The Next Level

NEW Template Postcards

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:48:00 +0000

Each month I am going to feature a template postcard with a crazy savings designed to help you keep in touch with your client base, farm, and/or sphere. Statistics show you need to be in contact with people AT A MINIMUM of every 4 weeks. A slower market is the best time to focus on your marketing efforts.

This month's postcard reminds your clients to the fall time change. I encourage them to hang the postcard on their fridge, maximizing your exposure. Why use my template postcards?

No design set up fee - yes, it will be customized with your own contact information, picture & logo on the back

Super low price! Template postcards are a crazy .12 each! That's .08 off the normal price!

No minimums!

click on each picture for a larger view

Let's get started! Let me know how many you'd like and we'll get your marketing going in full swing. I work with you to make this process easy for you. Want to automate these mailings every month? We can do that, too.

In the Moonlight

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 20:42:00 +0000

Looking to make your open house stand out and tap a new open house market? Try hosting a Twilight Open House from around 5-8pm. Turn all of the porch lights on, use the outdoor firepit if there is one, have appetizers & background music. Everyone is so busy on weekends. Maybe a weekday would be easier for people to come to. Try a Thursday night. Not everyone has the weekend off. The thought of something new might entice them. Host it like an event, not just and open house. How to get them there?

Send out an eflyer to local agents or mail invitations.

Send out an invitation via mail to the neighborhood and nearby neighborhoods. If you're feeling up to it, walk the neighborhood and hand out the invitations.

Give some invitations to your sellers to invite their friends & family. Sellers can be your best resource for word-of-mouth advertising.

Post an ad on Craigslist and other classified sites.

P.S. Twilight can be a great time to get beautiful home shots that really say Welcome Home.

Search Engine Happiness

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 20:23:00 +0000

It used to be that in order to get your website ranked on the first page of the search engines, you needed to fill your website with keywords and use appropriate meta tags on your site. One could create ranking for a bunk page through this. Search engines caught on. With the advent ofWeb 2.0, this is no longer the case.

Now, search engine placement is all about LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. You know that mantra, don't you? Search engines want to see that you have a real prescence online, not just a web page that you stuck up there and forgot about. They are looking for content, yes, but they are really looking for how many other websites link to yours AND crawlers will also rank those sites to make sure they are relevant sites and not simply pointers. So, if YouTube.com links to your site, you get mad kudos for that. You page rank goes up. If ActiveRain links to your site, your page ranks goes up. Take it further- if the Chamber of Commerce, Craigslist, REALTOR.com, etc link to your site your page rank goes up.

So, how do you utilize web 2.0 (see definition in the link above) to increase your page rank?

Start and maintain a blog
Join social networking sites and use them - comment on others' blogs and put your web address in your signature (if the site allows this). Such networking and blogging sites include:
- ActiveRain - My profile
- MySpace - My profile
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Blog service providers: Typepad, Wordpress, Blogger
Change the name of your website to brand yourself. Don't name your home page 'South Bend real estate'. When people search 'South Bend real estate' almost every link in the results say something generic. Nothing stands out. Instead, use something like 'John Smith Getting Real Estate SOLD in South Bend'.
Market your listings online using any of the classified site outlets. My favorite is Postlets. Use them, use them, use them. Search engines & your sellers will love you for it.

You need to have a presence online in order to have a presence online. Sounds a bit like a Catch-22 but it really helps searchers to find relevant sites from people who really ARE online and not just throwing out blank/outdated/irrelevant pages.

I can help you with any social networking you may need. I can get you set up with a MySpace, Twitter, ActiveRain and Blog account and can even maintain them for you or I can just answer questions if you have them.

Cute Little Netbook

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 20:16:00 +0000

My laptop is nice to have but I don't really take it with me as much as I would like to due to the size. I only have a 14" screen but it's still cumbersome. If you would like to have access to commonly used files and the internet but don't want to lug your work laptop (or desktop for that matter) with you, then you'll want to take a look at the $399 Mini Inspiron Netbook from Dell. At roughly $399 you can get a decent laptop for your on-the-go needs. Here are some ideas on how you could use this.

Backup in case your other computer crashes.

MLS access on the road.

Zip forms

Traveler lappy so you don't open your sensitive files to loss of theft.

Kids' Use

I am sure there are other benefits to the mini laptop - what are your ideas? I'd love to hear them.

Harvest Time

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 20:14:00 +0000

It's harvest time - are you reaping a good crop? Yes, I'm talking about farming and want to focus on ways to farm in your own neighborhood. You are the agent that is most invested in the property values and quick sales of the homes in your neighborhood. Hopefully, no other agent knows your neighborhood better than you. Here are some ideas to get you started.

-Mail Holiday cards.

-Host a neighborhood garage sale.

-Hand out seasonal promotional items - walk your neighborhood to pass them out. (mini pumpkins, boxes of pencils, etc. - all with a card featuring a real estate theme)

-Take walks and talk to people.

-Need an ice breaker? Buy a box of popsicles and hand them out on a hot summer day to the kids playing (with their parents' permission first - this will get you talking to them).

Slow times are the best times to market and to get to know the people in your neighborhood. These times force us to focus on the much needed fertilizer that will grant us a good crop for years to come.

What is your favorite way to farm your own neighborhood? I'd love to hear your ideas.

How to Make Your Listing Look Old

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:50:00 +0000

You want a fresh & clean listing that appeals to buyers. Here are some tips to keep your listing from looking like it's been sitting on the market:

Take the date off of the pictures. You may need to read your user's manual but for goodness sake - get them off. A fresh date is only fresh for a week. Then it's old.
Keep your pictures in tune with the season. I'm not even just referring to summer vs. winter. I mean, take spring, fall, etc. A listing someone is viewing in the fall still has a summer picture. Yes, the summer picture is nice but it immediately says "This house didn't sell even during the summer". Make a habit of going out 4 times a year AT LEAST and make a day out of taking all new pictures of all of your listings. No time? Hire someone.
Speaking of pictures, take good ones! Don't use your camera phone. Keep vertical lines straight so the house doesn't look crooked. If the incandescent lighting is overly yellow, use a photo editing program to fix it. Use a good pixel camera - nothing DOESN'T say 'home' like a grainy, yellow photo. Take a not-so-good photo? Fix it or find someone who can.
Remove outdated remarks, especially 'no showings until xx/xx/xxx'. Perhaps even if they don't want showings until a later date, don't list it until that date.
Wait until the house is clean and uncluttered to take pictures. Those are the pictures that will be syndicated to other websites (even if you don't do it yourself). Those are the pictures that go out to prospective buyers IMMEDIATELY when it's listed. Get the nice pictures first, then list the house.
Change the verbiage to match the season's desires. Play up football in the fall, baseball in the summer, etc. Appeal to the senses of the seasons. Buyers want to feel what it's like to live in the home - in every season.
Write descriptions under the photos on the MLS

These are all things you can do for cheap or free that can really enhance your buyer's experience and help get them into your listing. More tips? Please share!

Point 2 & Broker Reciprocity

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:12:00 +0000

I've had a few questions recently regarding the Point2 websites and their signature 'Handshakes' and how those apply to the rules of Broker Reciprocity. Broker Reciprocity is basically a program that is run by the MLS and that in which agents can select to participate or to not participate. It's a yes or a no option. In order to participate and use Broker Reciprocity you usually have to pay a fee and to agree to display other agents' listings in a very structured manner. Lots of disclaimers to display. Honestly, it's kind of scary.

With the Point 2 system, you load your own listings online; they are not harvested from the MLS automatically. You agree to allow agents (or not) to display your listings and you understand that your information will not be displayed except for a snippet at the bottom with at a minimum just your company name. There are no disclaimers. It's easy. Still, you may be cautious due to the number to times you have been warned about Broker Reciprocity and I understand your concerns.

Gary Walter, Executive Vice President of Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS, INC., explains SWMAOR's stance in more depth.

My understanding of Point 2 is the agent places their listings only on the site and then gives permission to other Point 2 users to display their listings on the other user’s web sites. The MLS does not have any rules regarding where the Broker or their Agents send their listings or what information they decide to display for their own listings on the internet. As an agent, the only rules you need to follow for advertising your listings on the internet is your Broker’s policies, the State Laws and the REALTORS Code of Ethics, Article 12.

The MLS only has Rules that apply to you if you participate in the MLS Broker Reciprocity program by displaying other Listing Office’s active listings on your website.

Hope this helps to clarify and ease any hesitations you may have. Check with your local MLS if you still have concerns.

Nit-Picking at Homes & Lifestyles

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:10:00 +0000

While visiting Salt Lake City this month I picked up a Homes Illustrated magazine, the equivalent of the Homes & Lifestyles magazine in the Michiana Area. I love looking at homes but I especially enjoy looking at other agents’ marketing tactics. Some ads are appealing and enticing. Others need some help. My intent is not to offend anyone and I hope that does not happen but I am using this post to help agents better market themselves and their listings and visuals help. I’ve removed references to names, websites and contact info in the ads to protect the innocent.

Ad #1 Names

This is a simple real estate team ad. You have your standard catchphrase, phone numbers, agent photos and email addresses as well as a web address. But there is something critical missing. NAMES!!! When I call a phone number I’d like a name to use. I can assume one of the agents is John Everitt based solely on his email address but the other address is even vaguer. ‘JWilkinson88’ could be anything and if this is a company email (@kw.com is Keller Williams) why is there an ‘88’ in the email address? That resembles more of an AOL account. It seems like it would be a no-brainer but apparently it’s not. ALWAYS USE YOUR NAME! You are paying to advertise yourself.

BOTTOM LINE: Use your name.

Ad #2 Photos

Many times agencies will line up their agents photos in their ads and place their contact information alongside. I’m not sure about other consumers but for me that is a really difficult way to pick out a real estate agent. So, what do consumers do? They judge by a picture to see who they want to investigate further. An agent can’t expect a consumer to go through all of the agents. Consumers do a quick analysis and if you just give them your photo and name, they will judge based on the information provided. It’s only natural. So, use your best photo! The middle and the end agents in this line up are blurred and pixilated. I would immediately rule out these agents simply based on the bad pictures. Horrible but true. If I can’t see your face in your photo I will quickly eliminate you and I’m afraid other consumers will pass you over just as quickly. Take the time to provide a high quality photo for your advertisements or you are wasting your money. The same can be said for listing photos. Take the time and care to make your listings look good. You owe it to your sellers. I’ve seen million dollar properties that have blurry photos. If I were the seller I would feel cheated, especially when I see other agents providing professional real estate photos taken by a photographer for their listings. I would consider relisting with another agent. And, the aforementioned home was a builder’s personal home- a client that could possibly lead to much more business.

BOTTOM LINE: Use high-quality photos.

Ad #3 Design Elements

I can’t spend the amount of time necessary to analyze this ad because it hurts my head to look at it! The background is nice but it’s too prominent. It makes it difficult to focus on what I, the consumer, should be paying attention to – the homes! The text is way too small and uses all caps in a font that is not easy to read. This font should only be used for headlines and it must be bigger. It is a bit stretched out as well, but not everywhere. One more thing to mention – it’s hard to figure out which descriptions match up with each photo. It took me a while to figure out why. I mean, they line up and that should be enough, right? Apparently not to the mind’s eye. The photos are not all of exterior shots. So, the interior shots make me feel like they are all part of the same house.

BOTTOM LINE(S): Use easy to read text (no stretching, use proper case, consistent sizing)
Don’t let your background overpower the content
Keep it consistent

It was really fun to look through the Homes Illustrated magazine and I will make it a point to do so more frequently at home. It was a wonderful learning experience. Do the same with your own magazine. It’s easier to critique others’ ads than your own. Analyze what works for you as a consumer and take it to your next campaign.

P.S. I find it is easier to do this with a magazine from an area that is not your own. You won’t go into the magazine with biases or assumptions. regarding the agents. Have fun!

Marketing at 70mph

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:59:00 +0000

Being on vacation and in a city that is not my own has taught me a lot about how real estate agents market their listings and what works for me as a buyer. Calm down, I'm not purchasing but I am the public since I am not an agent. How do you make sure buyers can find you and your listings? Yard signs? Homes & Lifestyles ads? Those are good but you need to start thinking like someone who has never been to our area. Think like a foreigner. Use your vacation this year to get that feeling and try to figure out what you would do as a consumer to search for real estate. I've driven along I-80 in Salt Lake City and see huge banners strung across homes saying 'For Sale'. There's a phone number below it. But see, the problem is that I AM DRIVING 70MPH and can't really write down a phone number!! I drive by a listing and see a brokerage sign. Again, a phone number. Too many numbers. I pass on. So, I go to my trusted friend, my computer, and do a Google search for 'Salt Lake City real estate'. I assume this is what a lot of buyers do, too. I picked the 2nd listing because it had the word 'Best' in the title. I did all of this without thinking about why I did it. I was not in analytical mode. I was in consumer mode. Here's what I want as a consumer. I want web addresses! I want an email address! No, I am not buying immediately but you need to capture the buyers when they are non-committal mode. Turn them into buyers. It may take months but get them to your website and keep them there with a home search. Grab them while they still don't have a REALTOR. While you are on vacation this year, use the opportunity to think like a foreigner. Think like someone who knows nothing about real estate. Most importantly, think like someone who is driving 70mph.

Do You Twitter?

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Mon, 26 May 2008 23:31:00 +0000

I know. There are so many new programs/interfaces/networks popping up everyday and it's a daunting task to sort through them all. One of those new applications is Twitter. With Twitter, you can post what you are doing at any time throughout the day. My first thought was, "why would anyone care what I'm doing?" After giving it some thought I figured it could be a great way for me to subtly remind agents about what I could be doing for them as their VA. I am planning on posting the projects I am working on (without the customer's name of course). That way, an agent may think of hiring me for the same type of project or it may give them an idea. My second question was, "how could real estate agents use this app?" I can't think of any. Can you?

P.S. I've also added my Twitter to my website and blog.

60 day program & pre-pay discount

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Sun, 18 May 2008 12:46:00 +0000

Dear Valued Customers,

Please note that effective June 1, 2008 the 60-day payment option will no longer be available. All invoices will be due upon receipt. Payments not received within 30 days will result in work cessation and finance charges of $10 or 1.75%, whichever is greater. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

NOW INTRODUCING a 10% PRE-PAY DISCOUNT! For those customers who routinely use My Assistant, this program may be of benefit to you. As we approach the summer months and more homes are selling, you may want to consider pre-paying for the fall & winter. Any pre-paid amount will result in a 10% discount. So, if you pre-pay $100 you’ll received $110 or work performed. ‘Minutes’ don’t expire and can be rolled over month to month. You can use it to pre-pay for the slower months or use it to access savings. Couldn’t we all stand to save money these days? If you’re interested, let me know.

Email Address

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Sun, 18 May 2008 12:30:00 +0000

What does your email address say about you? Does your email address end in 'yahoo.com', 'aol.com', 'comcast.net' or some other ISP ending? If you are using an email address linked to your internet service provider, then you are saying that you aren't taking your business as seriously as you could. I understand that using an email from your provider is easiest but it's not difficult to get a professional address. If you are using your ISP address then you seriously need to consider purchasing a domain name and email address to go along with it. It doesn't cost much (maybe $9-12/year) and will really help elevate your image from hobby REALTOR to full-time professional REALTOR. My suggestion, use your name (first@firstlast.com). It projects a very intentional image. See if your name is availabe. If you need help setting it up, let me know.

P.S. If you are using your broker's email address (remax.net; coldwellbanker.com; cressyeverett.com) then you may want to consider obtaining your own personal email address JUST IN CASE you ever switch companies. You still will want your clients to find you.

Need Repeat Traffic?

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:28:00 +0000

One of the most important reasons to have a website is to create a reason for visitors to visit your site - over and over again. Lots of people, real estate agents included, don't offer a solid reason for consumers to revisit their sites. Add some value - add a widget. I've just added a document/url to pdf converter to my services page .

So, for everyone out there - if you ever need something converted to pdf form, please visit my site and you can do so there for FREE. All you do is upload your document or paste in your url and you will receive an email back with the pdf attached. I hope you enjoy pdf conversion as much as I do. Really, I do.

And the Winner is...

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 03:33:00 +0000

Linda Caffery of At Home Realty Group! Linda, I hope you'll enjoy your $50 gift certificate to Papa Vino's.

To everyone who contributed a feedback form, I greatly appreciate it. I can only improve when I realize where I need to improve. Now I know more of what I am doing right and ways I can expand my service to you. Many thanks!

Where do you draw the line?

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 06:03:00 +0000

I respect my customers' personal marketing tricks/techniques and want to honor them. In order to do that I need to draw a line firmly in the sand as to what IS personal marketing and what is public marketing? I am often asked for advice about how to market a home. Obviously you have postcards, flyers, internet marketing, etc. That's common knowledge. That's not protected marketing in my opinion. What IS protected marketing would be custom verbiage, perspective, and branding. What are your thoughts? Where would you draw the line?

What's Your Color Q Profile?

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 05:21:00 +0000

This post is quite beyond the event but it's something I've been meaning to get to you since. Shoya Zichy presented a seminar hosted by the Young Professionals Network of the Chamber of Commerce. She is the author of "Color Q Profile System that basically breaks everyone down into 4 categories (red, blue, green, gold). I generally don't like the idea of dividing people into such structured categories but my category really described me to my core. I'm a Blue sub Gold. I live for ideas but not neseccarily the actual see-through of that idea. I like to dream big. Blues seem arrogant and don't respect authority. But that's not always a bad thing. It's true - status doesn't mean anything to me. That explains a lot! Even more enlightening was meeting 4 other 'Blues' and realizing that I'm not crazy as my husband seems to believe. I'm just a frantic list-making, idea-launching-but-not-carrying-out Blue and I'm not ashamed. The Gold part of me acutally made a chart of my current spices (in alphabetical order) and posted it on the inside of my cupboard.

So why is all of this important? I think it's good to know what makes you tick, what your downfalls are, and where you need to ask for help from others who are more inclined to a certain talent. As difficult as it is for me to admit that I'm not perfect, I'm reminded of it time and time again. It's comforting to know that there are others to help me where I lack and that I have not failed simply because I am not good at everything. The Color Q Profile system also goes into depth about how to relate to the other color profiles (how to lead them, how to 'sell' them, how to be lead by them).

Check out a mini-assessment I'd be interested in knowing which color you think you are.

All items provided with permission of the author.

Farming Contest Idea

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:38:00 +0000

I was in the process last night of coming up with new Just Listed marketing ideas when I had an idea along a different line. I wanted to come up with something that was different from what most agents are currently doing and I wanted a way to utilize farming postcards more effectively. So, here's my idea:

Select a farming area
Send ALL Just Listed/Just Sold/Farming postcards to this area ONLY
Start a contest that goes like this - the first person to collect and keep 10 of the agent's postcards and calls the agent will receive a $50 or $100 restaurant gift certificate.

Here's what this would accomplish:

1.Several, if not many, people will start collecting the postcards and holding onto them, giving them more of a shelf life and more effective marketing
2.Residents will be excited to collect another postcard and will watch for them in anticipation
3. Many people will collect 10. They will ALL call into the office to speak to the agent. A relationship is born and the agent will stick out in their minds when they think of listing their homes.

Tangent Thought Here's something I don't understand and maybe someone can enlighten me. Wouldn't it be more effective to send Just Sold postcards to the same farming area every time instead of just doing the homes around the house an agent just sold? I mean, the neighborhood around the home MAY have someone looking to sell and they may not. This postcard could be the only postcard the homeowner ever receives from the agent and so the agent is pushed out of their minds just like the other agents who only send them one card. If the agent send the postcards to a selected farm area each and every time they will see how much work the agent is doing, how much they are selling, and agent recognition is much more promising.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Ideas I want to use

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 11:21:00 +0000

I get a great list of ideas piled up in my head which someday I hope to implement for someone. Here's a list (so I don't forget):

Video Virtual Tours: Upload guided video tours to You Tube, embed in your website. Not only is this embracing new technology but it also creates a higher SEO rating for your website since You Tube is pointing to your site. The best part - it's free if you have a good digital camera and someone to run it.

Farming Postcard: What can $xxxxxx buy in today's market? Front of the postcard would feature several homes currently listed at that price. For instance, feature 5 listings between $149,500 and $150,000. Might get buyers interested in purchasing when they see what they can afford.

High Dynamic Range Photography: href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_dynamic_range_imaging"> Now that I have my Canon Powershot G9 I have become increasingly interested in photo composition and real estate photography. HDR is something I'm trying to learn in hopes of including it as a service. Interested in Real Estate Photography? Here is a great blog featuring great industry tips.

Have a suggestion for services you'd like to see? Let me know.

$1400 Clubhouse

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 04:35:00 +0000

Argh! Sometimes I don't like my best friend - my computer. This is now my 2nd time writing this post. NOTE TO SELF - do not press the backspce button unless you are editing something.

Anyway, this post will be much shorter than what it was previously. I've had 5 printers in the last 6 months. Clarification - I STILL have 5 printers.

With the amount of printers I've had, my kids know to get excited when the Dell boxes are unloaded from the DHL truck. Tai & Baylee made no exception to the rule when my newest printer was delivered last week, bringing along with it a huge & sturdy box to convert into a clubhouse. Well worth the price if it occupies them for 3 days straight. The packing foam is a whole other story.

The Dell 5110cn is an upgrade from my 3-week old Dell 3110cn color laser printer. I needed something that would be more compatible with my 6,000/month printing cycle. The 5110cn offers a duplex printing option, a 500-sheet capacity tray, super fast speeds (40ppm black & 35ppm color) and fantastic graphics. I now print twice as fast with less work in between. I just have to wonder - by the end of summer, will I still have the same printer?? I hope not.

By the way - if you are looking for a good color laser printer, I have my Dell 3110cn printer for sale for $200 ($550 from Dell) - no toner or usb printer cord included. Comes with a transferable 3-year next-day on site service warranty.

A 'Widget' WHAT??

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:16:00 +0000

We all know to get listings on the internet because that is where the buyers are looking. Period. My Assistant provides a service to our agents that syndicates their listings to 10-12 classified websites. We do this via a Postlet (www.postlets.com). It's a free site (we charge $7 for the input, maintenance, and upload to Craigslist). We also design a flyer for the agent to give to their sellers (printing costs extra). Postlets provides a property widget (3 size samples below). I'm trying to find ways to use these widgets and would love your input. Here are my ideas thus far - 1) websites to feature listings, 2) blogs 3) would love to be able to embed in an email - any ideas?

Small:

Medium:

Large:

Internet Marketing - 9 Sites for $7

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 05:48:00 +0000

RESPA / IDOI Compliant

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:00:00 +0000

Don't worry about RESPA violations. Let My Assistant design and print your marketing pieces - and at a great price! I have the experience and creativity to get the job done.

Quality Laser Prints
Flyer on 32lb glossy stock - .30
1/4 page postcard - .18
1/2 page postcard - .35

Design Fees
Flyer - $7
Postcard - $10

More prices
Samples Slideshow

New Slideshow

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 03:44:00 +0000

Have I said this before: I LOVE TECHNOLOGY! Seriously, I am in love with it. I get most excited over finding applications and ideas that are easy and truly useful. Where is this going?

I've recently (today) added a flyer/postcard/misc. slideshow to my blog page. It's awesome! I can't wait to add more to it as I do more work.

I know what you are thinking - "Why do I care?" Well here's my thought:

On your own webpage you could add a slideshow of your featured properties or maybe on your testimonials page add a slideshow of satisfied customers. Pictures are worth 1,000 words. Make those pictures work for you.

Need more info on setting up a slideshow for your webpage? Call or email me.

Any Farmers Out There?

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:34:00 +0000

Farming works. I hear it told time and time again that when agents farm an area they receive a welcomed response - REFERRALS AND LISTINGS! You know you want referrals and listings so if you aren't farming, why? Is it because:

You don't have the time to come up with an idea for a mailer?
You don't have the time to design a mailer?
You don't have a farm list set up?
You don't have the time to set up a farm list?

If you want to be a farmer but for one of the reasons above haven't dug in, let me help you. I have the systems and knowledge to:

Create a farm list - $20/hour (I can usually pull around 300 records/hour)
Design a 12-month campaign for your farm area - $100 (or $10 each)
Print your mailer (FEES)
Process address verification and bulk mail - $20/hour

If you've been thinking of farming but haven't gotten around to it, now is the time. Let's work together for your continued success in 2008 and to take your business to the next level.

Looking to get FSBO listings?

noreply@blogger.com (Renee Crabtree) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:57:00 +0000

FSBO Marketing

Looking for a new edge this year to get more listings? Tried marketing to FSBOs before with no or little results? Let me help. With my follow up program, you purchase a zip code (only one agent per zip code) and I will:
Look up FSBOs in the South Bend Tribune, MichianaByOwner.com & ForSaleByOwner.com weekly
Send you a list of new addresses & phone numbers, if available
Mail out a PowerPoint presentation customized to your business on CD & printed out in a folder (1st week only)
Send out postcards (weeks 2 and higher)
Set Up Cost (includes PowerPoint Presentation): $150
Cost Per Month: $7/week per listing (includes all printing, postage, postcard creation & labor).

You can cap your cost per month to any amount you wish.

Zip code costs vary but range between $100-$200 per zip code. Email me for a quote on your requested zip code(s). All inactive zip codes will be released for purchase after 3 months.

HURRY! Once the zip code is purchased, it's gone.