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My New Marketing Plan for 2009

By
Real Estate Agent with Minter Real Estate Services 0568213

As 2009 approaches, I'm starting to review my marketing plan for the year.  Since I have been in the business for over a year and half, I have tried almost every marketing method.  What I have learned that has worked for me was of course referrals, followed by advertising in a popular monthly real estate magazine, then the good old fashion door-knocking.

I was never big on advertising in print media, for some reason it never worked out for me, even when I was an event planner.  But the particular magazine that I am advertising in now has great publicity and it also gives agents free websites, which I thought was great.  Homes and Land advertises in several different regions and when I started receiving phone calls from people that were viewing my ads in other cities a light went off.  I immediately thought I have to keep this advertising campaign going.

I would have never thought to advertise in some areas where this book is delivered to, simply because they were not areas that I served, but this definitely increases my reach to potential buyers and sellers.  So the Homes and Land ad stays.  Homes and Land Magazine

As far as referrals go, you can never get enough referrals from friends and family.  A week ago, I hosted an appetizer and cocktails happy hour for our little league football moms.  I have gotten several referrals from the moms and I try to stay in contact with them even during the off season. There are a wealth of contacts to be gained from these moms and I look forward to building these relationships.

Finally, the good old fashion door-knocking will be put back into my plan, especially since gas prices have dropped to a more managable level.  I can easily go out and approach expired and FSBO sellers and just make a day of it.  I have compiled great packages for both of these sellers and have gotten a listing from an expired and a potential listing from a FSBO, so I'll keep at this.

I know a lot of agents frown on advertising in print or on door knocking, but since I'm fairly new and have had the opportunity to see what works, I think I will stick to what has brought me results. 

Tell me what works for you.  I'm open to different strategies and plans.

 

 

Posted by

 

 

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 MeLisa Minter, Broker Owner, MBA, SFR, ABR

Seabrook, Texas

melisaminter@gmail.com

281-694-5656

 

         

 

 

 

 

Comments (10)

Angelia Garcia
Pure Realtors - Dallas, TX

I use the Best Southwest Magazine in my area.  They reach out as far as Grand Prairie to Waxahachie.  I love this magazine.  Don't really care for the others.

Dec 23, 2008 04:31 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Hi MeLisa,

Good to see you track what works for you.  I will be concentrating on open houses and doing a better job of staying in touch with my past clients.  Happy Holidays to you.

Dec 23, 2008 04:37 AM
Monica Walters
Weichert, Realtors - Marlboro, NJ

MeLisa - Great idea reaching out to the Little League Moms.  And who can say no to apps and cocktails. Best wishes for much success in '09!

Dec 23, 2008 04:40 AM
TheMillsTeam YourSebringRealtors
Advantage Realty #1 - Sebring, FL
863-212-5441

We've been successful with expired listings in 2008. It does need some fine tuning for 2009 as the market is constantly changing.

Dec 23, 2008 04:47 AM
Johnny Huang
Pleasant Hill, CA
Insurance and Real Estate Broker

I'm big on internet listings: Craigslist, Trulia, Zillow. Most of my leads come from people that have viewed my listings and viewed my profile to get to know me before they contact me.

Dec 23, 2008 04:47 AM
MeLisa Minter, Realtor
Minter Real Estate Services - Taylor Lake Village, TX
Bay Area Houston Real Estate Agent

Angelia -  sometimes we need those magazines to reach people who are just driving in the area looking and just happen to pick-up one of those magazines while on their drive.  Thanks for your comment.

Bill - I will probably still do Open Houses as well.  Have'nt got many visitors or results, but I like doing them.

Monica - the event was a blast.  Hopefully I can do another one soon.

Andrea - maybe we can compare expired notes.  I have a letter that we devised here on active rain and I thought it was quite appealing, but have'nt had any response from it.

Johnny - of course I still do all the internet listings.  I love how you can post to one site such as point2 and the ad will feed over to at least ten other real estate websites.

Thanks everyone for your comments.

 

 

Dec 23, 2008 05:02 AM
Quad Cities My RealTeam (Mel Foster Co.)
Keith Allen Allborty - Davenport, IA

Have you tried a neighborhood garage sale it was a great success and you get in with people in your farm and customers get to see your name.  We have sponsored by garage sale signs. We also are sponsoring a minor league baseball game we kept cost down by having a lender and home inspector go in with us, we are coordinating with the red cross for a jersey auction, and it will be televised.  So work with what you like to do, like shopping team with your favorite store for something. If you like dancing do something with that, and the best part you will have lots of fun.

Dec 23, 2008 05:13 AM
Richard Dolbeare
Inactive - Wailuku, HI
Living the Hawaii Lifestyle

Homes and Land was the last print ad media that I let go.  I keep hearing that it's all about the internet now and I do have a strong peresence there.  As I watched the owner of my brokerage cut expenses, I realized that I needed to do the same and said goodby to Homes and Land.  They have a great website that you can customize to your hearts content if you stay with them.

Dec 23, 2008 06:02 AM
Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing and Online Advertising Consultant
Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision - Lake Geneva, WI

MeLisa- You have some intersting ideas on this post.  It's interesting that you write about Homes and Land.  I was wondering if this print advertising was effective in other parts of the country.

Jan 27, 2009 08:21 AM
MeLisa Minter, Realtor
Minter Real Estate Services - Taylor Lake Village, TX
Bay Area Houston Real Estate Agent

Keith and Richard, sorry it took me so long to reply to you.  Keith I love the sponsoring a garage sale idea.  We have them a lot around here.  I'll have to get me a banner and some cookies.:-  Richard, I have this one log home listing that most of my calls are coming from.  It's brought me great prospects, for some reason, people just love log homes.

Hey Rebecca.  Thanks for stopping by.  I live in a rural area and believe it or not, a lot of people in the area don't have internet connections, or can't get it because of our location.  I was here for at least a year with dial-up, so the print media is definitely the way to go out here.  Especially with a lot of the homeowners the retire from the big city and move to the country type. 

Thanks all for your responses.

 

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MeLisa Minter, MBA, Realtor

www.homesmint2be.com

www.inbusinessforcheap.com

469-766-7379

 

Jan 27, 2009 10:00 AM