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Do You Make The Buffalo Cry from Pinching It? Should Not for Marketing

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired 104763

 

A special phrase that I use with many of my marketing posts is “market like you mean it.”  This has a multitude of meanings and one references cost. Marketing properly requires spending money.

Online is the least expensive, and often, the most effective.  However, if one is marketing for listings that entity is found best with offline marketing.  I always complement the offline marketing with online marketing, and that works well.

When referencing cost of marketing, if you’re counting pennies, don’t expect to reap “big bucks.”  Perception becomes reality in real estate, and those who market by cutting corners harvest a very weak crop.

If the quality of your marketing is “typical,” expect your production to follow suit.  When “you market like you mean it,” it’s evident and will be noticed. Just as buyers buy on comparison, so, too, do homeowners when selecting a listing agent.

Cutting corners with marketing to save a few pennies is counterproductive. It negates the purpose of the marketing; it results in voids rather than a smoothly run routine; and you miss business.  That’s a waste of marketing dollars and you created it by saving a few pennies.

Direct mail marketing is a prime example. Just listed cards are an easy piece to mail.  When you skip the sale pending mailing and wait for the sale to close, you’ve created a long gap of time with nothing in front of potential sellers. In my marketplace, I fill that gap that others create by eliminating one mailing!  Sold postcards should never be mailed until the property is closed.

Saving pennies will result in dollars lost.  Just saying…   

 

Posted by

 

 

Barbara Todaro, Great Grandmother to Caleb, Santino, Aiden and Gianni       

Todaro Team - Retired

508-918-9148

               

             Copyright © 2009 - 2021 Barbara Todaro

                               All Rights Reserved



 

Comments(39)

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Barbara Todaro - Thanks to you, I learned something new and valuable! Running a business is hard and costly but the truth is, when it comes to somebody else investment, and the most expensive investment of their life, why be cheap about sending out Pending cards? It just makes perfect sense and something I had not thought about until now. 

Apr 27, 2017 04:51 AM
Barbara Todaro

the sale pending postcard is the most powerful.... no one does them.... one day, I decided it was a long gap between just listed and closed....and this was a fill in.... the phone started ringing....haven't miss one since!!! Patricia Feager 

Apr 27, 2017 06:45 AM
Mick Michaud
Distinctly Texas Lifestyle Properties, LLC Office:682/498-3107 - Granbury, TX
Your Texas Lifestyle is Here!

Point well taken.  I had to parse the title a couple of times to get the intended meaning, LOL.

Apr 27, 2017 06:10 AM
Barbara Todaro

pinch pennies.... what can you  buy for a penny??  the buffalo is more likely to cry today Mick Michaud 

Apr 27, 2017 06:45 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Well said and exactly right on Barbara Todaro. Skimping in marketing leads to a shortage of good results which results in no new listings  

Apr 27, 2017 06:51 AM
Barbara Todaro

no voids in marketing, Scott Godzyk 

Apr 27, 2017 08:37 AM
Matt Brady
Watermark Capital - Del Mar, CA
One of San Diego's Best Equity Advisors

I would really prefer reality drive perception. But in the lending business as well there are often newcomers that find success because they embrace advertising or a new technology. At some point, everyone fakes until they make it.

Apr 27, 2017 06:52 AM
Barbara Todaro

with both feet on the ground, perception becomes reality in ALL SALES POSITIONS....  Matt Brady 

Apr 27, 2017 08:38 AM
Shirley Coomer
Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living - Phoenix, AZ
Realtor, Keller Williams Realty, Phoenix Az

Great post, I like your "Market Like You Mean It" reference.  The win goes to the consistent and quality focused marketing materials, whether online or print.

 

 

Apr 27, 2017 07:03 AM
Barbara Todaro

Shirley Coomer always remember that statement and you can't lose.... I think about it everytime I write a post....

Apr 27, 2017 08:40 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Barbara -- I love the title and the message is one that bears repeating...over and over and over again.   

Apr 27, 2017 08:30 AM
Barbara Todaro

thanks, Michael Jacobs I think about the message in that post every day....and it's my motivation to stay ahead of the pack...and we have quite the pack in my town....

Apr 27, 2017 08:43 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

"You reap what you sow" comes to mind when speaking of marketing, Barbara Todaro ...

I appreciate your motivating messages ... it's that little "kick in the tush", reminder, and verfication that I need ...

Gene

Apr 27, 2017 10:44 AM
Barbara Todaro

we all need that motivating message Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi 

Apr 27, 2017 10:52 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Yes, thank you for advice that works Barbara! Am redesigning my website (about time) and need it to be effective in getting attention by gaining leads now and for future needs My mailing program costs a bit of money but the return is amazing and people like the personalized message.

Apr 27, 2017 04:03 PM
Barbara Todaro

that money is a good investment and it's always wise to invest in your business!!  Wanda Kubat-Nerdin 

Apr 28, 2017 02:54 AM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Barbara - Thanks to your encouragement, years and years ago, I have been doing direct mailing to my town and reaping the rewards!  Totally true - The more I mail, the more my phone rings!

Apr 27, 2017 07:29 PM
Barbara Todaro

AND YOU STOPPED????????????????????    why?  if it's working, do it until it doesn't... Dagny Eason 

Apr 28, 2017 02:52 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

The volume you mail is intimidating to new agents who don't have your marketing budget - I remind them that you started small and worked your way up to what you do today.

And, since I occasionally meet a client who wants just one marketing letter, I harp on the fact that sending one letter is a total waste of time and money. It's better to send 10 messages to 100 people than one letter to 1,000 people.

Apr 27, 2017 08:04 PM
Barbara Todaro

I began 39 years ago with 5-5-10....5 on each side of the listing and 10 across the street....  20 postcards....and the very first mailing brought me a new listing from within that small group....and I never stopped mailing... Marte Cliff 

Apr 28, 2017 02:52 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Barbara Todaro , I tried something new this year and that is to teach my Sellers and Buyers to help me with marketing to there best friends and family.  I need to put a post up as one recent example that took place this week, the seller after sending out the " Meet my REALTOR®" letters also then provided a means for me to actually meet many of the friends and family that received the letters. I will try and post this soon  but I can tell you that the result was that I was simply overwhemed. The right clients can make this career so awesome that it defies words. 

Apr 27, 2017 10:15 PM
Barbara Todaro

what a great idea William Johnson .... please do share a post on that topic.... 

Apr 28, 2017 02:50 AM
Chris Lima
Turtle Reef Realty - Port St Lucie, FL
Local or Global-Allow me to open doors for you.

Good Morning Barbara. You are truly a marketing guru and its obvious that your hard work is paying off!

Apr 28, 2017 04:40 AM
Barbara Todaro

not a guru....just a real estate participant who has focused on marketing and tested many methods....  Chris Lima 

Apr 28, 2017 07:10 AM
Donna & Larry Johnson
Keller Williams Real Estate - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County

So many agents spend money on gimmicks that do not work. Find what works for you and stick with it!

Apr 28, 2017 05:31 AM
Barbara Todaro

the gimmicks are so obvious.... old school, proven methods are what works for me.... Donna & Larry Johnson 

Apr 28, 2017 07:10 AM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

Barbara Todaro Very to the point post. Great advice for all of us as we look at our marketing.

I think a good summary point you made is just super: if you’re counting pennies, don’t expect to reap “big bucks.”

Thanks

Apr 28, 2017 06:49 AM
Barbara Todaro

that's the bottom line, John Wiley 

Apr 28, 2017 07:09 AM
DALIA KIBBY
One Sothebys International Realty - Cooper City, FL
Selling Florida Homes with Passion!

Greatreminder to market smart. I'm inspired to send out 'pending' cards...have never done so. Good post!

Apr 28, 2017 06:55 AM
Barbara Todaro

you'll be very pleased with the results..... make sure you have a one-liner that will make them call...


"I can do this for you, too"...for pending cards


"call to see if this home sale changed the value of your home"...for sold postcards....


DALIA KIBBY 


 


 

Apr 28, 2017 07:08 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Barbara - This is very valuable insight into direct mail marketing.  I am now pretty well settled in at my new company and am going to revamp my listing strategy to include more direct mail to targeted areas. 

Apr 28, 2017 07:56 AM
Barbara Todaro

good decision, Sheri Sperry - MCNE® and if you ever need guidance, please contact me...

Apr 28, 2017 11:02 AM
Travis "the SOLD man" Parker; Broker/Owner
Travis Realty - Enterprise, AL
email: Travis@theSOLDman.me / cell: 334-494-7846

I haven't done any direct mail marketing. Will probably start in my own subdivision as there is a pretty good turnover and good prices. So, I'll remember your advice!

May 01, 2017 07:44 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good luck with your next marketing project Travis "the SOLD man" Parker; Associate Broker 

May 01, 2017 07:50 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Love this post!!!  I cut back on my farming for a year or two several years ago - I needed to pinch pennies but I didn't realize that as I pinched those pennies from lack of money that I was tanking my farming - $500 a month or $6000 a year - and I was averaging 5 listings a year at $15000 each - what was I thinking! 

Mar 22, 2018 05:36 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I'd bet you'll never do that again!!  what a void of income, not to mention residual business that results from EVERY listing.... Lise Howe 

Mar 22, 2018 05:42 AM