This was touched on very lightly in some old threads, but I wanted to revisit this topic as I am setting up for a very productive 2008. Some of my peers went to a seminar for Hobbs Herder, at least one I know has bought into their marketing idea and is hiring them, another is taking what she learned and applying the information she learned herself.

Are there any cost effective real estate marketing companies out there? Hobbs Herder is expensive. I love the idea of branding and think its very important to have a name for your self in an area. Seems my site is doing just fine for buyer leads, but my opinion is that I need a local "brand" and name for myself to solidify my reputation as a Sellers agent (read: get listings)

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Dave Kovaleski REALTOR
Pocono Pennsylvania Real Estate Agent
Pocono Real Estate
Pocono Homes
Lake Wallenpaupack Real Estate

At the risk of offending forum readers and having this interpreted as a solicitation, please send me a private message or call me as this is what I do for a living. For a lot less than their program costs you can create your local brand and develop a marketing program that is affordable and sustainable.

A lot of my ideas are available on my blog at no charge and with no obligation so comb through that for ideas too.

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Mike Blaney
http://www.inboxfx.com for email stationery
http://www.mikeblaney.com for marketing ideas
North Vancouver, BC, Canada
604-618-5512
800-568-8338

Dave I know you want to try and reach more sellers. I know nothing of your area but when I think Poconos I think vacation getaway. How many sellers live out of the area and are there things you can do with your website to provide valuable information to them. Maybe focus on market reports/statistics, demonstrate your knoweldge and not just information about you.

There are companies that specialize in creating brand images. I am working with one locally for my local board of realtors. It seems to me that the cost of truly creating a brand and marketing strategy would be about the same as a custom website.

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Carolyn Gjerde-Tu

Davis CA Real Estate
Woodland and Davis CA home search Woodland CA Real Estate

Well my theory is this. My site is doing its job of provididng me with a steady stream of buyer leads. However, I am still lacking on the listing/seller side. I beleive strongley that to be a successfull listing agent you need to have a local name for yourself, and having a personal brand and consistant marketing material can assist you in pulling that off.

Consitancy is key in anything we do in this business and I routinley farm expireds and send letters out to my farm area. I figure if I am going to stay consistant in my traditional marketing to help build my name/brand in the area and solidify my repuatation as a listing and seling agent, than I may as well work on a logo/brand and be consistant with it.

My goal this year is to become a better listing/selling agent, buyers are a dime a dozen for me.

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Dave Kovaleski REALTOR
Pocono Pennsylvania Real Estate Agent
Pocono Real Estate
Pocono Homes
Lake Wallenpaupack Real Estate

My new avatar is just something I threw together for a quick demo on a possible logo/slogan. Not necasarily the finished product just one of my many ideas.

Any thought on personal slogans and logos? Anyone care to share their personal slogan or logo for possibe inspiration? Any input would be great on this subject. It has been heavily on my mind the last few days.

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Dave Kovaleski REALTOR
Pocono Pennsylvania Real Estate Agent
Pocono Real Estate
Pocono Homes
Lake Wallenpaupack Real Estate

Regarding Branding, I think the Consumer is more concerned/attracted to your USP i.e. What's in it for them.

Well of course, but it certainly can tie all together in one consisive package and then top it with a consistant look to build the name and brand. Can't hurt I suppose.

I know an agent that just landed a lakefront listing in my area and all she sent them was a brochure highlighting herself on the personal level, not much about real estate or "whats in it for them" Just showed she is a real person, wiht a creative side and she differentiated herself but simply introducing herself and giving some backround.

We could all keep sending the same crap to our farm area/expireds/fsbo's or we break out of the box and make an impact to inspire poeple to call us. I suppose I could submit a bland letter and a list of services, but isn't that what every REALTOR does?

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Dave Kovaleski REALTOR
Pocono Pennsylvania Real Estate Agent
Pocono Real Estate
Pocono Homes
Lake Wallenpaupack Real Estate

Unforturnately, that's how most use their websites.

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Austin Real Estate Network
Visit my blog

"Austin's Original Real Estate Network"

The Balance I think is a Strong, Clear, Unique, Compeling USP...Packaged around Personal Image Advertising...especially with Sellers who should realize the Personality/Knowledge of the Realtor will have a lot to do with how well they can Sell their Home.

Buyer's more so view the Home (and USP) as the Point of Interest not the Personality of the Realtor so much. Certainly Good Image Advertising can help to this means IF not at the expense of the USP.