This is a great idea.  Not sure I could lug mine around in my small purse.  Maybe I could duct tape it to my forehead.  

Hi Erin - I'll pass. I'm sure it could have results, but I'm not in the mood to match a sold sign with my wardrobe for a whole month.

Hi Erin --- I first heard about this on the Lab Coat Agents page on Facebook(which I originally heard about through Beth Atalay -- not sure if she is participating).   I think there are many ways to promote your business but like Dick Greenberg I passed on this idea.  To those who are enjoying success -- congratulations.   

Erin Bates - saw this on LCA. Thinking outside the box is a good idea for sure. However, will I do it? I doubt!

Yes, I can spread the idea and see what others have to say.....

YA, I know there are some who will trash the idea but not me, sounds fun and I just bet I can pick up a clients or two.

Us Bob's are thinking alike as I may join Bob Ratliff, Broker Associate - REALTOR® CRS, GRI ~ 512-587-5689 and dare to accessorize with a SOLD sign in hand Erin Bates 

I'm on day 4 and so far have had great success, so I say YAY!!!

What if someone asks you what property you sold? I think this is a bit deceptive. 

That is strange and takes a very special person to walk around with the sold sign.  Almost indicates a type of slavery

Interesting idea. I do think that sometimes having a prop can be valuable to start  the conversation. 

I think this is an interesting idea.  I know I get into a lot of conversations over my shirt and/or bag and/or laptop sticker as well as when I'm carrying my flooring samples (usually in the elevator of a building).  

It may work for some people, however I don't think my engineering job would appreciate me walking around the office with a SOLD sign :)  Bill

Not a bad idea if it works. I wonder how my pastor would feel if I carried it in to the Sunday service. 

This sounds better than dropping a handful of business cards in a crowded elevator!

Sounds like a good idea.. Let's see how it works.

This is an interesting idea but I think I'll be an observer on this one. I'm curious if they get actual clients from it.

I'm with Dick Greenberg on this one.  Would have go pass just my personal opinion.  

Will try this challenge starting March 1.

Never heard that one. I think it is a good idea for someone who is ready to engage in a dialog. If I carried a SOLD sign and someone asked why, I would say "So I can initiate a conversation about real estate with someone because that is what I do". Probably will do do it though!

I stay in the judgement free zone. I wear a name badge and it starts conversations. Good luck

Good morning Erin Bates ,

I like the thinking outside the box idea. I probably won't participate as I like to see those SOLD riders on my listings and make sure they are put on! Hopefully there are some good success stories..doing something is better than sitting there hoping for the phone to ring!

I think that's a great, non-irritating way to start a conversation. If someone approaches the realtor while they have the sign and starts a conversation, it's no different than the agent wearing a name tag.

Whatever works. I do plenty of other things that bring business so I will pass on this. To all those who are up for it, I say: go for it!

Many years ago I was a franchisee for Domino's Pizza.  Business was slow and I wanted to do something to bring in more business. I had read an article about a fellow franchisee who held up signs offering carryout pizzas for 5 bucks.  I gave it a shot and had several people holding signs up at nearby busy intersections during rush hour.  It worked better than I could have every imagined.

I have no doubt that this works.  It is not for everyone.   

It definately would be a conversation starter, but takes some effort especially for someone who does not carry a bag to put it in, 

I remember a similar campaign using I FOUND IT & I NEVER LOST IT as the point of a campaign. The idea was for someone to ask: What did you find or lose? Then, you give your testimony about what Jesus has done for you. It came & went btw....

I would bet you 75%+ will ask you "What did you Sell ?"  Smile and say in this active real estate market I've put _________ under agreement ! Get their email and send them the 20+ page RPR report on their UPDATED Market Value !

Don't listen to the Drunk Monkey on your shoulder who's all ready claiming "well that's silly and won't work in my area !"

Erin Bates 

I love anytime someone comes up with an idea. Go for it! What do you have to lose? I am going to put my "Too Late" sign inside my car but won't be carrying it around.

Everything works some of the time. Nothing works all the time.  Look forward to hearing about the 30 day results.

I think it is a wonderful idea. I'll start carrying a "SOLD" sign when my attorney carries a"CONVICTED" sign and my Doctor carries a"CURED" sign. ;)

That is a sorrowful, pathetic and desperate way of begging for business.  It is that kind of "behavior" that contributes to the negative reputation of the real estate industry. 

I think a name tag...ok...carry a sold sign...all mine are on my listing right now :):):)

I think it is clever and quite likely to spur random conversations, but that will only work for so long . . . if it starts showing up everywhere, it will be a flash in the pan gimick, at best. 

Your photo of the 24" SOLD rider sticking out of that bag made me smile. As others have said, it is not for everyone, but I say if it feels right for you . . . go for it.

WOW! Kathleen Daniels- really?? "a sorrowful, pathetic and desperate way of begging for business." Unbelievable, some people fear and hate what they do not know or understand. I guess you must have all the business you can handle - good for you!  Some of us like new and innovative ways to strike up business conversations with new people- better and more noticable than a name tag. BTW SOLD means "Seeking Out Listings Daily" and don't  knock anything unless you've tried it... in my opinion.

Hello Erin Bates,  Interesting blog, I am not sure where I could out them in my car.  Any suggestions?

It's just not my thing.  I do wear a little pin that says "business is great" sometimes and it's a conversation starter.  But taking a sold sign to a date night dinner or movie, NOT gonna happen.

WhY NOT!!  My very first broker (LONG LONG TIME AGO) got us doing all kinds of  'out of the box' stuff and we had fun with it.  It's kind of like a big huge name tag!  I seriously could have some fun with it - a lot of fun - and bring in business too!  Now with that said - would I do it for 30 days.......probably not.

I'm sure this idea isn't for everyone, but there's no reason to rip it apart.  I think you were being a bit harsh with your comment Kathleen Daniels.  Just my opinion for whatever it 's worth.

I like this idea very much.  I don't go too many places, but it will be fun to have that along with me.

Featured in the group:  BARTENDER, MAKE IT A DOUBLE.

Hi, Erin.   In the spirit of Weltanschauung, I am going to respectfully disagree.

   Walking around with a 24 x 6 sign rider that says "Sold" is Tacky.  

  You might as well hold up a sign that says, "Will Sell Real Estate for Food". 

Kathleen Daniels' and  Corinne Guest, Managing Broker's  comments may sound harsh, but "Desperation" is a good word to describe it.

   FWIW,    I went over to LCA on Facebook but can't find the original post.  Just some remarks from people who are trying this.

I found the idea interesting not sure I would do it, but perhaps a play on it might work.... I'll think about it!

Erin, in real estate or any business, trying different marketing techniques is a good thing but not every type of marketing is for everyone. I for one don't wear a name tag, never have and never will but I don't think there's anything wrong with wearing one if one wants to. I feel the same about carrying a SOLD sign, it's not for me, it's different and definitely a conversation starter. If I felt good about it and matched my personality, I would definitely go for it.

I won't do it. I'm too danged lazy to do it, for starters. For another, it won't fit in my bag. And it clashes with my shoes, for crying out loud. Maybe brand new agents could find business but I prefer mine by referral and anonymous internet jerks.

I carried the SOLD sign to a listing appointment and sellers asked why and I said, "I'm visualizing that I will be putting this sign up pretty quickly." I got the listing.

It is certainly the most original idea for collecting leads. 

Hello Erin, I just wanted to drop by and say thank you for the challenge, some will like it and some want just like politics but in the end who cares. As long as one can find what works for them and not be negative about what doesn't work for them. As real estate professionals we're always looking for a magic formula to solicit clients whether it be market reports, cma's etc.

Have a terrific Sunday and God bless us all.

Hmmm, I have yet to see anyone doing this, and I have been out and about a lot. Not for me

Jeff

Those who have taken the challenge on the Facebook Lab Coats Agent site have had good success with it. While it isn't something I would do, I am always open to hear new ideas and if it gets people talking about real estate and asking questions, why not? I also tend to believe that most will view it with a sense of humor and not as a negative, as some have characterized it.

Congrats to those making business off of this.  It is an interesting idea, but not practical for me, so I'm out.

Great challenge best of luck to all who participate

I think it depends on your market and your personality.    Honestly to each their own, if it works for you it doesn't matter what anyone else things of the idea.  

Great post, thanks for sharing Erin Bates 

Hi Erin, I learned about this challenge on Facebook and I'm thinking I'd like to give it a try. I need to have a plan though, because I generally work at home and behind the scenes supporting Rich, so I need to find a reason to get out and be visible to generate the conversations. I believe it's worth a try!! I've heard of lots of folks having success. It's definitely out of the box thinking!!!

It really is amazing how signs get littered everywhere and especially now with political season, it's going to get worse!

I can understand that. Facebook is very in exact way and I've made a lot of good contacts on Facebook! Donna Foerster

I have not heard of this idea.  I couldn't do it.  Can you imagine someone taking this everywhere, even to church?  I think most would look at the person with the sign and say, "why are they here?" , just to promote themselves, not for the same purpose as the other members of the church.  

There is an old television commercial with the slogan  "You can try hard, or you can try soft. Soft will get them everytime."