Marketing Matters- Learning From What Works and What Doesn’t

No matter what type of marketing you are doing, consistency is key.  My biggest losses have been a result of not keeping with whatever strategy I was implementing at the time.  I’ve done a handful of post card mail-outs that led to zero results.  These were usually just-sold cards that I mailed to the neighborhood surrounding the recent sale.  These were likely the only marketing materials I directed towards these people besides the possibility that they saw my sign.

 

One such example is the post card pictured above.  I sent this after a listing on Milla Circle in Austin, Texas sold.  I spent $55.71 to send this to 57 individuals.  I minimized my costs buy only sending this to people who owned their home and bought it more than three years ago.     

  

Last year, I also made an extensive marketing schedule.  For each month, I determined specific marketing pieces that would go out to different groups: sphere of influence, past clients, my farm, etc.  Unfortunately, my execution on this was mediocre at best.  I definitely made sure to send HUDS and reminders about filing homestead exemptions to past clients, but I didn’t execute many of the mailers I had planned to.  Also, as you can see from my 2017 Marketing schedule, I did not track my results.

 

 

An easy marketing strategy that has had favorable results in my business has been posting listings to craigslist.  I post my own listings to craigslist (with owner’s permission), and make sure to renew the postings often.  I also will post other agent’s listings with their permission.  I have obtained at least 5 clients this year from this free strategy. 

 

Although I have zero tangible results from this marketing method, I still count it as a win.  Developing guides to local attractions and subject matters relevant to my community is a way to add value.  These guides cost approximately 23 cents per copy for printing.  I have distributed these types of publication at public places that are relevant to the content.  For example, I thumbtacked the Ultimate guide to the Barton Creek Greenbelt at one of the entrances to the trail.

 

 

 

In 2018, I plan to tackle my marketing schedule again.  This time, I’m putting dates for preparation and execution of each marketing item in my chart.  I plan to also put all these dates in my calendar with reminders so that I actually execute all of the items!  This one is still a work in progress, but here is my 2018 marketing chart so far.

 

 

 

Erika Albert Austin Real Estate Agent m: 512-779-7597 a: 9600 Great Hills Trail Suite 150W, Austin, TX, 78759 w: shesellsaustin.com  e: e@eraerealty.com