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Theatre of the mind -- How to ingrain images into buyers' minds

By
Home Stager with Renaissance Home Staging & Redesign

Theatre of the mind is a term often used when writing copy in broadcasting.  Copywriters are taught to help listeners envision what it will be like to own or buy something.  As a former broadcaster professional, creating a thoughtful presentation with the right music, sound effects, and delivery was and is still critical in engaging that buyer in an effort to create traffic into a retail store or event!

One of the best ads I know of in radio was by Jason Jennings, who talks about selling a slow moving property by creating that theatre of the mind using radio.  He was the pioneer in the "tell me, sell me" approach in sales.  He was given his first job in radio by a close friend of mine about 30 years ago ....and the rest is  history  

It's ironic because theatre of the mind  is even more important today when selling a home.   It's now called home staging.  Since so many people use their visual sense to buy a home, radio is not often the first media choice when marketing today,..however the internet is, and it seems that  realtors are forgetting that theatre of the mind, -- or an impression you leave with a buyer. It is essential in driving traffic to your listing.  It's the sensory stimulation that drives a buyer's desire to see more, and what creative home stagers can help you capture. 

Home Stagers create the theatre of the mind for potential buyers.  We know how to ingraine images into  buyers' minds.   We compose a visual picture for buyers' minds, much like radio copywriters.

Many radio stations did not and still do not allow their reps to write their own copy, because so many reps are horrible at it, or they are required to focus more on strategic efforts to drive more business.  The same should hold true for realtors.   Not all of them are that great in creating a  theatre of the mind for buyers, and should partner with a professional home  stager, who does.

Theatre of the mind ties into "Top of the Mind Awareness".  In marketing, most people only remember no more than 5 choices when it comes to buying .  Think about brands you look to when buying a car, a TV, refrigerator..etc.   Most of these have 30 or more choices,..but how many do you remember and can you  list in 3 minutes??  The same holds true when it comes to recalling that home you just listed.  How many buyers will "recall" that listing?  How ingrained are your images in buyers' minds?      

So, before you list that property... Is that theatre of the mind  you created , ..a horror show, or a block buster? 

....What is YOUR  creative vision for that next listing?  See you on the Red Carpet!!

Theatre of the mind

 

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If you would like more information about Renaissance Home Staging & Redesign, please call us at 480-857-1437.  There is a small  fee for our service, and more information can be obtained by visiting www.renaissance-homestaging.com.  Selling your home faster and for a higher price is our goal.  We look forward to working with youl

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Liz Murray   ASHSR Member.  Certified HSR professional

Proudly Serving Chandler,Mesa, Tempe, Sun Lakes, and Metro Phoenix. Phone:  (480) 857-1437

 

Carol Barron Cross
SUNFLOWER HOMES & EQUESTRIAN LLC - Palm City, FL
Sunflower Homes & Equestrian LLC

So very true. Thanks for the post. Enjoyed reading it. As sales people, we have to sometimes help our buyers see things.

Aug 06, 2011 11:19 PM
Liz Murray
Renaissance Home Staging & Redesign - Chandler, AZ
Professional Home Stager

Carol, thank you for the comment.  I don't think people realize how important the "message" is to buyers. 

What are you saying to that person on the MLS??  Is it something like "Buy me so I can escape this nightmare", or "We're only selling because we're relocating, but we really loved this place" ?? 

I probably wrote 1000s of pieces of ad copy while in radio.  I would torment for hours over how to get that message across in 30 seconds, or 60 seconds!  Home staging is quite similiar, and I still torment over every detail. 

.... I just wonder if realtors are so accustom to writing 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with bonus room, granite countertops, etc. etc.   It's all so boring, and doesn't do much to get my attention.   Again, it's that  "theatre of the mind", which is what stagers do very well. 

Jason Jenning's ad copy for selling a bunch of condos was pretty vibrant.  It sold out the property of condos that had been sitting there for months, and the builder wanted to get them sold.  (that was back in the day of print ads)  That campaign was the rocket that sent his career soaring!

Aug 07, 2011 03:31 AM
Joshua Zargari
MJ Decorators Workshop LI staging and home decorating - Lynbrook, NY
MJ Decorators Workshop

A picture is worth a thousand words...

Aug 07, 2011 07:33 AM
Liz Murray
Renaissance Home Staging & Redesign - Chandler, AZ
Professional Home Stager

Joshua, it sure is,..but a bad picture can cost you $1,000s, too.   That's why I thought people should realize how expert stagers can "kick it up a notch".   I wrote some pretty amazing copy years ago,..if I do say so.   Many of my clients bragged about it.   I also had the highest prices in the market. 

...If you're good, it's not bragging.   THe same holds true with good stagers.  We can make realtors look reaaaaal good, and help them reduce their marketing costs, ....AND get more referrals because of happy clients.  

... The Theatre of the mind is important when it comes to selling a home, and any seller should be asking their realtor how they envision their house in today's market.  Is it up to snuff???

Aug 07, 2011 12:37 PM
Carol Gifford
Creative Edge Home Staging - Madison, WI
Madison and Dane Cty. WI

Liz:    Reading about your background it is no wonder you are such a valuable asset to home sellers and realtors (and an amazing blogger).  Your right on the money about the questions that sellers should be asking their realtors about how their home is envisioned in todays market.  It's a whole new ballgame in todays market if sellers want to hit one the park. What a great post!   

Aug 07, 2011 01:52 PM
Liz Murray
Renaissance Home Staging & Redesign - Chandler, AZ
Professional Home Stager

Carol... thank you, but I know there are some real talented individuals and creative stagers out there, but too many realtors let their egos get in the way and still refuse to seek their help..  For the record, in the last year an average realtor made around $25,000.   I realize that price reductions might be the reason for that, and declining property values which doesn't help. 

By not using or even engaging a stager for their client, they are undermining the success  of getting a higher commission,possibly making more money, and building a stronger reputation in the market.  

When it comes to such a monumental financial transaction, I'm always amazed at the MLS pictures that truly portray more than delayed maintenance.  It shows me how good the realtor is when listing a home.   They all get pretty the same in commissions, so why not make sure you get a good one. 

 

Aug 07, 2011 02:21 PM