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Think As The Target Audience Thinks & The Phone Will Ring for a CMA!!

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired 104763

 

Why do some postcards work and others not so much? It’s not the people receiving them who are to blame. It is the content of the postcard. Postcards work when created properly.

 

What’s the determining factor? After 40 years of consistently participating in offline marketing with direct mail postcards, there is one major factor that will make or break the success of each mailing. That factor rests on the ability of the agent to think as the target of the postcard is thinking, when reading the postcard. 

 

 

Homeowners who are the target are those who are thinking about selling. They want to hire one agent who has the ability to sell their home. That’s the main goal.

 

If you are thinking as a homeowner thinks, your thoughts should be reflected on the postcard. The homeowner wants to know the agent being hired has sold homes in that area.  They want to see it in writing.  They want to read the statement that shouts out “we can do this for you, too!!”

 

 

That’s what they want to hear from the potential listing agent, and the phone call will follow.  We received another one today for an appointment on Tuesday.  Homeowners who want to sell will call no matter what season of the year or special holiday is in the near future.  This particular homeowner said “he wants out,” and he bought 2 years ago.

 

 

This homeowner wants what every homeowner requires of a listing agent. Every one of them wants to hire an agent who can sell the home and do it quickly.

 

 

Think as the homeowner thinks, and you’ll be the listing agent…you’ll receive the phone call, and they’ll hire you!!

Posted by

 

 

Barbara Todaro, Great Grandmother to Caleb, Santino, Aiden and Gianni       

Todaro Team - Retired

508-918-9148

               

             Copyright © 2009 - 2021 Barbara Todaro

                               All Rights Reserved



 

Comments(48)

Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Another great reminder of what works, and how our minds should be focused when creating postcards.

Dec 14, 2018 06:09 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Barbara Todaro,

Congratulations on a well deserved featured from our marketing guru! You make excellent points Sellers want to hire an agent who can sell their home! Direct your advertising to what they are thinking and you'll be their listing agent.

Dec 15, 2018 05:11 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Hi Barbara - absolutely, otherwise  you're just wasting money. If you can't get in their heads, you're not going to get into their real estate transactions. 

Dec 15, 2018 07:28 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

You always have to talk about what matters to them, not to you.

Dec 15, 2018 11:26 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

HI Barbara Todaro - I like that you shared the example of the postcard. Well done. You clients also know your strong reputation in the community.  What you touch turns to gold and your clients know that!

Dec 16, 2018 05:47 AM
Janice Zaltman
United Realty Group - Boca Raton, FL
Energy Efficient And Eco-Friendly Homes in Florida

Hi Barbara, great postcard. What happens if you are a realtor wanting to farm a new area and have no sales there yet? Seen any post card success in developing business when another agent is already dominating. (they live there)

Dec 16, 2018 06:21 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Janice Zaltman Realtor, LEED AP your question brought a smile to my face.... no one owns an area!! if you have the attitude that you're doing those homeowners a FAVOR by offering your services, you'll make a score!!!! I've done it.... I did it in a town where we HAD NOTHING... and when they see you every month (once a month) you'll get a phone call....and after you list it, mail to 500 in the area of that listing, shouting out "the homeowners at 1 main st made a wise decision and listed with Janice Zaltman".... "if you're known for your wise choices, give me a call and you'll pat yourself on the back"..

when the home is pending with a signed p/s and all inspections are complete and acceptable, send a sale pending postcard and let them know, the home at 1 main st is under agreement, and "I can do this for you, too"....

the final postcard to that area is "Jancie Zaltman Sold and Closed Another One" .... if you're thinking of making a move, call me.... "the thought of marketing your home is very exciting to me!"

Dec 16, 2018 06:39 AM
Janice Zaltman

Thank you!. Going to "undo" some of the beliefs I have been taught by the big trainers  and go for it. 

Dec 16, 2018 06:55 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Janice Zaltman Realtor, LEED AP I've posted every free market analysis postcard on this site.. I do one each month to the entire town of franklin.... and we get calls every month... and I've done it successfully in a town where we had NO LISTINGS...

 

Dec 16, 2018 06:59 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

You know Barbara, You are my Marketing Guru that I always learn so much from, thanks!

Dec 16, 2018 08:21 AM
Barbara Todaro

I hope it works for you Will Hamm 

Dec 17, 2018 02:02 PM
Barbara Michaluk
Weichert Realtors | Phone Direct 240-506-2434 | 301-681-0550 office - Silver Spring, MD
Leisure World Specialist / Full Service REALTOR

Barbara, You have the experience, knowledge and success to be able to inspire others who are walking in your footsteps.

Dec 17, 2018 05:36 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

Thanks for including an example of the postcard!

Dec 17, 2018 01:43 PM
Barbara Todaro

I hope it's of use to you, Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR 

Dec 17, 2018 02:01 PM
Anthony Kirlew
Group 46:10 Network @ eXp Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Helping You Make Fiscally Sound Real Estate Deals!

Great advice. We always need to remember to speak to the customers needs.

Dec 17, 2018 06:21 PM
Barbara Todaro

that's right, Anthony Kirlew 

Dec 18, 2018 10:17 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Barbara Todaro - There are so many agents in my local area that use postcards in the most ineffective way. Quite frankly, I get bored! They end up in the landfill or being shredded.

However, there is something so special about you that makes me sit up and take notice. Barbara, it is hard to find someone who shares value. You are of true of value to me. Because of you, I have improved.

Thank you, for sharing the gift of who you are for the betterment of all people on ActiveRain.

Congratulations on your Featured post!!! It is well-deserved. 

Dec 18, 2018 10:08 AM
Barbara Todaro

you're much too kind to me.... it's one foot in front of the other and one step at a time for me.... I share what works for me.... and constantly tweeking the marketing.... what I do is old school and most are focused on the Internet....

Dec 18, 2018 10:20 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

Barbara Todaro - "Tweaking" is essential! Discarding what is of no use is a must! There is nothing wrong with "old school."


Thanks, Barbara!

Dec 18, 2018 10:28 AM
Kevin Mackessy
Blue Olive Properties, LLC - Highlands Ranch, CO
Dedicated. Qualified. Local.

We have some markets where we honed in the postcard to great results.  

Dec 18, 2018 12:02 PM
Barbara Todaro

great, Kevin Mackessy do it consistently and you'll always have business....

Dec 19, 2018 09:19 AM
M.C. Dwyer
Melody Russell Team at eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Felton, CA
MC Dwyer-Santa Cruz Mountains Property Specialist

I'd marked this to come back to when I had more time.    When you get time  

Barbara Todaro 

Can you please remind us what is the number of postcards you send out to be viable (i.e. the size of your farm), and the number of repetitions you think is necessary to begin to get noticed by your farm?     I've heard "several hundred" for the minimum size and "seven" repetitions...

Dec 19, 2018 08:40 AM
Barbara Todaro

Hi M.C. Dwyer when is first started, I did 5-5-10.... that's all I could afford to do, but brought that up to 1,000....then 3,000....now I do the entire town of single family homes.... 7,700+... I ALWAYS did my mailings EVERY MONTH....the same time of the month.... the same font.... a different theme .... and the same one liner that every seller wants to read.... 


"decades of listing franklin ma homes" 


give it a statement that tells them you know how to list homes.... make them call you.... 

Dec 19, 2018 09:19 AM
Debra Leisek
Bay Realty,Inc Homer Alaska - Homer, AK

You really have this down to an art. You should write a book.... put me on the waiting list! Great information!

Dec 27, 2018 11:28 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Debra Leisek you're silly....but thanks for the compliment..... these posts are as close to a book as I'll ever experience.... 

Dec 28, 2018 04:59 AM
Debra Leisek
Bay Realty,Inc Homer Alaska - Homer, AK

You are a wealth of information and its worthwile functional information!

I would buy 3 books right now and hand them to my newest agents!

Dec 28, 2018 04:30 PM
M.C. Dwyer
Melody Russell Team at eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Felton, CA
MC Dwyer-Santa Cruz Mountains Property Specialist

Barbara Todaro thank you for such a complete response.    Inspiring.    I've got work to do and an investment to make...

Dec 31, 2018 10:06 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

That's what every commenter deserves who has a specific question.... if you ever need guidance, feel free to contact me....  M.C. Dwyer 

Dec 31, 2018 10:18 AM
M.C. Dwyer

You're so generous!    I would totally appreciate your input, but it looks like I need to redesign everything first!

Dec 31, 2018 10:39 AM
Barbara Todaro

I'm not escaping.... you'll find me.... all my info in on this site.... M.C. Dwyer  

Dec 31, 2018 10:42 AM