I decided that I was going to Eblast other agents who Email me fliers

Debbie - that is a great ide. I think the eblasts are a waste of time, I hit the delete when I see them and so does every other agent that I know.

I dislike getting e-mails from other agents trying to pitch me a listing and for this reason I don't send them out.  I get most of my e-mail messages on my TREO cell phone so those sending me real estate spam immediately end up on my blocked e-mail list because I especially do not want those messages coming to my cell phone..   If someone is sending you e-mails of this type I would think it is only fair that you send them to these agents also.  However, I would not recommend adding agents to the list who are not sending you these type of messages.

I use E-BLASTS and have REAL succes with them in my market!  I put out an E-Blast on a price reduction and within two hours had an agent call for a showing and it was under contract by the end of the day!!  I look at E-Blasts and call on them and show from them.  I use any means possible to showcase my listings.  This is just another part of the e-technology marketing.  TRY IT, YOU'LL LIKE IT!!  Agents actually look forward to my E-BLASTS.  I include bonuses and special "perks" for buyers.  They are also GREAT to announce BROKER OPENS, Parade of Homes, etc.  YOU HAVE USE EVERY TOOL POSSIBLE TO MARKET YOU LISTING AND YOURSELF!! 

What a COMPLETE  waste of money, time, and resources.  That's what the MLS is for. You're better off calling 4-5 or so of the top agents in the area and alerting them to the best features of the home.

Personally I made a folder on my e-mail and I put all those flyers in that folder. I do read some of them just because I like to keep up with and see what other realtors are doing in my area. You never know when a client may want something just like what you have seen on one of those flyers. I don't really like getting them but I don't just delete them because you never know......... 

Debbie - this is how I built my data base of local Realtors.  If I got an e-blast from one they were automatically added to my list.  I do my own e-blasts (only to these Realtors and my SOI) using vflyers.  It's free and it works awesome.  I have actually gotten a sale or two over the years doing this.  I've done it for about 3-4 years.  There's 16,000 Realtors in LV and I have a list of about 1,500.  I also use an opt-out feature....but if one opts out I warn them that they will end back up on my list if they send me another e-blast!

We send them about once a month or when we have an auction.  It usually produces a good result.  I do read the ones from others provided the title tells me something.

ok Here is another look at this feature. How many of you do Broker Open Houses. This is basically the same thing but virtually..If you do Broker Open Houses, how succesful are they and do you attend them yourself. Do you only attend your inhouse ones or do you do other brokers as well...???

I delete them.  I don't even look at them.

Cost of an EBlast are minimal, more time than anything. Since your post have you found a EBlast program or are you just letting a e-mail program do the work?

eblasts = spam. The consequence is that your domain could get blacklisted as a spammer. Not a good strategy and in most cases will not build any goodwill or benefit [ although you might feel better :) ].

It is a waste of time, most systems block them now before they even get to their destination. I would start a newsletter and do permission e-mails.

As a lender, I occasionally get these and I try and forward listings on to other agents who may have clients. I don't know if they're eblasts or not. When I do an email, I send it only to people who know me. I think that's a better way to go. Hopefully you didn't do your eblast out of spite. Take care.

I think most agents do these because they tell the sellers what a cool idea it is.  It was in the beginning, but now too many!   I delete.

However, we have one agent in our company who writes the funniest captions.  I open hers once in a while because they catch my attention.

It is more effective to build a base of agents who you know & tell them that you've added them to your e-mail list.  Hopefully, it becomes tit for tat. 

I delete them. They stressed me so bad, that I changed my email address & didn't notify the local Board of Realtors or the state. So all the junk still goes to my old address!

I've read so many comments on this post....."I delete them...they are a waste of time, so I don't send them."

It would be so much easier and so much more fun if the only ice cream flavor sold was vanilla huh?  Not all Realtors are like you nor I nor have the same work habits

Others commented that "they search the MLS."  Does this mean that ALL Realtors search the MLS so why send e-mail blasts?

I'll drop the price on a listing on a Friday and I'll get maybe 1 to 2 phone calls.  I'll wait 4 or 5 days then send an e-mail blast.  From the e-mail blast I'll get 8 to 10 phone calls regarding the same price reduction that was on the MLS.  The views on my VIDEO TOURS (linked on the flyer) increases by 500% for the week after the e-mail blast in comparison to the week before the e-mail blast.

I have been using e-mail blasts for many years.  My database is up to 13,000 including the unsubscribed and some undeliverables.  I probably net about 7,000 to 8,000 good addresses.

Personally, I don't like to clutter my in box with junk.  If my marketing strategy would be based on my personal taste then I would not do e-mail blasts.  The objective is to sell my client's listings and there are many Realtors that are not as computer saavy as many who have posted here.  Even if they are not computer saavy or do not search the MLS, they are still Realtors whom may have CLIENTS!!!

If you want to seriously develop a database learn how to download or compile your e-mail addresses to Excel.  This is then converted to a CSV file or Tab-deliminated file which can be uploaded in minutes into any e-mail database program.  You do not have to enter them one at a time.  I too started that way.