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Three farming techniques that think outside the mailbox

By
Real Estate Technology with SmartZip

If you’re working in a market or farm with a lot of agent competition, you may be wondering how to stand out in the crowd (or a crowded mailbox). We surveyed three top-performing agents to see what they to do draw attention and engage top listing prospects.

1. Dial up the quirk

It’s easy to hate doorknocking. But what if you’re there to deliver a gift  and what if that gift is bound to get a laugh? Alan Ellenbogen of Team Ellenbogen in Montclair, New Jersey, delivers a WOW package with a punch.

Says Alan, “Inside our WOW package is a green tube that plays an audio recording of me talking about the market when you open it. It’s crazy! But when I dropped it off to one of our listing prospects, she opened it in front of me and started laughing. She invited us in. We like doing this because at the least, they won't forget you and at best, they'll ask you to come in and start building the relationship."

 

2. Get generous before you doorknock

Offering a silly token in person is a great way to get in the door, but some agents warm their leads ahead of time. Dan Chin of Keller Williams Realty in McFarland, Wisconsin, prefers to doorknock knowing that homeowners already know and like him. It sounds like a lofty goal but in Dan’s case, it just takes a $1 investment.

“I start by sending a notecard and a $1 scratch-off lottery card to them, then follow up the next day in person with a five-page packet of market information, recent sales, and other data from the National Association of REALTORS® and REALTORS Property Resource. Between the lotto card and the in-person follow-up, I already stand out from the other agents selling blind mailers.”

 

3. Start a conversation in the community

Once you’ve established contact, Tom Corte of ERA Matilla Realty in Playa Del Ray, California, has a few fun ways to keep the conversation going. Depending on the community, his team may offer hazardous waste pickup, property tax services or even unique services for an individual homeowner. Plus, by narrowing in on certain homeowners, he’s getting the neighbors talking.

"We are now also putting up little flags, but only to the top 200 homes on our list of predicted sellers. People across the street wonder why their neighbor got a flag but they didn't. Or why the truck came and picked up their neighbor's hazardous waste, but not theirs. It's all about making our top prospects feel special, and sparking conversations with them and their neighbors."

 


Get started!

Ready to stand out this fall? The first step is always the hardest. At SmartZip, we offer custom-tailored territories that offer you high commission potential and a dedicated Client Success Manager who keeps you on track.

To check if your territory is available, reach out today.

Barbara Parker
Highgarden Real Estate - Fort Mill, SC
I like to work with first time homebuyers, sellers

I really like this.  I will be trying at least one of your ideas.

Jan 15, 2016 05:31 AM
David Alan Baker | Laveen & South Phoenix Realtor
Keller Williams Realty Phoenix - Laveen, AZ
Your local Expert

Some thinking outside the box, some could be a little bit expensive.

Jan 15, 2016 07:15 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Congratulations on getting top billing on the home page! I read it again, and I like those out of the box thinkers!

Jan 15, 2016 08:31 AM
Michael Thacker - Re/Max Real Estate Center - Louisville
Re/Max Real Estate Center - The Thacker Group - Louisville, KY
Your best friend who just happens to be a Realtor

Really great post, and glad that you are thinking outside of the box, and letting your personality shine through in your marketing.

Jan 15, 2016 08:34 AM
Maria Gilda Racelis
Home Buyers Realty, LLC-Manchester, Bolton. Vernon,Ellington - Manchester, CT
Home Ownership is w/in Reach. We Make it Happen!

Hi Gina: thanks for this post. It gets my mind churning.

Jan 15, 2016 09:14 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Interesting ideas. I'm not a fan of door knocking but you have some good ideas

Jan 15, 2016 09:25 AM
Shirley Coomer
Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living - Phoenix, AZ
Realtor, Keller Williams Realty, Phoenix Az

Coming from contribution!  What a novel concept!  What great ways to connect with people and stand out as an agent that goes the extra mile!

Jan 15, 2016 10:14 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Gina - these are great tips for out-of-the-box marketing ideas. Nice post, and a Feature, too.

Jan 15, 2016 10:23 AM
MaryBeth Mills Muldowney
TradeWinds Realty Group LLC - Braintree, MA
Massachusetts Broker Owner

Gina Thelemann great ideas here! thank you for your post!

ActiveRain always gets our creative juices flowing with the assistance of talent like yours.

Jan 15, 2016 10:25 AM
Steve Higgins
RE/MAX Kelowna - Kelowna, BC

Hi Gina,

Good post! Thanks for the good ideas. Welcome to Activerain!

Jan 15, 2016 11:34 AM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

Gina, thanks for sharing these great tips. I see some new ways of staying outside the box.

Best wishes

Jan 15, 2016 11:45 AM
Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL

Welcome to ActiveRain Gina! These are excellent ways to stand out and I plan on incorporating them in my farm areas.  Thank you!

Jan 15, 2016 01:39 PM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

Good tips for those of us who may be in a bit of a rut with advertising.  Thank you.  And a belated welcome to Active Rain.  I will look forward to more posts from you.  Mark

Jan 15, 2016 01:43 PM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

These are some great ideas. I like the hazardous waste pickup. It's always a pain to do, so I'm sure homeowners would love the service. 

Jan 15, 2016 03:25 PM
Rose Mary Justice
Synergy Realty Pros - Dandridge, TN
Synergy Realty Pros

Great ideas for sure.  Think outside the box to get in the door.    

Jan 15, 2016 11:04 PM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Good ideas & shows planning along with the doorknocking.

Jan 16, 2016 12:51 AM
Marilyn O'Donoghue
Long & Foster Avalon - Avalon, NJ

What a wonderful post and great marketing ideas.  If our industry doesn't want to go the way of the taxi cab vs. Uber, we need to constantly offer value and good service.

Jan 17, 2016 05:55 AM
Barbara Le Pine
ADVANTAGE REAL ESTATE, serving Lincoln County - Newport, OR
Your agent for the Central Oregon Coast!

The 1$ scratch-off lottery tickets to warm the prospect is a great idea. Very interesting blog post!!

Jan 17, 2016 06:18 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Love how creative this list is.  And I agreen with Barbara Le Pine  re $1 scratch off tickets. A play on words might work with those!   

Feb 01, 2016 07:20 AM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Interesting and creative ideas. Some of your ideas could be recrafted and tested to see how effectively the conversion ratio works.

Feb 22, 2016 10:08 AM