Our marketing tactics...Are they annoying to prospects?

I really feel like all marketing has to be combined with a strong active prospecting campaign.  I think marketing without the touching does not work.  I am new to the business and I actively seek prospects by door knocking, calling and open houses!  I know that more seasoned agents think that these activities are a waste of time, but I feel very strongly that it is a combination of the internet , direct mail marketing and touches that really bring about business.

Just a newbie opinion that is having some real successes!

 Lizz Walters~ Securing Your Real Estate Future!

There is no question that consumers are inundated with marketing materials from companies competing for their attention.  Once of Kelly's points- go green cannot be understimated. There are now websites that allow you to take your name off of catalog lists- there is no telling where this might go...perhaps postcards?  I think we would all agree that there is nothing more annoying than going to your mailbox and having to throw more than 60% of it away. Not only is it a time and money waster, it's terrible for our environment.

I agree with everything Kelly and others said above- all great points to follow. I would also add that I believe real estate agents an brokers need to take a harder look at their marketing campaigns and begin approaching things as though they are mini-corporations where branding is key. The stamp idea mentioned above is excellent!  You want to be the first one they think of when a consumer goes to buy.  Branding can get you there.  Branding is one of the most important and significant things you can do for yourself.  A strong, consistent brand is key to successful marketing. Have a logo designed for yourself and use it throughout your marketing- business cards, materials and websites.  Create a 'media kit'; a folder of information about you, your experience and what you bring to the table for your clients. Include testimonials from previous clients. Create a paper version and an electronic version.  Don't mail the media kit to people- hand deliver it to those prospects whom have contacted you, or to clients for whom you do a listing presentation.  Create something that makes you stand out from the rest as a more organized and business savvy professional.

Branding is key, but do not forget about referrals! There is an old saying that people in business do business with those they know and like. Combining your strong brand awareness with good old fashioned networking and relationship building will still get you further than any paper postcard could.  Sitting behind a computer maintaing a website and writing blogs is great on the off hours, but during the day, get out in the field and start networking! Join volunteer organizations, professional groups and participate in the things that matter on your Board. Unfortunately the real estate profession is beginning to get a very bad reputation but that can change. Your ability to have an intelligent, informed discussion on issues that matter to your clients will earn trust, position you as a true professional and attract more qualified clients your way.

Carry your brand online. Remember that your website is very often your client's first impression. Would you show up to a listing presentation in a t-shirt playing a stereo on full volume? Don't turn your clients off by presenting them with a website that is too flashy, full of music and sound, or cluttered with information people could care less about. Don't sell your website out for search engine purposes- jumbling it up with too many links and terribly written paragraphs only makes you look like an amateur. Believe it or not, you CAN have a great looking website that ranks high on search engines.  Pop ups are annoying and asking for their information too often is annoying too! Remember the internet user wants to be anonymous for awhile- respect that and let them look. If you have a professional site that is respectful of your client's time, you'll grab a more qualified lead who is more likely to tell someone else about you.

Videos are a great way to showcase properties, but don't ever force someone to watch. Tie the video in with your listings as an enhancement and find someone to push those videos to major portals like YouTube and others.  The exposure is great for the listing and will also drive traffic back to your site.

Finally, network with portals online. If you're looking for a way to gain maximum exposure for your listings and generate traffic back to your site, piggy back onto some of the worlds' more popular portals. There are now international companies that push your properties to portals all over the world (one of my clients happens to be one of them!)  GoogleBase, Trulia, and others spend a fortune on their marketing. Piggyback on their efforts by pushing your information to them. Your marketing dollars will stretch much further this way!

Good luck and happy marketing!