RealTown's RealTalk

I'm wondering how long you all recommend postcard marketing to unmet internet leads.

I have about 200 folks in my database that registered with my website at some point in the past and provided some or all contact info. If they haven't opened one of my e-newsletters in a year or more - should I continue sending occasional postcards to them? All are either unmet or unqualified leads with short phone/e-mail interaction.

You should know, even if I had a telephone number, at this point I wouldn't feel comfortable calling a lead from 2005 (or even early 2008).

I farm to a group of unmets (apartments) so I never have a chance to call and follow up on my mailings. However, the ones who do make contact with me, if they stop responding/opening something as "non-threatening" as an email newsletter, odds are you have lost them. If you have a phone number, give them a call within a reasonable time after the next newsletter goes out (say 3-4 days), then use that as a reason to touch base with them. "I noticed you haven't been opening my newsletters, have you a)bought a house b)changed emails c)still interested in receiving them, etc. Gives you a reason to call and you can judge whether or not to continue spending money on them.

Peggy Diaz
Keller Williams South Shore
Apollo Beach FL

813-403-9009

Stephanie Lawrence-Crawford asked "I'm wondering how long you all recommend postcard marketing to unmet internet leads."

Stephanie,

This is something that should be a permanent part of your marketing plan. The more frequent the contact, the better with the "experts" recommending 12 to 14 contacts per year. You never know who will be ready to buy or sell at any given time. When it is their time, it can only help to have them recognize your name and have your contact info arrive in the mail as they are making their decision. One piece of advice, address the cards to owner, occupant or resident to avoid having any cards returned as undeliverable because someone moves and neglects to inform you.

Michael Richman, MUP, MBA
Graduate Realtor Institute, Instructor Training Institute, Seniors Real Estate Specialist, e-Pro, Certified Buyer Rep
Licensed Real Estate Broker
Herndon Eagleton Real Estate - Here For You
450 7th Avenue, Suite 948 New York, NY 10123
Phone 917-991-2528
mrichman@HerndonEagleton.com
http://www.HerndonEagleton.com

-------- Original Message --------
> From: "Stephanie Lawrence-Crawford" <RealTalk@RealTown.com>
> Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 3:51 AM
> To: "Michael Richman" <mrichman@herndoneagleton.com>
> Subject: RealTalk: How long should you postcard market to unmet internet leads? ID00DL5Y
>
> I'm wondering how long you all recommend postcard marketing
> to unmet internet leads.
>
> I have about 200 folks in my database that registered with my
> website at some point in the past and provided some or all contact
> info. If they haven't opened one of my e-newsletters in a year
> or more - should I continue sending occasional postcards to them?
> All are either unmet or unqualified leads with short phone/e-mail
> interaction.
>
> You should know, even if I had a telephone number, at this point
> I wouldn't feel comfortable calling a lead from 2005 (or even
> early 2008).
>
> ======================================================================
> To view this post in context, please visit:
> http://www.realtown.com/community/RealTalk/view/00DL5Y

I say forever and ever: here is why:

Like a car, everyone is always a prospect forever, or whomever is in the house is a prospect. While email addresses come and go, have spam filters, etc.; direct mail always gets there.

Why should you listen to me? I am not in the direct mail business if that is what you thought! After three years of selling cars in my youth, I never took another "up". Aftfer ten years I had 750 families and business who bought al of their cars from me. It was all from a newsletter sent out three times per year, not even personalized. The same techniques have built two more multi-million dolar businesses for me from scratch.

Israel rothman, SocialMediaSystems.com