Special offer

My most unique marketing plan . . .

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Realty Services

This is not web based marketing, this was good old belly to belly stuff!

 Another agent and I would go on Wednesday mornings to the local bagel shop, buy bags of bagels with different cream cheeses.  We would drop these bags of bagels ( about 20 to 30 in a bag) off at different local business in our area once a week.  We would leave our business cards, magnets, brochures, contact information, and the like with the bagels for the employees to read.  It took a bit of effort, but it really paid off.

We did this for about 3 months and go leads from it.   We still get business from those bagles?  They were always waiting for us on Wednesdays to come with the bagels.  The bagel company gave us a discount because we were such regulars and bought  a lot of bagels.

We have since changed our format with these companies.  We now mail gift cards, movie tickets and occasionally drop off bagels.  The bagels were a way for us to get into the door and get to know the folks, who is going to turn away free food?  This let us get them in our database and build relationships.

 

Audreyjune.com

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Joe Hayden Real Estate Team
RE/MAX Properties East - Louisville, KY
Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

Free food...;)

I'm wondering if Krispy Kreme Donuts will have the same effect?  I'd hate to get devoured in the rush!

Mar 22, 2008 05:05 PM
Anonymous
Anonymous

Audrey,

Way to be memorable!  I love this idea.  We all know how much we love it when vendors do it for us......what a terrific twist on the concept.  Thank you so much for sharing this.

Mar 22, 2008 05:31 PM
#56
Pam Winterbauer
Pam Winterbauer Real Estate - San Ramon, CA
"Providing Blue Ribbon Service"
Audrey....this is a great idea.  Our office is in a major business park and it would certainly work well here.  Thanks again.
Mar 22, 2008 06:17 PM
Ryan Vivo
Gateway Realty - Fairfield, CA
NRBA Realtor Solano County, Gateway Realty 707-384-5894
That is a very unique and interesting plan.  Keep up the good work.
Mar 22, 2008 10:24 PM
JoEllen Stranger-Thorsen
Eustis, FL
Lake County, FL
Wonderful idea, I like how you changed it up a little after you got your foot in the door.
Mar 23, 2008 05:43 AM
Pamela STETSON
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Abbott Realtors - Mahwah, NJ
I would love to help you buy or sell your home!
Thank you for sharing such a terrific idea! I am going to try this and I am going to include our local SENIOR Center --- I bet they would love it. Thanks again for helping others, too , on Active Rain.
Mar 23, 2008 07:12 AM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team
Another great idea!  Thanks again!
Mar 23, 2008 09:05 AM
Jeremy Blanton
Myrtle Beach Homes Blog - Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach REALTORĀ®- myrtlebeachhomesblog.com
Audrey, can you start delivering those gift cards & bagels to some businesses in Myrtle Beach?
Mar 23, 2008 10:15 AM
Nancy Kent
RE/MAX Hill & Valley - Granby, MA
RE/MAX Hill & Valley, Western Mass
I love it!!! Someone bearing food would always catch my attention! I am going to have to try it!
Mar 23, 2008 11:12 AM
Vickie Barrington
Bluewater Real Estate - Atlantic Beach, NC
Carteret County Real Estate
I may have to try this idea and everyone loves bagels. In this market we have to go above and beyond to stand out. Thanks for the info.
Mar 23, 2008 11:15 AM
Ann Marie Clements
Remax Realty Group - Gaithersburg, MD
Montgomery County & Frederick County

Wow Audrey!!! That is a great idea! Thank you so much for sharing it with us and also your buyers packet! I read one of your comments and it said "You should come work in our office" nooooo we would never want you to leave our office!

Ann Marie

Mar 23, 2008 12:11 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes
thank you for the very nice post and really good info here. This was worth my reading!
Mar 23, 2008 12:34 PM
Chip Jefferson
Gibbs Realty and Auction Company - Columbia, SC
What a wonderful idea. Thanks for the info!
Mar 23, 2008 12:46 PM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
We have a closing company in Searcy who serves cookies, home baked, at their closes.  They also bring some by the office weekly.  You can't forget them!!
Mar 23, 2008 01:17 PM
Brenda Carus
Century 21 Zwygart Real Estate - Monroe, WI
Great idea!  Nothing beats good old fashioned face-to-face (or belly-to-belly) networking.
Mar 25, 2008 07:36 AM
Ritu Desai 703-625-4949
Samson Properties - Chantilly, VA
Northern Virginia,Washington DC & Maryland Realtor
What a unique idea!! I always enjoyed eating free breakfast that title company provided before our sales meeting. Never thought about doing the same.
Mar 25, 2008 02:00 PM
Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing and Online Advertising Consultant
Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision - Lake Geneva, WI
I can appreciate that marketing angle Audrey.  I grew up with Bagels, Cream Cheese and Lox(if luck had it) on Sundays, along with the good old New York Times paper.  Bagels are a comfort food, and if your name comes associated with that comfort, all the better:-)  Good stuff.
Mar 25, 2008 03:11 PM
Utah Dave
UtahDave.com Neighborhood Experts - South Jordan, UT
Homes for Sale - Utah
I love the thought of acting on a way to get business. Also, a way of killing people with kindness.  Life is about those personal visits doing nice things for others.  Way to go.
Mar 25, 2008 03:13 PM
Lindsay Pendleton
Relocating To Baton Rouge & Surrounding Areas - Baton Rouge, LA
Marketing Agent - Property Management in Baton Rou
Mmmm bagels. Did you supply the cream cheese too? :)
Mar 26, 2008 10:40 AM
Sue Prins
Five Star Real Estate - Forest Hills, MI
Realtor- Greater Grand Rapids, MI

Great idea! You are absolutely right, who would turn down food? It is always fun to do random acts of kindness anyways. Thanks for sharing your idea.

Mar 26, 2008 02:10 PM