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Want a Great Marketing Idea......I got mine by Judging an Active Rain Contest

This time last week I was helping Judge a Marketing Contest....there were a lot of interesting entries, but 2 of them really stood out for me, and ones that I could see myself using. That was a week ago, and tonight I just finished implementing one of them.

The results of the Contest aren't out yet, but the voting is over, so I can say that one of the Entries Virtual Open House by Misty Lackie CEO Go Smart Solutions , sounded intriguing. I could see the benefit to this, and even though it only got a few comments, those people also saw the benefit. Misty was looking for a "live listing" and had asked each person, but nobody volunteered, but I did :) Misty was trying to test out her idea, and boy am I glad that I saw this Post.

New Marketing Idea Virtual Open House

I volunteered because I likethis idea, it seems that it could have a lot of benefits, especially the online chat. The calling I'm not fond of only because I can't fiure out how one person can chat and talk on the phone. Anyway, Misty contacted me on Monday, I think, and told me what info she needed.

My phone number and carrier (for the click to call option)

The info on the listing( I gave her the MLS number)

Date and time for the Virtual Open House ( I will have a Regular Open House during the day, and the virtual one in the evening)

Well, over the course of a week I have seen an Active Rain Contest Idea slowly materialize into reality. Today everything was done, and I decided to send out Post cards announcing both Open Houses. I am now finished with these and they will go in the mail tomorrow, Monday. I will also do some online advertising including a few blog posts here on Active Rain. Hey I can't forget the power of blogging here :)

This is the page that Misty and Candice developed that will stay up all week until the actual time of the Virtual Open House . Then on the appointed Day and Time this is what you will see Chat or Call with Live Agent . This link won't be live until the appointed hour, but just wanted to show you how a great Marketing Idea can turn into a Reality. Of course I had to do my part, and I am very excited to see the results.

***Think outside the Box, and Volunteer to Judge Contests, or at a minimum read Blogs that you don't normally read. Try new things, and don't let your Business, and your Marketing become stale with old ideas .......

By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty

DISCLAIMER: Neither myself nor CELLing Realty are responsible for the accuracy or content from anyone other than myself.The opinions expressed in my Blog by The Activerain Network and it's members and anyone providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Kathy McGraw and/or CELLing Realty.

Posted by Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate on 03/30/2008 04:39 PM

Comments (32)

marketing, advertising, misty lackie, candis hidalgo, active rain

32 Comments on Want a Great Marketing Idea......I got mine by Judging an Active Rain Contest

MAR

2008

Kathy

Thanks I'll take a look at the site, sound very promising to incorporate into a new web idea we've been talking about Steve

That's a great idea. Virtual open house with live feedback in either voice or chat form.

Please make sure to let us know how this works out.

Cool idea. I'm looking forward to hearing your report on traffic.

Steve- It sure seemed that way to me, good luck with your new site :)

Johnny- Good minds think alike.....As you can see I thought it was a great idea :)

Erik- I sure will......I will mail out my cards tomorrow, and am already anxiously awaiting next week to see how it works out :)

Kathy - Hmmm, I'm going to have to try to check out some of those posts. Also, feel free to email me if you think anything stands out that I could use from the Mortgage Side of things.

Jason- Well renting out the Movie Theatre might make people think that the Mortgage Brokers really did make a killing off of all of us, but there were a couple very easy ones, including this one.

Contact Candis, I just linked her name......as I am sure they can make something to fit your part of the Industry.....in fact: why couldn't the lender be on the chat, or phone instead of the Agent......1 tool for the lender and 1 for the Agent....just like a Physical Open House :) :) Yes, now that could work quite well I am sure of it......

Ann-It is cool isn't it....and I liked Jason's idea of having a lender also :) I'll let you guys know how it works, and I will have to say that Candis and Misty have done a great job of communicating with me, and answering all my questions.

Ok....just to see who reads the comments LOL :) There is a rather redundant description on the postcard....can you see it? A prize to the first person that answers correctly :)

Kathy, This IS a great idea. What a wonderful new take on a simple email...excellent.

PS. get those addresses right...okay?

Later in the rain~Deb

Wait...it is right...you're messing with me Kathy! I'll try again.

Okay...that's it. No live feedback if the times are scheduled differently. Bingo.

Deb- although you have good points....love that no live feedback if the time is wrong LOL :) But no....that's not the answer :)

Oh poot Kathy, let me see...hum. I got slammed with my cars trunk lid a few hours ago and I'm sitting here with an ice pack. I'll use that as my excuse...I'll keep looking. Later in the rain~Deb

Kathy, I have to sit down and really investigate this. I was thinking it was more like the flyers we email to everyone. It looks great. I am very excited about this! You know how I am, it takes me a couple of times to get it right!

I like the idea of implementing lender call and chats into the virtual open so buyers can get in touch with the Realtor or Lender. Kathy - I will have Candis get in touch with you on Monday to expand on this. I must say - I am very impressed with how you are advertising this Kathy. On post cards and blogging about it. I plan to be in front of my computer on Saturday keeping an eye on the virtual open and will help out however I can.

Kathy,

...a great idea-there have been a few, maybe five or six, live video open houses on line in past year;

this is different, of course,put it sure does put their right person in the right place. It also provides a safety element!

...if there is room for me, I will be there!

Kathy - this looks like fun!

Hi Kathy, A very cleaver idea, I 'll be back with more comments in a few minutes

MAR

2008

I went over to Misty's post and added in some comments about this. I think this is a great idea and they could be held day or evening. With some good advertising and using the Open House sites, I could see this working easily. This could be in the form of an open conference call and people could log in to the virtual Open House and talk with you about the property. Seems doable. If a company wanted to organize it, it might be another great way to market homes in addition to all the conventional methods. There is never too much exposure. I really liked it!. How are you anyway? I getting back into the cycle of posting and getting my comments caught up.

Kathy, I set up a "rule & alert" for them in outlook so they don't go in to my inbox. They have their own box and I periodically clean it out during the day. I usually clean it out before going to be and normally about 30 to 40 are in there when I get up. But like I said I don't read all of them so it doesn't take me long to go through them.

Kathy,

I am always open to new ideas and appreciate you not only pointing this one out but look forward to hearing how it works out for you.

Deb-You got slammed by the car????? Oh my god, and here you are blogging....oh my :) Well it's Monday now, and I hope your head is feeling better.....go back and look at the comment....the answer is on the postcard :)

Audrey-Me too....I get more ideas as things develop....but this idea was in that Marketing Contest where you had your bagel post :) I like any time people feed me......but this one seemed like there would be a way that anybody, with any budget could do it....there are a ton of ways to modify technology for peole's needs :) I know you will see the benefit when you look at it LOL :)

Misty- Thank you.....I love Marketing, but I don't have all the computer skills to do what you guys do :) I am so happy that you asked for volunteers and no one came back to check :) :) Their loss and my gain....I am learning, and my client gets some more advertising while waiting for the big Open :) Yes, putting a lender on there is perfect.....because bottom line is most people finance, and they want to know the cost.........

Thank you for such good communication with this. I didn't know Candis was a member of Active Rain.....but when I found her, I loved her stuff....you guys are a great addition to this community!!!!

Hi Kathy! Thanks for the tips and positive words on my early blog posts! Looking forward to Saturday...

Steve-Please stop by and see how it works......Saturday from 5-7PM PST .......I hope we get some responses for sure.....I think I will go to a couple senior centers with fliers too :)

Linda- As Steve said.....safe also :) And just think of those hot Texas Days....imagine doing the Open House at home in your fuzzy slippers :)

William-Ahhh I am glad you liked it also......I value your opinion highly. And you're right, think of those people that are relocating.....or people that are at work, all the people that can't make a traditional Open House. This is perfect.....all they need is a computer, and over 64% of Households have them....

Marchel-well that explains it......I have never learned Outlook, but hear it is great for Organizing. I like the idea they don't go into your inbox......

Steve S.- For sure I will.......and hopefully we get an Active Rain lender to try this with me, but it would be best to have one that can do loans in California...just in case we get a live person that qualifies :)

Candis- Oh I meant what I said....and I hope you joined the e-PRO Group with those good tips, and another wonderful Marketing Group is The Art of Marketing You......marti runs that one....and it is a superb group. Your Marketing Stuff would fit perfectly in both Groups....

Kathy - I'd be all over doing that! What's wrong is when I wear them to a "real" open house! LOL (I really wouldn't do that!)

Looks like a great idea! I always say that the first Open House in when Buyer's look online. Best of luck to you with this new marketing idea!

Live Virtual Tour? Now that is a great new idea that I have never heard before. I might have to tune in this Saturday because I don't know how it works. Great post.

Linda-I will be sitting in my house, all comfortable......but I think the dog ate my slippers LOL :)

Janice- This idea was Misty's......I just got the benefit of them putting it together to show us how this will work......

Lanre- yes please do.....and now we will have a lender on there also thanks to Jason's comment :) I think that Misty might be making this a service for their company....and as I said it can be modified pretty much anyway, for anything......at least that's what I think.

APR

2008

Kathy - You have to love the sharing that takes place here in the rain. Good luck with your Open House. Keep us posted on how it turns out. Good bad or indifferent it will be good to hear

Hi Kathy- Absolutely.....in fact I just put a Post up last night on the flier for this, and the addition of a Lender. In a few minutes I am out the door to deliver them :)

Hi Kathy. Thanks for sharing the great tip! Keep them coming.

Hi Vincent: Here is the update, and right now I am going to deliver the newest fliers to other Agents. I wanted to let them know that we will not try to capture any info from their client, and that we included a lender :)

Virtual Open House....A Real Estate Win-Win for Everyone including clients....:)

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