How do you market to Realtors?

Many Realtors have told me that just keeping my face in front of them....e-mails, stopping by the office to leave cards, brochures, lollipops with our name on them, visiting Open Houses in the area, have all helped them to be familiar with our name and business.  Still working on the marketing part myself.  I know it really helps to "KNOW"  someone.  Our town is pretty small, so not everything will work in every area.  Good luck!

Hey Linda: Like you and Lori (above), my company is pretty new as well. I would suggest referring to Michelle Minch's blog here on AR. A while back she did two posts on "how to grow your business" and her tips, were and are, very helpful to me. Secondly, look at Melissa Marrow's blogs about newsletters. Both of these may be helpful for you as well. Best wishes to you Linda!

I opted for a very effective, but little more costly marketing route.  I researched all the RE magazines in my area.  I decided to do a full color, full page ad in a magazine that is a higher end RE magazine.  I chose this route for a few reasons:

1. My company is new to an area that is fairly saturated with Stagers;

2. I have the opportunity to educate homeowners and REALTOR(S) on the difference between my services and theirs;

3. I can take advantage of all the amazing networking opportunities that exist with the magazine advertisers (99% of them are top producing and service oriented REALTOR(S))

4. Clients love that I am featured in such a great magazine, its a great conversation starter!!

5. REALTORS(R) that advertise in this magazine understand the importance of marketing - and are definately not hesitant to spend money on a value-add service such as staging.  (in other words, its an amazing way to weed through the them!)

6. They are very open to work with me, as we have 2 goals in common - the magazine and helping homeowners sell their homes.  By advertising in this particular publication, it shows we are serious about what we do. 

In an unregulated industry and with a ton of stagers floating around, REALTORS(R) want to work with the best, they want you to make them look great!  This ad has really been the reason my business has taken off the way it has in such a short period of time.

I really believe that a Stager should choose who they want to work with - not  market like crazy and wait for calls.  Relationships will be the key to your success - the easiest way to build them is to find the REALTORS(R) who share a common ground and understand the importance of showcasing homes (not just by staging, but in numerous print publication and web portals.)  This method has been extremely effective for me, and the cost is well worth the time and expense I save by marketing to random REALTORS(R)...and the bonus is I get homeowners calling me directly....the one things REALTORS(R) love more than anything is referrals!

This magazine is expensive, but it is definately an investment that provides a great return!  An option to consider.....

Competition is great....they are different than you......let them advertise their business model...and you advertise yours.  When people have nothing to compare a service too, they choose the only one they see or know........give them a choice, you stand at least a 50/50 chance which is better than the odds of cold calling, mail outs or other forms of marketing (which can essentially end up costing the same if not more!)

Let me know what you end up doing!  good Luck!

I am putting together an evening fundraiser at an ideal location, with presentations from me on home staging, a Feng Shui professional, a professional home photographer, a Benjamin Moore colour consultant, a general contractor and a home inspector.  The focus will be on getting your home ready to sell requires more than hiring a realtor and putting a for sale sign on the lawn!

The agenda allows each of us approx. 15 minutes to do a presentation and answer questions; then there will be a general Q&A, dessert & coffee, then more Q&A or shopping - their choice.  The posters are out, the invites have been sent thru smilebox for fun, and Habitat for Humanity is thrilled that we chose them and are providing a banner for the front of the building.

There will be lots of door prizes and they will be taped to the bottom of the chairs.  I have encouraged the presenters to bring handouts and business cards, so there will be lots of info for the realtors, home buyers and sellers who will be attending.

My expectation is that this will be a sellout - after all we can only accommodate 30 people - and we will have a list of people to invite to our next one.