RealTown's RealTalk

I have been using Video Business Cards in my E-signature and also as a "video bounceback" in the auto-reply function on all my e-mail accounts. Everyone who sends me an e-mail gets a bounce back. These video business cards are very easy to set up - o see what I'm talking about just send me an e-mail with "test" in the subject line. You should receive an immediate bounce back from me - you will see my TALKING VIDEO business card and be directed to my sites. This has a ton of possibilities and really enables you to get in front of your market with your most important assett- YOU! Paul Carlyon E-Pro - St.Paul Minnesota

Something to think about- lately stainless steel has been all the rage in the kitchen. Magnets don't stick to it! I get magnets every year from advertisers, and don't have anywhere to hang them anymore.

got an email the other day from this site. http://www.NeighborGab.com interesting new concept trying to get agents to stimulate a social network to help connect the homeowners (preferrably your clients) in the neighborhoods they farm. Once built, theoretically, you now have a way to communicate with your farm for free. may or may not work. be interesting to watch. Marianne Doyle www.mariannedoyle.com >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Looking for an easy FREE way to set up a neighborhood Website? You might want to consider creating your own Blog. After all, Blogs are really just personalized, easy-to-use Websites. Start your own Blog for free by going to http://RealTownBlogs.com Take a look at what some of the others are doing. You'll see what I mean. Rich Hudson Director of PR/Marketing InternetCrusade (619) 283-7302 Ext. 602 Rich@InternetCrusade.com >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> based on that argument then, we should all just be blogging on our own websites first and foremost. not sure about everyone else but if I am in this business to make money so if I am going to take my time to blog on a site other than my own, it seems to me that I would want it to be on a site that attracts the people that make me money...buyers and sellers. Unfortunately, I cant see why buyers and sellers would be visiting sites that are just a bunch of us Real Estate folk talking about the real estate business. Nothing against Realtown...its a great forum. But where are most of the buyers and sellers? Not on Realtown. I think a site that home owners (prospective sellers) use to connect with their neighbors for their "social" means would be a great venue for subtle marketing. Blogging in general in our business is a marketing method that I liken to watching grass grow. Lets face it. I'm not a journalist. What I write about real estate isn't going to be a NY Times best seller or make the 8 o'clock news. SOOOO...again, if we are going to blog for the purpose of attracting business, it would help if our blog content was first on our own websites and the also syndicated to other sites that attract volumes of buyers looking for listings like Realtor.com, Homes.com, etc. OR...for attracting sellers, on a site that sellers go to for the purpose of interacting socially (thats why I thought the concept of that NeighborGab.com site was neat) or a site like Zillow or CyberHomes.com where they're checking out their property's "value". Cheers! Marianne Doyle www.mariannedoyle.com

<> Most Realtors here send out post cards or one page flyers that spell out stats thru the USPS. I have always felt that they can be overwhelming (I personally receive a lot) and add to the landfills. So, because of that I have never farmed in that way. I keep a presence by always having my name and photo out there in some fashion, whether it be a card size ad in the business section of our local newspaper or in a full color magazine ad with my current listings. Belive it or not, I get a lot of attention by just being a consistent face. Also, my ERA franchise advertises the best of the best each month, a very cool thing for them to do! My on-going goal is to be consistently featured there. I have found that coffee mugs work as people will actually use them at their office place, or take them home. Also, I have put a tip sheet on the back of my business cards. Most people think it was brilliant idea ...maybe a little hard to read the small text. I think anything actually useful and fun is the key. Marie Isom R(A), ABR Marie.Isom@ERA.com

I have been using reflective sign riders with great success. They reflect like a street sign when car headlights hit them and have proven to be an excellent and inexpensive marketing tool. Sellers really like them, especially after they've seen them light up when returning home at night.

I am not into Magnets because I usually through them out.  I like to send postcards with current market information or just listed properties, and, at the bottom add a coupon from a local restaruant or a favorite recipe.  I have so many people say "Your picture is on my refridgerator" when I meet them out & about.