The timing couldn't be better for the $500 marketing challenge.

The Price is RightI am currently in the process of developing a new Wordpress site and this challenge forced me to investigate the technology I would like to incorporate over the next year. I didn't include the cost of the WP Theme and Framework ($99.95).

     IDX Broker - ($39.99) Indexable IDX    searches for new WP site.
     BlueHost - ($4.95) Website hosting.
     DocuSign - ($14.99) Electronic signatures.
     Constant Contact - ($15) CRM tool.
     Happy Grasshopper - ($19) CRM tool.
     ActiveRain - ($28) Outside blog and Rainmaker account.
     Direct Mail - ($295) Postcard mailings.
     Cloud CMA - ($20.83) CMA preparation tool.
     Signage - ($53) Custom signage with text and QR codes.
     Websites - ($10) Single-property websites.

     Total Monthly Expense = $500.76

While on the surface it looks like I am adding $500 to my current budget, I suspect that some of the above costs will actually save me money. For example, many of the clients I work with are 50-plus in age. Some clients do not have access to a printer/scanner but they do have a computer. I spend a lot of money on gas taking documents to clients for signatures. As a result, the $14.99 monthly I would be spending on DocuSign would actually save me money.

The same is true with Cloud CMA. Right now, I spend a considerable amount of time preparing a professional looking CMA for listing appointments. Cloud CMA would cut down the amount of time to do that, therefore, saving me money. My time would be better spent on prospecting.

I am currently experimenting with Happy Grasshopper and Constant Contact. My plan is to use both systems for six months and see which system provides me with the best results.

Direct mail is also a new addition to my marketing. The above cost is for 450 oversized postcards each month. I think I can reduce this cost by using a local distributor.

I currently use custom signage and single-property websites to market my listings. These are two expenses that easily pay for themselves with the leads they produce.

I hope the addition of the above technology produces much more than the monthly expenditure.

“This post is an entry for the $500 Real Estate Marketing and Tech Challenge.  Learn more about this ActiveRain contest at www.activerain.com/marketing-challenge.

************************************************************************************ 
 
 
 
 
Tammie White, Realtor® in Franklin TN
Cell Phone: (615)495-0752

This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property and opinions of Tammie White of Benchmark Realty LLC. 

 
Post is included in group: Real Estate Strategies for Business Builders
Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You
Post is included in group: Online Marketing Help Center
Post is included in group: ActiveRain Contests
Post is included in group: Real Estate Technology

33 Comments on The Timing Couldn't be Better for the $500 Marketing Challenge

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUL
06
393,856 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Tammy good luck and also this is a great analysis.  I'm glad to see you are not afraid to spend money, as this business does require an infusion above licensing fees.
6:43am • #14
477,796 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Tanny -- You have to spend money to make money. Looks like you have an excellent plan that will yield you great results.  Good luck!
6:48am • #15
836,586 Points 69 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

There is a tone to this post that is attractive indicating a caring professional at work...good post and host
6:57am • #16
483,820 Points 5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Tammie, Of all the posts I have read I think you are going to get the most bang for your $500.76, you have squeezed so much out of the funds. I would give you the winning vote so far!
7:02am • #17
204,076 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Tammie, great, well thought out plan. 
7:33am • #18
759,082 Points 105 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Praful - Oops, forgot about. What are the chances of really winning?

Debbie - My son is actually working on it for me. We're hoping together, we can figure this out.

Cheryl - Thanks, I'll look into that.

Fernando - That's what I'm hoping for. Two kids in college this fall.

Jared - There are other things I would probably like to add but this list has the basics covered.

Gita - Same to you.

Michael - The two biggest savers will be Docusign and CloudCMA.

Karen Anne - That is so true.

Captain Wayne - This contest actually forced me to look carefully at the things I would like to add. The contest was just the incentive to do it.

Chris & Dick - I was one of those agents when I got into the business. I think it's pretty common. I'm not sure brokers are really teaching us to have a game plan.

Debbie - I know it's not much in comparison to some but it's a start.

Gary - Something that's not discussed much.

Barbara - I hate that phrase but it is true.

Richie - You are always so supportive. Thank you.

Corinne - That is so nice. Thank you. This is another very beneficial challenge. So many great ideas offered by members.

Beth - I'll keep you posted.

7:48am • #19
299,908 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

HI Tammie, it looks like you have things pretty well mapped out. Well done! I will be interested in your results, so I hope you will follow up in six months.
8:07am • #20
759,082 Points 105 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Sandy - I will be sure to write a follow-up post.
8:26am • #21
1 Featured Post
Tammie. I am with you on all the above items on your list, except the direct mail at $285. I am facing the same marketing challenge of redistributing those dollars but dropped direct mail as I saw less than 1 percent response. Have you found it to be beneficial in your area? Thorough post and interesting to compare notes.
9:05am • #22
Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Tammie, 

 

What IDX solution are you using for your site?  I have been racking my brain trying to find an affordable IDX solution that works.  
9:44am • #23
342,246 Points 2 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Tammie. Most of my marketing is with postcards which takes a huge chunk of my budget. I like your breakdown of what are you doing.
10:52am • #24
979,143 Points 114 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

What a thorough and concise post.  It really explains the how and why and the costs are easily outlined here.  I'm sure this helps quite a few people, which is the reason for this challenge.  Good job.
10:53am • #25
759,082 Points 105 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Nancy - I just recently implemented direct mail. I know agent who have a lot of success with it. I recently saw an indirect response when a buyer wandered into an open house as the result of one of the postcards. He did end up buying that house. Still too early to judge the ROI.

Jimmy - I currently have a Realtysoft template site. I have had good results with that product. But I want to have more control and flexibility than Realtysoft will allow. I will add a WP site to that and keep both up and running. At least, for the short term.

Lana - I haven't implemented all of these things yet but it is in the works.

Carla - The challenge really made me hone in on the things I thought that would be most cost effective for me.
11:50am • #26
1,516,378 Points 275 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Tammie.....I think this is a great plan.... fantastic use of $500.... that's not much money and you've stretched it to cover alot of ground.... I should hire you to manage my money!!!
1:52pm • #27
679,430 Points 51 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Tammie, I really like your thought process here. I quit the mailings 2 years ago because i was no longer getting the business that they had generated before.
1:58pm • #28
759,082 Points 105 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Barbara - I have a previous back ground as a cost accountant. I did actually manage budgets to keep our engineers on track with their espenses. I was used to stretching a dollar.

Connie - Some say they work, others say they don't. It's not much of an investment but I was trying to cover several marketing areas.
3:07pm • #29
466,050 Points 50 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Tammie, good for you. I hope it works out. I hear e-neighborhood has a direct mail postcard that cost is fairly reasonable. I haven't used them yet, but plan to on my next listing. Best of luck, thanks for your post today.
3:36pm • #30
759,082 Points 105 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Pamela - I'll have to look into that.
7:29pm • #31
JUL
11

Hi Tammie,

This is an awesome budget plan. Looks like you really know how to maximize those dollars. Keep up the good work as a top Franklin TN short sale agent!
7:02pm • #32
JUL
15
759,082 Points 105 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Bas - I like some of the ideas spelled out in the winning post. I may use some of those.
10:38pm • #33

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All


What does the graphic say?
Leave a response…

(optional)
Spam Prevention:
 
Tammie Ambassador_large

Tammie White Realtor® Franklin TN Homes For Sale

Franklin, TN

More about me…

Benchmark Realty, LLC (615) 495-0752 or www.TammieWhite.com

Address: 7127 Crossroads Blvd, Brentwood, TN, 37027

Office Phone: (615) 371-1544

Cell Phone: (615) 495-0752

Email Me

Franklin TN Homes Real Estate Blog by Tammie White of Benchmark Realty LLC is a Great Place For Real Estate Agents and Potential Buyers and Sellers to get to know more about Franklin TN Homes as well as other parts of Williamson County. Locations of visitors to this page


Listings
Img_9646
$299,900
3 br, 2½ ba, 2,021 sqft
3033 Wilcot Way is located in the Fieldstone Farms neighborhood of Franklin T...

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog