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Local Events - Do they work?

Local Events DO they work?

Does local events yield prospective clients? Last month my company Realty World participated in the Fort Rucker 5K Chili Cook-off. We entered the Chili Cook Off with high hopes of having the Best Tastin' Chili. Voters thought otherwise, but we had a great time. We set up a table with marketing materials and a drawing for a gift certificate. It was a great opportunity to be face-to-face with residents all over the Wiregrass area and answer their questions about the housing market.

Ft Rucker Chili cook off

Today, I received a call from a gentleman who wanted to put their home in property management. I asked him how he found our company, he replied "His wife had spoken with me at the event and was impressed with all the helpful information about renting their home". He continued to state that they had lost our card and could not remember which company we were with. They Googled "Fort Rucker Chili Cook Off Contestants" and holding the number one spot was my Active Rain Blog!

So, this is yet another confirmation:

Blogging Works!
Local Events do yield clients
Active Rain Blogs helped someone looking for me find me

FT Rucker Realty World Team

I would like to Thank the creators of Active Rain for providing a place for us Realtors to be the Local Experts. In addition, to encourage others to keep up their blogging efforts and dedication to Active Rain.

Posted by MICHELLE TUCKER - Hunter Army Airfield !Daley Real Estate on 12/07/2008 12:52 PM

Comments (71)

Local Events in the Networking Channel

Post is included in group: ABC's of Real Estate Marketing
Post is included in group: Area Events
Post is included in group: Military Relocations
Post is included in group: Out Of The Box!
Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You

71 Comments on Local Events - Do they work?

DEC

If you made bad chili, you could have printed a flyer that says

Our chili sucks because we spend our time working for YOU!

Could work...

;^ )

DEC

I agree with both your points: blogging and local events do work to get clients. I have gotten them both ways. We haven't had a chili cook-off, but we have had a booth at the county fair and tables at local fiestas and events. We hand out flyers and cards, answer questions, and meet a lot of contacts. Since my photo is on everything, some people have recognized me from something they got somewhere, and people have spotted my photo from a blog entry and remember me. Even without your new client, it sounds like you had a fun day - and that's not a bad thing in itself!

Localism not only brings buyers to me but helps buyers who are shopping confirm that I know my market and have taken the time to try to show it to them.

Lane: Great slogan. I will have to keep that in mind for next years FT Rucker Chili Off. Thank you for the thought and suggestion. Do you have any great chili recipes?

Susan: Yes blogging and local events have been on the success list for myself most recently. I am looking forward to doing some more local events and meeting new people. The FT Rucker Chili Cook Off was fun all around. 15 Gallons of Chili - it gave us in the office a chance to get to know one another outside of the office.

We are doing the same thing this weekend in our town. People seem to really enjoy it. We also hold open the local Aquatic center every year to show appreciation to our military. Since we are a navy town this really helps draw people in.

This is a great idea!

We don't have very many people in our office though, so I wonder how it would be with just one agent at the booth!??!!

Thanks for another AR success story. Looking forward to posting one of my own soon!

I'm reading more and more posts that states they are getting clients from AR. I'm looking forward to getting my first....hopefully, it will be soon. How about posting your chili recipe?

I have had good success with local events. I find that in this market most Realtors are avoiding these types of events and this leaves the door open for those who do work them.

That is encouraging. My brother once entered a chili cook off with a cup of chilli he had bought at Wendy's and he WON! He came clean but won anyway!

Michelle, I would have to say YES, of course local events work. Just as any name recognition form of advertising. Get your group in local parades, we have even done boat races, RE/MAX Balloon programs at local schools - anything that gets YOUR name in front of the general public.

I keep reading these success stories and here is another one. It's great! Makes me wonder, so what's the right formula for successful blogging?

Hi Michelle: Great story!

That is so awesome! Great job! Blogging AND being visible and helpful around town works!

Michelle, HIGH FIVE! I know you have really worked real hard to be the local expert in Ft Rucker and by your posts I know that your information is all over the net! Way to go!!

A strong online presence combined with face-to-face contact is a great marketing plan for real estate. Congrats on the property management lead, Michelle!

That is really cool. I try to blog on events I attend, and therefore bring a camera every time too. This is testimony to the impotance of doing such. GREAT feature - thank you for sharing.

MMM I love chili! What a fun way to work! And it is good to know that the blog was there on the front page at the top!

Thanks for sharing this inspiring info!

Debbie

In Texas we have Chili cookoffs as a weekly event, I think that people expect burnt, spicy, and unusual chili. It makes it all fun. YOu have to keep your name out in fromt of the public.

Michelle: Getting involved in public events just helps to get your name out there..Blogging works wonders too

Michelle, I continue to try all different sorts of things to keep my name and business out there. Haven't done a chile cook-off but I might try that too. Congratulations. Sounds like you're doing the right things. Let's you and me be two of the ones standing when this thing gets better.

I would love to be a part of a chili cook off, I have a great recipe! Actually I have it in my head, and am well practiced! It is like 10 degrees here in the Minneapolis area, I could go for a good cup right about now!

AR is phenomenal at branding on line; community events are the best means of branding your face. Now they have a name and a face. Other than putting ads in local community papers, community events is what I do. I have 31 planned for 2009. These event are dirt cheap and provide the best exposure....face to face....plus you have fun at doing it. What fun is it buying ad spots in magazines and internet sites. For me, none...

that is Awesome Michelle ... thanks for sharing your success!

Hi Michele,
I agree with you. There's nothing quite like making personal, face to face contact especially in a situation when the "consumer" does not feel pressured.

Michele, Yes, local events work. Good for you! How exciting to be able to have a great time with friends, AND earn a few bucks along the way. Doesn't get any better than that, does it. Congratulations!

Hi,

Great post!! Yes I do think local events help it gets you out there. Thats what its all about get yourself out there.

Tinker

Michelle - It's always so exciting to hear stories like yours. Between your blogging about the event and the personal contact you made at the chili cook-off was definitely a successful combination! Thanks for sharing and congrats on a well deserved feature!

Julie: It delights me to hear that others receive buyers through Localism. Localism = Market Expert

Aspen: Hope your local events yields potential clients. Will it be a chili cook-off too? Looking forward to see your post. GO NAVY!

Sarah: You can see from our pictures that our office is small too. Actually three of the people in the picture are not part of the staff. I am a true believe that anything is possible.

Barb: I will be looking forward to reading your Active Rain success. Best of luck.

Rebecca: Keep up posting and using your keywords and they will come! Keep us posted on your first Active Rain client. Our recipe.....well all I know that it was 15 gallons, 5 different kinds of beans, 7 chilis and a bunch of spices.

Steve: I agree with you, during these trying times Realtors need to actually go out and seek the home buyers and sellers. Times have changed, no more sitting around as the clients flock to your office. The strong will survive.

Lauren: That is funny. A cup of Wendy's Chili, they do make a good chili.

Kris: What is the Re/Max Balloon program at the schools? Parades is great exposure, there is always tons around this time of the year.

Olena: I have read a ton of stories with Active Rain Blogging success. I would have to say that using your local keywords and covering everything for your region is an excellent way to become the Local Expert. Market Reports, Local Events, etc. Best of luck with your blogging!

Great story. I am sometimes involved with local events, but not as an agent. I need to change that.

Toula: Thank you for stopping by and saying HI.

Cristal: Thank you! Blogging sure has helped me become better familiar with the new area.

John: Thank you! I actually met with the people today and got the rental property listed. I am one to agree with the online presence to be of importance. Especially being so close to a military installation, there is a constant flow of relocating families.

Steve: I have two cameras. I always keep one in my purse in the event I come across something that might make a great blog picture or website picture. I am looking forward to reading your local event blogs.

Debbie: Chili is sooo yummy, especially the pot we made. It was alot of fun. I am glad that I did a blog so the home owners were able to find me.

Jo Soss in Bremerton ---- High five flying back to you! Thank you, your Bremerton blogs has given me the inspiration to blog about the local area! I enjoy reading your ideas, they always help when I have blogging block!

Michelle, you know your and your great people skills get great great results. Fort Rucker in Alabama is lucky to have you and Fort Gordon in Augusta Georgia is sorry to have lost you!!

Lubbock: Weekly chili events, how fun! Have you ever entered any of the contest?

Roland: I have been on AR for just under a year and I have learned so much on the importance of blogging and marketing.

Marian: What sort of things have you been trying? Thinking outside of the box is crucial, especially during these slow times.

Jason: 10 Degress!!! Holy Cold. I hot cup of chili sure would keep you warm! Lets hear your famous chili recipe.

Tim: Brand is key! 31 events planned! Holy Busy! What kind of events will you be part of? That is great that you are thinking ahead and have your 2009 marketing planned!

The Woodlands: Thank you for stopping by.

I've always wanted to enter a chili cookoff...maybe combining it with marketing is just the thing I need to do! thanks for the idea!

Cynthia: I did not think about the customer not being pressured in this situation. They are free to approach you and helps them feel like they are in control. Great insight. Thank you Cynthia!

Elizabeth: Thank you! It was alot of fun and we can not wait until next year for the cook off.

Tinker: Getting out in the spotlight and making yourself visible to the public helps you build creditability! The next event that we are considering is the Craft fair. We are trying to think of something to tie in with Real Estate.

Donna: Its my first Feature and I am so excited! I was only doing what I thought I should be doing, blogging about my local area and my experiences. Thank you for stopping by and the kind words. I look forward to hearing your success stories!

That is a great idea -- I've set up a booth at local art festivals, but I like the idea of actually participating in a chili cook-off.

Tammy: Is there a way that you can incorporate your involvement in the events with Real Estate? Thank you for stopping by.

Marie: I was sad to go. I am sure if I would have stayed, between the two of us, we would have blogged up the city of Augusta. Thank you for keeping me on my toes. Best of luck with your blogging comeback.

Andy: Do you have a killer chili concoction? How about a burger cook off? I don't always find the local events on the web. I sometimes find the flyers on store front windows. Best of luck. Hope to see a blog for your chili cook off.

Hey, wanna talk about doing a short sale in Newton? Great to see a Lower Alabama agent on the featured page! I'll be there in a few weeks - bring your chili!

That is an encouraging post. I think it is always good to get out in front of the public.

Marcy Moyer Keller Williams Realty Palo Alto Ca

Kerry: How has the arts festival turn out for you? Any good leads? The chili cook off was alot of fun. Hope you get a chance to try it out.

Jennifer: Sure! I would be delighted to talk! I am trying to work on a short sale over in Headland at the present moment. Thank you for the congrats, I was amazed to see myself on the featured page too! See you in a few weeks.

Marcy: I am glad to hear that the post has been a sense of encouragement for fellow active rain members. The more I invest in my blogging online I have seen an increase in phone calls. I am always looking for things to get involved in.

HOLY RESPONSE! THANK YOU TO ALL FOR THE SUPPORT AND RESPONSE ON THIS POST. I NEVER THOUGHT THIS POST WOULD BRING SO MUCH ATTENTION FROM ALL OF YOU! I HOPE THIS POST WILL BRING ENCOURAGEMENT AND INSPIRE OTHERS TO GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND BECOME THE MARKET EXPERT. THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!

I like chili! I think anything that gets you out in front of your public in a postive light is good, plus it looks like you had a blast!

RobKellyColorado.com

Sure, I use Carroll Shelby's Texas Chili in the bag or box... adding lots of Cayenne unless my wife catches me.

That is awesome Michelle! Congratulations! I'm glad to see that blogging has worked for you.

Blogging for business definitely does work ! Great example ! Content and consistency is key !

Thats great that he saw your chili blog, seems a little funny at first but it works and thats all that matters.

I like to take part in those types of activities as well. It really does feel good to get out there and meet the people. I think that the more contact we have with the community the better it is for all realtors.

What great confirmation that AR works locally and provides the Google juice to match.

Rob: We had so much fun. It was great to get out of the work environment and relax. We were still working but had fun at it. We were giving out t-shirts and in order to get one you had to wear it. One of the band members had came over to taste test. We asked if he wanted and shirt and he said yes, the catcher, he had to put it on. He agreed as long as one of us would wear the Bank Shirt. By the end of the event the entire band was wearing our shirt.

Lane: Sounds yummy. I will have to look it up and try it out. I hope you don't get caught to often.

Jen: I have learned so much from everyone here on Active Rain. My hard work blogging sure has help my 1st page google search return. Delighted.

Christopher and Stephanie: CONTENT IS KING IS WHAT I HEARD! Thank you for stopping by.

Morgan: After I got off the phone, I had to google the Fort Rucker Chili Cook off, to see where I ranked. Simply amazing that something so silly could generate business. Some of the ladies in the office did not want to do it.

Ryan: Having something to draw them to your booth helps. I usually do a gift card drawing, which on the bottom of the card reads that this information can be used for marketing purposes. Works great for follow up.

Christine: Google Juice and more google juice. Then you through in your outside blog, website and all the other social networking site....WOW! It can be a bit overwhelming, but sure has helped me earn the right to say that I am the Fort Rucker Relocation Specialist.

Michelle, nothing like staying out in front of people. It's the personal contacts that people remember. Of course it helps to know what you're talking about!

Looking forward to my AR success story. Thanks for sharing.

Great post. A reminder to us all to rub elbows with our neighbors, those we know and those we have yet to meet! Thanks!

DEC

Great success story, maybe there will be more to come soon!

My secret ingredient in chili is bourbon... yum... it gives it a nice smoky flavor.

Great Post! Every year our office hosts many local events and the turn-out are awesome. I think when people see how active we are in our community they definitely remember us when it is time for real estate.

Needed to read this - this a.m. We are doing a promotion all week long infront of a bank in a local graocery store, annoucnign our new office and "BEST BUY list. Also including local busineesses in the mall, giving out gift certificates so hopefully it will be a win-win. If nothing else, I am finding new prospects with all the small business owners.

Great Blog...I believe that local events and advertising in newspapers and magazines is for branding only...it allows the public to know your still alive and may yeild a lead...by being on the web any buyer in any country can see what you post...THAT IS POWER!

Thanks for a great marketing idea and success story!

How about "Running out of gas in your search for a realtor? Take a break for some chili and then call Realty World!" :-)

There are a few local events in this area that have had great turnout and positive effects on the community.

Michelle, Great success story! When things are not going well it's so easy to dismiss an idea and insist that it will fail no matter what you do. In the 3 years that I have been with ReMax our owners have rented the ReMax balloon at least 3 times for local events and I think there is nothing like it for name recognition.

reall h appy for you and your personal success story, the added efforts of blogging, AR and outside networking pays off. No doubt about it

Michelle - Tom Hopkins would have been proud! Way to go.

Talk about great. Thanks for letting everyone know about the success. I love the blog.

Tim: Letting people know who you are and how you can help them achieve there goals is crucial in this industry. Even if yo don't get any leads, they know who you are and what you do.

Tony: I will be watching for your Active Rain success story. Best of luck.

Evelyn: What better way to rub elbows than at a Chili cook off. Thanks for stopping in.

Kim: Well, the success came today when we met and closed the deal. Now, comes the part of getting the place rented. Bourbon....oh, I will have to try that one. Any type of special brand? Thanks for stopping by.

Laura: What type of events does your office participate in? We are looking at the 2009 calendar and making plans for the Wiregrass festivals.

Janice: That is cool, getting prospects from just being present amongst the other businesses. I hope that everything turns out and you get some really good leads. Best of luck and keep us posted.

Tim: Blogging is so powerful, I have managed to get front page of Google.....Events, well its a hit or miss. Drawing the people in and making them feel like that you are not trying to push real estate is key.

Michelle! EXCELLENT post and YET, it does yield clients! Congrats on the feature in both Area Events and the main page feature roll!

Debe in Charlotte

Ric: I like your slogan, going to have to use it next year. ..I think I might even use that in a slogan for some advertising. Thanks for thought.

Jon: Do you do any local events? What has been your favorite? Most successful?

Barb: The Re/Max balloon sure has a great brand impact. Everyone knows the balloon. Do you guys do the hot air balloon rides?

James: Thank you for stopping in and encouraging words.

Terry: You very welcome. It was fun to write, even better when I got the paper worked signed for the Property in management.

DEC

DEBE in Charlotte: Thank you for your visit to the post and the congrats. I was really amazed. I look forward to contributing to your area events group.

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