What kind of marketing strategies are working for you?

Do you send out letters to the homeowners who have just had an NOD filed in your farm too? 

Do you sit in the office with sometimes nothing to do praying for a walk-in too? 

Do you have your short sales on Craigslist? 

How often do you blog? 

What kind of service do you offer that makes your clients want to work with you again?  
Refer you?



With all these things to think about when can an agent show property?  I have been doing all of the above, and I've still found myself with clients who aren't really clients, but rather people hunting for information. 

Marketing can be a super sensitive thing.  Especially when contacting homeowners who are in default - 
'May I please be your agent, and help you with a Short Sale? ' Nay, ' I am your local Realtor, are you in need considering a Short Sale?  I can help!  It's free, I priomise.  Please may I please be your agent. ' Could that be considered duress; an agent begging for a client's business?  :)

Unfortunately, as professionals, we MUST be professional.  We must sometimes walk, no tip toe, around the issue, and circle about the actual question we are asking.  We have to find a way to ask a question that could have the answer 'no', without giving the option of a 'no'.  You have to ask a 'yes' question, or ask 10 more questions that are 'yes', to go around the 'no'  If you ask me, this should be taught in Real Estate Practice. 

My solution is this, just don't market - KIDDING!!


Market yourself knowing you will have to market to 100 people before 1 of them calls you back.  And they might not even want your help, but free information. 

In the last week I have put myself so far out there I feel like I'm on thin ice!  I've sent letters to homeowners who are in default - totally tip-toeing around the fact that I know they need my help - and capitalizing FREE - FREE short sale help - FREE consultation - just to make my phone ring.  I've listed homes on Craigslist.org hoping that someone calls me.  I've been in the office everyday - waiting - for someone to walk in - for an offer to be accepted - for ANYTHING. 

Well.  Patience is a virtue, and God is good!!

- My clients have an accepted offer - nonetheless - I get them what they want and now they're not sure they want it (boo) - but I'm doing my best to keep that together. 

- Someone contacted me off of my Craigslist ad - she's talking with my lender today! 

- The short sale I am negotiating is assigned to a Processor, and I just submitted paperwork 5 business days ago!  ( I call them everyday!  I'm like a fly!)

- I got a decent walk-in this past weekend - why? - because I was in the office.

Now.  Now, I just need my letters to produce for me - perhaps I should send some more out. 

Happy selling ActiveRain friends!  Stay strong and I hope God truly blesses your business!