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THINK ABOUT THIS WHEN YOU'RE REVIEWING YOUR MARKETING STRATEGIES...

By
Real Estate Agent with Mike Kelly Realty

Like most real estate companies, we rely heavily on newspaper ads and real estate magazines to get our listings out in front of the consumers. Our website and our presence on such sites as ActiveRain and Localism also are a major part of our marketing strategies. However, when I realized that even I was getting bored with looking at the sea of houses in the real estate section of the newspaper, I thought maybe it was time for a change...

One day an advertising salesperson from our local radio station came by and left some information on radio advertising. It had never occurred to me to advertise Mike Kelly Realty on the radio, but what was there to lose? I signed up for 2 spots during the day - the first one being during the 7:30 AM news. I write the ads myself and besides giving some background on Mike Kelly Realty, I generally feature a specific property that we have listed.

We been running these ads for several months now and the results have been far better than I expected. People have been telling me that they hear the ads and then add "You're all over the place!" This is music to my ears! The sellers, also, are highly gratified to hear THEIR property being featured on the radio.

I think the fact that people listening to the radio in their cars are more or less a captive audience; even if they aren't consciously paying attention, that information is being filed away somewhere. So the next time you're thinking about marketing, think about radio!

Show All Comments Sort:
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

There is a very successful real estate broker in my area that does heavy radio advertising.

EIEIO.com

Nice guy.

Jul 27, 2007 02:06 AM
Brian Brumpton
Keller Williams Boise - Boise, ID
Boise Idaho Real Estate

I've heard radio can be a good place to branch out to.  We have a local agent who has grabbed a weekend morning spot on a show.  I envy the fact that for hours he has a captive audience and gets to plug his web site and services. 

Jul 27, 2007 02:09 AM
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!
I like this idea. You can get a reduced rate by buying the unsold time slots. They are going to lose those spots with nothing to fill them so it does not hurt to negotiate them down in price! Katerina
Jul 27, 2007 02:12 AM
Herb Hamilton
RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors - Portland, OR
Real Estate Broker ,CDPE, Downtown Portland

Mike,

Over the years I have worked in a small town of under 20,000 and a city about a million. The small town I did newspaper ads with my picture and a radio spot ad. I received the same comments as you did. I even was recognized and solicited after being gone from that town for 5 years when I returned for a day visit.

In the City however there is a sea of people doing exactly the same thing. I now do all my ads on the Internet and the only spot ads I do in print ads are designed to drive people to the Internet.

Jul 27, 2007 02:13 AM
Bob Woods
Sibdu.com/eCREsystems, LLC - Silver Spring, MD

We have very, very few people who do that type of advertising here. Interesting stuff.

Another really cheap way to advertise is on cable TV. The rates are really good, and depending on the sophistication of your local cable system (or systems, depending on where you live), you can do what's called "geotargeting" and drill down to Zip codes or sometimes even neighborhoods.

Jul 27, 2007 02:18 AM
Jay Wurlitzer
Distinctive Realty - Marlborough, MA
I have looked into radio advertising in the past both as a REALTOR and in a prior retail business. The cost of radio seems to be a bit high, especially for those who are not established yet, because it covers such a broad geographic area. I like Bob's response about cable TV advertising. It is usually much less expensive than radio and may be a good way to try a different avenue if you can't afford the radio spots.
Jul 27, 2007 02:37 AM
Brad Snyder
Sierra Vista Realty - Sierra Vista, AZ

Super post... I have been running radio spots promoting myself and my listings since the first of the month. I am pleased with the early leads, however I know to be successful I need to be consistent with any form of advertising. Running these ads sporadically will not help build the brand (me) effectively.

Be consistent and be patient.

Jul 27, 2007 03:13 AM
Gail Robinson
William Raveis Real Estate - Southport, CT
CRS, GRI, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT

It makes a lot more sense than newspaper advertising.  My broker made it big with television advertising and then decided to focus on the Internet. 

May 14, 2009 10:42 AM