee and do a little brainstorming together.  Because when it comes to "word of mouth," your local radio station has the biggest mouth in town.  Learn how to use it to your advantage and you'll shave YEARS off the time it takes you to become a dominant player in your marketplace.

It's true. These agents creating ads like this are obviously inexperienced or seriously behind the times. If you are looking for some alternative marekting methods that are extremely efficient and cost effective take a look at this.

I believe the agent should be in the community and helping out. When an agent is hungry everyone can tell because he is doing everything wrong to get a sale or liast a home. If you become great in your community,  people within the community will say how great you are and if they know someone looking around the housing market they will refer them to you. Sometimes agents need to step back and think before they act.