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Old School Methods Of Marketing Never Die.....Back To Basics Works Today!!

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired 104763

Most of us have been in the mindset of preparing for 2012.  We are only hours away.  In setting our goals and establishing the methods that we’ll be using to achieve those goals, let’s not forget the most important methods of marketing.

Let’s not dismiss the “old school methods of marketing.”  These are approaches that will never die, in my opinion.  They’ve worked for decades and will continue to work, if they have agents using them who have consistent work habits.

The most common methods are direct mail marketing and door knocking.  Of these two options, direct mail marketing is my favorite and most productive.  It takes little effort but can cost a significant amount of money, if done properly. 

Door knocking was never a method that I enjoyed doing any more than cold calling. I’ve always felt that both of these options were an invasion of privacy, and I know I would not appreciate being called or having someone unexpectedly knocking at my front door.  I would be annoyed, and because of that, I was not in favor of practicing something that would annoy me.

Niche marketing is easily accomplished via direct mail marketing, and niche areas of focus are certainly preferred.  Don’t eliminate methods that work.  It’s shortsighted and more than one method of marketing is needed.  Remember, there is marketing beyond the Internet!!

Posted by

 

 

Barbara Todaro, Great Grandmother to Caleb, Santino, Aiden and Gianni       

Todaro Team - Retired

508-918-9148

               

             Copyright © 2009 - 2021 Barbara Todaro

                               All Rights Reserved



 

Comments(101)

Joyce Godwin, Realtor, CRS
RE/MAX Elite Properties; Serving Cypress, Spring, Tomball, NW Houston - Houston, TX
RE/MAX Elite Properties

Hi Barbara, Thanks for the reminder.  I've often thought the same as some above, fewer agents are doing direct mail, therefore, it is more effective now.  I've never been consistent at direct mail.  I need to pick a DM program and stick with it - I do think it would pay off.  I do know that I'm not doing door to door doorknocking.  There are so many "shiny new things" on the Internet to get distracted with.  But I like your suggestion of getting back to basics.  Thanks again for the reminder.

Dec 31, 2011 03:30 PM
Danielle Field
Redfin - Middletown, KY
Redfin Market Manager

Hi Barbara, I am in the opposite mindset for this year. I built my business doing the basics and "old school" marketing like door knocking and direct mail, these are things I am very comfortable doing. But now I'm a mother and have limited time to do some of those things so for 2012 my resolution is to up my internet marketing 10 fold so I can be more productive at night or nap time when my son is sleeping or just do more from home!

Good luck to you with your marketing plan for 2012!

Jan 01, 2012 02:32 AM
Michael Murphy
Bienvenidos Real Estate - Parksville, BC

You have to circulate to perculate....all my business comes from a heavy social calender which I enjoy. An old and funny story about a successful realtor which I have shared over the years was a about how was he able to do so well and he said, on Sundays he went to 3 services and would stand on the other side of the minister as people were coming out and shake their hand and thank them for coming and then pass them a business card and say if you ever needa realtor give me a call. Hallelujah and a happy New Year to all

Jan 01, 2012 02:33 AM
Rob Arnold
Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. - Altamonte Springs, FL
Metro Orlando Full Service - Investor Friendly & F

So many people are focused on SEO and social media that they fail to get regular old leads.  Many people start their search online but they don't necessarily finish it there. I've been running print ads in a real estate magazine for years and get tons of leads every month as a result.  People still pick up those free magazines and read through them.

Jan 01, 2012 02:33 AM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo
Barbara. So glad you got featured for this - such true statements and good logic. I am increasing my mailing this year, now that I have my awesome printer, thanks to you and your department.a
Jan 01, 2012 03:05 AM
Jerry Van Pelt
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Plano, TX

While all the marketing programs discussed can work, it takes commitment and a long term view to make any of them work.

Research shows that most people start their search on the internet though, so that is really where the action is.

Jan 01, 2012 03:14 AM
Bill Sauneuf
John L. Scott Real Estate / Yelm - Mount Vernon, WA

Barbara,

I've had some success by direct mailing my monthly newsletter to past and current clients, but to do the general mailings to a neighborhood about a new listing or saying something about me has never yielded much of anything for me.

Any pointers?  Could you share samples of something that has worked effectively for direct mail marketing?

Great post!  Enjoy 2012.

-Bill

Jan 01, 2012 03:26 AM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

Barbara, Now that I have more money to invest in my business, I've traded doorknocking with direct mail. I'm glad you wrote this post about direct mail. I started a campaign in November, and I have had two inquiries. One listing appointment. I targeted a very small group of homeowners, but kept repeating my mailings to them adding something of value. Many agents unfamiliar with direct mail think they must send out thousands of postcards at one time. Rather than sending out one blast, from my experience it is better to target a small group and keep repeating. 

Happy New Year, and much continued success to you in 2012 !

Jan 01, 2012 03:59 AM
Sylvie Stuart
Realty One Group Mountain Desert 928-600-2765 - Flagstaff, AZ
Home Buying, Home Selling and Investment - Flagsta

You are always such a great advocate for direct mail marketing. I always get inspired by your posts, yet need to start incorporating this method in my business plan. Happy New Year and may it bring even more success than you had in 2011!

Jan 01, 2012 06:36 AM
Anonymous
Jill Klunk

Glad to see that someone beside me still does some of the old school things - direct mail and niche marketing. It's hard to break some old habits especially when it still brings in the bacon.

Jan 01, 2012 06:53 AM
#91
Judy Orr
HomeSmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale AZ and surrounding towns

We'll be sending out our first expired/FSBO postcard campaign in a long time this week and are ready to go.  I haven't done it for a couple of years because of the market.  I've always mainly been a listing agent but I was tired of working with unrealistic sellers.  I'm hoping some of them are accepting reality so we're going after listings again.

I moved a year ago and would like to start a farm near my new area, but I can't find a subdivision with a good enough turnover right now.  However, after reading one of your posts a commenter (or two) mentioned Every Door Direct Mail through USPS and that made me interested in starting a farm.  I've still got to find the best area - I don't think there are many agents that farm at all here.

Jan 01, 2012 06:56 AM
Karen Steed
Tallapoosa, Bremen, Waco, Buchanan, Temple, Carrollton - Tallapoosa, GA
Associate Broker Haralson Realty

While many people do use the internet to search for homes, there are lots of people who do not use computers at all.  These people can only be reached through alternative means such as direct mail and door knocking, or by referral.  Anything that gets your name out to more people, should be a benefit.

Jan 01, 2012 08:21 AM
Sue Ellett
Synergy Property Group | Spyglass Realty - Austin, TX
Austin, TX, Lake Travis, Dripping Springs

Thanks for the post.  We are gearing up for a direct mail compaign this year to focus on a specific segment of the market - USAA Buyers and Sellers - in our area.   One year from now, I will hopefully have lots of success stories to report!  

 

Jan 02, 2012 02:21 AM
Gloria Matthews
Principal Property Brokers - Vancouver, WA
MAKING CLARK COUNTY HOME

I couldnt agree more...  the internet is full of NOISE...   and what people want and need in a realtor cannot be delivered on the internet... it is a face to face and house to house business.   

Really, look over your production this last year..... what % came from "facebook" or any of the other social medias?  really?   Do you need to be there?  absolutely!  but what percentage of your time is relevant to your business development.   I think the answer to this is different for each of us.  

While I love technology, no amount of technology sells homes.

Jan 02, 2012 05:10 AM
Elaina Westry
Realty World-Lisa Tedder & Associates - Rocky Mount, NC

I have been doing direct mail for expired listings for awhile. Haven't had much success with it, but I haven't been following up as I should. I don't like door knocking or calling. But I started my new year off with my mailings. I vow to follow up on all this year. Thanks for the encouragement about direct mail.

Jan 02, 2012 07:14 AM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Barbara, I agree.  "BC" - before I was an agent I predicted the demise of the agent with the internet.  Now I am one and predict we will be here a long time!

May you have a happy and prosperous New Year!

Jan 02, 2012 11:50 AM
Jairo Arreola #SOLDBYVETERAN
PRG Real Estate - San Jose, CA
VA Home Loan Specialist - SF Bay Area

I would much rather talk to people in person. At least they see my face and hopefully my first impression is good enough to get a deal =)

Jan 04, 2012 08:39 AM
Ken Brandon
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage (Jacksonville, NC) - Jacksonville, NC
Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, NC

I agree with you. Someone told me the "old school" is the "new school" because it is not being done so much anymore.

Jan 05, 2012 03:56 PM
Edward Gilmartin
CRE - Boston, MA

Just some advice...do not invest a lot of money in Mass mailings if you are not willing to make the phone call to the person you are sending the information too...This is just part of the marketing you still have to follow up.

Jan 06, 2012 04:38 AM
Judy Orr
HomeSmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale AZ and surrounding towns

Edward (#100) As a listing agent that would have 25-30 listings without having a partner/team or assistant, I can say that I never followed up on my expired/FSBO postcard campaign by phone - they would call me.  Now my husband is licensed and we would like to double my normal inventory.  I'm not saying that calling won't get a better return, but it's nothing I have time for nor do I feel like calling, and with the listings I'm going after, most are on the Do Not Call list.

I believe it is because of my particular postcard system - they are custom made and I have a specific follow-up - it's not just send one and expect to get a bunch of listings.  So far I have 10 postcards and this year I will add more, plus they get my quarterly newsletter.  Depending on seller's timing, they can call me after one postcard or it might take all 10.  For those that get several of my mailings, they feel they already know me and they've probably been to my website.

Jan 06, 2012 10:48 AM