Beware The Marketing Plan
The subject of marketing plans came up this week, which is always an interesting topic.
Interesting because we all know that we need one, but when it comes down to it, rarely do I find an agent who is confident in their plan.
As a result, it’s easy to go with the shotgun, more is better approach. The more money I spend, and the more varied the things I do, the better off I’ll be.
After all, you need to show this to your broker so you want it to look impressive, like your committed to your business.
But more often than not, it ends up being a lot of money spent for little return.
So before you build a marketing plan that breaks your budget and sucks up all of your time, let’s look at what a successful, profitable marketing plan really looks like.
First, let’s define what a marketing plan is:
Marketing is any activity that consistently keeps you top of mind with potential buyers, sellers, and referral sources so that when they need to buy and sell real estate they contact you.
Note: There are 2 important things in that sentence. One is consistency. Marketing only works if it is consistent, and connects with the same person multiple times. Spending big bucks on a one off thing is not going to work. The second is so that they contact you. This is a contact sport, everything you do should be geared towards generating contact with others.
With that definition, there are many things that qualify as marketing. Let’s look at a list of what qualifies as marketing from least expensive to most expensive:
- Phone calls
- Open houses (this counts as marketing if you concentrate them in an area so that you are meeting buyers and sellers multiple times)
- Facebook and social media, if you use it as a way to generate appointments
- Volunteering or participating in a group that meets regularly to expand your circle
- Note cards
- Postcards
- Coffee / Lunch
- Facebook ads
- Lead generators ie. Zillow, etc
- Ads in your local magazines
Certainly there are many other things that can make their way into your marketing plan / budget. The reality, though, is that marketing doesn’t have to expensive.
What’s most important is that you see it through, and know that all of it takes time. Most agents stop whatever they are doing before it has a chance to really work. The shotgun effect of giving a little attention to everything is rarely successful.
Pick a few things and commit to them. It’s what you day in and day out that gets results.
To your success!
Nicole
PS: Are you joining us for the Master Your Frequency webinar next Thursday? I’ve got so many great things to share with all of you. Click here if you want to join the fun.
Signup to receive Nicole's blog posts via email weekly:
Other Posts
Bet On Yourself VS The Market
Last week I shared how the end of August is a weird time – wanting to savor summer, while also shifting back into work mode. Turns out I’m not the only one this happens to! Thank you for all of the notes and feedback. I’ve found that when I’m not taking action, I spend WAY…
I Used To Dread The Last 2 Weeks Of August
Thirty years in real estate has taught me a lot of things. One of the best is this: I can finally see my own patterns. Like the one where I get twitchy every year mid-August. Part of me wants summer to stretch on forever. Part of me is itching for routine, order, and the satisfaction…
Beliefs = Actions = Results – It Matters Where You Start
August is an interesting month for me. I’m savoring the relaxed pace of summer, while also starting to think about Fall and shifting back into work mode. With a shift in focus I naturally start wondering what will happen. Will I be busy? Where will my clients come from? Will they be buyers or sellers?…
What Do You LOVE About Your Business?
I’m back!!! There’s been a lot going on lately, (more on that in a later post) and it’s been a few weeks since I’ve sent you a note. Needless to say, I’ve missed you! I’ve been moving through a lot of ‘life’ lately, and there’s been a common thread in my business that has surprised…
How Do You Want Summer To Feel?
Summer is often a season of expectations not meeting reality. I used to think my perfect summer meant iced tea on the patio while reading every day. For the record, that’s never happened. And for a while, I felt bad about it — like I was missing out, like I was doing summer wrong. Until…
You’re Not Behind, There Are Infinite Options
Your in box is about to fill up with emails about us being 1/2 through the year. You know – the ones that ask if you’re on track with your goals, and offer a solution to whip you into shape for the next 6 months. If you are having a great year – I celebrate…
Letting Go Of The Hustle Sounds Great, But You’ve Got a Business To Run
To be clear, I am 100% for less hustle, more flow, manifesting, receiving, regulating my nervous system, and letting things be easier. But somewhere between: “That sounds amazing” and “I’m a real estate agent – I need to generate clients and sell houses to earn an income” Things can get confusing. Because no matter how…
The Beauty of Not Doing It Alone
Thank you for being part of this community! I learned something beautiful and powerful last week. It was vulnerable to post about recalibrating, and being in the messy middle of grieving. Yet the conversations, emails, texts and notes have meant to much. To know that we are not alone is one of the greatest gifts…
Recalibrate In a Business That Runs 24/7
It happens to me every year about this time. The need to recalibrate. In a business that can run 24/7 – it’s easy to look up one day and realize, your batteries are drained and there’s no break in sight. Side note – It doesn’t have to be a 24/7 thing, but that’s a topic…
It’s Okay For Things To Be Different
I often find myself comparing things. I compare my business this year to years past.I compare my health and fitness to where I was 10 years ago.I compare how I show up and experience different life events. On the one hand – it makes perfect sense. Our brains crave predictability. It calms our nervous system.…