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Cold calling again!

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage

My friend who is an agent at Century 21 in another town called me one afternoon while on floor duty and told me she had ordered personalized post cards and was sending out 50 to random subdivisions in her town.

I asked her if that sort of thing worked and she told me this was her first time to try it. Two weeks later she called me on her way to a listing apt. A gentlemen called her up and said he would like to list his home with her and she asked how he heard about her and he said he received her post card in the mail!

Needles to say I promptly ordered 100 post cards!!! I hope it works for me, even if it's only 1 client it will be worth it.

Cape Coral Florida Golf Course and Waterfront Homes
Gulf Coast Realty Network, Inc. - Cape Coral, FL

Jennifer, I hope it works for you!  Postcards have not been my favorite thing over the last four or five years, for two reasons.  first of all, they didn't seem to be cost effective.  Secondly, everyone (and I do mean everyone) was doing it.  My own mailbox had two or three every day.

Things have changed.  Many folks in our industry are gone (where is Gonesville?).  Secondly, many owners are more receptive now that they do not have the "treasure" that everyone is after.

So I hope your prospecting works!

May 02, 2008 02:43 AM
Ernie Steele
Lebanon, PA
Try anything at least once is my motto...Fellow agent in the office sent postcards to every apartment in several local complexes about 'now is the time to buy'...She got a contract and headed for settlement on the 15th.
May 02, 2008 02:44 AM
Joe Virnig
RE/MAX Gold Coast REALTORS, Ventura County, California - Ventura, CA
No Ordinary Joe
Even the worst prospecting idea--if it brings you in front of people--is bette than sitting on your as*!  I think there are a lot better mailing pieces than a 1 time postcard but it obviously worked for your friend.
May 02, 2008 02:48 AM
Jennifer Davis
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

Jim thanks for your response I always thought it was a wast of time too

Ernie thanks for the info thats encouraging!

May 02, 2008 02:49 AM
Jennifer Davis
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
Joe what other mail outs would you suggest?
May 02, 2008 02:50 AM
Vickie Nagy
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - Palm Springs, CA
Vickie Jean the Palm Springs Condo Queen
I've added door-knocking to my marketing calendar but haven't started direct mail...yet.
May 02, 2008 02:52 AM
Tammy Anderson
"The Gateway Home Team" of RE/MAX Alliance - Collinsville, IL
Owens, Broker/Owner
I use a newsletter and have had great success with it. 
May 02, 2008 02:53 AM
Abiud "Abi" Montes
EWM Realtors - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Jennifer what works for some may not work for others. I say it can't hurt to get your name out to your Farm area. If you have the extra cash why not. I do Mags every two months to the top Spas and Salons, Mail outs every quarter, and e-mails once a month, and I am getting calls. So good luck.
May 02, 2008 02:58 AM
Bart Whitmore
Keller Williams- Louisville - Louisville, KY
Real Estate Agent
I think that if you are going to mail postcards then you should do it every other month, one time is not enough
May 02, 2008 03:07 AM
Debi Ernst
St. Charles County, Missouri - Prudential Alliance Realtors - O'Fallon, MO
GRI, e-PRO, Broker/Sales Associate
Let me know if it works for you.  Where did you get the postcards?  Is there a website? 
May 02, 2008 04:46 AM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
Good luck with the cards, Jennifer.  They used to work.  We had what was called Tell-20.  If you listed a house you sent out 20 cards to neighbors saying help me sell this house.  If you sold one you sent 20 cards telling the neighbors to "meet your new neighbor at _________St".  I did them faithfully at one time.
May 02, 2008 07:40 AM
Jennifer Davis
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

Vickie good for you! Door knocking is to much for me!

Tammy, I have thought about newsletters

Abiud thanks for all of the tips!

May 02, 2008 08:20 AM
Jennifer Davis
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

Bart your probably right consistancy consistancy!

Debi, you can get them all over online but I ordered them from Merrill which I think is a RE/MAX dist.

Barbara, I've never heard of that! I like that idea, if I ever get a new listing I'll do it!

May 02, 2008 08:23 AM
Eric Bushnell
Lee Realty LLC - Wasilla, AK
Certified New Construction Specialist

Mailing something to an area you would like to work is very important if you wish to dictate the style of business you do.  You can build your own cards and send them through www.quantumdigital.com or you can use their templates.

Postcards work really well if yu make your information larger then life.  They will look at it, access it's value, then chuck it.

You're looking for the brief face time.  Consistancy is important.

Thoughts from Alaska...

May 03, 2008 10:40 AM
Jennifer Davis
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
Thanks for your thoughts Eric!
May 03, 2008 11:03 AM