ostcards can enhance your response-generating device. Just
real estate marketing tie each month's tip back to your
program by generating a buyer's / seller's guide to evoke
response from prospects. But if a phone call or email.
you don't differentiate your
postcards in some way, you're For instance: "You'll find more
limiting the response you might than 35 additional tips in my
otherwise enjoy. homebuyer's guide -- my free gift
to you. Just call or email..."
Fortunately, one of the best ways
to differentiate your postcards Idea #2 -- Showcase Your
also happens to be one of the Performance:
easiest. Just add value to them.
The greater the value, the Let's say you're targeting
greater the response. seller's, and you have a history
of helping clients sell at or
Here then are five ways you might near their full asking prices --
add value to your postcards in and in a short amount of time.
order to generate a response. Why now showcase this on your
postcard? No need to brag or
Idea #1 -- Tip of the Month: boast ... just be factual:
Take what you know about the "15 homes sold for full asking
home-buying or selling process, price in the last year alone."
and break it up into 12 parts. That sort of thing. You might
You've just created a even show pictures of some of the
tip-of-the-month postcard series. homes you sold in a remarkably
short time for full asking price.
Better still, you can use it as a
People believe in what they can approach with one of the other
see. And sellers want to believe techniques listed for "double
you can help them sell for differentiation."
maximum price in minimum time.
Show them your history of doing Idea #4 -- Make an Offer:
just that, and you're one step
closer to getting that critical By offer, I don't mean that old
phone call or email. standby, the free consultation.
That has about as much chance of
Idea #3 -- Newspaper Style making your mailer stand out as I
Headline: have of winning the Nobel prize
for physics. The free obligation
Headlines have captivated readers (a.k.a. the no-obligation
for centuries. We love news. We consultation) has been worn out
love to get news when it's hot so much over the last few decades
and happening. Why not use this that it's become virtually
affinity for headlines and news meaningless.
to capture your prospects
attention? Here's what else is wrong with it
(and those who have tested this
You'll find headline ideas offer against others will agree
everywhere. Low interest rates, with me here). Your prospects
for instance, always make for a expect a free consultation, and
great headline: Interest Rates they know they're going to get
Hit Record Low. one ... if not from you, then
from some other agent or Realtor
Then all that's left to do is they'll inevitably stumble
explain how you can help them across.
take advantage of whatever news
you've listed. Try combining this One final problem with the free
consultation: Much of the the years from homebuyers like
information you'll share during you. What to look for during a
the consultation can be found on walk-through. How to negotiate.
the Internet, if you know where How to prepare financially for
to look. the settlement process.
Everything is covered in detail
And believe me, your prospects (and in plain language). Call
know where to look! today for your free copy!"
They can view homes online. They And remember, the offer and the
can find current interest rates response are directly
online. And now, with the advent proportional. Want more response?
of such websites as Put more value into your offer.
HomeValues.com, they can even get It really is that simple.
a ballpark valuation of their
home based on current sales Idea #5 -- Testimonial:
information -- and it's all free.
Genuine testimonials carry more
power than anything the marketer
The goal here is obvious. You (you) can say or write. When the
need to strengthen your offer. testimonial comes from a known
You need something of value that source, like a neighbor, that
will give prospects a good reason power is increased tenfold.
to call you:
Here's an easy but effective
"Call or email me today, and I'll formula:
send you my "First-time
Homebuyer's Guide" for free. This 1. Place a testimonial at the top
11-page report answers all the of your piece, in headline
questions I've been asked over fashion.
call-to-action. (You do have your
2. Follow up with your message, seller's guide finished, right?)
giving specifics of the
transaction -- the number of The end result is a specific,
interested buyers that came believable and value-driven
through, the time it took to get mailer. Try the above message for
a contract (or other relevant yourself. See how it stacks up
data). against the pale-by-comparison "I
sold a home... can I sell yours,
3. Offer to help the reader in too?" I'd love to hear how it
the same way. works for you.
4. End with your offer and
About the Author:
Brandon Cornett has worked as a writer and advertising manager within the direct mail industry. He now dedicates his time to helping agents and brokers improve their personal marketing programs. His "Modern Guide to Real Estate Marketing" and his free newsletter are available at: http://www.ArmingYourFarming.com
Source: www.isnare.com
