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Marketing Is Risky Business | It's Always A Test | It Costs Money

By Barbara Todaro

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

March 04, 2020 09:28 AM

Real estate marketing is “risky business.” It’s not free, and when you DO find a source that’s free, don’t waste your time with it. You won’t get business from it. It won’t put money in your pocket!!

I’ve said it often, and I’ll say it again. Marketing is always a “Test.” There are so many changes in the real estate market; changes with people’s needs; changes with real estate practices and more. Testing a new thought is a wise decision. Anything new and refreshing is a wise choice, and testing costs money.

It all begins with the target. Think as the target thinks. Oh, wait, I’ve said that a million times, but I think it as often as that. It must be a good thought!!

Stop and be in the moment. When you’re preparing marketing, remove all external negative forces and think about the target. Think as the target would think and prepare a marketing piece that you expect would result in a reaction. Make the target react.

Just another thought for the moment, as I’m thinking about the target for our next mailing….

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Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Sheri Sperry - MCNE® sounds like scammers.... selling you a story you'll fall for.... and then not being able to produce the links to their target sites.... did you ask for your money back.... you should.....

Mar 04, 2020 10:28 AM

Will Hamm

Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO

"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Barbara, I take your lead on so many direct mail to mail out and try to work it.

Mar 04, 2020 10:44 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD
Barbara Todaro

Franklin, MA

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Will Hamm keep mailing.....and I'll keep creating those postcards........

Mar 04, 2020 11:23 AM

Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Barbara,

Like you said you have to know and understand your target market...Big companies like Louis Vuitton-Moet & Hennessey wasted their money on a store, employees, etc in one of the Santa Barbara communities. The community had money, but their type of merchandise was not on their wave length. The same thing happened with Ruth Chris...

Mar 04, 2020 12:22 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD
Barbara Todaro

Franklin, MA

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Ron and Alexandra Seigel (Alexandra).... it's most important to market TO that target and in order to do that properly, you must be able to think as your target thinks....you must know that target and have a fairly good idea of their thinking.... although, everything is a test!!!! that too is often a test....people's thinking changes.

Mar 04, 2020 12:49 PM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

BarbaraT- spot on! Put aside the "cute ideas" and what someone else may be doing. Put yourself in the heads of your target market. What would catch your eye? What would make you want to know more?

Mar 04, 2020 02:47 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD
Barbara Todaro

Franklin, MA

Myrl Jeffcoat

Sacramento, CA

Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I remember in my early years of real estate, I would try to find ways to market that weren't so expensive - especially, when it came to postage. I found two ways that helped. Each Halloween, I would create little bags of treats for the kiddos, which included a market analysis certificate from me. This accomplished two things. (1) I didn't need to pay postage because the kids picked them up with their treats. (2) And, the parents also knew the treats were safe because my name was on the certificates! Also, I would also have the football season schedule printed each year, with a market analysis certificate on one side. I would go to the little league and soccer games in the community, and hand them out to the parents in the bleachers. It not only saved postage, but provided a little face time with the parents.

Mar 04, 2020 03:28 PM

Marte Cliff

Priest River, ID
M.C. Dwyer

Felton, CA
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089

Haiku, HI
Barbara Todaro

Franklin, MA
Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Marte Cliff

But of course, none of that was "free."

Mar 13, 2020 11:59 AM

Myrl Jeffcoat

Sacramento, CA

Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Barbara, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!

Mar 04, 2020 03:29 PM

Barbara Todaro

Franklin, MA

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Hi Kathy Streib agents need to learn to do this..... it takes practice....and it often costs money with no return!!! until you hit it right....

Myrl Jeffcoat both are great ideas....face to face is best.....and your idea with the free market analysis on the back of the schedule is great...... and thanks so much for the feature in the Old Farts Club group....

Mar 04, 2020 04:15 PM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Barbara, for sharing your experience and your advice.

Mar 04, 2020 05:07 PM

Barbara Todaro

Franklin, MA

James Dray

Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning Barbara.

So true, it's always about the target, I'll bet you hit the bulls-eye more often than not.

Mar 05, 2020 01:52 AM

Barbara Todaro

Franklin, MA

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Thanks, Roy and James.....

Mar 05, 2020 02:45 AM

Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®

RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI

Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

As in all marketing, the key is to stand out....and then be consistent!

Mar 05, 2020 07:29 AM

M.C. Dwyer

Felton, CA
Barbara Todaro

Franklin, MA

Brian England

Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ

MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

The old adage of it takes money to make money often proves true and those that try to save a buck can attest to that if they are truthful.

Mar 05, 2020 07:49 AM

Barbara Todaro

Franklin, MA

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Kristin Johnston - REALTOR® yes...stand out; be visible; and be consistent with it.....

Brian England they'll never admit they squeezed that nickel and made the buffalo cry....

Mar 05, 2020 08:11 AM

Brian England

Gilbert, AZ

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX

Selling Homes Changing Lives

Barbara Todaro - I am devouring these words! Oh, my! They are so true! So many people get desperate for sales and think paying money for some new idea will bring them wealth and success. The sad reality is, the only one getting rich is the person who sold you the idea of the POSSIBILITY that what they sold you would make you successful.

Your years of experience and training your TEAM works because you are a conservative thinker and you share what works and it works! I am so thankful for your wisdom and leadership here on ActiveRain.

Mar 06, 2020 04:46 AM

Barbara Todaro

Franklin, MA

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP agents need to understand that they can make their own phones ring.... no one needs to hire others ....many are just scams.... many have the agent sign an agreement and they fight for their lives to void that agreement....

Mar 06, 2020 04:55 AM

Patricia Feager, MBA, ...

Flower Mound, TX

Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089

Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI

Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

This Activerain is the only free thing that amounts to anything regading real estate marketing.

Mar 08, 2020 07:48 PM

Barbara Todaro

Franklin, MA

Marte Cliff

And that's only free for those of us who have "paid our dues."

Mar 13, 2020 12:01 PM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Hi Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089 ActiveRain is a wonderful platform for networking, learning and sharing.... but not SEO any longer.... but it continues to remain active and beneficial for other reasons.....

Mar 09, 2020 03:48 AM

Marte Cliff

Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID

Your real estate writer

No one should become a real estate agent unless they have a little bit of "gambler in their souls." Those who are afraid to test ideas and spend some money get left in the dust from those who are not afraid.

Mar 13, 2020 12:02 PM