photo credit: Azhure

Blog along with me, the best is yet to be!

My cousin, a real estate agent has been complaining non-stop that she has had only one sale in the last six months.

Well, what have you tried to stimulate business, I asked?

She replied that they had done some mailers that didn't receive any response.

As a direct marketer, I know that is really tough to accomplish... receiving absolutely no response to a mailer. I've been doing mailings for our clients for decades and if the mail actually leaves the post office, someone will respond. Guaranteed.

I decided not to got there. I've already sent her copies of my book, Sold! Direct Marketing for the Real Estate Pro... and she is still mailing postcards, and hasn't tested the "tried and true" letter I advised her to mail.

I also asked her if she'd write her copy like she speaks... in a conversational way. No luck.

So I decided to try some other ideas.

How about trying something new, I asked? Silence.

I suggested that she go and sign up for a few of my real favorites:

1. Use Active Rain consistently. You can write your bio on there (make sure to link your website), upload your photo, and write up something about yourself. Then write a post, and then simply check off the boxes where you want it posted. It might look daunting at first, and the more you visit here, the better you'll like it.

I met wonderful friends here like Margaret Rome, and Susie Roscoe and Fred Carver, and they keep in touch with me.  I've been invited me to speak at many companies and there I've been learning about marketing internationally, and so much more. It is a user friendly place to go and just comment on other people's blog posts. I try to comment on write at least once a week.

2. The second place I recommend is LinkedIn . It is a business website, where you can find and connect with business associates. Invite them to "link" in with you. You can then see who their contacts are and see if you want to be introduced to those people. It is a great way to network without having to go to an event. You can network with others in your own home office in your pajamas, if you like.

I've made my best associates on Linked in by going to the Answers section and posting answers to other people's questions. I have also asked some of my own and gotten some great responses.

So, when someone awful hijacked my website, and I was "crazed" about what to do, I emailed my contacts and sent out an open question, and the whole problem way quickly resolved with the help of my friends there.

3. I've also been trying :http://www.plaxo.com  Plaxo  is another professional site that includes some interesting groups in my area, marketing.

4. Then there's my  new real estate marketing blog   http://www.RealEstateRelish.com

I am hoping that I can bring you marketing ideas that are working in these challenging times. I also want everyone to stay upbeat and "relish" their jobs, so I try to be motivating too. If you comment, I'll respond to you. If you have written something that will help people with the joy of real estate marketing, send it to me, and I might post in on there too. Make sure to add your website in the comment field... you'll get a link that way.

That way, we'll make beautiful traffic together. You will get some leads from other agents and hopefully, everyone will win!