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Alternative Marketing

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors

Following my new theme of "Back to the basics" I sat down this weekend to make a list of how I was going to market my new listing.  I made a list of all the "traditional" ways to market a home:  Put it in the MLS, make a flyer, put up a sign, pitch it at our office meeting, blah, blah, blah.  I decided to make that Column A. 

 

What I really needed was a good Column B!  At the top of my list were Zillow and Craigslist.  I've never used either of them before but they seem to be popular in the big cities.  Maybe it would work down here?   I've also ordered custom sign riders with pictures of the house (no more soggy flyers in a flyer box) and personalized water bottles for the fridge.   

 

So, two hours later I log in to find an email about my Craigslist ad!  The guy wanted more info about the home and wants to know if I can sell his.  Now, I'm not naive enough to get too excited but...it's a good start!  It was from a local email address so I know at least one person is reading Craigslist.

 

So...now I'm curious to know what other people are doing to make their marketing plan stand out.  What's your most creative, outside the box, original idea?

 

Rebecca   

Comments(8)

Terry Lynch
LAR Notary and Closing Services - Saint Clair Shores, MI

Rebecca

In this day and age, more and more it's going to be column B that sells our listings.

Good luck with the Craigslist lead. 

Aug 06, 2007 02:50 AM
Debbie Cook
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc - Silver Spring, MD
Silver Spring and Takoma Park Maryland Real Estate
I have been doing a single property website from www.listingdomains.com that includes a SIGN RIDER for the property and includes a FEATURE tour link to Realtor.com,a weekly craigslist ad,a posting to ACTIVE RAINs Listings by address and a Real Estate home Show from Jeff Turners Company.
Aug 06, 2007 02:54 AM
Rebecca Quinones
Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors - Dayton, OH

Terry - So true!  I truly believe that my creative ideas is what continues to make me stand out.  My husband thinks I'm a little nuts. LOL!  But, he had to eat his words when I got a lead from Craigslist.

Debbie - Thanks for sharing!  My company pays for all of it's agents to be upgraded on Realtor.com so our listings automatically show up as Featured properties.  I'm still learning to navigate AR so I'll look into posting listing here. 

Aug 06, 2007 03:00 AM
John March
Charisma Media Group, LLC - Bluffton, SC
"Engage, connect, prosper" (Matt 6:33)

Craig's list is very good. also, advertise property on free FSBO sites. John March

Aug 06, 2007 03:04 AM
Charlottesville Solutions
Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA
I am pleased to hear your success with Craiglist. I blogged about this a while ago and the responce was mixed. When I look at listing in my area, it seems disorganized, in fact I see lisitng from outside our area posted.... good luck... cm
Aug 06, 2007 03:05 AM
Donna Lueder
Integrity Group Inc. - Boise, ID
Meridian Idaho Real Estate

Congrats to you on your lead. You never know where your next potential buyer or seller may come from. I day try to cover as many bases as you can.

 

Aug 06, 2007 03:10 AM
Rebecca Quinones
Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors - Dayton, OH

John - Can you advertise listings on FBSO sites?  I've never thought of that since it's my listing.

Charles - I'm not calling it a success story yet, but I will keep you updated.  I was just surprised to have recieved a response!  I do agree that it seems a little more than disorganized.  Like I tell my clients...You get what you pay for!

Donna - My thoughts exactly! ;)

Aug 06, 2007 04:51 AM
waey wyqw
wyq34y - Dell, MT
I'm a Craigslist and online marketing evangelist. Applying some basic advertising concepts to Craigslist can help have further success on Craigslist.
Sep 26, 2007 01:27 PM