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Sending post cards

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Hometown

I was wondering how many agents market through "Post Cards". I myself only mail one "Post Card" to potential clients and that is a "Just Listed" card. It is a powerful mailing and I have sold properties through that mailing. Not to mention that when I follow it up with my only other mailing that I do, (besides letters to past clients) which is my "Just Imagine" letter which is my "Just Sold" mailing.

I have found that any other mailings just don't work. It may work in other markets (I'm in South Florida) but for me No. I get 40% of my business from past clients and over 32% from the internet. The other percentages is made up from my mailings, referrals and contacts. I see a lot of people do mailings in there farm area's and that is fine, I just find that I concentrate on where most of my business is generated from.

My Real Estate signs do my farming for me. They have my picture, my personel office number, my 24 hour recorded message hotline service and they let the buyers know the property is for sell. I have done magnets in the past with football schedules and calandars. I have found that people just use them for the information but when it's time to list, your not even considered. I can't say how many times I walked into a listed property and see someone else's magnet on the refrigerator. That is a big waste of money. I try to be more selective about the marketing I do and look at the return of everything that goes out. My Hotline number is an easy way to track the return on a piece that I send out, or Ad that I place, etc.. 

Teresa Boardman
Boardman Realty - Saint Paul, MN
I do some post card mailing.  mostly just listed and just sold.  I do a couple of other pieces in my neighborhood too.  I keep it focused and have found that I get a much better return on the dollar using small post cards rather than jumbo.  When I mail to strangers I get one lead for every 400 post cards and two transactions a year.
Sep 11, 2006 06:35 AM
Jonathan Dalton
Realty ONE Group - Glendale, AZ

My monthly farm mailers were leading to one deal per quater, more than enough to cover the expense, at least until the last six to eight months. Response has dropped off significantly and, more frustrating, I keep seeing listings pop up in the area I've been actively farming - the only agent doing so.

For those who have had success, I'd like to hear what seems to be working for you ... don't want to abandon farming, but I'm wondering if the Internet has rendered it moot.

(Sounds like a blog topic of my own to work out)

Sep 11, 2006 07:56 AM
Christopher Smith
TREGO REALTY - Cedar Rapids, IA
Bob, I'm impressed with the 32% business from the Internet.  That's awesome, and congrats!
Sep 11, 2006 08:55 AM
Leslie Bloss, Bellevue Real Estate Professional
Bellevue, WA

When you say you get "32% of your business from the internet"--does that mean you are driving clients to your website or what?

Sep 11, 2006 11:00 AM