Home > Blogs > Susan Vanderburgh > Blog Me Now!

Marketing question -- newsletter and postcards

By Susan Vanderburgh

Real Estate Agent with Utopia Management

June 06, 2007 05:16 PM

I've received mixed reviews. I do not like it when solicitors leave their newsletters at my door or throw rocks in a bag and then toss them in my yard to promote their landscape business. But on the flip side, the Realtors in my neighborhood are distributing their newsletters this way -- leaving them at the homes.

I've received mixed reviews from consumers. Many people want my newsletter. I skip the homes that have "No soliciting" or "No Solicitors" displayed. I think it is courteous to be mindful of those requests.

What do you think? Should Realtors send bulk postcards or marketing material through the mail or should Realtors walk each piece and leave them under the doormat or on the doorknob?

Comments(12)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Irina Netchaev

Pasadena Views Real Estate Team, Inc. - Pasadena, CA

Pasadena CA Real Estate

Susan, I think whatever we do, we're not going to please everyone. I say pick your program and do it consistently - stick to it!

Jun 06, 2007 05:19 PM

Bob & Carolin Benjamin

Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ

East Phoenix Arizona Homes

Agree with Irina. Do what works for you and keep doing it all the time.

Jun 06, 2007 05:20 PM

Freddie Castaneda

Beechwood Realty - San Jacinto, CA

San Jacinto Valley Real Estate

I've been thinking about the same question. I use to farm my area but ive never gotten anything from that. And now that I see many homes go up for sale it makes me wonder whats going on. And i know that those that are putting door hangers arent reaping the rewards that many agent are by just meeting one on one with the prospect.

Jun 06, 2007 05:25 PM

Dawn Workman

Veracity Real Estate Group, LLC - Camas, WA

Camas Real Estate Expert, MBA, 480-540-8100

Good question. I tried door hangers once and low and behold another agent had the same idea in the same area on the same day. But, I am thinking of trying it more.

Jun 06, 2007 05:27 PM

David Kosmecki

American Pacific Mortgage - Ramsey, MN

you can'ta please all the people all the time.

David Kosmecki

http://www.americanstar.com

Jun 06, 2007 05:32 PM

Ben Kinney

Ben Kinney Team - Bellingham, WA

We do real estate:Tech, Training, Sales, Brokerage

I hate it when people leave things under my mat I feel like they are littering on my property. I use direct mail to market and it is effective for me. Good post.

Jun 06, 2007 06:00 PM

Katrina Madewell

Charles Rutenberg Rlty- More than 5,000 agents(813) 777-1196 - Tampa, FL

Tampa FL Homes for sale | Tampa Bay - (813) 777-1196

Do people really throw rock in a bag and then toss them in your yard? crazy! I only send my newsletter to people that LOOK FORWARD to it.

Jun 06, 2007 06:26 PM

John Novak

Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV

Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

I think the best approach is a mix of direct mail and doorknocking. Walking the neighborhood not only gives you a chance to meet the residents, it also lets you really see and get familiar with the area.

Jun 06, 2007 07:29 PM

Susan Vanderburgh

Utopia Management - Murrieta, CA

Thank you all for your responses. It is true that we can't please everyone. I've received one call after handing out about 100. But no listing yet. It takes time for people to become familiar with someone.

Jun 06, 2007 08:53 PM

Robert Whitelaw

Whitelaw & Sons Real Estate Services - Morgan Hill, CA

Broker, CEO, Realtor , ePro

Walk them do the door. In this case, the numbers speak for themselves. You get MUCH higher response to material walked to the door than from postcards.

Frankly, for normal month to month prospecting, I have taken direct mail completely out of the mix. I hand deliver EVERYTHING. In a normal schedule, I can easily hit over 500 homes a week. Do this by walking three days a week, for three hours at a time. The reason is the added bonus of being seen in the neighborhoods and having the chance to talk with folks as I walk the area. I wear branded polo shirts, caps, etc. so folks know who and what I am.

I also respect "No Solicitor" signs and if folks ask me not to put stuff at their door, I respect that with a smile.

Jun 06, 2007 08:58 PM

KRISTINE CROWE

COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE - Dundalk, MD

I think bulk mailing is more efficient, you can reach more households. I tried door hangers, most people are going to toss them. If you do a mailed newsletter, think of something catchy to put on the outside that makes people want to open it.

Jun 06, 2007 09:53 PM

Cynthia Sloop

Community Association Manager - Indianapolis, IN

Wow, I be;ieve it's a preference that is up to you. Walking a newsletter door to door is a lot of work. Now the excercise is good for you which is another way to look at the experience. But if you don't have the time, then maybe you need to rethink the process.

Personally, I walk my own subdivision. This keeps my face in front of neighbors and it allows me to know what is going on in my neighborhood. I just do not have the time to walk other neighborhoods. But if I really wanted to know more about them and make a difference, the only way I know how to do that is to be physically in them. The decision is up to you because I don't think there's a right or wrong here.

Jun 07, 2007 01:04 AM