So much of good marketing is about creating unique ways to present you to the public. These remarkable methods, when done correctly will result in a notable differentiation in the marketplace and ultimately more business for you. They can fall under your complete concierge package of services providing great value to your homeowners. Read the ideas below and customize them within your own business model.
1. Free magazine forwarding
One of the biggest pains in the butt when moving is calling all of the magazine companies to change your address. The post office will always forward your mail to you as you receive it, however, they only do this for up to one year. If you haven't changed they address on your magazines by then, you lose them. Moving.com has simplified this process by filling out one small form to take care of this for you.
2. Professional Photography
If you haven't heard this already, ask your broker why you are the last real estate professional to know about it. The public wants to see multiple photos of a property. Not two photos or three or four but a minimum of six. Now that you know that, hire a professional to do the 'heavy lifting.' Photographers know how to capture your product at its best and some of the most talented home photographers out there are willing to offer you an outstanding rate based on a promise that you give them more business. Build this into your marketing plan whether you are selling a $200,000 home or a $6 million home.
3. Just Moved Postcard Mailing
Under my estimation based on the spotty non-scientific surveys, only 40% of agents give their clients a closing gift. Although inexpensive, these gifts mean a lot to a homeowner. Just moved postcard mailings are a great way to show your homeowner that you care about their moving process beyond the transaction. Offer to address and mail out postcards to their family members announcing the new home address. Also ask if it is okay if you include a line that reads: 1 Main St. sold by Jane Realtor, 555-555-5555. By doing this you are instigating your own word of mouth advertising through a happy client.
4. Sweepstakes
For $80 a month, the Property Source Network will allow you to offer a $50,000 sweepstakes quarterly drawing entry to any of your homeowners. This gives you an added edge on your competition without having to pay out $50,000 of your own money.
5. Digital Frame Listings
The web, the newspaper, direct mail postcards, these are all ways that most every agent out there will market their listings. What if you could find a way to share your listings with the public in a way that no other agent does? Go to your favorite restaurant, a doctor's office, or a dentist office and ask if you can set up a digital frame like the ones found at www.ceiva.com With these frames you are able to transfer photos from your email onto the frame making it a mini billboard for your business. You can place rotating photos of your listings as well as your contact information. Be the first to do this in your town and you can have a monopoly on the digital frame advertising business.
6. Housecleaning
You know that your homeowners will clean their home top to bottom a number of times for showings and open houses. Relieve some of their burden by offering a free house cleaning in which you hire a trusted, professional company and pick up the tab.
7. Pet Sitting During Open Houses
According to a 2007-08 national pet survey, 63% of U.S. homes own a pet. This equates to 71.1 million homes. Especially when children are involved, it can be difficult for a homeowner to transport their pet around town while people they don't know take over their house.
These simple and cost-effective ideas will not only help your homeowners but will give your listing a better presentation. It will also spark word of mouth advertising for your business as homeowners can brag about the special services that you offer. These ideas will assist you with your marketplace uniqueness.
Matthew Gosselin is the Northeast Regional Manager for Xpressdocs and the author of My Blue Goose, Exploiting The Wow Factor In Real Estate Marketing. My Blue Goose can be ordered by visiting http://www.MyBlueGoose.com
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