It’s all about consistency.
People ask me all the time if the market “shift” has affected me.
In general, I am working harder to close the same transaction. Overall, housing prices have changed but my marketing has not. Neither will my year end statistics.
Consistency is the key to my success. I farm every month like clock work. And every month, like clock work, the phone rings with Buyers or Sellers as a direct result of my mailings.
I hate to admit it but I am infamous famous in my farm area. I’ve been so consistent with my mailings that people know me from my photo. “Are you really Desiree Daniels” ….. oh please come on folks. I list and sell real estate I am not on stage singing to the masses. (Although I wouldn’t mind but I would surely be broke)
I know you are all saying “mailings, farming are all expensive especially with the market shift”. But, can you really afford not too?
Let’s look at logistics’. I mail to my farm which consists of approximately 2,400 homes. I create a monthly newsletter on legal size paper in publisher. Have it copied and folded at Staples . And Al and I label it ourselves on the couch watching TV every month. And of course, we use good old snail bulk mail.
I am going to estimate that the total for copying and mailing is about $700-800 a month. So let’s work with $750 as a month figure.
Now when I get a listing from this mailing, with the average list price being $275,000, let’s see how the math works.
$275,000 x 3% = $8,250 in commission earned.
Now lets take 700-800 per month x 12 months = $9,000
Than its safe to say that one (1), one little listing a year, from my mailing will pay for the mailing for the entire year.
My newsletter generates approximately $150,000 per year for me in commission. This is not to mention the buyer ends I receive from the same mailing. Many seller’s hand my newsletter to their fiends that are considering buying in my farm area as I am recognized as the local expert.
Now you tell me, Can you afford not to farm? I know I can’t. Budgeting is important; I set aside funds every year just for my monthly farming it is the backbone to my business. Its like paying for medical insurance. It’s a necessity.
I hope you take my FREE advice and get to farming……… and start yesterday!!!
And if anyone would like a copy of my newsletter, as simple as it is … drop me a note and I’d be happy to send it to you.
:::Thank you all for the support. Your emails and questions have been extensive. Rather than go insane, please still submit your request for the copy of the newsletter to me directly in an email.
All the specific questions and "stuff" you asked, I will do a follow up post this week...I promise stay tuned::::::
Good luck and happy farming!!!!!
Photo courtesy of flickr
Posted by 
Desiree:
Great post, I think you said it all it is consistency, that matters.