What is the best (and affordable) form of advertising??

I'm looking to kick up my part time job as a Real Estate Agent and need ideas as far as how I should go about marketing myself.. any suggestions??

Re: What is the best (and affordable) form of advertising??

Pennysaver or Yankee trader? I think that the ads are affordable and people do read the Pennysaver.

Marcella, how do you have time to pick up a second job while planning a wedding!?!? Kudos to you!!

Re: What is the best (and affordable) form of advertising??

Word of mouth in RE is probably the best, so I'd work to beef up that. I think it's an area where you want reassurance that someone is good, or from the area.

Get some nice brochure paper (try Paper Direct - don't know their website offhand, but a search should find it) and design some flyers / brochures to put up around town at community bulletin boards - at the supermarket, laundromat, etc. Make sure you give several copies to friends and family and ask them to give them to anyone who may be looking to buy or sell. And be sure you give them to all your clients too. I've recommended the woman we bought our house from to several people.

Good luck!

Re: What is the best (and affordable) form of advertising??

Contact Liz at LIWeddings.com !!!

After the wedding (sometimes before) the couple normally buys a house. This site is for your target audience.

I've been advertising my Engineering & Home Inspection business on this site for a few months, and it's starting to pay off. Try it...then refer all your customers to me !!!

http://www.IslaEngineering.com

Re: What is the best (and affordable) form of advertising??

Create business cards for yourself which are easier to hand out. Don't use the paper direct ones where they are perforated because it looks cheesy. Get them professionally done. Place a phone number and address on them that you will have for a long time since this will be your form of contact. Maybe create a website which isn't as expensive as it once was. Do you have any web developer friends or programmers? I am sure they would love to do that for you for free and use it in their porfolio. Once you have that up, you can register with yahoo to be accessed through the search option for free. This was a while back not sure if their terms have changed. You can also then register in the yahoo yellow pages. Place yourself or register your phone number as a business so that it is listed in the business section of the white pages of Long Island. Are there any associations you are in or can join that interest you? You can network heavily in them. I know there is the Womens Business Association or how about your college. If you are an alumni you can participate in the alumni association or if you are still in college, join any clubs that interest you. NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK. Anyway you can. If you are a partyer, take advantage! Use that to network. What about your church? They can help you too.

Re: What is the best (and affordable) form of advertising??

WOW!! What an overwhelming response!! lol

Thank you soo much.. I have business cards made up through the REcompany I work for and as of know my only business has been through word of mouth, but it's stressful you know?? I cold call once a week and that gets extremely depressing too..

FH says I should go door to door, because I'd probably get better feedback if they saw me rather than some annoying person on the phone. but truth is, I'm a bit shy when it comes to rejection..

I need to make extra money.. I will call LIweddings and do.. I have also taken down your info.. we'll def be in touch!!


Thank you!!

Re: What is the best (and affordable) form of advertising??

Marcella;

I recall hearing one salesperson say that he made it his mission to hand out a minimum of 5 business cards EVERY DAY. To his dry cleaner, at the grocery store, at the health club, etc. Get in the habit of chatting with everyone you see, and come up with some comfortable ways to work your job into the conversation, then give them a card and ask them to pass it on to anyone they know in the market and leave it at that. It will take some time, but the ripples will spread outward and you'll eventually see some results.

It's not too hard - if someone asks 'how are you?', just respond, 'very busy - I'm in Real Estate and it's a booming time right now. Here, let me give you my card - if you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell, just give me a call.' Then leave it at that unless they ask more. Keep the cards handy in a pocket or outside purse pocket so you're not fumbling around for them.

Re: What is the best (and affordable) form of advertising??

Business cards sound like a great idea and you can get them for free at vistaprint.com however, are you a real estate salesperson yet? You need to get your license before you can sell a home and then you need to have a broker 'hold' it. Now a days, brokers have their own webpages for RE salespeople. It is much less expensive then if you design your own webpage. Let me know if you need more info. 516-997-1234 Ext. 235.
Good Luck,
Liz

Re: What is the best (and affordable) form of advertising??

yes, I am and have been for a while.. I've only been doing it part time..