Real Estate Marketing Blog

Virtually every successful real estate professional has learned the value of goal setting. Much of this goal setting revolves around sales and income. It can be valuable, however, to set goals on other aspects of real estate like the number of leads or prospects generated in a month. It can also be important to set goals for and track real estate marketing efforts.

At ReaMark, we specialize specifically in real estate related marketing and promotional pieces. Through the years, one of our most popular programs has been our real estate postcards. Real estate marketing postcards reach consumers directly in their homes and can be targeted neighborhood by neighborhood. They have repeatedly been proven to be an effective real estate marketing tool. But having the proper goals and expectations is important for postcard mailing campaigns. Here are some tips for goal setting when developing your postcard mailing campaign.

Setting Proper Expectations

It is widely accepted in direct mail marketing that a 2% response rate is successful. While on the surface that may seem minimal, consider the impact. A 2% response rate could potentially translate into 20 solid leads and prospects. That can turn into a significant return on investment.

You should be aware, however, that response rate will be impacted by a variety of factors. If your postcard includes a free offer, it may get a better response than if it is more passive. If you are new to real estate, your response may not be as high as someone who already is known in a community or neighborhood.

Be Consistent

The best way to build your brand and increase lead generation is through consistency. ReaMark can help you accomplish that through a wide selection of timely real estate postcards and a program that gives you a free design for every 5 deigns purchased and two free postcards for every 10 purchased. Reaching consumers every month or every other month builds familiarity and name recognition.

Be Patient

Remember, you are building your business. Many of our postcard designs are designed to provide helpful information, tips, or timely reminders. While your potential prospects will appreciate the information and view you favorably, many will not immediately respond. After all, the percentage of people who are in the market to buy or sell real estate at any given moment is relatively small. Your campaign, however, can eventually bring leads into the marketplace and more importantly, keep your name front and center when they do.

Contact Our Professionals for Assistance

We invite you to contact our marketing professionals at ReaMark to assist you with your real estate postcard marketing campaign. We can even help with EDDM and custom graphic designs. Let us help you reach your real estate marketing goals at ReaMark.

One of the truly effective ways to reach leads and build sales in real estate is by building relationships with your target market. One of the easiest ways to do this is through a direct mail newsletter filled with helpful information about real estate, mortgages, homeowner maintenance tips, recipes, and more. A well constructed, consistently delivered newsletter helps build your brand and deliver your message. It also demonstrates you are in touch with your potential prospects and helps build trust.

If you are considering sending a  Spring newsletter to your farm, here are five timely homeowner tips to include.

1. Gardening Tips
   Of course, the Spring is a perfect time to talk about gardening. Including tips about either flower or vegetable gardening is an effective, attention-getting real estate marketing strategy that appeals to many.
2. Spring Cleaning Tricks 
   Include tips on how to make Spring cleaning easier or safer using natural homemade cleaning products. Discuss the benefits of less clutter and the fresh feeling of a freshly scrubbed home.
3. Helpful Home Maintenance Strategies
   The Spring is the time to visually inspect your home after the colder weather and take steps to keep it well-maintained. This includes clearing the area around your outdoor A/C unit, cleaning gutters, picking up your yard, inspecting the roof, changing HVAC filters, and more.
4. Steps to Take for Severe Weather SafetyThe spring is tornado and thunderstorm season throughout much of the country and supplying some reminders about severe weather safety can be well received. Explain the difference between watches and warnings, where the safest place in a home can be during a tornado, and even provide some severe weather safe driving tips.
5. Spring Break and/or Summer Travel Ideas
   Many families get cabin fever during the cold weather season and the thought of planning a trip is often very welcome. Be sure to include some destination ideas, packing tips, and money saving strategies.

ReaMark newsletters are chock full of timely information and are designed to be sent throughout the year. They also provide enough space so you can customize your newsletter to best fit your area, your image, and to build your brand. Newsletters are available in black and white or full color and in a half-fold or tri-fold series. We have sold over 10 million newsletters to real estate agents and brokers just like you! Start building relationships with your target market the easy, proven way through ReaMark real estate marketing newsletters.

There may be a variety of reasons you entered the real estate business. You may enjoy working with people, you may like the freedom and flexibility a career in real estate can offer, and you may even appreciate the financial rewards. It’s not likely, however, that you entered real estate because you love marketing and advertising. Nevertheless, marketing is a critical component of a successful real estate career.

At ReaMark, we specialize in real estate marketing products and in helping real estate professionals just like you put together marketing plans that work. Here are some tips to help you put together a yearly marketing plan.

1. Build your marketing program seasonally, around events and holidays. Consider Spring time change reminders for February, free home evaluations in March at the beginning of real estate season, and football season in August/September. Of course, the holidays at the end of the year are perfect for greeting cards and calendars.
2. Finance your plan sufficiently. Make sure you have enough “fuel” to build that fire you are trying to create.
3. Use a variety of tools. While you’ll want to invest in promotional and direct mail items, you’ll also want to include low to no cost strategies like social media, email, and getting involved in community and charitable events. Marketing is all about visibility and consistency.
4. Use your marketing plan to build your brand. Make sure your marketing efforts deliver your core message consistently using the same colors, logo, and font. Ask yourself how you want prospects and clients to perceive you and build upon that.
5. Know who your target market is. While many agents feel their market is “everybody”, that is simply not practical unless you have unlimited time and resources. Target a demographic and/or area and go after it. Of course, that doesn’t mean you’ll turn down business that comes to you but make sure your annual marketing plan is targeted to your audience.

At ReaMark, we can help you construct the foundation of an annual marketing plan with promotional items, newsletters, postcards, sports schedules, and more. These items can make sure you stay in front of your target market consistently. We make our graphics team available so you can build your brand in a visually appealing way. We can even help you farm specific neighborhoods through Every Door Direct Marketing (EDDM). Act now and take advantage of our buy five and get one or buy 10 and get two free postcard special.

Remember, people usually don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan. Create your annual real estate marketing plan today with the help of ReaMark!

Dear Fellow Real Estate Professional,

Hello! I’m Richard Brown, president of ReaMark. I have been in direct marketing for over 30 years, with the last 18 years helping professionals like you substantially increase their listings, sales and, ultimately, their income.

There has never been a better time to increase your business with a regular contact strategy to anyone who knows you and can refer clients. All signs are pointing to a steady rise in the real estate business since interest rates are at record lows. In addition, inventory of homes are still low so listings are being sold quickly and for top dollar.

Each year I personally take hundreds of customer calls and the same question keeps coming up time and time again: “Rick, what works best? How can I make more money?”

So, last week I sat down, got away from the kids, and really thought about all of the success stories, trials and errors that Realtors have shared with me over the past two years. To help answer their question, I had to come up with several of my own:

• With all being equal why are some realtors more successful than others?
• What does actually work?
• What has been proven time and time again to be the Golden Truth’s of success?
• What makes a top agent?
• How can my business survive when I have less money to spend because I am making less money?

One glaring fact I couldn’t ignore is that my business only makes money if the programs we recommend to you make you money. After much thought, I came up with four things you should be doing if you are serious about increasing your yearly income.

1. You MUST reach out to your past client contact list at least every month
Over 50% of your business should come from referrals. If you are not mailing your contact list you are losing money. You contact list should includes anyone who knows you, your friends or your family. The larger the list the more successful you will be. You really need to sit down and put this lists into a workable database.

2. Mail Just Listed/ Just Sold / Market updates and Open House Postcards
Announce your success! Since referrals are the largest part of your business and you want to build up your contact list, these marketing postcards are the second most effective tool at your disposal. You should mail the entire neighborhood and also your current contact list. If your budget is strained these could be part of your planned monthly but for better results you should be doing these mailings in addition to your contacts.

3. Track your results over time
The beauty of direct marketing is that is affordable and trackable. If you have 400 contacts then you could be mailing them twelve times per year for as little as 47 cents each or $188 per month. One sale and you pay for the entire year.

4. Become known as a specialist of your farm
A business with no prospects will die. You need a reliable consistent source of leads. Since most consumers perceive all real estate professionals to be pretty much the same, you must find ways to differentiate yourself. I get calls every day from customers thanking me two years later telling me that they now get 50% plus of all listings in their neighborhood. Walk your neighborhood twice per year with door hangers or notepads, submit articles to your local paper, become an advertising sponsor on a community podcast, create a neighborhood newsletter of community events or post educational videos about the local real estate market to your social media.

I feel great about sharing these strategies with you for a very simple reason: if we can help you become more successful in your business then ReaMark will be more successful in our business! Call one of our Marketing specialists today at 1-800-932-2957 and we will help you develop a plan to meet your budgets and sales goals.

I hope this letter has been helpful and has either confirmed what you are already doing or inspired you to call us. I am always available to help.  Please don’t hesitate to call me directly.

Best Regards,

Richard J. Brown
President,
ReaMark

Do you need a tax write off?

Don’t miss your opportunity to make one last marketing write off for the year! We are now taking last-minute orders from hundreds of our customers so they can take advantage of the tax benefits of 2017.

We will be open and working over time to get orders, proofed, printed and shipped by Friday, December 29th. In addition, when you order by Tuesday, December 26th, we will give you additional discounts:
$25 off orders of $149 or more OR
$50 off an order of $299 or more

Mention or enter this special offer code: Save2550

In addition, we are still accepting calendar orders where you can save up to 30% off and use the same offer code above for additional savings! One last reminder: the order deadline for 2018 Spring Time Change items is Sunday, February 25th.

Hurry, don’t wait to get your marketing materials for 2018! Call us at 1-800-932-2957 if you have any questions.

What comes to mind when someone mentions they got a new magnetic calendar in the mail? Just another mini advertisement from your local insurance agent? Something to clutter up the refrigerator front? Another supply of “tacks” for your child’s artwork? With a little creativity and thoughtful design, the 2018 magnetic calendars you send out this year can do so much more than occupy a spot on the cold storage locker in your kitchen!

We’ve all seen the magnets with a handy list of national holidays displayed, cooking substitutes and metric conversion charts. But, there are some unique ways to use your mailers as an extension of your community outreach and overarching marketing strategy. You can create beautiful real estate marketing pieces designed to make life easier for your farm with these Reamark tips.

1. Use the generous space to showcase local upcoming charity events.
2. Provide names, addresses and phone numbers for businesses every homeowner may need at some point during the year – think plumbers, HVAC service companies, small engine repair shops for the lawnmower or snowblower, emergency maid service, roofers, landscapers, insurance agents, and on-demand contractors.
3. Create a list of public service contacts – the mayor, constable, police, commissioners, animal control, and other elected officials.

Draw attention to special classes or community events your agency hosts. If you routinely carve out a couple of hours a month to present informative talks at the Senior Citizens Center or local college, take this opportunity to post your annual schedule.

Here’s a tip: If offering free workshops isn’t already part of your marketing plan, consider it. No-strings-attached presentations let your community know you care about them, even if they aren’t currently working with you. You can personalize talks for diverse groups. For example, seniors often look for information on retirement planning, converting a residence to a short-term rental while they head south for the winter and tips on downsizing. College students will appreciate educational content concerning saving for a down payment, finding a low-interest loan and tips on reducing student debt.

A calendar can be a tool to simply locate the date, or a valuable resource that homeowners refer to frequently throughout the year. Intentional, thoughtful design ensures your name stays in front of current and potential clients.

Inspired to create a unique marketing piece that reflects your agency values? Call a live Reamark operator to get started designing your professional custom 2018 magnetic calendars today. The call is free and so is the consultation.

The most successful real estate careers are built on solid, enduring relationships with clients. With fall now firmly entrenched and the holiday season fast approaching, many agents are thinking about their client relationships and how they can keep them healthy and productive in 2018.

Successful Agents Rely on a Time-Tested Relationship Builder

Using greeting cards for real estate marketing is a time-tested marketing strategy that successful real estate agents and brokers have relied on for years. Surprisingly, many are finding them to more successful now than ever before. With most communication now handled through impersonal email, the receipt of a brightly colored holiday card with a personal message from their real estate agent or broker is more apt to be warmly remembered and cherished than ever before. The only question then becomes how to make sure that any greeting card for real estate mailings you do will have even more impact.

Customizing the Mailing to Stand Out From the Crowd

While any holiday card mailing is a positive message that tells your clients that your remember and care about them, there are still some ways in which you can maximize your efforts. One excellent way is to consider sending out a holiday card for Thanksgiving or New Years, instead of a traditional mid-December holiday card.

If sending a Thanksgiving card, consider adding extra value by choosing postcards with turkey cooking tips or a delicious recipe to help the recipients enjoy turkey leftovers. When sending a New Year’s greeting card, consider including a customizable magnetic calendar for their fridge to help them keep you top of mind throughout 2018.

Streamline the Process With These Holiday Card Mailing Tips

The holidays are busy times for agents and brokers both at home and at work. Unfortunately, this level of activity can push marketing activities to the back burner, even when agents and brokers know how critical they are to their continued success.

To avoid this problem and ensure that your holiday card mailings are sent out exactly when you need them to be, speak with your ReaMark customer service specialist about ordering early and having them handle the entire mailing process. By doing this, busy agents and brokers can relax and enjoy their own holiday season, all while knowing they have successfully reached out to all their past and current clients and their entire sphere of influence.

As we head into the fourth quarter of 2017, it’s time to make plans for the upcoming year. If you are like most real estate agents and brokers, you’ll be looking to getting the biggest bang for your marketing buck and ReaMark is here to help with our 2018 wall calendars. It’s time to order from our proven effective selection of calendars.

Here are six tips as to why Reamark calendars are both a powerful marketing tool and a cost-effective way to reach customers and prospects.

Six Tips on Using Wall Calendars for Real Estate Marketing

1. Perfect Timing
Offering calendars to customers leads and prospects during the fourth quarter gets them “first in home” which is important for calendars. These first calendars are more likely to be kept and displayed. Ordering calendars too late in the season can make you appear to be a “Johnny come lately” when it comes to promotional products.

2. Exceptional Value
Calendars provide valuable information for families for 12 months or more. They are put on walls, displayed on refrigerators, desks, and in wallets for a full year giving you valuable visibility for an extended period. That is value!

3. Wide Selection of Designs and Styles
At ReaMark, we have over 300 different designs of real estate calendars in 10 different styles. This means you can choose a design and style to best fit your message and how you want to brand your business. Want a customized edition? Our professional team can help with your message and graphics!

4. Calendars are Appreciated
While some real estate items are throwaways, calendars are appreciated by those who receive them. They help families plan for vacations, schooling, and celebrations. They place your name front and center every time they are looked at.

5. Multiple Marketing Uses
Our ReaMark real estate marketing calendars can be used as a “thank you” or holiday gift for current customers, sent out as direct mail pieces, hung on doors or given away at community events. You just may be surprised with how often you are asked, “may I have another for a friend?”

6. Proven Effective
Many real estate professionals have built their business on real estate marketing calendars. It is a staple of their marketing plan each year. As new agents move toward more digital marketing, it increases the value of a tangible item like a calendar. You can even combine the two, offering calendars to those who respond to your email or social media marketing!

Now is the time to act as we are offering 2018 wall calendars at terrific savings during our New Year Sales Event. You can save 20-30% on everything from our magnetic calendars to our desk and 2018 wall calendars. Deck the walls, refrigerators, desks, and wallets this season with a selection of real estate marketing calendars from ReaMark!

Successful agents and real estate brokers are often successful because they are in a constant search to do things better, more efficiently, and more effectively. This includes marketing. Some have found success in using internet marketing. Others swear by Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM). Still, others have discovered just how powerful the combination of EDDM and online marketing can be. Using EDDM and internet marketing together can create a lead generating machine!

Benefits of EDDM & Digital Marketing

In these days where credible information has increasing value, about 56% of people believe that a printed piece is more trustworthy than other forms of advertising. Additionally, 70% of us find direct mail more personal than digital communication. EDDM can also target a specific neighborhood or zip code you may be farming. With Americans receiving less mail each day, your printed piece will stand out more. These six aspects can supercharge your online efforts.

1. Promote your website, listings, blogs, and social media through EDDM
Make sure each printed piece includes how prospects can connect with you online at their convenience.

2. Gather prospects by offering a newsletter both digitally and through the mail
Provide a sign-up for a quarterly newsletter through your online marketing. Give readers a choice of a direct mail or digital edition. ReaMark offers a variety of easy to compile printed newsletters that can be digitized.

3. Provide easy access to more information
Use EDDM to “tease” more information that may be on your website. “See how much houses are selling for in your neighborhood by visiting us at our website”. “Compare your home to our current online listings”.

4. Gather leads through incentives
Use calendars or other promotional items as an incentive
“Sign up for a complimentary 2018 calendar online today!” “Get a free home evaluation by signing up online today.”

5. Position yourself as the real estate expert
Use EDDM to promote your willingness to answer real estate related questions on your social media. This will spur discussion on a variety of topics with you serving as the expert. Use it to promote your blog if you have one.

6. Create leads through an online contest promoted through EDDM
Create a contest that is promoted both online and through EDDM. Use the emails you gather to build your contact list.

At ReaMark, our team of real estate marketing professionals can help you with EDDM pieces that can effectively funnel people to your web presence. Choose from calendars, postcards, door hangars, magnetic business cards, even seed packets! Make the most of all your available marketing options with a combination of online and direct mail marketing with the help of ReaMark.

Just sold postcards have long been an effective way to reach real estate prospects. What makes these particular real estate marketing post cards so effective? Let’s take a quick look.

1. They are informative. One of the reasons just sold postcards are so effective is they contain valuable information the recipient can relate to. In the consumer’s mind, the card isn’t a sales piece as much as it is “news.”
2. They appeal to natural curiosity. As a real estate agent, you know how many neighbors will visit an open house just out of “curiosity”. This is the same curiosity you are peaking by sending out a just sold postcard to the neighborhood.
3. They cause a prospect to think and consider how the information could impact them. Even if a just sold postcard doesn’t cause a particular recipient to leap into action, it gives them a reason to “think’ about it. It also may be a conversation starter with other neighbors which can spur activity.
4. They position the sending agent in a position of being an expert. Sure, any information on a just sold postcard is publicly available, but YOU are the one getting credit for delivering it to the neighborhood. This positions you as the expert and the one to turn to for more information.
5. They are great for cross-marketing. Agents can use just sold cards to promote their website, social media, or encourage email sign-ups. Use just sold postcards to expand your list of contacts and prospects. Encourage recipients to “learn more” or “sign up for our free quarterly newsletter”, and to “stay up to date on real estate in your neighborhood.” Nurture your leads and start with just sold postcards.

How ReaMark Can Help

ReaMark offers 40 design styles of just sold postcards that can be ordered in as little as 100 postcard lots. Our team of professionals can help you select the right postcard for your brand and in creating a marketing message that works for you. If you haven’t made use of this important and proven real estate marketing tool, discover how just sold postcards can go to work for you. Contact ReaMark today and build your real estate business for tomorrow.