My Monthly Newsletter... How I do it.

We got talking about mailings, and I started discussing my newsletter.  I've seen comments and blogs from agents who say they are having virtually no response from their mailings.  So I wrote a long winded comment on one blog, but thought I would throw it up here, too, just in case someone else was interested.  So far it seems to work for me!

Living in a rural area, we have newspaper boxes, which I'm sure not all of you have.  What I do is make a monthly newsletter, which includes a couple of my listings on the back, a recipie that is quick, easy and tasty with some sort of pun about how busy I am.  For example, April's newsletter is titled "Local Real Estate News"  The caption below that says "Spring is here" which launches into a quick paragraph about how the market is picking up for us at RE/MAX Select in Mora.  Below that I wrote a quick piece on what we did at the East Central Home Show, and congratulated the winners of our prize drawing, which was for carbon monoxide detectors.  That is one paragraph.  There is a second paragraph, which address the important of having the detectors in your home.  The second column is my recipie section, with the title "Good Eats, Fast!"  Followed by my intro - "With the market picking up, I don't have much time to make dinner.  Before you know it, I'm resorting to my "Quick and easy" recipes.  I thought I'd share one with you.  This one is famous at our office potluck lunches!  (Personalizes us, make us seem human!)  Don't be afraid to let me know what you think!  (Call for action!)  Enjoy!"   Followed by my "Easy Creamy Chicken Enchilada" recipe.  Below that is my footer, with my contact info, picture, and the quote "MY business continues to grow by referrals from friends, family and customers like you!  Thank you for recommending me!"  I attach a business card. 

On the backside I have an artice entitled "What can you offer that other real estate agents can't??"  Which seems to be what I'm being asked a lot on listing appointments.  I discuss my internet presence, the benefit of having an international name behind me, and the things I do to make myself different.  The second column is a couple of my listings locally with pictures, and then my contact information on the bottom.  I farm between work and my home, then wherever I do a showing.  After my clients leave, I flyer the area.  Then I also send them with my letters for expired listings and FSBO's.  I have gotten a lot of response because they are personal, and the recipe makes people hold onto it.  I love doing it, because it is kind of fun coming up with personal articles and recipes, and it's so cheap to do.  Mine are even in black and white!

I drop them off on Friday night and Saturday morning usually.  That way, they get them with their paper.  When I drive back through the areas I've flyered, I look to see if there are any still sitting in boxes, and I have to say that I have yet to see one still sitting there.  They are in black and white, business card attached, and the front side face up.  It seems to work so far, and I fully intended on continuing the tradition.  Good luck!