Advertising as a New Agent

Advertising as a new agent can be tough.  Use what is available to you.  As a new agent I made the all too frequent mistake of putting my hand in every cookie jar.  According to my CPA I still did better than every other agent at the end of the year.  This didn’t go very far in making me feel better.  I spent needlessly on advertising that I was unsure would work.

Work with what you have!  Every office is different in what they offer their agents.  For example, my office gives 100 free color copies per month.  The only time I ever use these is when I am doing a flyer box for my listings.  So I got an idea!  I purchased some card stock paper and created postcards on publisher.  At the end of the month I use whatever is left of my 100 free color sheets making postcards to send out.  It saves me money on purchasing postcards.

I also do the same with the black and white.  The black and white is free but the printer is an exercise in frustration.  It does take time, but as a new agent you tend to have that!  When I list or sell a property I get the address to the nearby neighborhoods and make black and white postcards.  I have been tracking the progress and the “homemade” ones have just as much success as the bought ones.

Open Houses.  I hate open houses.  I have no idea why but I dread doing them.  But, it’s more free advertisement.  My office advertises the open houses each week.  I bought some inexpensive signs from Vistaprint with my picture on it that says OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1-3pm.  You can customize the signs.  I put my signs up on Wednesday and I have 5 days of my sign with my picture being seen and more people show up to the open house with the advanced notification.

Be visible!  The cheapest form of advertising is your own body!  Find out the events going on in your area and participate.  Make sure it is something you enjoy doing.  I have met more clients doing fun events than I have sending out direct mail or doing open houses.

These are just a few ways that you can easily advertise yourself.  Lastly, don’t forget your business card.  I leave these everywhere.  Doctor’s offices, waiting rooms, I even left one in books-a-million!