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Realtor Email Newslettters - Top 10 List Building Techniques

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Education & Training with Marketing Artfully
So I talk to Realtors all the time about how to grow their business and the number one thing I can recommend is sending out a monthly or bi-monthly newsletter! Here are my Top 10 Email Newsletter List Building techniques!
  1. NUMBER ONE AND MOST IMPORTANT - READ THIS IF YOU SKIP EVERYTHING ELSE! Make sure you are proud of what you send out to your list, every time. I have a newsletter that focuses on marketing for entrepreneurs and realtors. It takes me about 4 hours, 2 days per month to do my newsletter. I am ALWAYS proud of what I am sending and have very few people request to be removed from my list.
  2. Having a list means needing a database. Your database can be an excel spreadsheet or you can use Top Producer or Wise Agent, either way you need to be able to contact those people on a regular basis. Include First Name, Last Name, Address 1, City, State, Zip, Email and Phone at a minimum.
  3. When you are starting out, ADD EVERYONE! - I had a conversation with a client yesterday and he questioned the viability of adding someone you know that has no connection to your business. I have had the most referrals for my business from a friend who has never purchased from me. You never know who your friends and family know who might be a customer.
  4. As for a business card from EVERYONE you meet. We often give our card to people and forget to ask for theirs. Add those people the day you get them and start them on an autoresponder series (see below) to keep yourself fresh in their mind
  5. Autoresponders (or drip marketing) are series of messages that you send to people after putting them in your database. They give information about your business and can gently sell your product or service. Most database programs allow you to set up autoresponders, if you are using Outlook, make a task to send out messages for at least the next few weeks to your new person.
  6. Places to get new list members #1 - I get LOTS of new list members by teaching! Offer a prize and collect business cards or send a sign-up sheet around to all the attendees. Make sure they know they will be added to your list!
  7. Networking Groups - Go to meetup.com and search for local groups you can join. Talking directly with humans is a GREAT way to get people to add to your database!
  8. Social Networking - Using Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter is a great way to build your list. DO NOT add everyone who “friends” you. From time to time put a link in that encourages them to sign up for your newsletter.
  9. Your Sphere - I know, you have added EVERYONE from your sphere already but have you thought of your doctor, lawyer, accountant, church members, gym club friends, your spouse’s friends, your kid’s friends parents.
  10. Last but not least - NEVER SPAM YOUR LIST! EVER! Recently I had someone belittle me because I wouldn’t take an “opportunity” to sell something to my list. Well…I didn’t believe in it, it didn’t match my list and I declined. I have NEVER regretted not sending something to my list and will never send anything I am not proud of!

A long list but SUPER easy to do and the results will be stupendous!!!

I know you are busy! If you need to know WHAT to send out in your Realtor Email Newsletter check out our Thrive Client Contact System for Realtors!

Become a fan of my Marketing Artfully Facebook Page for more info like this! And don't forget to sign up for my free email newsletter for Real Estate Pros and Entrepreneurs!

Monique Combs
Royal Shell Real Estate - Bonita Springs, FL
Royal Shell Real Estate - Monique Combs

Hi Tata,

Thank you for this post. I actually do not mail a newletter and thanks yo you I will now. Have a great weekend.

May 30, 2009 01:59 AM
Tara Jacobsen
Marketing Artfully - Clearwater, FL
Marketing Artfully

@ Monique - OH MY GOSH - that is SO great!! You have NO idea how it will change your business for the better!!! You have warmed the cockles of my heart and make sure to put me on your email list!!! tara (at) marketingartfully.com...:)

May 30, 2009 02:05 AM
Michael Lee
Frog Realty - Tallahassee, FL

Nice post.  I have thought about the advantages/disadvantages of a newsletter.  Currently, I personalize a note to everyone in my outlook contacts monthly.  Over 500.

May 30, 2009 06:27 AM
Kathleen Frawley
Keller Williams 916 730-4404 Elk Grove, Wilton, Folsom, Sacramento - Wilton, CA
South County Sacramento, 916 730 4404

It sounds like a great Idea, I send out a "family newsletter" that is easy, it only goes to people I love...content for a Real Estate newsletter, ?  I'm chicken.

May 30, 2009 06:57 AM
Tara Jacobsen
Marketing Artfully - Clearwater, FL
Marketing Artfully

@ Micheal - WOW - that is impressive BUT if you get 1000 or 1500 people in there it could get a little unwieldy. I make sure to send GREAT info so people always appreaciate what I send...:)

@Kathleen - you would be PERFECT if you already like writing...:) We made our system for KW in the south region so if you want to save yourself some heartache try it free for a month and then add your own "stuff" to itn and see how it works..:) Email me and I will have someone give you a jingle for a free month!!

May 30, 2009 09:44 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Quality content is so important.  I have a few newsletters that I receive from realtors that it is obvious they have no clue what they are sending out.  I would never send anything out with my name on it that I'm not 100% proud of.

Your list is awesome, and I have bookmarked it.  Thanks.

May 30, 2009 12:56 PM
Tara Jacobsen
Marketing Artfully - Clearwater, FL
Marketing Artfully

@ Sharon - thank you so much for the bookmark!! What a compliment...:) And I KNOW about those other newsletters - a big pet peeve for me is realtors who send out info that is not real estate or home related!

May 30, 2009 01:08 PM
Tara Jacobsen
Marketing Artfully - Clearwater, FL
Marketing Artfully

@ Erica - I hear you!!! I have people approach me all the time to send messages to my list and unless they are someone I would recommend anyways I just say no!!!

May 31, 2009 09:22 AM
Kevin Vitali
EXIT Realty Beatrice Associates - Middleton, MA
Helping Massachusetts Home Buyers and Home Sellers

Great info.  I know I can do a little better maintaining my newsletter list.... I admit I get a little lazy.

Jun 01, 2009 03:25 AM
Scott Hoen
Carson City, NV
Carson City Clerk Recorder / Public Administrator

I couldn't agree with you more on the newsletter front along with CONSISTENT communication with your database of clients and prospects.  Put one in the bank before launching so you will never be crunched for time to write your next issue.

Jun 06, 2009 06:26 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Superb checklist for newsletters!  I pretty much follow them all and am getting ready for this months issue actually.  Hey, I signed up for yours a while ago, got a few and then I didn't.  Can you check my email address?  I really miss them!!!!!

Jun 08, 2009 10:56 PM
Tara Jacobsen
Marketing Artfully - Clearwater, FL
Marketing Artfully

I will make sure to check they are coming out to you!!! I am sending one on Thursday (2nd and 4th) any requests on topics?...:)

Jun 09, 2009 12:00 AM
Betina Foreman
WJK Realty - Austin, TX
Realtor, C.N.E., with WJK REALTY

I whole-heartedly agree with you on #10. These people trust you with their information don't sell them out. Kudos to you!

Sep 03, 2009 02:41 AM