I Will be getting my license in a few weeks and wondered if anyone had any Marketing ideas for us newbies who don't have much financial backing to buy lots of expensive martketing tools. My SOI is my church... (My family and I are heavily involved) Just wanted know if there is anything I can do to market my church members. I mean i am in charge of teaching our new members class and my husband is a deacon at our church. I do have access to the congrations mailing list anytime I want. Just wondering a classy way to advertise without seeming pushy. Any ideas would be helpful! Thanks.

There are several things you can do to get a faster start. I have some tips on budgeting for marketing and expectations in this article also.

The key is to have a plan and to follow it. Throwing money at blind marketing is rarely helpful. Good luck.

One thing that I do is try to get my listings featured as the "house of the week" or one of the featured homes in the real estate section of the newspaper. This also gets it put in the newspaper's web version.

Work expired listings and FSBOs by knocking on doors. With the do not call list in place I don't think you can just cold call them - so go in person. There is minimal expense and they are prospects who have cleared the first hurdle - they have already made the decision to sell.

You have to be sure to continually follow up but the majority of them will list/relist with a realtor. Remember - just because you get your license dosen't mean people will be knocking your door down to do business with you. Set aside regularly scheduled times for prospecting.

This is a numbers game. You need to contact 100 people to get 3 appointments. You need to go on 5 appointments to get 1 listing. You need about 12-15 listings to close 1-2 per month (if you don't close you don't get paid). So you need to talk to about a billion people a day about real estate.

There is a lot of rejection in this business like any other kind of sales. I am not trying to depress you, just give you the reality of it.

Also - be prepared to get your feelings hurt. You will most likely have some friends and/or family use someone else to list their house sometime down the line. Don't think it doesn't happen. Good luck.

Send personal, hand-written notes every chance you get- don't forget to include a card.

Straight from Realtor.org
See Articles....

Low Cost Personal Marketing
Implementing a basic public relations program can really benefit your business.

Here's the Truth!

Buyers...
1. Ugly Yellow Signs
2. Ugly Yellow Flyers
3. Rental Complex Door-Hangers/Flyers
4. Windsheild Pieces


Sellers...
1. Expireds- Mailing Campaign/Phone
2. Fsbos- Mailing Campaign/Phone


All Resources Found at www.realmarketingpros.com .....or my hardrive!

Sorry, GA, I thought you were asking how to market homes, not yourself.

Copying the Bob Ward article violates the copyright of Realtor.org and/or Bob Ward. You should do a small quote and link to the article.

That is unless you have written permission to do so.

You asked for ideas so here's mine:

Personally, I would NOT use the mailing list to make it yours. I just dont think that's right. My church is also my large SOI. When people engage in small talks and we often talk about our families and our lives (what we did last week), this new endevour may seem appropriate to fit in, dont you think?

Also, I remembered specifically getting friends as my prayer partners for my business. I do mean that but I didnt email the whole church. I specifically prayed about whom my prayer partners should be. Then I write to them telling them how they could keep me in my prayers (keeping my eye and goal focus on truly 1 thing and 1 thing only: to serve through real estate).

Since you are new, you could write an intro letter to your friends and family. It will also be appropriate to announce it that way. Once you have done that one time, there are subtle ways that you keep monthly communications without having to talk about RE all the time. People know what you do, and when there is a need and you seem the right fit, they will contact you!

Good luck! This is truly one of the best careers I ever had (next to being a waitress - that's another great "servant's" heart).

Thanks for the info....Just to clarify to any misunderstandings, I am mainly looking for ideas to market myself..Not sure I understand why I should not use the church mailing list though, that is my soi and also church folks buy houses too. Just still a little confused? Do you think they would be turned off if did a mailing. There are no realtors in my church and I figured i could be someone easily accessbile.

Before I just mailed off to the whole church I would call everyone, tell them what you're doing. Ask them if they have another realtor they would use/refer other than you. If not, ask their permission to mail things. If you're looking to save money, make sure to ask if you would be thier realtor-of-choice. If they have a brother or uncle or best friend they would use instead, you don't want to waste money on postage and mailings. It's also good to get that out in the open right up front to avoid hurt feelings, and to keep them from avoiding you when it comes time for them to buy or sell. Plus, I just think it's rude to assume that people would use you.

ok..thanks...Just for Clarifcation I would not assume that church members would use me, what im simply saying is that they have and OPTION to use me... just like they would have the OPTION to use any other realtor that would market them by based them based on mailing by zipcode and that realtors does not ask. .But I understand what you are saying though...I definetely would not want to offend anyone. I just thought maybe I had a leverage up because I am the only will be the only realtor so far in our Congregation, just working with what I have. Frankly I dont see any harm in that..Some will say yes some will say no.

Our church integrates ALL businesses/service offerings of our congregation in the newsletter (they just have to submit it)... Doesn't your church do this in some form or another? If not, it might be something for your church to consider...maybe?

We feel it is important to support our church community. We've found it's a great way to let the congregation know about who's doing what within the congregation...and so that the congregation can be informed of the services offered by fellow congregants without being pushy... You'd be surprised how many will say, "I didn't know that Bob was a plumber" or "Wow, I wish I'd known Susie was a realtor"...

I, personally, don't see anything wrong with sending out intro mailings to the congregation... They are, after all, in your SOI... And all you are doing is letting them know what you do... I would, also, continue to let them know as you have offerings, listings, etc which might be of use to them...

We, also, highlight congregants who have achieved success via degree, designation, awards, recognition, etc...and CONGRATULATE them accordingly.

I've never had anyone be offended by this... But, you would know how things are done within your church...

Good Luck To You!

CTagent: I would also agree that church members consumers too...Since I teach our new member class, Im constantly meeting new members and talking with them a lot and getting new addresses. I dont see a problem with it..Like I said before an agent who is not in church can market those same people by zipcode to get his or her name out there and no one says anything..But the way my church is set up They are not that picky of a church...we are a fairly small congregation w/500 members and 150 active members. and we have only been inexistence for 3 years so it may work. And if someone say they did not want me to send them any literature, then their wish is granted..There will always be an opposer for what ever reason. I like to take the proactive approach to market as long as its not done in the sanctuary, and I donot do business in the church at all.

I say go for it. Let us know how it works out.

Ok....I'll keep you posted if I get any negative or positive feedback...doesnt hurt to try.

I would be a resource for your church. Offer to teach some classes, offer free tips, reports etc. Ask everybody for their help and referrals.

find a mortgage person, title person etc that also go to your church and work with them as they may already have a following.

Hope that helps
Danny