Yes it is worth it because you need to expect it to take a while to see results...so whenever you start with the internet you need to wait a bit to see results. Search engines take a while to index you and how quickly depends on your Search Engine Optimization...how well your content is indexed for your key words.
As BPO Bill said, see if other agents in your office will let you advertise their listings. Then set up a blog - you can get hosting from Godaddy for less than $10 a month, and a domain name for $10 a year or so. Set up a Wordpress.org blog and then begin writing content for your posts. What are you going to write about?
Write about the listings you have permission to market
Take your own pictures of the area and write about the picture...one picture per post...take a picture of a landmark, a business to highlight, a tourist destination, a favorite restaurant...always making reference to real estate somehow in the article without sounding spammy of course
Write about home sales trends (use info from your mls if allowed...my mls does not allow it by yours may)
List some upcoming current events
Highlight various communities
Talk about some homeowner issues
Again make sure you get local real estate terms in those posts.
It would be extremely beneficial if you get IDX access to the MLS - in my MLS you pay an additional fee on top of the dues to be able to display listings on your website and enable customers to use your website as a search portal.
If you are mildly tech savvy you can set it up yourself with an investment in time or you can spend a few hundred bucks to have someone set it up for you. Not having an internet presence will harm you in the long run and make it difficult to generate your own leads.
Of course you can do the traditional stuff like door knocking and cold calling but for me personally, that kind of activity upsets my stomach. I do not like bothering people which is how I see it. Some other agents do very well at it but it's not my cup of tea. Even if you are door knocking and cold calling you should have some kind of website to send them to....and that would work for Craigslist too.
In this internet age, a website is very important for a new agent. I have done very well without doing any of the traditional prospecting methods. Good luck.
Now its very important I show you the flip side of the coin..
it depends on if you want to be broke your first months in the business..
by avoiding traditional prospecting methods..
while you wait for google to decide if you are worthy... :-)
If you want to close your first deal in 30-90 days
forget all that internet ,social media stuff.. FOR NOW...
1. Go to your broker, and the hud site..
pick some listings out..
go straight to craigslist and backpage..
run those ads, everyday
put great compelling headline
2-3 sentences of text and 1 photo..
and your number with call for more details , pics appointments..
2. make a list of at least 100 family members , friends , co workers colloeagues, mail them a letter..
this will cost you $50. Tell them that you are now in real estate..ask them do they know anybody who looking to buy or sell
3. Make friends with fsbo's in your market..
you can get them free from fsbo.com, forsalebyowner.com etc..
ask them would they pay a commission if you bought buyer
ask them can you help with they marketing
offer to do open houses for thetell them you have buyers-(you are ddoing the craigslist plan,..right?)
you will add social media, blogging seo. all of that to the mix..
but thats not a 30-90 day paycheck..
the path to the 30-90 day paycheck is more traditional..
1. yes actually talking to real humans
2. yes actually asking for appointments
3. yes actually going on appointments face to face with live people
the quicker you get over not talking to people..the quicker your first paycheck.
hope that helps. Since most advice will tell you to ignore traditional stuff..thought I would share that side of the coin...
good luck.
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