Promotional Marketing Materials....What Works Best?

Go online.  Print is OK but online is a 24 hr presence and better spent money.  Get a Vflyer account and you will have accomplished a lot.

Hi Evie,   I do a lot of open houses and have found that by far the best promotion comes from the " Open House " sign.  I rarely do the newspaper thing because when asked how they knew of the open house most people answered that they were just driving in the area !

I can't say for certain about the Vancouver area, but Craigslist is definitely an avenue I'd recommend pursuing. There are also a few others I'd look into: Zillow and Point2NLS.

Hi Evie,

The badge is also an extremely effective advertising tool if you wear it 24/7 wherever you go.  It has been said that doing just that can yield an extra 2-6 listings a year or more. 

Just an FYI, right now we are doing a 20% off sale for all REMAX agents on our site for badges and other real estate promotional products.  www.recognitionexpresslv.com/remax.html

You might also find this interesting:
There is a realtor out here that has done something really cool.  She has a bus with advertising on the sides and back and she schedules Forclosure Tours where she takes bus loads of people through several homes in forclosure at one time.  When she isn't touring she has the bus go up and down the Las Vegas strip advertising herself.  I just thought that was kind of a cool concept - don't know if it would work in your area.

I think one thing where agents can improve is branding.  I have not used these guys (they are expensive), but I think Hobbs Herder is great at branding you.  I have an investment property and it gets targeted mailings from a Hobbs Herder agent and he has gotten my attention more than any other agents mailings in the past.  Mailings are very expensive, but that's not what I like.  I like the material they create about you and how it presents you.  So, I think spending time on branding you and making yourself more presentable to clients is the key.  I'm currently doing some branding for myself and will hopefully be done soon.  Again, not through Hobb Herder but with my own two hands.

I think one thing where agents can improve is branding.  I have not used these guys (they are expensive), but I think Hobbs Herder is great at branding you.  I have an investment property and it gets targeted mailings from a Hobbs Herder agent and he has gotten my attention more than any other agents mailings in the past.  Mailings are very expensive, but that's not what I like.  I like the material they create about you and how it presents you.  So, I think spending time on branding you and making yourself more presentable to clients is the key.  I'm currently doing some branding for myself and will hopefully be done soon.  Again, not through Hobb Herder but with my own two hands.

In our market, newspaper ads work great for Open Houses, as well as internet advertising and directional signs.

Christina

Your past clients are your best advocates - get testimonials and use them in your advertisements. Send out personal notes or cards or thank you cards - people like the personal touch. I get most of my business either through people who find me on the web or by referrals from past clients. I make it a point to call past clients too just to say hi. You dont want them to forget you!