5 Marketing Strategies: Why Some Realtors Shine and Others Just Fizzle We’ve all received those generic real estate flyers in the mail—and we all know where they usually end up. In the recycling bin. How can you make your direct mail pieces stand out from the rest—and stay out of the trash? Follow these tips and your real estate information will become something homeowners and potential home sellers actually look forward to receiving each and every month. (Yes, it is possible!)
1. Make it magazine-style. Attractive photos, stylish colors, and current design trends will make your direct mail pieces look more like high-end magazines and less like junk mail. If you create a first-rate, classy brochure, homeowners might not even realize your direct mail pieces are an advertising tool for you, but rather some bits of local real estate information tucked in with some very cool local articles and photos. And when it comes to direct mail, looks say everything. Forget flimsy paper flyers and postcard-size mailings and instead consider heavystock brochures to ensure your mailings stand out from the crowd. Give your information the sophisticated, high-end look of a design or lifestyle magazine and they’ll be something homeowners will hold on to. 2. Include something “sticky.” What’s sticky mean? Something homeowners will want to hold on to, such as a calendar of events of things going on in the area that they’ll hang up and refer to throughout the month. Or perhaps a recipe from a local restaurant that they will want to try in their own kitchens. These types of “sticky” content will be things that homeowners hold on to—all with your name, photo, listings, and contact information attached to it. Not only will your name be associated with such high-end content, but it will also be physically attached so they’ll see you and be reminded of you when it comes time to sell or buy a home. Think of it as sneaking your marketing information in with some really good articles that you know people will want to read. It works the same way with ads in big magazines—readers see the ads next to must-read stories and the message is sent almost subliminally. 3. Choose quality over quantity. What would you rather receive in your mailbox? Three flimsy flyers a month that say little and scream “marketing piece” or one Desert Lifestyle Publishing | 480.460.0996 | www.DesertLifestyle.net
truly sophisticated mailing filled with relevant local content and beautiful images? Choose the high road and make more of an impact with less effort. No one wants to feel as if they are being bombarded by advertising. A few quality mailings add up to many more potential clients than a load of unsophisticated, throwaway flyers. 4. Keep it local. When it comes to content, local always wins out. Anybody can buy generic content about buying or selling homes and stick it next to their contact information. But when you send out direct mail pieces that talk about local trendy restaurants and perhaps happening local interior designers, you’ve really hooked your audience with content they are actually interested in and want to read. When homeowners are genuinely paying attention to the content of your mailings, they will also take note of the real estate information you’re providing … and call on you when they’re in need of your services. 5. Remember that variety is the spice of life. So give potential clients exactly that. Most generic direct mail pieces look the same each and every month. It’s the same image and the same design with a few new real estate listings dropped in somewhere on the page. Yawn. Create something new and exciting for every mailing—while keeping your specific real estate photo and information consistent each time—and your audience will be eager to receive mail from you in the future. And once you’ve reached that point, the rest of your job as a real estate agent will be much, much easier because your name will be something local people are already familiar with and have positive associations with. Score! PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE Desert Lifestyle Publishing produces a suite of marketing tools for REALTORS that are likely the most effective advertising you’ll have ever experienced. You have two bi-monthly publications to choose from, and one annual economic report, each offering relevant and targeted editorial for homeowners. These beautiful, upscale, magazine-style newsletters impress readers time after time. And, because your face or message is often the first thing readers see, they are more likely to think of you first when they need a real estate agent. Contact us today to arrange a brief consultation. We will help you create an effective marketing strategy to make 2013 a great year for your real estate business.
Desert Lifestyle Publishing | 480.460.0996 | www.DesertLifestyle.net