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Marketing .....Plain and simple, Loud and Garish, or in-between?

Real Estate Broker/Owner with CELLing Realty CalBRE #01445865

September 04, 2008 01:13 PM

Generational marketing.....we know about texting (look at the current Political Scene), we know about Blackberry's and the Apple iPHONE. We also know that when the "Boomer" Generation was younger a whole lot of us didn't wear glasses, liked loud music, and our tastes were different. So, how does that relate to Marketing, Color, and this Post?

Wallpaper for the Younger Crowd? Last week I wrote about learning how to make Wallpaper and Calendars to give away:

Marketing: Learning from Marti Garaughty & "Art of Marketing You" Tutorials

Since that Post I have noticed that we don't all like the same things, and if we are going to look at our computer day in and day out, we need to have something we like on there.

I tried a variety of backgrounds and this is one I liked. It doesn't make me crazy, nor does it make me want to fall asleep...instead it brings me into the photo.....and takes me back to that evening in Prague when the sun hit the castle at just the right moment for this shot.

A Magical Shot that was so unexpected, and I barely had time to grab the camera. So for me I like this background for this picture, but will anyone else? It might be hard to see well with this size, but the larger version for the Wallpaper really stands out.

I am working on the October Give Aways, with one request already, and I wanted to know what you think? I want some input from others, especially some from the different generations :)

Do you like plain and simple backgrounds?
Do you like a lot of color or the simple black, gray, or one color?
Would you rather have a Monthly Calendar or a longer lasting Wallpaper?

I really am curious on what others like......as it is hard to try to have a

One size fits all Marketing Campaign :)

***Thank you for taking your time to answer :)

By: Kathy McGraw -CELLing Realty in Riverside County and Authoring the California Real Estate and Life Blog

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Renae Bolton

Marketing 4 Realtors - Garfield Heights, OH

I'm your Professional Real Estate Marketing VA!

I like (and have on my desktop) serene scenes. I need to be able to look at something on my computer that will take me away from the chaos that is my life! hahahahahah Right now, I have a "sunset on the beach" scene. Love it!

~Renae

Sep 05, 2008 01:13 AM

Janice Sutton

1st Stage Property Transformations - Murrieta, CA

Home Stager - Temecula Murrieta

Ok I am looking at this from a home stagers point of view........

I prefer the "less is more" style. Clean and simple! All one color. You don't want to distract from what is really important.

That's just me I can be a bit Biege..if you know what I mean. :)

Sep 05, 2008 05:53 AM

Leslie Prest

Leslie Prest, Prest Realty, Sales and Rentals in Payson, AZ - Payson, AZ

Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty, Payson,

Personally I like simple but with more color. I don't like grey, and the "spokes" are too busy for me, they take away from the photo. But it would be a very boring world if we all liked the same thing.

Sep 05, 2008 05:56 AM

Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing and Online Advertising Consultant

Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision - Lake Geneva, WI

I really like the picture itself that you took Kathy, without the background. I am also with Randy, anything with water resonates with me.

Sep 05, 2008 10:44 AM

Jo-Anne Smith

Oakville, ON

Kathy,

Your photo is exceptionally beautiful and I really love what you did with the border around it...it does draw you right into the scene.

I love scenes of peaceful lakes and I have a picture I took from my brother's cottage dock as my wallpaper right now.

Sep 05, 2008 11:09 AM

Pam Dent

Gayle Harvey Real Estate, Inc. - Charlottesville, VA

REALTOR® - Charlottesville Virginia Homes / Horse

Hi Kathy - I like the photo but I don't like the backgroung with it. They don't go together for me. I might like that background with another more modern picture. The picture of the castle in my opinion could either stand alone or be paired with a background more in keeping with its theme.

Sep 05, 2008 02:53 PM

Kathy McGraw

CELLing Realty - White Water, CA

Riverside County CA Real Estate

Neal- So are you up to Scorpions, Desert Cactus, and Hawks :) :) that's what I have in my area.

Jeanean- Boy do I understand about the time crunch....there just isn't enough time for everything. If worse comes to worse you can go to marti's site and download his monthly one...or to my site California Real Estate and Life and see what I cam up with LOL :)

Cynthia-Thank you so much for that feedback and idea of what you like. It helps a lot to know what others like, as I said I like this background for this picture.....but that sure doesn't seem to be the case for anyone else :) OK, I think I got the idea....plain, and as marti says simple and classy. thanks my friend.

Renae-Now that was my idea....something to soothe us, or to take us somewhere else. I spend way too much time on my computer, and so I want something I like looking at :) Thank you for that feedback, and what you like. Hope all is well with the twins :)

Janice- Dang I just never get my own with a Stager....... LOL :) :) Got it...clean and simple. Hey I need to talk to you....call me (please....I almost forgot my manners.... LOL )

Leslie- Color....OK got it. My October one has color, and I sure hope that one goes over better tahn this one ;)

Rebecca-Boy that's the thing about feedback....don't ask if you don't really want to know LOL :) Got it....the busy backgrounds are a no no :) Thanks......water huh...so I guess I better go to the beach :)

Jo-OK, only 2 Canadians and me like the background...hmmmmm wonder what that means :) Ok, another water theme....got it. Thanks for taking the time to come by and comment I really appreciate it.

Pam- Thank you for that very insightful comment. I appreciate it, and this really helps if I am going to be doing these each month.

Sep 05, 2008 02:58 PM

Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Kathy, I love to have shots from past vacations as wallpaper - and sometimes I use photos of my blue-eyed white cat sitting on a white bedspread. Wallpaper sounds like a great idea, but I wonder if it isn't like actal wallpaper on walls - really personal? And that photo makes me want to go to Prague - now! It's just beautiful.

Sep 05, 2008 11:45 PM

Laura Kombrink

RE/MAX Alliance - Collinsville, IL

I have used wallpaper on my computer as a vision board. I have an actual vision board, however I spend more time on my computer (working toward my vision) so why not use that space to keep you focused on what your working for?

Sep 06, 2008 01:40 AM

Kathy McGraw

CELLing Realty - White Water, CA

Riverside County CA Real Estate

Hi Pat- Prague really is beautiful....it is known for all the castles and spheres in the city. I agree that for many of us the Wallpaper can be personal, but in all these years I have never put a picture as a Wallpaper. These Calendars give someone a quick and easy way to have one without having the same one as everyone else, or learning how to do it themselves. But your point is very well taken , thanks :) Hey congratulation on that contract.

Laura- That sounds like too much work for me LOL :) I want to escape every now and then....you know to that never never land where no problems exist, and we all get along. That magical world of peace and serenity :) Yea......Peter Pan and Pollyanna are my hero's ....... :)

Sep 06, 2008 02:51 AM

Susan Deering

Beautiful Spaces - Calgary, AB

I still have so much to learn... I wish I had more time to figure out how do to all this fun stuff. Thanks for the inspiration!

Sep 06, 2008 03:49 AM

Not a real person

San Diego, CA

I've had my own businesses for 43 years (and I'm 53) in many industries. Never have I ever tried to treat everyone the same when it comes to marketing, because they are not. Even now, all evidence indicates that I was the first home inspector in the nation to offer different service levels (i.e., inspection types) for different people in different circumstances having different needs, wants, and goals. All at different prices.

Of course, my friends who know me well call me ART, which is an acronym for Anal-Retentive Tracking, because I'm a tracking monster. I track this, that, you, me, them, they, us, we, anything, and everything when it comes to my businesses. If I have to ask, "Should I track that?" I already know the answer. It is that monster database that allows me to market to different people differently.

Sep 07, 2008 01:54 AM

Mara Hawks

First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL

Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

hi Kathy, What a beautiful, very cool shot of Prague! I must say, when I first saw it, the 2-inch tall, pixled pic---before I read what it was--- I thought it was the Magic Kingdom (in Orange county, not heaven BTW). Yours is a Magical Shot, for sure... I wonder if Walt had visited Prague...Have a magical day... may familiar surprises fill your heart. :-)

Sep 07, 2008 02:53 AM

Debbie Gilbert

Century 21 Clemens & Sons Realty - West Hartford, CT

Farmington Valleynulls Finest Homes, West Hartford, CT

Beautiful picture!

From a generational point of view-- marketing toward a "Senior" community? the aging eye has a difficult time with some colors and with lack of contrast-- Best to stick with Dark Black on Bright White for that market set. Especially bad colors are blues and purples-- so pretty, but if they can't be read, then what's the point?

Sep 07, 2008 03:15 AM

Kathy McGraw

CELLing Realty - White Water, CA

Riverside County CA Real Estate

Susan- Boy I remember trying to learn just to put a simple graphic into my log post...it'll come :) We all have to strart somewhere, and this site is a pretty good one for helping you.

Russell-Got it....a Database :) Thank you so much.....even if I never make one, at least I know how someone else Markets. It you happen to come back can you tell me what colors you would avoid? Thanks Russell.

Mara-Wow...your comment made me feel like I was at Walt's Magic Kingdom...special :) I don't know if Walt was ever in Prague...but it has to be one of the most beautiful cities in the World....and the Charles Bridge....and Artists Delight. I have many many great memories of Prague....both in the Summer and Winter..with snow everywhere, and cold cold cold. But the charm couldn't be beat.

Debbie- thank you...OK so no Blues or Purples for writing...and I will agree on the contrast :) thank you so much for taking the time to answer this.

Sep 07, 2008 03:40 AM

Liz Moras Migic

Chilliwack, BC

Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Absolutely mesmerized by that wallpaper - I really need to take the time to go through it and figure out how to make my own! :-)

Sep 07, 2008 05:11 PM

Ryan Martin

Pacific Continental Realty, LLC - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham Commercial RE Broker

Kathy ~ Great photo, but the wild background was killing my eyes. I prefer sold backgrounds with more emphasis on the image.

Sep 08, 2008 07:25 AM

Kathy Clulow

Uxbridge, ON

Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Kathy - does that set us apart from the rest or just out of sorts ;-)

Sep 08, 2008 11:32 AM

Kathy McGraw

CELLing Realty - White Water, CA

Riverside County CA Real Estate

Liz- It's not hare...one of these nights when you're up at midnight I'll walk you through it :)

Ryan- I respect your opinion a lot so thanks......now what about color...oranges and yellows, but solid?

Kathy-Yep it sets us apart :)

Sep 08, 2008 06:56 PM

Ryan Martin

Pacific Continental Realty, LLC - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham Commercial RE Broker

Kathy ~ Maybe we aren't talking about the same thing? I think that I am talking about the border around the border. The big shades of gray. You must be talking about the emboss/fade border. That looks okay to me.

Sep 11, 2008 09:55 AM

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