Starting this weekend I started delivering pizza part-time. I thought this would be good for me for a couple reasons..

-I will get out a couple days a week and get to ride around my area for a few hours to find fsbo's that aren't advertising in the paper while..

-Making a few extra dollars while I'm getting to patrol my area. I'm brand new to real estate and making a little extra money until my business begins to kick off won't hurt.

I made a deal with the manager... I'm going to come in a couple days a week and make their boxes off the clock, and he will let me paste my fliers on each box so they get delivered with every pizza.

Thats not a bad deal.I would keep some buyer specific flyers with me for the pizzas that you take to apartment cmplxs.

I'll definately do that.. but, there are very few apartment complexes in this area. It's mostly SFR's and mobile home. But, it would probably be good to give to the mobile homes also, you think?

NOt certai. Many of them might want to move up, while many could be retirees content with there home.

I think being able to attach your fliers to the pizza boxes is awesome! You give me the idea that I should walk into Domino's Pizza and propose that I come in and make the boxes if they allow me to advertise on them. Do you think they would let me do that even if I don't work there?

It's possible. The place I'm talking about isn't a big franchise like domino's, but they are popular in this town... been here forever. I used to work here in high school so I've known the owners for a long time so that probably helped. It definately wouldn't hurt to ask.

Len- You would have much better luck partnering with a Mom and Pop outfit. The Dominos would have to "run this through corporate". They would be worried about litigation should there be a problem with one of the RE transactions. The Mom and Pop outfit would look up from stirring the sauce and tell you either yes or no, depending on what was in it for them.

Most mom and pop places might not be busy enough to have me making their boxes. You guys have any other ideas that I could propose to a place like that in trade for advertising? Maybe a pizza coupon on my mailings intrade for them paying for the postage!

Is that the best use of your time, making pizza boxes with your flyers? How many flyers could you distribute door to door in that same amount of time. Better yet couldn't you hire a kid to distribute them Isn't your time worth more than 8 to 10 bucks an hour? are you going to deliver the Pizza with your flyer on it? I understand you need the money, I would deliver in a area that I was not farming. Would you list your most valuable asset with the Pizza deliverer?

Shoot, I live in Metro Phoenix and many folks opt for the mom and pos places as the product is usually better than the chain. Mom and Pop delivery joings here do a brisk business...

The Broker, the point is to get your fliers on some kind of commercial business. If they are on pizza boxes for a reputable company, then people will probably perceive you as a reputable Realtor. It just shows that you have connections with advertising and it looks more professional than putting them on doorsteps. When people see a flyer on their doorstep, they usually just throw it away without looking at it. If you have your flyer on a pizza box, then people will at least have to look at it and then you would be getting your name out there. You could even propose this idea to a few other companies in your area along with the pizza place. If homeowners are starting to see your fliers on many of the reputable businesses, you will be thought of by many people when they are thinking about buying and selling.

The delivery idea is not so great in my opinion. I don't think many people would list their home with the pizza delivery guy either. An extremely successful agent would not be delivering pizzas on the side. Buyers and sellers want to work with people that are successful. We all like working with people that are successful, so you can't really blame them.

Delivering pizzas in your target area is a bad idea like mentioned above. No one wants to make their largest purchase in possibly their lifetime from the pizza man. Making boxes for them or helping pay for boxes would be a better idea than you physically delivering the pizzas for them. See if you can work something out with them where you don't have to do the deliveries.

I would think otherwise.
As a Realtor, you want a professional image. There is a hair
salon that I go to cut my hair. The lady who sometime cut my
hair is also a realtor (although had not done any deals), and she
has her card on the front counter. If I were a customer, I know
not trust the largest financial decision of my life to
a hairstylist. I would want to find the most professional, comptent realtor. I think have a part time job to supliment income is fine, but I don't think that fact should be advertized.

Combine your two ideas, Trade your flyers on their boxes with their coupons in your mailers. I certainly would not put them on the boxes and make them myself. That would be a waste of time.

I don't think that is the best way to market yourself though. The same buyers will get pizza's delivered to them and do they care to see you and what would you advertise?

Honestly I would find another part time job. If you stick with this one, do not prospect on the job, no business cards, flyers, nothing. No one will list or buy with the pizza man, period. It's a waste of time, money, and it creates a negative image for yourself and your brokerage.

I think this all is pretty funny.I commend you Shaun for thinking "outside the box" no pun intended.

I think it is hilarious what all of you people think of pizza drivers.I did it for years with dominos,was a store manager,opened up my own independant pizza place and sold it off.Took a few years off and got into real estate.

Did you know full time pizza drivers make up to 80k to 100k a year?In a bad area they make 40k to 60k a year.It's funny to see corporate types 30k in debt with student loans,and working 60 hours a week on a paltry salary and never seeing there friends and family.

The sense of arrogance amazes me,most are clueless and people in the food business are mutli-millionares.The guy I used to work for Mike Orcutt owns cowabunga inc. and is one of the largest dominos franchisees in the nation with over 72 stores in Ga.

People need to get rid of the stereotypes and stop being close minded.I say if you have no business now it can't hurt to try it.

I do plenty of business form when I was in the food business.Maybe you could help the pizza owner find a new location or for a second pizza location,maybe if they want to eventually sell you can help them.If you get in good with the owner,restaurant owners usually have suppoer tmeetings with other restaurant owners and they all know each others and you could work that niche,it all depends on what you are after.

I know pizza drivers right now that own multiple rental properties and several businesses.

Sorry to rant this just struck a nerve for me,formerly being in the restaurant business for 11 years.

If you want million dollar listings that are snooty-whooties than yes I don't think they would list with the pizzaman.
It could work or not work depending on the clientele you are attempting to go after.

good luck

get em super realtor!

i guess everyone here started out making 200k a year.

down the pizza delivery guy all you want!

next time you order a pizza from a delivery place, do this (pause for effect) tell the person taking your order that you think of pizza delivery people as being beneath you(your pizza will not taste very good i would bet)

or fast food workers or plumbers or cabbies, then tell the trash pickup guy that you think he is beneath you(see if your cans get lost)


after i got out of the marine corps, i was a bartender. one of the funny things that i used to laugh at all the time was the people that looked down on me for being a bartender. i had people ask me why i am bartending and

when i told them that it was because i was working 3 days a week making 63,000 a year they shut up pretty quick.

i had people who sell mary k making 15k a year ask me why i was a bartender.(nothing wrong with selling mary k, but the point is why do they care, and who is one person to question another person about thier lively hood?)

the point is, why do we judge people based on what people do? so i ask you, is it more important to work 80 hour weeks and miss birthdays and holidays, anniverseries and be DIGNIFIED IN OUR PROFESSION to make 150k a year, or is it better to make 50k and have your child think that you are the best mom/dad in the world? ponder that! i am not saying

It doesn't matter how much income a pizza delivery driver may pull in, or how succesfull you can become in the pizza business, that's not the point here, and I don't think anyone is making fun of it. The fact is most people want to work with a succesfull real estate professional. Owning and running another business is one thing, but working a part-time job shows you are not producing at a high enough level to survive in the business, and prospects will question this. How well will they be serviced by someone who only works in the business part-time. Seriously, who do you think an unrepresented seller is more likley to list their home with, an agent who sells 25+ homes a year full time, or the pizza delivery man who sells 6 a year and gave you his flyer while dropping off your large combo.

The fact that so many people in this forum are sterotypical of the pizza man supports one thing, that people in general are stereotypical of pizza men, garbage men, etc. So maybe being a pizza guy isn't a bad thing at all and you could make 50k a year doing it. However, if you want to be in real estate full time, don't you have to play to peoples sterotypical thoughts? If people generally sterotype a pizza man as "below them" or lowly human beings, do you think they would want to buy a house with them as their right hand man? Just a thought. I read someone did this and it seems delivering newspaper would be a good job. You could put a flyer in each one, or attach your card to it somehow. They don't know your delivering, your making decent money, and your advertising. Have to be up bright and early though.

I understand that you need to pay the bills. Do your part time job in a different area. The paper route idea was good because it won't interfere with real estate. You are not in the position to spend any money on flyers delivered to strangers. Write down everyone you know on index cards or on a spread sheet. Everyone! Then call everyone on the list. Everyone! Then mail them a hand written note after you speak with them. Everyone! Tell your friends and family that you are in the business and should they know someone looking to move ask them if they would feel comfortable referring you. The next month call them back ask how they are doing. let them know you would appreciate any referrals and if they had to pick someone they knew that would be most likely to move in the next few months who would it be? Ask them to introduce you. Send them another handwritten card. See if your pizza man would give you a good deal on free pizzas and have another delivery guy deliver a pizza on you for every referral. You are not in the position to spend marketing dollars on strangers. The return just isn't there. You would be better off calling and writing people you know then making pizza boxes even if the printing of the flyers were free.

Just one to make one point. The two nights a week that I'm delivering I'm not making it known to these people that I'm a Realtor. I'm not giving them a card, or really even talking to them. I'm also wearing a hat, t-shirt, and cargo shorts. If by some chance I had ever delivered to one of the people that I talked to later as a potential client I seriously doubt they would recognize me.

When I said I was out looking for fsbo's during those few hours of delivering I meant I'm just making notes of where I see them. Then the next day I'll get dressed up and go out and talk to them or call. And when I meet any sellers I sure won't be announcing to them that "maybe you've seen me around... I deliver pizza out here sometimes".

I think your secret is safe because Nobody pays any attention to the pizza delivery person. Just like the ups driver (unless you get regular deliveries) most people could not tell you what the driver looked like.

Adding to what Paul said. Take someone out of context and people generally wont connect you as the pizza guy, store clerk, kids teacher etc.

Exactly. I'm giving my fliers with the pizzas I drop off, but I never tell them that it's my flyer. I don't even talk to them besides "It's this much" and "thanks". They will never recognize me.

And if someone says "Hey, you look like the Pizza Guy" you could say "You know, I've heard that before!"

hee hee

I am certain the pizza guy has been here ten times...I have absolutely NO idea what he looks like. I am fishing for money and my senses are just focused on pizza aromas. I think what you are doing is great. NOt one of these people will connect the pizza guy being the Realtor unless you point it out..

Really weird... Today at a class I was taking, the speaker told a story of how he had lost his neighbors listing a while back to a discount broker. Neighbor felt his commission was too high. So the realtor feels a lil crummy about this being his neighbor and all. Then a couple weeks later, there is a neighborhood party a couple houses away. Everyones talking to the neighbor about his house and why he's moving etc. Guess who delivers the pizzas to the party? His Discount Agent! Everyone knew it was his agent and I guess the neighbor was pretty embarrassed. Everyone in my class found this quite funny. First thing I thought of was this post. This is the kind of thing that would worry me if I was doing a fast food job or pizza job etc, that people would recognize me and react this way. I wouldn't remember anything about the pizza guy if he didn't look familiar at first glance, however I would recognize him if I knew him.

Why don't you take this pizza delivery problem and turn into a solution?

Buy or sell your house through me and I'll give you a free pizza. That's why I deliver them.

You are who you are why hide it?

Do you really think a pizza would help close the deal? "I can;t decide which listing agent to use, but this guy offerd a pizza so he gets my business.."

you know what gardner, it just might. with tip thats $15 dollars saved? and really? "I deliver them because I'll give you a free pizza." Couldn't you give them a free pizza without working for the company? Next you'll say "I needed the practice delivering them" hmmm but good idea turning a negative into a positive, just probably not the best example of doing that.

Your idea is not a good one because I am speaking from a bachelor's point of view

As a bachelor we love our pizza but we don't like doing dishes! So we rip the top of the pizza box off and use that as our fine china. We then take your ad/flyer you have taped to the box and it becomes a handy napkin!

If they can remember you as the pizza real estate guy over the other one thousand "me too real estate agent" you just might get the business.

People don't respond to common sense they respond to what they can remember. When you get the appointment then it's time to show what you can really do.

One of the busiest agents in my office (she's starting her 4th year) was a bartender her first two years...the only reason she stopped is because she is too busy with real estate. (She closed $2 mil in VA and $2 mil in DC in February alone). Her typical price range is $650,000 - $1.5 mil; her clients hire her to bartend their parties and always announce she's not only one heck of a bartender, but also an awesome real estate agent. She has picked up quite a number of clients from her client's parties.

These clients are upper middle class and have no problem using the bartender as their agent because, well, that's who she is and she has a rep for being a fantastic agent. She has never tried to hide the bartending thing and it has never hurt her. She's smart, she's honest, she's incredibly hard working and she's aggressive. It works for her.

You can make pretty much anything work for you. There is enough business out there for everyone and while the pizza thing may turn off some prospective clients, you're not going to get everyone as clients, anyway. It won't bother others and those will be the ones you will want as your clients because you will enjoy your work that much more.

I admire your willingness to push the envelope and be willing to try anything...it may not work, but it's better than sitting around the office, waiting for the phone to ring! Good luck!

You can always abandon it is what I say.

But try it and tweak it. I don't think anyone will connect you with the pizza quite frankly. I think they laughed at this other agent because he was a discount agent AND a pizza guy. With that combination they both seem a little cheesy. Sorry about that.

I would say attach a small easy to read (8th grade level) brochure on a topic that might be of interest to any number of people---

Recovering from bankruptcy/foreclosure
Avoiding forecloure
Why you should use a REALTOR
Preparing your home to sell
Buying your first home (for apartment deliveries)

I think something like this has a greater likelihood of staying around.

I wouldn't put my picture on the brochure but would make real certain that my website had a professional picture on it. And by professional I mean taken by a professional, in a suit and retouched if necessary.

Make your URL and phone number prominent. Make your voice mail recording energetic and professional. Since you are the pizza dude, everything regarding your business including your appearance, must be ultra tip top and ward off images of grease stains on contracts.

Puhleeeeze make certain that when driving clients around, your car is void of pizza accoutrement and smell!!

Good luck!!

I think this guy has a good thing going. Some wont like it but some will remember him. In my area I have a full time teacher and several bus drivers I am competing with. It irritates the hell out of me how people would list their home with someone whos primary focus isnt real estate. Im available all the time and if you call about one of the teachers listings he wont return your call until sometime in the evening. But people know of him, same with the bus drivers, and they seem to be doing ok in real estate. If anything I would think people might see this guy as hard working and give him a chance. You never know where your next lead might come from. Keep us posted on how this works out. People judge too much. One of my best clients if you were to ever meet him you would think he was poor. He dont drive a real fancy car (day to day) he dont wear expensive clothes, and he is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. He is also very smart when it comes to real estate and has made enough to buy 2 new Dodge Vipers and 2 of the Dodge Viper trucks. Youd never suspect if you didnt know him, that the guy had any money at all. Some of you snooty folks out there that are judging the pizza delivery guy are going to miss out. I have gotten several clients because I care about the business, I listen to their needs & wants, and I work hard for them. I love it when they tell me they dont like ABC Realtor because he is stuck on himself.

Shaun,

Are you still doing this?

Some people made very valid points here; I personally admire people with the drive, tenacity and innovation to go for something they want, no matter the cost. It's always better to busy than not at all. (For the most part)

I personally wouldn't list my home with people who don't work in RE full time because of the simple inclination that would lead me to believe that they aren't successful professionals, who cannot sustain themselves in their respected industry because of lack of clientele. So why should I trust them with my biggest investment? Sorry but I don’t hand out my business like its charity. It will undoubtedly go to the agent that can assure me not only the level of commitment that I expect as far as services but that rendered desired RESULTS to my initial problems.

Although we all have come from some starting point or another it really boils down to how much of a benefit we can offer our clients,
how much knowledge we can bring to the table and how we're willing to do whatever it takes to meet their interests and surpass their needs.

One things for sure, we all are judgmental in our own peculiar ways, so that’s the given, but in RE first impressions are extremely long lasting, so approach with caution

But to the ones that find business through any unconventional needs Hey! More power to you!

I don’t believe in luck I believe in preparation.


Marc Paul

I haven't the past few weeks. I've got a couple listings now, and I'm working with some buyers. When you throw in the weddings I've had to be involved in this past month I haven't had time to do it.

I did get a call from one of the flyers I gave though. It may very well turn into a listing.

When I get more time I'll still do it once a week or so. That way I can stay on top of any fsbo's that pop up.

So, who's laughing now? Go Shaun!

I think it was your willingness to do this that speaks volumes about your motivation and confidence. You GET it!

Shaun,

Are you still doing this? Did you get the listing?

Nah, I'm not really doing it anymore. I've been busy enough lately that I can't really deliver pizza at all anymore. I've just been doing duty like a mad man. They schedule us for 6 per month and this month I had about 20. So that has me running around a good bit working with buyers. It also got me 2 listings.

As far as that listing goes I didn't get it yet. Last time I talked to them they were still deciding whether they wanted to sell or not. And, now I don't have their number anymore because my notebook with all the names and numbers of my leads was in my truck and it was stolen. So, hopefully they'll call me back.

Very Good, Closer ... quite true!

YO, if they are allowing you to do that, that is GREAT!
Good thinking!
I am about to do something similar, but not with pizza boxes.
Something that will allow we to advertise over and over again while I get paid for doing it. I just need to pay for the printing of stuff, no postage.

Agents focus to much on this is what I will do for you blah,blah,blah list with me.

What I learned from being in the restaurant industry for over 11 years is people love the small talk.Alot of times the wife and husband have poor communication,or a lonely elder person never gets to talk much to someone.All they want is someone to LISTEN to them and make them feel important and valued.This is how I get the business all day long.Someone who will LISTEN to them and I come across as I really want to HELP them.Many times agents blab off solutions to problems without LISTENING to what is important in the clients mind.

For example I assemble properties for land assemblages for developers.When I talk to the owners to some having the contract subject to a 1031 exchange is important,to others the price,others the timeline,etc.,etc.If I tried a one time solution for everyone and din't listen to what was important for them they would percieve I didn't care and wasn't listenign to them and they would blow me off.

One of Jeffrey Gitomer's best sayings is "People hate to be sold,but they love to BUY" what this means is don't hard sell them list the benefits of purchasing and humanize the transaction.

One of the funniest things I ever heard was from another broker that had been doing this for 35 years.She said I used to think the people that had the nice cars and looked nice had the money but for the most part these people were always broke.Then the people I thought didn't have anything dressed in overalls ended up owning hundreds of acres and would pay cash.

The point is we judge to much,I treat everyone the same regardless of the car or there situation.

I know people that are millionares that drive Honda's because of the gas mileage and the business write off but I also know people driving bmw's that are hocked to the hilt.The point is most people that truly have money don't have to show it.The people that have finally MADE it have a sense of arrogance and expectancy and have something to PROVE to everyone.

Hey I think this is my first post here.

I will be waiting tables until I finish my class and start selling some homes. I thought about buying pens with my name on them to give to people to sign cc slips. But then I thought against it. What if they called the number and then their waitress from the other night shows up to show them property. LOL. So until the day I quit waitressing...whenever anyone ask me what I do besides waiting tables I am just going to tell them I am a student.

"I am just going to tell them I am a student getting my Real Estate License." Then say "Do you know anyone looking to make a move soon?"

That's a good answer, Cool Cat!

Network with people! Who cares if it sounds corny to your customers. It takes human interaction to bond with people and for them to like you. If you are waiting tables, then do the pen idea you had. When you give them the bill, hand them the pen along with it and say "Please sign the bill and feel free to keep the pen. Maybe I can help you with real estate in the future." This just might get them to start a conversation with you about buying or selling. I would at least try it.

You put your own cell phone number on the pens.

And ask them "maybe you can help me? I'm getting started in a new career, if you know anyone..." People love to help.