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What an interesting spam

By
Real Estate Agent

I received this interesting spam message from RealtyTimes today. If you click on the link "click to Play Video" it runs a video that appears to be customized for me, even using a nickname for me "John" in the video.  Sure I was kind of put off by the fact that the message starts off with "Dear [Customer Name Here]," but was intrigued with the rest of the customization they did for my newsletter; they even found videos with me in them and put them in the "Interviews with Jonathan" tab.

The only thing I don't understand is why they choose to waste time spamming our members when they could achieve so much more success by blogging about their product on our network.

Has anyone purchased this newsletter, or know anything more about it? 

___________________
 

"You've received a contact message from your Contact Form on the ActiveRain network.

Message details:
From: Charis
Email: cmoreno@realtytimes.com
Subject: Jonathan's Real Estate Update

Dear [Customer Name Here],

What you are hearing from the mainstream national media about Real Estate is only one small part of the story. Tune in to my Video Newsletter to watch "the rest of the story".



Click to Play Video


alt="Click to Play Video" border=0 title="Click to Play Video">

My Newsletter is "real time" and changes daily.

I will be emailing it to you regularly to keep you up to date on what is actually going on in this market. If you do not wish to receive this Newsletter in the future, simply reply to this email and put "Remove" in the subject line.

Whether you are thinking about selling or buying, or you just want to keep abreast of the market, I hope you find this information useful and informative.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Wasburn



Jonathan, this Newsletter is yours to use as much as you like at no charge for 14 days. The above is a sample e-mail that you can modify and use to send the Newsletter on to your contact list. The link will stay live for the duration of your 14-day free trial. If you decide that you would like to continue using this past 14 days, or if you have any questions, please contact Charis Moreno at 805-584-1051 or email: cmoreno@realtytimes.com ."
Show All Comments
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time
Jonathan, Very cool. I like the idea of it being a live link. I do agree they would do much beter by just joining AR and blogging about it tan spamming. But it is cool. I think I will go check them out. Or make my own:) 
Apr 30, 2008 06:47 AM
Bob Stewart
ActiveRain - Seattle, WA
ActiveRain Ambassador

Wow, they actually got videos of you in there..........how crazy is that!!!

If it makes you feel any better, they picked you specifically to hit with email. It must have taken too long to use a shotgun approach :-) 

(I wonder if they knew you would write about it. They should have picked Brad, he has a bigger following than any of the rest of us) haha! 

Apr 30, 2008 07:01 AM
Courtney Cooper
Cooper Jacobs - Seattle, WA
206-850-8841
That is indeed some creative SPAM, but SPAM it is just the same.....  Interesting:)
Apr 30, 2008 07:08 AM
Miriam Bernstei
Rochester, NY

They would prefer that you write about, carries more weight than if they do it and you are probably better at it than they are.  Looks interesting.

Apr 30, 2008 07:31 AM
Jon Washburn
Seattle, WA
Hahaha, Strategic spamming.  "Piss the influencers off so that they write about you".  All press is good press I guess.
Apr 30, 2008 08:02 AM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy
I don't feel special anymore.  They didn't spam me...  and You and Bob would have a bigger following if you wrote more. 
Apr 30, 2008 08:14 AM
Jeremy Blanton
Myrtle Beach Homes Blog - Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach REALTOR®- myrtlebeachhomesblog.com
Jonathan, there is one spamming the phone lines right now...They called me first, then my father, then my wife...Reason I know they got it from AR, my wifes profile has my number on it.  And it is the only place to find her!
Apr 30, 2008 08:15 AM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re
Cool concept I wonder what the cost is and how regular the updates are. Thanks I have not seen this before.
Apr 30, 2008 10:18 AM
Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing and Online Advertising Consultant
Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision - Lake Geneva, WI
Jonathan- That's funny, I got a call from a rep. from Realty Times about three weeks ago from my Profile on A/R pitching this product I believe.  I asked him, "Are you aware I am not a real estate agent".  Oh no, I wasn't, he said.  Makes me wonder about their systems.  Do they have a way to just scrap all the random contact for A/R and just dial for dollars:-)
Apr 30, 2008 10:48 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

it still looks like spam to me

 

While it might be unique for a while, it still looks like SPAM.  You are the chosen one to spread the word for them, because you are so special.  : )

Apr 30, 2008 11:49 AM
Larry Brewer - Benchmark Realty llc
Benchmark Realty LLc - Nashville, TN
Wow - The spamers are getting more creative. I haven't seen it until now, but thanks for the heads up.
Apr 30, 2008 03:27 PM
Michelle DeRepentigny
Success Realty - Athens, GA
Broker Athens, GA
Geez, why don't I ever get half decent spam like this instead of 100+- emailed listing brochures and all the other crap?  Kind of cool concept.
Apr 30, 2008 05:47 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Jonathan, I have used Realty Times for many years and send out an email newsletter.  I got this ad too, but it didn't have me on it. :(

I did call to find out the pricing and it was too much money and I thought clients would get bored with it after getting it over and over again. Yes, you could buy more but I just didn't think it was worth it.

Agreed, if they joined AR they would do better, but it is still too high.

Oh yea, my readership has gotten less and less over the years, as they have a tracking system to see how many open it. I try to make my subject line intriguing so they will open it.  

May 01, 2008 02:01 AM
Charis Moreno
Realty Times - Simi Valley, CA

I have enjoyed reading the various comments on the Video Newsletter.  We intended it to be more informative as we deliver the POSITIVE Real Estate News and seeing the various comments on Active Rain, as I am a member, in relation to how the negative media has taken it's toll on even the GOOD markets!  I was hoping that Jonathan would pass this along to his sphere of influence...and he has. 

In terms of the product it is updated daily and provides the positives to real estate as opposed to just the negative news the National Media would like to report on.  We understand Real Estate is LOCAL and consumers should get the local real estate news from their Realtor.  This provides a way for a Realtor to share the LOCAL market News with their Farm, past clients, family, friends, etc. by having RT produce their own news videos.  I have provided a few examples below with pricing for you to see that various ways it can be marketed.

$599 + $24.95 monthly hosting: Sample - http://realtytimes.com/REUv/TheRichGroup

$599 + $99 monthly: Sample - Example: www.NorasNews.com or www.NapervilleMarketConditions.com or http://www.rockyanddebnews.com/

Want to customize?

http://realtytimes.com/reuv/briggsfreeman visit his website at www.briggs-freeman.com

http://realtytimes.com/reuv/SightCommercialRealty click his logo to see his web site

http://www.thedailyallmanac.com/

http://realtytimes.com/REUv/ArthurRvanderVant

If you want more information please contact me directly

May 01, 2008 07:37 AM
Cyndee Haydon
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
727-710-8035 Clearwater, Beach Short Sales Luxury Condos &Homes
Jonathan thanks for sharing it - I'm intrigued with new marketing ideas and not sure I'd go for it but it'sinteresting.
May 01, 2008 04:38 PM
Anonymous
Betsy Godwin
Jonathan - thanks for sharing this with us.  This appears to be a incredible marketing tool. 
May 02, 2008 03:48 PM
#20
Karen Luke
South Metro Property Management, LLC - McDonough, GA
Henry County Real Estate
You know, I think my clients and my database folks would prefer a good old fashioned phone call rather than a slick email campaign. --my 2 cents
May 06, 2008 12:38 PM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Well it looks pretty cool but looking at the prices that Charis has provided, it is certainly not cheap. Cool though how they sent it to you and found your interview.

May 10, 2008 04:55 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

I didn't receive anything about this, but I am not a media mogul like you.  They wouldn't have been able to find any interviews featuring me.

May 10, 2008 05:50 AM
Billnulls Blog Florida Realty Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
AHWD

spam is spam, no matter how good it is and it is ALWAYS irritating to receive it!

May 13, 2008 01:49 AM
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