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A New Agent’s Real Estate Marketing Plan in a Tough Market

June 16th, 2011

I was coaching a new real estate agent today. Jack’s been in business for two months, he’s new to San Diego, has never done real estate before, hasn’t had a speck of business yet, and I believe he will be a top producer. Why? Because he’s working hard, doing the right kind of real estate marketing.

Working hard at the right things has always been the secret of success.

At a time when many real estate agents are asking me “What kind of prospecting should I be doing in this market?” Jack is going old school. He’s geographic farming…but with a new twist.

Jack’s Real Estate Prospecting Plan

I could just say that Jack is adding web-based marketing to his geographic farming, but that wouldn’t mean much. So instead, I’m going to list many of the things he’s done or is doing since getting his license two months ago:

  • Got a URL for the neighborhood he wants to “farm”.
  • Bought an inexpensive, but very effective real estate website with IDX ($30/mo).
  • Did SEO (search engine optimization) for that site so that in just two months it’s on page one of Google…without spending on AdWords. (There are about 80 key steps involved in this, but he’s listed them all out for me to repeat for others.)
  • Joined the community council for his farm.
  • Began writing articles for his website about his farm…building up to 50 pages of content.
  • Began visiting businesses that related to his interests and needs. He talks to the owners and tells them he’d like to do business with them. Gets to know them. Communicates. Asks how he can help them.
  • Created a Facebook Business page and connected to 800 friends. The page links back to his website.

Things we talked about adding to the mix:

  • Creating a “real estate benefits” portal for his business contacts.
  • Finding out who has a small or “hobby” business in his farm area and promoting it locally.
  • Holding “Power Open Houses.”
  • Doing door-to-door campaigning to introduce himself.
  • Blogging about his farm.
  • Using a database to follow up in addition to using Facebook.
  • Using free give-aways to entice connections.
  • Using Craigslist video strategies.

Jack’s big problem will be holding it all together when people start to call him and he’s got several transactions running at once. But frontloading his marketing will help get it systematized before his business picks up and he has no more time for marketing.

As I was leaving the building where we were meeting, another agent, Jerry, stopped me to ask me about working short sales. He felt this was the way to go to build his business and wanted to know if I could recommend a company that would provide him with short sale leads. » Read more: A New Agent’s Real Estate Marketing Plan in a Tough Market

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Top Five Uses For QR Code For Realtors

June 12th, 2011

The top five uses for QR code for realtors are probably 5 of the best I’ve used thus far. But, first, what is a QR code? It stands for Quick Reference Code and is basically like a bar code. The technology was created in Japan by an auto manufacturer. So, think of it as a bar code, if you will. Here is how we use them in real estate.

1. On your real estate sign: If you aren’t using these codes on your signs then you are way behind the curve. Putting a QR code on your sign is relatively easy or you can order a sign from a sign company and have the code embedded on your sign. The upside to having a code on your sign is that they really cut down on the amount of phone calls you receive from “Lookey-Loo’s” that waste your time. Anyone that is interested in the home you are listing can simply download a reader and then scan you the code and get all the information on the home in one simple swipe. There are many services out there that will provide a QR code for you then direct them to a site where the interested party can get all the info they need without picking up the phone and bothering you, the listing agent. Plus, any company that will provide to you the code embedded in the sign will also provide to you a mobile optimized website that is easily readable on a mobile device. A big plus for any mobile user to have access to.

2. Add the code to your flyers that you are distributing or the advertisements you are running on Craigslist, newspapers etc. You can embed the code with a YouTube video and then direct them to your YouTube channel where they can get pictures or even a video of the property. Basically, YouTube is now doing the work for you while you spend time with your family.

3. Put the code on your website. The code will link to your bio, your listings, etc. Anyone with a QR code reader can be sitting in front of their computer, scan the code and be directed to your bio info.

4. Put the same code on your business cards. This one is a no-brainer. You can embed the code with whatever information you want a potential client to know about you; your bio, current or past listings, your philosophy, etc.

5. Link a QR code to your Facebook page! Doesn’t get any simpler than that. If you aren’t using Facebook then you must be living on another planet. » Read more: Top Five Uses For QR Code For Realtors

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