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Real Estate Marketing for More than Market Share
By Sarah | November 11, 2007
Looking for some cost effective holiday marketing this year? What if I told you I had found the perfect two for one special? In the midst of a declining real estate market and the onset of the bustling holiday season, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of our own daily lives. While times may seem tough as we’re faced with skyrocketing foreclosures, and dwindling transactions, there are people in most every community going without meals, sleeping in the streets and (in many areas) spending days chilled by the plummeting Winter temps.
So why not take a break from garnishing wine bottles and trimming candy boxes and stretch ourselves to help a cause beyond market share…all the while continuing to benefit your sales and nurture your client database. Here are some ideas for gifts and gestures that will impress and inspire your clients and community as well as bring some holiday cheer to those in need:
1. Hold a coat collection drive at your office. Send out a promotion to your clients letting them know that they can drop off their gently used coats at your office to be donated to your local homeless shelter. Specify a time frame so that you can be sure to meet with them and offer some holiday goodies and even a current personal promotion or market analysis report. Go the extra mile by offering to pick up the coats from their home, upon request. A little personal face time sure couldn’t hurt!Â
2. To the clients, affiliates (or even friends and family) that you would normally offer a gift, why not donate a specific monetary amount to a local charity in their name? Print out a personalized card letting them know what organization you have donated to on their behalf.
3. The Domino Effect: Make a note on your donation greeting cards that you would be willing to print the same cards for your recipients to give to their friends, family and business relations to support your charity.
4. Get Noticed: Let your local newspaper know what you’re up to and gain some local attention via a press release or feature article. Keep them posted as to your final figures and any matches or success stories.
5. Kindness is contagious! Start a kindness chain-book and grow your email distribution list one good deed at a time! Buy a journal and place your business card on the first page. Write on the inside cover that you would like the journal to be returned to you when full and, of course, clearly specify your address. Include instructions that you would like each recipient of the journal to perform a “random act of kindness” during the holiday season, log it in the journal and then pass it on to someone new. In the instructions, indicate that you will be emailing out a copy of the inspiring stories in the journal once it is returned to you - if they would like to provide you with their email address. If you feel like getting chic, order a blank “photo book” from online sources like Ofoto.com, Shutterfly.com or Photobooks.com and add your photo and logo to the cover of the bound book along with a custom spine and instruction page. Philanthropic AND fancy!
Yes, business is business and while you can expect these efforts to have a significant positive effect on your business, you might find that what you get back is even greater than the closing of an escrow.
Topics: Business Organization, Community Connections, Marketing Solutions |
3 Responses to “Real Estate Marketing for More than Market Share”
Comments
« Santa’s Real Estate Marketing Ideas for the Holidays | Home | It’s Not Fantasy Real Estate: Trading Cards for Your Listings »
November 26th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Very good tips. I also think ethical marketing is a very efficient way to get brand equity and recognition.
December 4th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
I think you have some great ideas. What if you could offer your existing clients a program that would save them tens of thousands of dollars on there existing mortgage. You took the time to build a relationship with each of your customers and sold them a home.Now there is a way to show them how to owe it free and clear. This program has started a client brush fire of new bussiness for the agents and another income stream for offering it as well.
March 25th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
I particularly like #5; passing the journal around.