Real Estate Blog - 3 Secret Tips on appearing in your local newspaper for FREE

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3 Secret Tips on appearing in your local newspaper for FREE

Attention Real Estate Professionals:

Advertising inside of a newspaper can be very pricey so here are my secrets to appearing in your local newspaper for FREE! I read blogs everyday that help me out with my Real Estate business so I always enjoy giving back to the on-line community that I am a part of.

On Wednesday night, December 13, 2006 I attended a Business After Hours Holiday Party for the Fairfield, Connecticut Chamber of Commerce http://www.fairfieldctchamber.com/ . I knew a board member so I asked him to inroduce me to the Real Estate Professionals that were there that night first before I spoke to anyone else. He introduced me to a home inspector who knew the photographer of The Fairfield Minuteman , a local Fairfield, CT newspaper. I told him how I am trying to promote myself and my business here at the Chamber and he told me that he has seen me all over the internet and even in the real estate book of Fairfield County and even the local newspapers. He said that he loves my Marketing style and he said let's get in the Fairfield Minuteman together and have a small write up and a picture as well. He asks his friend to come over and he took our picture and then asked us a few questions. Which leads me to my first secret to getting inside of a newspaper for FREE: Make friends with the photographer or someone that knows the photographer.

The next secret to ending up in a newspaper for FREE is to contact your local newspaper and speak to the Editor and tell them about an announcement that you have. This can be a recent promotion, a recent accomplishment or even an involvement in a charity or seminar. Did you just get a recent certification and you want your community to know about it, call the newspaper editor. Did you just plan a first time homebuyer seminar and want your community to know that you are holding a seminar and want people to attend via FREE newspaper advertising call your newspaper editor.

The last secret is similar to the 2nd secret where you want to contact the editor of the paper and tell them that you have written a great article that is about Real Estate and you want the community to read it and take advantage of your article. You can write an article about how to get your home ready for sale. Provide different steps for homeowners to take before listing their home with a real estate agent. This article will have your name at the end of this article. Now you just got to share your steps of getting a home ready for a listing with your name and contact information at the end of the article. Who did they just read about that lists homes for sale in your community? Yes, you and guess what, for FREE!

So what do you think of these 3 secrets of appearing in a newspaper for FREE?

Get to know the photographer or someone that knows the photographer.
Share your Real Estate related announcements with the newspaper.
Write a helpful article and submit it to the newspaper.

Thanks for reading my BLOG today. I hope you picked up a new tactic to advertising yourself in 2007.

Remember: THE BEST MARKETING IS FREE MARKETING!

For more information or if you have any questions/concerns, click here to ask me: Contact Nima now!

For a complimentary FREE Mortgage Pre-Approval, click here: FREE Home Mortgage Pre-Approval

First Time Home Buyer Guide: First Time Homebuyers Guide

Your Neighbor & Connecticut Mortgage Professional,

Nima Rezvan

203.913.6016

http://www.mynima.com/

*Note: I can originate loans in all 50 States! Making homeownership dreams come true since 2003! Working Nights & Weekends until 10:00pm for your convenience.

Member of the Fairfield, Connecticut Chamber of Commerce:

http://www.fairfieldctchamber.com/online/directory/display.asp?business=Countrywide+Home+Loans

Member of the Stamford, Connecticut Chamber of Commerce:

http://www.stamfordchamber.com/membinfo.asp?id=5996

Member of the Norwalk, Connecticut Chamber of Commerce:

http://www.norwalkchamberofcommerce.com/

Do you have more ways of advertising in a paper for FREE? Share your ideas and secrets with us today.

Posted by Nima Rezvan First Time Home Buyer Expert CT FHA Loans - FHA 203k - CT Mortgage on 12/15/2006 01:30 PM

Comments (148)

free, marketing, fairfield, ct, connecticut, fairfield county, fairfield minuteman, fairfield chamber of commerce, mortgage, nima, financing, norwalk

This post has been included in Connecticut Information Fairfield County, CT Information Norwalk, CT Information

148 Comments on 3 Secret Tips on appearing in your local newspaper for FREE

DEC

2006

One of my fraternity brothers works for a local radio station and his wife works for the local newspaper. So thats how i get the hookups :)

Thanks Nima for sharing your marketing ideas!!

Nima,

Thanks for your tips. I am in the midst of forming a team and was thinking of doing some kind of press release. Now you've convinced me!

Laurie

Our local paper has user interactive photo and comments sections. I'm always sharing pictures with the paper. They've harvested photos for print from my uploads a few times.

Nima- I love your ideas !! Thank you for the information!! Great tips!!

I've seen some others get their names in the newspaper for free....but I don't think they wanted them there. That would be in the Criminal Arrest section!

Nima,

Thanks for the great post. We will let you know when our first free spot makes it. Thanks again.

Nima, Good points to follow. Now, all I need is to find myself a newspaper photographer! Good advice.

Hmmm... write something interesting and get people to see it. Who wouldda thunk it? But it's true. And your by-line in the paper makes you a published author in your bio-- additional credibility when you're being introduced to a potential client.

Nima.......... I am have done the same thing already. Meaning, since I have opned up a new office in Haddonfield, NJ, I got a hold of the 2 local papers and they are doing articles on myself and the new office. Basically like a press release. We are also having the mayor do a ribbon cutting ceremony, which would give us free press and anothyer write-up in the paper, since the mayor will be there also. thanks for the info and congrats on the Gold Star.

Fantastic Ideas Nima - i have been doing this in our paper The Rivereast for awhile now. The editor who is in charge of my town is also the person I talk to regarding my paid advertising, so it works out well.

Nima, I've used all of those ideas and they worked fairly well for me. Also send (lift and copy) one or more of your blogs. Be sure your name and contact information as well as your picture are attached. Submitting an article doesn't mean you have to re invent the wheel. I've sent some of mine to local newsletters, newspapers, TV and had some success. And try the trade or speciality papers not just the local. Our seniors paper is always looking for local information.

Hey Nima,

I've been writing articles for over a year now on a weekly basis for our local newpaper. I think that this is a great way to get your business,name and ideas out there for the general public. Just know that anything that you put out there is open to scrutiny :)

Scott

Let me first thank Ann Guy for messaging me back on Myspace today and calling me The Marketing Guru! That truely makes me feel great about myself because I like to think of myself as a great Marketer! I guess a four college degree and the years I spent in the Corporate Marketing World mean a whole lot.

Eddy Martinez: Wow, that sounds like a pretty cool connection that you have there. How often do you take advantage of it? Share some of your experiences with us in a blog or here by commenting back. Would love to hear how you used the Radio to your advantage and how much money you saved, etc. What position does the wife or girlfriend have at the local newspaper? Last question, I promise, what fraternity are you in? Did you tell me once before? Right now I can't think of it so I would love to know which fraternity you are a part of. Please tell me you are the only guy in your fraternity, well atleast in your chapter that does mortgages because that is one of my other secrets of marketing to a niche group of persons.

Blanca C: No problem, anytime. I learned at a very young age to share with my peers! Do you have any secrets you have learned or practice that you want to fill me in on? You can email me a secret or two if you like. My email: Nima_Rezvan@countrywide.com

...then there goes the quote, receive freely, give freely. The publisher in the local newspaper had suggested that I submitted articles in the local paper. However, I have yet to submit any articles. I will put that on my list for next year. I plan on doing a lot more publicity in the area - for free of course. Again, great suggestions!!

Laurie F: A real estate team huh? How many agents on your team? Share the press release with everyone on active rain once it publishes. I am originally from Atlanta! I am a die hard Atlanta Braves fan! I also like to cheer on the Falcons and the Hawks.

I'm going to have my wife try these and see what happens. It makes perfect sense, so I expect success. Thank you.

Chris: That sounds pretty interesting and new to me. I am going to mapquest Bonita Springs and move down!

Hi Nima, Monika used to do most of our marketing when we owned our own company years ago. She took full advantage of the press releases but we did learn something new here and I thank you.

Thanks Jay

Lauren Corna: Check back more often, I will try to share as much as I can. I guess I should run out of ideas to share soon, right? Thanks for your great comment.

Suzanne M: Ouch.. well yeah, that is true. Not a good way to market yourself. If I end up in that section of the paper, hmmm.. I honestly wouldn't even know where to start and what to do. I would be embarrassed and I would take it very harshly.

Jim and Maria Hart: Definitely scan and share your first post with us. Do a separate blog on it and even comment again here and place your picture in the comment. I love helping people and I enjoy putting a smile on someones face. Good luck with your first FREE appearance!

Thanks, Nima. Another good post with great info. I do press release occasionally, although you can never be sure when they will print. Letters to the editor on specifi issues could also be a possibility. Letting the Community Events editor kow about eents you might be sponsoring or otherwise participating in might work too.

Gena R: Trust me on this one, it is pretty easy to find a photographer. Just takes a little bit of digging and researching. You will find someone that knows the photographer. I got lucky and wasn't even thinking about it until it happened.

Chris Hendricks: Absolutely my friend! Why do you think they say becareful what you write here on Active Rain in your blogs and in your comments? Because others will see what you are writing and it will show the person that you are to some. Basically the same basic idea as to a blog. Write well and give useful advice and get noticed. Thanks for dropping by and commenting.

Jeff Belonger: How are you my good friend? Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Thanks for the golden star cheer. If I blog it, it will come! I spent a good amount of time on this blog and I guess it shows now with the golden star and the wonderful comments that I received today.

Carl: Would love to learn what type of paid advertising you do with them. Maybe I will google your paper and learn more about it. We should do a co-ad maybe one day? Just an idea. I love co-advertising, just love it.

Dena Stevens: I will keep that in mind.

Scott G: Great to hear from you. So you get a lot of people who disagree with you? Any big drama situations that you want to share with me or with everyone?

Netta B: There you go! New Years resolution for you, huh? I think so! Come on, its free and it will improve your business.

Jeff Turner: Wish you and your wife good luck.. You will do fine. It is easy, just gotta sit down and do it.

Jay M: What happened to her? She left? I would pick up a new Marketing person to handle all of this for you if you don't have time yourself. Marketing is very important.

Jeff Dowler: Thanks for commenting and sharing your ideas with us all. I might actually write a new blog about this party that I am going on December 23rd and how I am using it to Market myself.

Nima, She's still around but I have to rehire her at a higher rate.

Thanks Jay

Super. I got a new item to put on Monday's To-Do List: Call the Newspaper & Implement Immediately!

Thanks Nima!

Jay M: If its working, then why not. And remember that it could even work better throughout time as consistent marketing is better than doing a 1,000,000 ad one week. For example: I do the cheapest sized ad you can do in the Fairfield Minuteman because every issue, every week, I am in there. Why would I do a full page color ad for like hundreds or thousands of dollars when I can do a small black n white ad for $33.00/issue. Again, my marketing degree kicking in!

Jaclyn: Thanks for reading my blog tonight and commenting. Yes it is too late now so call them on Monday. How are my Hartford Whalers doing down in the carolinas? Have a super duper weekend.

*** I would consider this as FREE Marketing! God I love FREE MARKETING!!!

These sound like great tips. Thanks so much for sharing. Free advertising is always the most valuable!

You are the Free Marketing GOD! Nice blog NIMA....

Jennifer Giraldi: Absolutely! I remember when I met with a high producing realtor from the Remax office in Westport, Connecticut. He basically told me up front that he has been in the business for 20+ years and he already has lenders that he works with but he is willing to give me one deal every month or two. We then went to discuss how to grow our business and spoke about Marketing. He told me that the best marketing is any marketing that is FREE. Ofcourse it will take little effort or lots of effort but FREE MARKETING is the way to go. I remember he wrote on a diner napkin some tips and I still have it and I met him over a year ago. I always enjoy picking up new ideas from others and I love to share. I believe in GOOD BUSINESS. Good Business will get me far.

Nima, excellent post don't miss mine from today you will want to elfmorphose yourself..go on I know you can do it!

Hi Nima,

Another tip is to do something charitable and kill two birds with one stone.

One of the girls in my office and her children took up a collection for a little boy.

There was a write up about her and photos of her children

She has done something nice and her name is pubished as a Realtor.

Karl Christen: I have a smile from ear lobe to ear lobe right now. HAHA HA HA HA HA.. That is so funny. "THE FREEK MARKETING GOD", I really like that.

Teri Isner: Although it is getting late and I should be getting ready to go out to a holiday party, I will go try to check it out now, I promise. Thanks for the love and the comment.

Karen Hurst: How are you? Thanks for popping in! You know what, a couple of years ago while I was with Washington Mutual Bank, I raised over $3,000 on my own while I was working 40-50 hours a week at WAMU. That's right, over $3,000. Isn't that great. But I never got a chance to put it in the local paper. I am a huge supporter of The American Heart Association and/or Breast Cancer walks/charity events.

* * * Last FREE Marketing comment, I promise. I have to go to a Holiday Party soon! Wait, I have to go check out Teri Isner's blog too. Yikes! Can't wait to see how much more comments this blog gets. I totally love helping people out as much as I can.

Hope everyone has a great Friday night.

Your Mortgage Man,

Nima

Nima

Good reminder to always keep the "local" paper in mind. If I approached the Washington Post, they would wonder which planet I'm from. I have placed articles in the past after contacting the local paper beat writer for my area and asked what kind of real estate article would be of interest to her editor. Following up on her suggestions, two were published.

Wow! Over 50 comments! Definitely a subject of interest! I had posted a blog a while back, about how I did a Roadside Realtor thing. Many members at AR encouraged me to contact the neighborhood paper, and I did. They sent out a reporter and photographer, even came back to take more photos. Still, the article never made print. Just have to keep tryin'!!

Great ideas! Might have to try some of those!

thanks for sharing.

good stuff!!

Nima great tips, All three of the suggestions you made have worked for me and it is my intention to continue using then in 07.

Nima - Right on target (hope TLW is not listening - duck) - these are great ways to get in front of the masses through newsprint AND through the newspapers website.

Nima, thanks for posting this. I was looking for a way to get in the paper. I just got in the local print, but it was because they were wanting a quote from me. I told them if you want a quote, then I want a plug for my company. They said no problem. The press release was last week, and there I am in the paper, company and all.

Hey thanks for the tip. Now my New Years to do list has yet another entry.

Having spent 15 years as a writer and 10 years in public relations these are great tips. But may I make a quick comment ...

While it is GREAT to make friends with the photographer - the best thing you can do is point out "who" they need to get in the picture. And that is most likely not you. So you miss one free "opportunity" but you have put yourself as an information source to the boys and girls at the local paper. And that can come back to help you many times over long term.

I would suggest only calling the editor once or twice -- and when you do have something that will help their paper become better. Again become the answer -- not the problem.

Just two pieces of advice that helped me get stories on ESPN and other regional outlets.

Nima, Congratulations on a gold star featured blog.

Have you contacted your local paper and told them about this blog? If not, maybe give it a try! Nothing to lose!

Let me know how it works out. You can let them know that I dared you to! :-)

I think it would make a good story and get you some more free publicity. If not the paper, how about your company newsletter, email allert etc...

www.HomeRome.com

Baltimore,Md

Nima, Some good ideas. Free advertising is good. I was fortunate enough recently to have my office issue a press release on a recent accomplishment of mine. A real local real estate magazine and the two largest local daily newpapers printed it and posted it on their respective websites. It actually showed up several times in the newspapers in various rewritten forms as filler material in the real estate section when they need to fill a space. I received a lot of mileage from it. The point is that it is easy and free and newspapers need material in their real estate sections.

That is great info, but newsprint is dead and Craigs List is a crazy money maker! Link your listings with virtual tours and website link http://www.yourwebsite.com and now you have a link. This is also FREE and very, very succesful in my book. I pay $35.00 or more for an ad in the paper and get nothing...I think it's time to call the editor.

DEC

2006

Nima, excellent marketing concept, it has universal applications. Feel free to also post it in The Art Of Marketing You group as well.

I have an annual contract in 2 local weekly newspapers, our areas local real estate bible, so to speak. Got creative one night and wrote a long dissertation on the pricing of homes in today's market and a basic guide for sellers before hiring their agent, before I started blogging. It was a really good piece. Called my contact at the paper and asked him to look it over and consider it for a press release. They asked me to cut it down, accepted the re-write and published it as an article in the Real Estate Section.

That piece is now a part of my listing presentation & was sent to my e-database of over 110,000. I have had many comments on it, get calls and emails with questions and for guidance.

Come to think of it, there is no reason I can't add a link to that piece to my blog, it is posted on my website, and I think I will do just that in the next few days.

Ohhh, good tips! Even the comments came up with awesome tips! This is a bookmarkable one for sure!!!

Laurie I am looking forward to the post.

Great advice.... I like it. I might just try it!!! Nothing like free publicity and on top of that, it appears as a credible source - endorsed by the local newspaper - even though it's not, but it has a great positive implication.

Dave Rosenmarkle: Yeah, just local papers I guess. Washington Post, USA Today and New York Times would probably ignore you every single time you try to pursue them. The Real Estate Business for us should be a business where we target our community that we live in and do business in mostly. You can obviously inclue surrounding towns as well. For example: I can advertise in Virginia but isn't it better for me to advertise here in Fairfield County then VA, ofcourse it is. Glad to know that two of your articles have published and now others here on Active Rain can see that it does work.

Michael Mackey: So tell us more about the roadside realtor function that you held. Or copy the link to your blog in a comment here for us to check out. I missed your blog personally and would like to learn more about the roadside realtor event. Hmmm, I wonder why it didn't make it to the printers. Maybe if it was a bikini car wash but I doubt you had a realtor bikini car wash.

Kaushik: Definitely try them out in your hometown! Remember, you can't just do it once, be consistent.

Tom Burris: Always willing to share. Definitely check'em out and try some and blog about your experience with my ideas of FREE MARKETING. I mean, why not, right?

Jennifer F: Have you used any other similar tactics that you want to share with us? Keep using them in 2007, way to go!

Tony Marriott: Do you do a lot of internet advertising on newspapers websites? Banner ads? links, etc? If you do, tell us about them. Blog about your experience with internet advertising on newspaper sites or comment back on here and share. TLW doesn't comment on my blogs, I would hope she stops in and comments on this blog this weekend.

Jason Price: Take a picture of the article and post it in a comment here and prove to everyone that it works. I will be in the next issue with my Fairfield Chamber picture. I will try to scan it or take a picture of it and post it here and share. Wish the paper was in color so you could check out this new tie that I got. Definitely one of those ties that grabs a persons attention and goes: "Hello, you need to speak with me, THE MORTGAGE MAN".

What was the quote that you placed in the paper about?

Geno Petro: Let the new years resolution list grow baby! More and more great ideas on improving your business in 2007 because of Active Rain. Gotta love it.

Toby Boyce: Thank you for the suggestions. I don't even have to write them down as reminders, they are already implanted in my mortgage man brain and will be utilized, thanks.

Margaret Rome: The first active rain member that I spoke to on the phone, how are you? I don't know if I should give them this blog because it talks about getting into their paper for FREE. Maybe if you double dare me? ha ha ha.. Company newsletter is non-existent, we don't have any unfortunately. Email alerts, hmmmm. Maybe I will email the realtors that I have and share this idea with them. Didn't even think about it but hey, why not.

Steve Hewson: Wow, that is great. See, another fabulous story that someone is sharing with us. It works! It's FREE, just do it. Can't hurt you, it could only help you.

Byeloth Hermanson: Hmmm, interesting. YourWebsite.com trick. I am not a realtor but that is very good advice or a good tip for all of the agents that are reading this blog and reading the comments. I will copy and paste your comment here again, just in case a realtor missed it:

Craigs List is a crazy money maker! Link your listings with virtual tours and website link http://www.yourwebsite.com/ and now you have a link. This is also FREE and very, very succesful in my book.

Marti: Thanks for the kind words. Thanks for inviting me to your group. I will try to find you. I eat sleep and breathe marketing!

Laurie Manny: Sounds like you hit a GRAND SLAM, not just a solo homerun. I will be checking out your site today for sure. Wow, 110,000 e-database! Who are these 110,000 ? That is a lot of people huh? Wow, impressive. Databases are my middle name, well so is Marketing. I will actually do a blog on databases and what happened to me about 5-6 months ago. Can you copy n paste your blog or your article here?

Chris Tesch: Thanks for stopping by and commenting and bookmarking my blog. Feels good to know that someone is bookmarking your blog. Specially if you are me and think that you are not a good blogger, thanks Chris.

Al Stetson: I know me too, I can't wait to see her INCREDIBLE GRAND SLAM ARTICLE! I will be going to her website and checking out her site as well.

Loreena Yeo: You are correct! Try it out for sure. In the business that we are in, you MUST tell people what you do or they will never know what you do so why would they even bother calling you for help with a listing or a mortgage? I don't care where everyone lives, everyone has somewhat of a local paper, so just try it out not just once but consistently.

* * * * * * * * I recommend doing a small ad in there every single issue (if your local paper comes out once a week) and this way, people at the paper will know your name and face. It makes a difference, trust me. Then when you have more press releases and articles, they will accept you with open arms.

Good job. Press relases are an easy way to get your name out there as well. I have been interviewed for a number of real estate articles in the past. They are looking for new topics and good content. Be their go to guy.

Great ideas! Another great way - more time consuming - is to actively participate in your local paper's blog. After all the reporters and editors have seen you around, they may be more inclined to post an article about you in their paper.

I'm a firm believer in press releases. They always get printed in my local paper. I haven't been successful with articles. I don't think they want to run my stories (usually market reports) for fear they'll tick off the big advertisers.

Nima, Thanks for the post. So true and even more amazing is how you become the "Expert" in the minds of those who read your published article.

John Klassen: Press releases can be done by yourself, your manager or have your company or office do them for you. Definitely have it looked over many times before you submit it to the newspaper. Thanks for checking out my blog today.

Mariana Wagner: That is an interesting possibility. I wonder if our local newspaper has a blog. I will go do a search on it now. Thanks for sharing another great way.

Stefan Scholl: Are you in a very saturated market filled with real estate agents? Maybe there are 1,000 agents in your area or 2,000 and a couple of hundred agents are trying to get in the paper every issue. Who knows, but it could be a reason.

William Collins: Being recognized as an expert is a good way to put it. As long as you are recognized for FREE thats all that counts. If someone acts up on your article then we have a winner.

http://www.lauriemanny.com/PageManager/default.aspx/PageID=1895600

I have had the article posted on my website for a few months, but here is the link.

Hey Nima - I think you should do a free marketing blog where people just promote their business in the comments. You could call it shameless plug blog.

I actually was interviewed about home staging for a local magazine here is the link:

http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061018/CUSTOM04/610180304/1277

I double dog dare you!!

I am running a contest on Sunday's Radio show. See my blog.More free publicity.

Another Contest ! Live Radio Show- Sunday 12 Noon

http://www.homerome.com/

Baltimore,Md..

Nima - Here's the link to my blog, "Desperate Roadside Realtor". If you read the comments, they are what encouraged me to contact the paper. Who knows, maybe they are holding onto the article to run later? If not, I will come up with something else, using your tips. Thanks for the great post!

DEC

2006

Good ideas, every bit helps

Laurie Manny: I really, really like it. Great job! Keep using it and I guess on your website, you can change it or tweak it at times, right? Make it work even better for you. That is great, thanks for sharing with everyone and ofcourse me!

Maureen Henry: I haven't done much research on it but maybe you should start advertising your business out this way and see what you can get. It is worth a shot and Fairfield County has money and some of it should be yours, right? Thanks for sharing your article/interview with us. You are awesome.

Margaret Rome: I just listened to the last 15-20 minutes of the show. I thought it was a great show. I didn't know that you could listen to radio shows like that over the computer, I will be honest. What a neat way to market yourself. Jeff B was a caller on the show during the time that I was on and he did great as well. Thanks for sharing your radio show with us and it was great to hear you promote ACTIVE RAIN!!! Matt Heaton, Caleb and the gang should hear about this one. That is great! Okay, time to be active even more on Active Rain and watch some football at the same time.

Michael Mackey: No problem, anytime. Thanks for sharing the link to your blog. Great title to the blog as well. You will get in there soon, I just know you will.

Ray Higdon: Ofcourse it does. In this market or even a hot market, every bit of marketing and even better if its free marketing will help with your business. Remember, you should be marketing in all types of markets, not just cold ones. Consistent marketing is key.

Hi Nima,

I like the way you think! Thoughts on sharing are the best part of your Blog. But I have to agree about the Free advertising part too. I was just recently contacted by phone by an area magazine and she wanted my thoughts about the market. I was just thrilled that she had found me by using the Internet and was delighted to share my thoughts with her. She told me that the article would be in the Jan. issue of this local magazine and you can bet I'll be watching the news stands in Jan to add it to our presentation when we go on listing appointments so people can see us as the local experts. Perfection in a Blog! We've added your contact info to our list of associates.

Lisa & Bob

Your Pascack Valley Experts

www.HammersTeam.com

Lisa & Bob: Thanks so much for your great comment. Also thanks for sharing your scenario with us. I believe I might have blogged about how I got contacted by a magazine which I believe was called Business 4.0 which is out of California. They said that they wanted my opinion on how the market was going to be like in the four major cities that are closest to me. Hopefully I can see myself in a magazine as well. Again, FREE MARKETING at its best. I didn't have to do anything for it. They contacted me just like they contacted you. Great to have internet presence these days. Thanks for blogging on this cold Sunday afternoon. Thanks for adding me as an associate as well. I hope you two are rooting on the NY GIANTS today. I wish I was in New Jersey today at GIANTS staidum but hey what can you do.

**** NOTE: Did you know we all had FREE MARKETING today! Yes, we all did. All of us here at Active Rain. Thanks to our very own friend Margaret Rome!

Check out my blog today where I thanked her on the behalf of us all but we need more thanks for her. Go and comment there and thank Agent Rome for plugging Active Rain on her Radio Show in Maryland today. I listened to the last 15-20 minutes of the show and I know for a fact that she plugged Active Rain.

This is my blog from today: http://activerain.com/blogsview/27524/Two-Thumbs-Up-to

Happy Holidays everyone and enjoy your Sunday afternoon.

Time to put on my Tiki Barber jersey on and go to my NY GIANTS PARTY.

Your Mortgage Man,

Nima

203.913.6016

http://www.MyNima.com

Nima, this was helpful and i will do it! Thank you for sharing........

Sorry, it took so long to get back on this. One of the networking groups that I belong to is designed to cater to business women. The group is about 80 % women and the rest men. Because I was one of the first people to get business out of the group, they asked me for a quote on how the group has worked for. I will have to scan it and send it to you.

Diane Rice: Your welcome! Anytime. It is my duty to share with you because I have gotten so much out of Active Rain that I enjoy giving back as much as possible. Look forward to reading your blogs as well.

Jason Price: Speaking of a group that is mostly women. I went to a holiday party last night where the president of a networking group for women was at and she invited me to a networking event close by on January 9th which I might blog about once it happens. It is not for all women so she invited me too.

DEC

2006

Networking is another name for it.... Always works

Michael Roberts: Absolutely correct, networking can be considered FREE Marketing. Depends on the actual networking though. If you pay $300.00/year for a membership fee of your local chamber of commerce and then you pay a small fee of $15.00 per each social networking event then it is not considered as FREE Marketing. But if you go out with your friends and meet new people and meet their friends and talk business then that is considered FREE MARKETING.

Here is a recent blog I did on how to Make a networking event work for you:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/24079/Six-small-steps-MAKING

This blog was also a golden star winner here on Active Rain! Enjoy it, if you missed it.

Your Mortgage Man,

Nima

http://www.MyNima.com

Hmmm....gotta love free marketing. Thanks to you I am now going to call the local newspapers re: our Toys for Tots drive! And a special thanks tofellow AR member Rob Robinson for donating!

Ann Guy: Finally you stop in and comment here! I was wondering where you were all weekend long, we missed you. Thanks for dropping by and commenting. Now that is great news that you are sharing with us. Go Rob for donating. I wish I could have donated too, only if I had known.

Ann Guy: Well, if it is not too late I could have donated this toy below so that the kids can throw darts at me for fun. But that wouldn't be a good toy for tots but maybe one for your office. Would you throw darts at me? Be honest!

* Nima aka Mortgage Man's 2007 Promotional Marketing Item: 2007 calendar & dry erase board in one with magnets on the back to put on your fridge for the whole year! I thought it was pretty nice myself.

Nima, if you can get into the group and be a regular, it will be well worth it. I have had much success with the group so far. Plus, I have a little help. I bring my daughter to the groups from time to time.

Jason Price: So maybe I should borrow someone's cute daughter or son so that I can make them go "awww, its Nima, the mortgage man". Just kidding, I would never pretend to have a son or a daughter, that is stooping low and not my style. I will let everyone know how it goes.

DEC

2006

NOTE: This blog was used in a major BLOG about best blogs of the month or week in someone else's blog. The blog was not on Active Rain. Unfortunately, I don't remember who the person was and what their blog was called. How cool is that? If I learn how to enter into a carnival, maybe I will add my prize winning blog!

I feel like I am growing a large pumpkin and there is going to be a town contest on who has the biggest pumpkin!

Tomorrow: The day that I should have my picture published in the Fairfield Minuteman, I will try to cut it out and scan it or take a picture of it and share with everyone here.

Well Nima, It only took me about 4 months to finally make my way to your blogs! I have only had an opportunity to read two, and both are excellent, however this one really 'spoke to me' about something that I need to address. Although I have entertained the idea of issuing a 'press release' to my local papers, this really has motivated me to do that as part of my New Year's marketing campaign!

Recently good fortune 'smiled upon me' because I was actually contacted by Newsday, which is THE Long Island newspaper and was interviewed for an article on staging vacant houses - something that I have become somewhat of an expert on (and not by choice!) http://www.newsday.com/business/realestate/ny-coversprd5005726dec08,0,2247935.story

Thanks for reminding me of a very valuable marketing tool!

Happy Holidays!

Thanks for the great tips! I'm a firm believer that newspapers need more local input and this kills two birds with one stone -- get some positive, accurate information out to the public along with your name!

DEC

2006

Lot of traffic on this one. Newspapers are starving for content to fill their spaces. Articles and press releases are great ways for us to help them and them to help us.

DEC

2006

Nima - Please check out my blog, re: updated results to previous comments on this blog.

Congratulations Michael, wonderful news.

Val Allocco: Thanks for dropping by and sharing your interview with the newspaper on starging homes! You are more than welcome to read my blogs from here on out. Thank You! Happy Holidays to you and your family as well.

Marisa Ladd: 2 birdies with one stone, not bad huh? The more exposure you get, the better chance you have of getting new business. Everyone should be a local superstar in my opinion. If you live there then you should be well known for what you do for your town/city.

John Klassen: I actually have been trying to reply back to your email but I haven't gotten to it because I can't seem to find the ad that we have running in the real estate book to share with you. Can you get your hands on a Fairfield County Real Estate Book?

As far as newspapers go, yeah, why not add good content to their paper and get noticed at the same time. I have seen a number of weak papers and the more content the better, specially a local small paper.

Michael Mackey: Congrats! Thanks for the mention! I will try to comment on your blog now! Thanks so much for the mention!

APR

2007

It all begins with networking and then it who you know that knows who you want to know!

MAY

2007

you alwaus give great ideas.

I like the idea of getting to know the photographer....but how does one do that if you don't know anyone who knows him? Hmmmmm.....LOL

#3 is something I am working on right now. Great blog - thanks for sharing!

MAY

2007

Endeda, Dave, Tony and Yvonne, thanks for commenting! So many comments on this blog. I'm always willing to share ideas and network here on Active Rain.

Your CT Mortgage & First Time Home Buyer Specialist,

Nima Rezvan

Home Loan Consultant

Countrywide Home Loans

203.913.6016

http://www.MyNima.com

MAY

2007

Nima,

I do not know if it will work, but I am going to call the newspaper and find out.

Very good points, there is always some type of certification or announcement to be made.

Thanks for the tips I see that you do loans in 50 states, I provide title and escrow services. With me you close on schedule no matter what check me out at www.activerain.com/shim101

Thanks for posting the info.

Carolin Benjamin
Bob and Carolin Benjamin - The Benjamin Team - Keller Williams Integrity First Realty - Gold Canyon, Arizona

Great post. We recently had 6 new grandmothers in our office and we took a picture and wrote up an article and it was published in 2 papers. I have had calls from people saying they saw me and my new grandson in the paper!

MAY

2007

Nima,

Here is one of my current ads, going to appear in Saturdays paper. Never mind it will not load as it is adobe file

MAY

2007

Nima

I have heard this before the things you say, also I have heard that it is nearly impossible to get your local paper to publish your articles or to do a write up about you is this true?

Good suggestions. I have followed this plan for several years and now have the papers calling me for quotes when an article about financing is going to be run. It instantly gives you credibility with the public. After all, if it's written in the newspaper, it MUST be true, right?

I've found that I get calls from editors who google real estate topics and our area, and they come up with me. I like that! I'm all over google (which shows how some SEO elbow grease helps, even in a competitive market with paid seo sites).

MAY

2007

Nima, Great advice. I have always wanted to do some sort of a Q & A section for newspapers on Real Estate. Maybe something that appears on a certain day. People can email or send in questions and then we get the answers. I wonder if this might work. I guess I first need to get the courage up to ask, huh?

MAY

2007

Nima

I can see by the responses from my previous post that this is something I should consider doing. What do I have to lose.

MAY

2007

Thank you for sharing. I agree, Free Marketing is the best Marketing!

MAY

2007

wow, so many comments, I'm bombarded with them and I can't reply to all at this time. Thank you all for visiting my blog and commenting.

Please feel free to subscribe to my blog. Thanks again.

Your Active Rain Friend,

Nima Rezvan

Home Loan Consultant

Countrywide Home Loans

203.913.6016

http://www.MyNima.com

OCT

2007

Thanks for the advise I still trying to get my appraisal business off the ground. I'm always looking for new marketing ideas.

OCT

2007

Nima

Great article, I hope to be able to put this information to use, afterall we all can use some free info.

Thanks Nima, some great advise here. My next phone call will be to the local editor.

MAR

2008

great ideals, interesting post and helpful. keep up the good work

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