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Free Marketing Ideas any business can use to grow their business

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Malfi Marketing Solutions ~ for real estate professionals

 

My  3 New Years Resolutions

  1. 1. Form partnerships with like minded people
  2. 2. Think big, go for it - try new things - not be afraid of failing
  3. 3. Provide exceptional customer service

 

How do my new years resolutions relate to the topic of "free marketing ideas?"  Well for one they're free but more importantly they're things that I know I can follow through on.  Yes, it will take time and effort on my part to make it all happen but in the long run my clients and business will both benefit. 

As I said in a previous post, we have the tools right there in front of us and sometimes just need to be reminded of what's truly important - to our clients (and our business)

-Customer Service

If you're good at sales you can sell a home or service to anyone at least once, but the key is to have them come back to you or to refer people to you again. It's all about creating a relationship, after all good customer service is the lifeblood of our business.  Some of the key things to focus on when thinking customer service are:

  • Listen more than you speak
  • Only make promises you can actually keep - enough said.
  • Be Available in all ways
  • Address issues, complaints and be one step ahead - focus on solving your clients' problems, easing their pain and achieving their goals - it's about them - not you.
  • Go the extra mile

-Provide Value 

 

All too often many people in business forget who they actually work for - our customers.  The key to success is providing those customers what they want.  What will help you stand out to your potential clients?  Providing them with unique, quality content, information and advice via your blog and website.  What this does is builds a relationship that is based on trust that will inspire them to reach out to you - talk to you, encourage the people they know to visit your sites and hopefully buy the home or services you are offering. 

 

-Provide testimonials

Working with a fellow agent or stager?  Why not post a blog about their services and your experience of working with them.  Put a link on your website back to their site along with reasons why your readers and clients should want to work with that person.

-Keep in Touch/Consistency

Every month that we fail to reach out to our clients, we lose more of our influence.  By staying in touch via cards, phone calls, emails, newsletters we are increasing our customer loyalty.  Do you want to be part of the very sad statistic of being an agent that clients forget about because you didn't stay in touch with them?

 

Don't we all want to feel appreciated and recognized?  Ever notice the great feedback you get in touch with someone simply because you acknowledged them with a note?  When we commit to stay in touch we are not only building on that relationship but increasing the chances of having relationships with all the people that person knows.

 

By providing great customer service and value, you are establishing your reputation, which will ultimately and naturally build relationships and your business.

Simply offering "good" or "average" services to your clients is not going to get you noticed or talked about. Being honest, sincere, genuine will speak volumes to your clients.  Every time you interact with a client think to yourself is this the best I can give?  Would I feel special if I were the client?

 

 

 

What are you going to do and provide for your clients that's worth talking about?

Posted by

If it's not evident to you by now, consumers are very knowledgeable and computer savvy and are using the Internet to not only search for homes but for real estate agents and real estate professionals who they feel are like minded and can lead them to the results they are looking for.  

As we all know, there are only 24 hours in a day to get it all done...are you focusing on the right stuff to grow your business and meet your client's needs? Contact us today to get started!

Ready to take your Marketing to new levels? Anne Marie Malfi ~ Malfi Marketing Solutions.com ~ Copyright 2011

 

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Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

Thanks so much for sharing Anne Marie, you are so right and things I just seem to forget at times.

Dec 18, 2008 02:47 PM
Maria Tascon
Keller Williams Realty Spartanburg - Spartanburg, SC
Spartanburg SC Short Sale Specialist

Great information.  Thanks for sharing your resolutions and making us think of our value proposition.

Dec 18, 2008 03:23 PM
Roland Woodworth
Blue Cord Realty - Clarksville, TN
Blue Cord Realty

Great advise here.. We all need to stay in touch with our past clients and always offer something of value to stay on their mind.

Dec 18, 2008 03:37 PM
Christine Wade
Christine Wade - Derby, VT
Operations Strategist / Online Business Manager

Anne Marie - There's never been a more important time to show the value to your clients!!!  If you don't, someone else will bend over backwards for the chance to!  Great post :-)

Dec 18, 2008 03:51 PM
Anonymous
Bobby

Very well said.....Sometimes it is good to here what you know your should be doing from the mouth os some else.  Sometimes I just need my own advice.

Dec 18, 2008 04:25 PM
#34
Everard Korthals
---Preferred Lifestyle Advisors--- - Lancaster, PA
Mountain Realty

Anne Marie, the following sentence sparked my interest

"1. Form partnerships with like minded people"

I defintely believe we're on the same page with this one :)

Best of luck to you and your business endeavors in 2009 and we look forward to connecting more with you. All the Best-

Active Castellum

 

Dec 18, 2008 07:40 PM
Judy Peterson
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox&Roach Realtors - Tredyffrin, PA
"Superb Service, Superb Results"

Anne Marie - good post and good reminders. Listening is a learned skill and so important. It can help to make a list of provocative questions so that you are listening to helpful information. Here's a couple of my top questons: Are you already working with a Realtor?, Do you have a best friend or a family member who's a Realtor? If I find you the perfect home today, are you ready to buy today? Have you been preapproved?

Dec 18, 2008 09:09 PM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Thanks for taking the time to post these wonderul ideas!

Dec 18, 2008 10:11 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Average or anything short of exceptional in this market will find agents looking for other careers...as well they should. Waiting for the phone to ring has never been our style....and folks who have done that have hung up their licenses. Happy Holidays !

Dec 18, 2008 10:18 PM
Jon Wnoroski
America's 1st Choice RH Realty Co., Inc. - Green, OH
Summit County Realtor

Hi Anne - You make a lot of great points that we all can pay attention to.  Customer service is key when working with consumers; they appreciate it even more at a time when customer service is less that what most of us remember.  People want to know that you care and that you will take care of them; treat them fairly and with respect and they will be customers for life.  They will also be enthusiastic about referring you to others they know.

Dec 19, 2008 12:42 AM
Anonymous
Mary

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Dec 19, 2008 02:21 AM
#40
Esko Kiuru
Bethesda, MD

Anne Marie,

Trying new things ought to be in everyone's playbook. That's how you find out what will work and what won't considering your particular situation. Experiment, experiment, experiment.

Dec 19, 2008 03:59 AM
Anonymous
Marilyn Wilson

Thank you for reminding everyone about the basics that can help any terrific salesperson succeed.  Our company WAV Group has just published a white paper about reputation marketing which touches on many of the topics you mention in your article.  The paper can be downloaded FREE at http://www.wavgroup.com/reports/yourreputation.

 

Dec 19, 2008 05:01 AM
#42
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Anne, I very much like your theme of being the BEST in all you do.

Dec 19, 2008 09:25 AM
Morgan Evans
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

That committment to being customer-centric is something that we all forget from time to time.  Sometimes its hard to think like that all the time when you are swamped with business or having personal issues.  Its all about being a professional.

Dec 21, 2008 04:09 AM
Anne Marie Malf
Malfi Marketing Solutions ~ for real estate professionals - Yardley, PA
Real Estate Marketing Consultant/Virtual Asst, Bucks County,PA

Hello to everyone and thank you for all the fabulous comments.  Sorry it took me so long to respond - I have been under the weather the last few days and still fighting something but wanted to come out and comment back to all of you. ~Anne Marie

Vickie - thank you and that's wonderful that you are making reconnecting with past clients a priority and I like the way you're going to go about it.

Fred - I agree - thanks for emphasizing that point about listening - it's so important and appreciate your comment.

Shawn - thank you and you are so right - it's all about the relationships - Hugs and Christmas cheer to you too.

James - thank you and happy they were helpful.

Vickie - thank you my friend - you are so right!  Merry Christmas to you too.

Heath - I couldn't agree more - those little things are what I feel make all the differrence.

Anthony - thank you and I do try to write posts that encourage - Wishing you a great holiday too.

Anne - So happy that my post could be a helpful reminder.

Tony and Darcy - thank you and appreciate your comment.

Lynn - I agree - I love the Rain and always love the great information I receive out here - thanks for stopping by to use my post as a helpful reminder.

Ryan - hello my friend - I love having big ideas too but you have to break it all down so it's not so overwhelming and so you will stick with it.  I couldn't agree with you more - Happy Holidays to you too - looking forward to connecting in 2009.

Heather - hello - no I haven't but I will - thank you, that's so nice of you.  I couldn't agree with your comments more - wishing you a great holiday with your family.

Sassy - love the name! and yes, I love free too.

Troy - You said it my friend - keeping in touch is what will be the key to success.

Patt - Like many others you know that keeping in touch is the key to success.  Hope you have a wonderful holiday too.

Andrea - thank you and Merry Christmas to you too.

Rebecca - you're so welcome and yes, we all work for our customers.

Christine - You got it right!

Tamara - Wow, what a sweet comment and I so appreciate connecting with like minded people - I'll be sure to check out your posts.

Randall - thank you and wishing you the same.

Dan and Amy - thank you and I agree - free is good!

Joel - you're so welcome

Jason - thank you and I agree - it's all about the relationships.

Michael - thank you and so happy this was a helpful post for you.  Good luck in 2009

Laura - thank you my friend - we can all use some help and focus for 2009.

Tara - thank you and yes listening can be hard but it's necessary to deliver great service.

Sonny - you're so welcome.

JB - thank you and I am too!  Bring it on!

Kerry - thank you!  Sounds like you're going to have a great 2009!

Hi Margaret!  Thank you my friend - I like it - 2 ears - lol.  So true isn't it. 

Charles - thanks and yes, sometimes we just need a simple reminder.

Maria - thank you and you're welcome.

Roland - thank you and so true - stay on their mind with the little things.

Christine - thank you and I couldn't agree with you more - someone else will provide it if you're not!  Great point.

Bobby - LOL - thank you and yes, a simple reminder can go a long way.

Castellum - hello my friends.  Yes, I would say we are as I feel we have a like minded approach to all we do.  Wishing you much success in 2009 and looking forward to connecting with you even more.

Judy - thank you and you are so right - it can be learned. Like your questions too.

Evelyn - you're welcome and thank you for commenting.

Sally and David - great point - don't wait for it to happen or you'll be waiting a long time.  Happy Holidays to you too.

Jon - thank you my friend.  It's so true - people want to know they are important to you and it can be done in small, personal ways.

Esko - Experimenting is key - find what works and go for it!

Marilyn - thank you for stopping by to comment and for the mention.

Andrew - thank you - and here's hoping your 2009 is a great year.  We'll have to keep each other on track with our goals!

Gary - thank you!  Yes, that will certainly be a theme that I stick with in 2009. 

Morgan - It's so true - we can caught up in our day to day that we forget being customer focused.

Dec 22, 2008 03:44 AM
Teresa Berry
Seattle, WA

Hi Anne Marie - great ideas in this post! wishing you a prosperous and joyful holiday season and new year! Cheers!

Dec 27, 2008 12:55 AM
Georgia Endiott
PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignature.com - Saint Louis, MO
Sold on City Living - Working and Living in Saint Louis

Great ideas in this posting.  It is imperative to keep yourself in the mind of your potential customers.  Regular correspondance is truly important.

Jan 03, 2009 07:48 AM
Susan Gonzalez Faux painting murals atlanta
Marietta Mural & Decorative Design - Atlanta, GA

Thanks so much for this post. It's a great way to start a new business year!

Jan 03, 2009 09:27 AM
Anne Marie Malf
Malfi Marketing Solutions ~ for real estate professionals - Yardley, PA
Real Estate Marketing Consultant/Virtual Asst, Bucks County,PA

Teresa - thank you, so nice of you to stop by to comment - wishing you a great new year too my friend.

Georgia - thank you and I appreciate you stopping by. 

Susan - I agree!

Jan 06, 2009 04:55 AM