New market, same old predators

A few days ago, one of my newer agents, James, came into the office beaming! He was so proud. He had taken steps to start his marketing campaign and drive clients to his front door, sorta.

With each new agent I recruit, I ask them to please check with me before spending their dwindling reserves or maxing out credit cards on marketing/advertising ploys that may or may not give a foothold on establishing a broader base of qualified prospects.

It seems that James had been miraculously found by one of the pay-per-click purveyors who guaranteed 1st-page-Google, a web page and lots of interested prospects for just $99 per month. James was beside himself and could not get the credit card out of his wallet fast enough.

James had 1st-page-Google for 3 days, a very bland ½-page site, no photo of himself, no MLS search capability and no prospects. Potential respondents had maxed out his available clicks in 3 days. James is locked into this contract for six months. For additional fees, (nearly doubling his costs) James can have his photo on the site and MLS search capability.

This is just one example of the technology predators who continue to make lots of money off our “independent contractors” who really don’t know what they “don’t know” about effective ways to build a business.

If you are a new agent, please don’t spend a nickel without checking with your broker or team leader.

If you are a new or seasoned agent, what are some of the worst marketing investments you have heard about or seen others purchase? If someone is new, but determined to have an individual web presence, what you recommend?

Dave Rosenmarkle

Broker Owner

Highland Realty

Arlington, VA

703-538-2566

www.HighlandAgents.com

davidrose@mris.com