Mailing a newsletter?

[papaul1621]

Anyone here mails a newsletter to their farm? If you do, are you using a company to do it for you or you print it out and mail it? I'm thinking about mailing newsletters and yes I know the internet is probably where I should be spending my marketing money but it feels like no one is doing any direct mailing anymore and I might stand out. Any suggestions?

[darrenwoodard]

In my market everyone does direct mailing. Postcards come in the box daily. I couldn't imagine what market you are in that people don't send postcards. The best marketing tool that I have found for listing property and the least expensive is get involved with community organizations. It doesn't take much time to do the little things that get you noticed, and let everyone know what you do. Direct Mail is a great way to spend most of your profits.

Most people get caught up in trying to be the #1 top producer. It is not about how much you make, it is about how much you keep.

[Norcal Jim]

I am using a local company for the past 6 months to produce & mail my newsletter and have not gotten any leads yet. I used another company before that for about 8 months and had the same results. Starting to feel I would be better off digging a big hole and throwing my money in it instead. I know it is supposed to take a long time. But, to not even get one call/appt is really bad results.

[malamar]

A newsletter to your sphere of influence is better than nothing at all, but you need to intersperse newsletters with personal letters and even small items of value such as a memo pad. I produce newsletters in both print and email versions for clients, but like Norcal Jim says above the results are not spectacular. I have used a few generic services, but the content is so weak I won't even read them.

I recommend sending things that people will value; a schedule for a sports team, a directory of services in the area, a list of restaurants in the area or emergency numbers.

[papaul1621]

I am having second thoughts on the newsletter. So since 2008 is around the corner, what about calendars with your info on it. Has anyone done that. I think that will be better since I only have to send it out once a year!

[malamar]

I have a better idea, A mouse pad / desk calendar / memo pad all in one. I wrote a post about them recently and think this is the best idea for 2008. I wrote a post on my blog about these. Ballpark they cost $ 4.50 each, but everyone needs all three items on their desk and even if they don't it has a hanger so it can hang on a wall. You can even insert pages between the calendar pages with other useful information.

[KSA]

Here are a couple tools that might be useful

Real Estate Promotion - This is a desktop calendar/planner. You can let folks download it from your website, or put it on a mini-cd and mail it out. It never goes out of date and has your contact info on it and links to your site. You can download a test from the link above. And, it's very cost effective.

Also, the Home Management Club is great for staying top of mind, but it's email based, not print. The thing I like about it is that it covers lots of home-related topics. So, whether you're sending it to someone who just bought a house or isn't planning to buy for years, there's something for everyone.

Kathleen

[kawirider]

I use realtorsquared.com . They seem to have the best price for a custom full color newsletter. And they do it all for you.

One of the biggest things about using a newsletter is to get it to work for you. You should use it as a tool to get more people to add to your mailing list. You should have a place on your website for them to opt into a monthly mailer with actual listings. You can use current customers and ask "Do you of anyone who would be interested in getting a subscription to my monthly newsletter?" It is so much more powerful than the awkward question we've all used before "Do you know of someone who could use my services?" Has that ever worked for anyone? People are more likely to open their black book when it is to send a friend a gift subscription. If used properly this can be your biggest source of referrals.

[RESteve]

I've personally used the newsletters available from Old Republic Home Warranty. They are two page newsletters and at the current time have them produced all the way to March of 2008. They also have customizations available for teams and newsletters in spanish.

You can take a look and sign up if you'd like at orhp.com. If you want a sample newsletter, shoot me a pm with your email and I'll send you one.

[kawirider]

I used to use a service kind of like that, but mine wasn't as professional looking. The main reason I switched is for customization. The newsletter I send out now features some of my actual listings. Along with client spotlights or whatever I want on one of the pages. Plus the big selling point is that they design the newsletter, print it, and mail it for cheaper than I used to pay to print and mail my old one out myself. Kinkos really sticks it to you. It saves me time and money, so I'm happy.