Tuesday, February 18, 2025

marketing strategies

    Every year, the NAR publishes a survey. And, every year we learn that consumers, despite saying they’d use their previous agent, go with the first agent they meet.

    On the face of it, that seems like a pretty sad state of affairs—unless you can use that behavior to your advantage.

    The need for speed

    An older study of call response times to leads shows that from 35% to 50% of sales go to whoever reaches the prospect first.

    This same study revealed that the chances you’ll actually make contact with a lead diminish the longer you wait to call. In fact, it decreases by more than 10 times in the first hour.

    Unless you’re a one-woman or man show, wearing all the hats in your real estate business, it’s crazy not to do this ONE THING every time – call leads back a.s.a.p.

    Within 5 minutes is optimal

    Consider this: A red-hot lead is an online visitor who takes the time to enter her real name and real contact information.

    Red-hot leads require your immediate attention. After all, they don’t typically come along every day. These people expect to hear from you and the other five agents they reached out to.

    Be the first agent they talk to.

    Do the call-back within 5 minutes and you’ll not only have the best chance of reaching the party, but call-backs within those 5 minutes convert better than call-backs made later. If you wait for a half-hour, your chances with the lead plummet 21%.

    Mortgage Options, Direct Response Free Report, see HERE
    What not to say

    First, be prepared for the call-back. If the lead expressed interest in a particular property, print out the listing and familiarize yourself with it fully.

    Then, don’t be overly salesy. Or talkative. Let the lead take the lead and be prepared to answer all questions.

    Many sales coaches say that the first follow-up call should be informative, friendly, and very brief. Again, follow the lead. If he or she is chatty and doesn’t seem in a rush to get off the phone, keep chatting.

    If, on the other hand, the lead is all business and seems rushed, take that as a clue to keep it brief.

    What to Say

    “Hi John, this is Anita Deal with World’s Best Real Estate Brokerage. I’m following up on your request for information on the home for sale at 123 Main Street. How can I help?”

    Now, zip it and listen. Answer the lead’s questions and gauge whether he’s got time to talk or needs to be let go.

    If it’s the former, ask non-threatening qualifying questions. These include:

    • Are you working with a real estate agent?
    • When do you plan on moving?
    • Have you seen a lender?
    • Do you have a home to sell before buying?

    Don’t let the lead hang up without getting permission to follow up by phone, text or email.

    If you offer a lead magnet, such as a free special report, offer to send it.

    “May I email you my free report, 4 Mortgage Options With Low Down Payments”. Online leads are among the best you’ll get in real estate. Be brief, don’t be salesy, and get permission to follow up.

    Keep it simple and human

    Your UVP needs to be simple, both in length and in word choice. Here’s an example of what not to do:

    We are “… a dominant online presence with a combination of innovative marketing and strategic outreach. Cutting-edge lead capture and unique tracking URL’s ensure exposure and buyer retention.”

    Put yourself in the shoes of a consumer reading this UVP on the group’s website.

    What is “lead capture?” And “cutting edge” these terms have become absolute turn-offs. Tracking URL’s? Buyer retention? Where is the part of the UVP that allows the reader to clearly understand the value this team offers?

    Then, ironically, this same UVP shows up on seven other real estate websites. Seven agents trying to prove what makes them different share a UVP with seven other brokerages.

    Here’s another that we found. “Our astute team creates a plethora of assets unique to your home.”

    Aside from dumping the words “astute” and “plethora,” this real estate team needs to describe exactly what “assets” they will “create.”

    If you can save consumers money on their real estate deal, make the process easier, or make it quicker, you’ve got yourself the makings of a UVP that will attract real estate clients.


    Thinking of going after the Empty Nest niche market for more leads? Right now, get the first 100 prospects on an Empty Nest list for FREE!

    Discover Empty Nesters in Your Area and Get the First 100 for FREE with the Demographic Search Tool.

    HOW TO DISCOVER EMPTY NESTERS IN YOUR AREA.

    Hit “CLICK HERE”, below (from a desktop or laptop computer) and choose the Demographic Search Tool.

    USE PROMO CODE: EMPTY100 to get the first 100 prospects free.

    Discover Empty Nesters in your area, now, CLICK HERE!

    This sale expires on 10/16/21. Please reach out to our support team at 866.405.3638 with questions or if there is anything we can do to help you with your success.


    PLUS: When you have time…below are some helpful tools to support your success.

    1. The Free 12 Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

    The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month-Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do when. Four key market segments are included, Niche Marketing, Get More Listings, Geographic Farming, and Sphere of Influence. –Click Here

    2. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan

    The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals.  – Click Here

    3. The Automated Way to Become a Neighborhood Brand

    Become branded in a specific neighborhood with a 12X15 marketing piece sent automatically each month to an exclusive carrier route. Watch this video to learn more or Click Here.

    4. The Free Real Estate Mailing List Guide

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Real-Estate-Mailing-List-Guide2-3-D-999x1024.jpg

    The Real Estate Mailing List Guide outlines the top tools for generating targeted prospecting lists including Baby Boomers, Empty Nesters, Investors, Lifestyle Interests, High-Income Renters, Move-Up Markets, and more. The Guide also defines done-for-you marketing campaigns to match these markets. –Click Here

    5. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook 

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Become-A-Listing-Legend-3D-Book-White-274x300.jpg

    Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here

    6. The Free Online ROI Calculator

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ROI-calculator-b-233x300.jpg

    Consistency and automation are the keys to success. Discover how effective direct mail marketing can dramatically increase your bottom line. Enter your statistics in our Free online ROI Calculator and click the ‘CALCULATE MY ROI’ button to see your results instantly! –Click Here

    7. The Free Real Estate Marketing Guide “CRUSH IT” 

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is CRUSH-IT-Guide-3-d-298x300.jpg

    The “Crush It” Guide includes easy steps to launching an effective direct mail marketing campaign, how to create a targeted prospect list, the perfect way to layout marketing materials for success, seven opportunities available to target in your area right now. –Click Here

      Shown above: Jim Denison’s Just Sold postcard and other Just Sold postcard designs. See more Just Sold postcard designs HERE

      Congratulations, Jim Denison you are the winner of this week’s $120 gift card!

      Jim had the following words to say about his success after sending marketing from ProspectsPLUS!,

      “When my new home project came to an end last fall, I decided to go back to ProspectsPLUS! because I had used them before. The only listing I had turned into a sale and my postcard campaign of Just Listed, Pending, and Sold has led to $5 mil in sales and I still have $2.1 in listings with $1.1 mil due to close in October. I can’t thank ProspectsPLUS! enough for their quick processing and professional postcards.”

      -Jim Denison

      Thank you, Jim! You are ON FIRE. Congratulations on all of your success!


      NEW CONTEST STARTS NOW: Get the FIRST MONTH of Any Scheduled Campaign For FREE! ($120 value)

      FARM, Call to Action Series Scheduled Campaign shown above. Learn more, HERE
      Enter this week’s contest for a chance to win a $120 gift card covering the first month of ANY Scheduled Campaign.

      The scheduled campaign includes 150 jumbo-sized postcards, sent standard postage (excluding data and tax. Includes only the first month free of a new campaign).

      HOW TO ENTER: Just leave a review regarding how using marketing from ProspectsPLUS! has impacted your business, and you’re automatically entered into our next contest.

      Mention a “scheduled campaign you’ve launched” in your review and your entry into the contest is doubled.

      Leave a review on Google, HERE.
      Leave a review on Facebook, HERE.

      Don’t forget to watch out for next Friday’s email announcing the weekly winner!


      Ready to Schedule an SOI, Farm, Get More Listing, Holiday or Absentee Owner Campaign?

      Holiday Scheduled Campaign shown above, learn more HERE
      Launch a Scheduled Campaign today and save time on your marketing by automating it!

      You Can Launch a Scheduled Campaign to any of the following Markets in Just Minutes:

      Sphere of Influence
      Geographic Farm
      Just Sold Follow-up
      Holiday
      Renters
      Absentee Owners
      Expireds
      FSBOs
      Fence Sitters*
      Get More Listings*
      Empty Nesters*
      Move-Up Market*

      (*Located under Farm Campaigns)

      And, remember, YOU DON’T PAY for each mailing until it actually goes out (cancel or change each mailing up until the night before mailing goes out. The price shown at check out is per mailing, not campaign total).

      TO GET STARTED:

      STEP 1: Create your prospect list using our mailing list tools, HERE.

      STEP 2: Then, once you have your list, choose your Campaign, select your start date, and add your list, HERE or hit “Launch a Scheduled Campaign”, below.

      Launch a Scheduled Campaign now, CLICK HERE!

      Please reach out to our support team at 866.405.3638 with questions or if there is anything we can do to help you in your success.

        If I were to ask you which room in a home is most important to stage, what would you say?

        Kitchen, right? Or, perhaps, bathroom.

        According to a NAR survey of buyers’ agents, however, “Staging the living room was found to be most important for buyers.”

        So, the kitchen and/or bathroom must be second in importance, right?

        Actually, slightly more than 40% of buyers’ agents recommend staging the master bedroom.

        Staging the kitchen came in third.

        The folks at homelight.com surveyed nearly 1,000 buyers’ agents and learned that more than half of them feel that “… staging increases a home’s value from anywhere between 1% to 10%.”

        Nearly 30% of the aforementioned NAR survey respondents claimed that staging a home had no impact on the sales price. Twenty percent of them claimed that “… staging a home increased the dollar value offered between one and five percent, compared to other similar homes on the market that were not staged.”

        While the Real Estate Staging Association claims that staged homes sell 73% quicker than homes that aren’t staged.

        As you can see, whether or not staging is valuable to the seller depends on who you ask. If you have a challenging listing, however, staging should be a must.

        If you don’t offer staging as one of your sellers’ services, at least give your listing clients some tips on how to do it themselves.

        Who will likely buy the home?

        Read any staging website and you’ll learn that most stagers aim for the impossible: “universal appeal.” You, as a real estate agent who works with real estate consumers on a daily basis, know how impossible this is. Nothing is universally appealing.

        Perhaps what stagers are alluding to are aspects of staging that appeal to a broad spectrum of homebuyers, such as:

        • The homes and the closets are light and bright.
        • The home has been depersonalized. Despite what many real estate bloggers claim, this doesn’t mean removing personal items such as photos and certificates. It means personal items, such as toiletries, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products and even used bars of soap, according to a study by Andrea Angott, Ph.D at Duke University.
        • Each room’s purpose is immediately evident. Remove office paraphernalia from the dining room and baby stuff from the master bedroom.
        • Each room gives the perception of lots of space. Remove excess items from the pantry, closets and cupboards so that they appear larger. Ensure the lighting is bright in closets. Remove oversized furniture.

        As the listing agent, it’s important that you have a good idea of who makes up the buyer pool for each listing you take. Often, it’s obvious. Others, not so much.

        If the home is a penthouse condo with a city view the buyer won’t likely be a family with young children. If the home is in a good school district, on the other hand, you can almost guarantee a family will buy it.

        Once you have a good idea of the buyer pool you can offer more specific staging tips.


        How do you get those new listings that you’ll be helping stage? How about launching a Get More Listings Campaign?

        Get More Listing Campaigns are ON SALE 10% OFF the first month – 3 More Days!

        Get More Listings Postcard Campaign (shown above). Learn more, HERE

        TO LAUNCH A GET MORE LISTINGS CAMPAIGN:

        Hit the “CLICK HERE” link, below, to schedule your campaign (from a desktop or laptop computer).

        USE PROMO CODE: LIST10 to get 10% Off at check out.

        And, remember, YOU DON’T PAY for each mailing until it actually goes out (cancel or change up until the night before the mailing goes out). This sale expires 10/9/21.

        Launch a Get More Listings Campaign Now, CLICK HERE!

        Please reach out to our support team at 866.405.3638 with questions or if there is anything we can do to help you with your success.


        PLUS: When you have time…below are some helpful tools to support your success.

        1. The Free 12 Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

        The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month-Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do when. Four key market segments are included, Niche Marketing, Get More Listings, Geographic Farming, and Sphere of Influence. –Click Here

        2. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan

        The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals.  – Click Here

        3. The Automated Way to Become a Neighborhood Brand

        Become branded in a specific neighborhood with a 12X15 marketing piece sent automatically each month to an exclusive carrier route. Watch this video to learn more or Click Here.

        4. The Free Real Estate Mailing List Guide

        This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Real-Estate-Mailing-List-Guide2-3-D-999x1024.jpg

        The Real Estate Mailing List Guide outlines the top tools for generating targeted prospecting lists including Baby Boomers, Empty Nesters, Investors, Lifestyle Interests, High-Income Renters, Move-Up Markets, and more. The Guide also defines done-for-you marketing campaigns to match these markets. –Click Here

        5. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook 

        This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Become-A-Listing-Legend-3D-Book-White-274x300.jpg

        Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here

        6. The Free Online ROI Calculator

        This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ROI-calculator-b-233x300.jpg

        Consistency and automation are the keys to success. Discover how effective direct mail marketing can dramatically increase your bottom line. Enter your statistics in our Free online ROI Calculator and click the ‘CALCULATE MY ROI’ button to see your results instantly! –Click Here

        7. The Free Real Estate Marketing Guide “CRUSH IT” 

        This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is CRUSH-IT-Guide-3-d-298x300.jpg

        The “Crush It” Guide includes easy steps to launching an effective direct mail marketing campaign, how to create a targeted prospect list, the perfect way to layout marketing materials for success, seven opportunities available to target in your area right now. –Click Here

          Social media. Pay-per-click. Email.

          Digital marketing is hot with real estate agents. This provides an amazing opportunity for the agent who decides to take a different approach and become a BIG FISH in a small pond.

          How do you do this? with direct mail.

          Oh, I know what you’re thinking. “She works for a direct mail marketing company, of course, she will say this.”

          Statistics, however, don’t lie. Direct mail marketing is not only strategic, but it can also be laser-focused to a particular audience and it works.

          Why fish for listing leads in the huge ocean that is digital? Think about it; doesn’t it make more sense to cast your net in a smaller pond filled with people who you are certain ACTUALLY OWN HOMES?

          Some things to consider

          In a recent survey of real estate agents, 82% said their marketing goal this year is to “improve their social media presence,” according to Becky Brooks at theclose.com.

          A worthy goal, but not very focused. Think about this: while they are chasing after Facebook leads, you’ll have little competition vying for attention in homeowners’ mailboxes.

          With targeted direct mail you will not only reach homeowners. If you narrow your mailing list to only homeowners who have lived in their homes a certain number of years, or who live in starter homes or any other preferred criteria, you will have a far greater chance of taking listings than by randomly posting on social media.

          For instance, by targeting homeowners who have been in their home for seven or more years, you’re creating a great list of potential fence-sitters to go after.


          Fence Sitter postcard campaign shown above. To learn more, click HERE

          Another thing to consider is the pandemic. In a recent USPS study, slightly more than 40% of Americans said that since the pandemic began, their excitement about receiving mail increased.

          Nearly half of respondents said that a direct mail piece prompted them to go online to get more information about the sender.

          The volume of direct mail plummeted from “… 213 billion pieces …” in 2016 to 120 billion last year. Interestingly, despite the drop in volume, the response rate skyrocketed nearly 200%.

          You’ll have far less competition for eyes on your mail pieces and a better response rate than ever before.

          Who makes up your potential seller audience?

          Now that we’ve got you looking for listings in all the right places, what will you be sending? Keep in mind your audience – older generations, such as Baby Boomers and Gen X make up 75% of the real estate market combined.

          When considering your direct mail marketing piece, don’t take valuable time out of your day to create marketing from scratch.

          ProspectsPLUS! offers hundreds of marketing templates targeted specifically to your niche audience and designed by direct response experts.

          Next, determine your recipient’s needs (boomers may want to downsize or move near their grown children) and offer a solution that is compelling (don’t worry ProspectsPLUS! has this covered for you as well). Check out the Empty Nest Series located under Farm campaigns.

          Decide on the compelling offer to get those homeowners reaching out

          A market update is always a good way to break the ice. Yes, it may be time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be.

          Direct Response Report, Advice For Cash-Strapped Landlords.

          A simple chart of recently listeds, under contracts, and solds, along with bedrooms, baths, square footage, and prices, is something that hits my mailbox once a quarter. Do I read it?

          You bet I do!

          Then, there are the absentee owners to consider. Many have been hit hard by the rent moratorium and want out from under their investments. Take a look at what we offer to market to these possible listers.

          If you have a freebie they can download or you can deliver, all the better. Offer them the Direct Response Report, Advice For Cash-Strapped Landlords.

          Consistency is key in any lead generation campaign, so send just-listed and just-sold postcards when appropriate. Keep reminding them just how much their neighbors are getting for their homes in this on-fire sellers’ market.

          FOMO (fear of missing out) is real.


          Another way to keep those listings flowing? A YEAR ROUND Holiday Postcard Campaign. Staying top of mind with Your Sphere & Farm is easy with a Monthly Holiday Campaign.

          And, Holiday Campaigns are ON SALE 10% OFF the first month – 3 More Days!

          Holiday Postcard Campaign (shown above). Learn more, HERE

          TO LAUNCH A HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN:

          Hit the “CLICK HERE” link, below, to schedule your campaign (from a desktop or laptop computer).

          USE PROMO CODE: HOLIDAY10 to get 10% Off at check out.

          And, remember, YOU DON’T PAY for each mailing until it actually goes out (cancel or change up until the night before the mailing goes out). This sale expires 10/2/21.

          Launch a Holiday Campaign Now, CLICK HERE!

          Please reach out to our support team at 866.405.3638 with questions or if there is anything we can do to help you with your success.


          PLUS: When you have time…below are some helpful tools to support your success.

          1. The Free 12 Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

          The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month-Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do when. Four key market segments are included, Niche Marketing, Get More Listings, Geographic Farming, and Sphere of Influence. –Click Here

          2. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan

          The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals.  – Click Here

          3. The Automated Way to Become a Neighborhood Brand

          Become branded in a specific neighborhood with a 12X15 marketing piece sent automatically each month to an exclusive carrier route. Watch this video to learn more or Click Here.

          4. The Free Real Estate Mailing List Guide

          This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Real-Estate-Mailing-List-Guide2-3-D-999x1024.jpg

          The Real Estate Mailing List Guide outlines the top tools for generating targeted prospecting lists including Baby Boomers, Empty Nesters, Investors, Lifestyle Interests, High-Income Renters, Move-Up Markets, and more. The Guide also defines done-for-you marketing campaigns to match these markets. –Click Here

          5. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook 

          This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Become-A-Listing-Legend-3D-Book-White-274x300.jpg

          Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here

          6. The Free Online ROI Calculator

          This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ROI-calculator-b-233x300.jpg

          Consistency and automation are the keys to success. Discover how effective direct mail marketing can dramatically increase your bottom line. Enter your statistics in our Free online ROI Calculator and click the ‘CALCULATE MY ROI’ button to see your results instantly! –Click Here

          7. The Free Real Estate Marketing Guide “CRUSH IT” 

          This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is CRUSH-IT-Guide-3-d-298x300.jpg

          The “Crush It” Guide includes easy steps to launching an effective direct mail marketing campaign, how to create a targeted prospect list, the perfect way to layout marketing materials for success, seven opportunities available to target in your area right now. –Click Here

            Have you ever puzzled over what value you offer potential and existing clients that no other agent (or few others) offer?

            Or, do you bundle up the same service as every other agent in town in the hope that it will be enough to prove to consumers why you deserve their business?

            Determining your “unique value proposition,” or UVP for short, is critical, especially if you work in a market saturated with other real estate agents.

            Quick explainer for newbies

            A UVP “… is a concise, straight-to-the-point statement about the benefits you offer customers,” according to Solomon Thimothy at inc.com. “In other words, it’s an explanation of what makes you different,” he concludes.

            It sets you apart from other agents. “It’s the promise you make to your customers and clients to deliver a unique experience, claims Tony Khuon at agilelifestyle.com.

            So how do I come up with this UVP?

            Think about what you can offer that few other agents do. If you’re a veteran, brush up on the VA home loan. Your UVP is that you are uniquely qualified to work with veterans.

            If you’re an ace marketer or come from a marketing background you no doubt offer creative marketing solutions to home sellers. Solutions other agents can’t match. That’s an amazing UVP.

            While many agents have started offering free services to their listing clients, the number still remains small. Stand out from the crowd by offering one or more of the following:

            • Free staging
            • Free housecleaning
            • Free curb appeal consultation
            • Free handyperson services (such as two hours of services, or something similar)

            Yes, the thought of paying for these services is uncomfortable, but homeowners value these and, therefore, they make a dandy UVP.

            Two more “services” that consumers find attractive are discounting your commission or giving a portion of your commission back to the community.

            You don’t need to spend money, however, for what you offer to be considered valuable. “Homes I list sell for an average of 3% or more above list price.”

            If true, that’s a pretty compelling UVP.

            Remember to add your unique service to all of your marketing as a powerful call to action.


            FARM, Call to Action Series Postcard Campaign shown above

            Keep it simple and human

            Your UVP needs to be simple, both in length and in word choice. Here’s an example of what not to do:

            We are “… a dominant online presence with a combination of innovative marketing and strategic outreach. Cutting-edge lead capture and unique tracking URL’s ensure exposure and buyer retention.”

            Put yourself in the shoes of a consumer reading this UVP on the group’s website.

            What is “lead capture?” And “cutting edge” these terms have become absolute turn-offs. Tracking URL’s? Buyer retention? Where is the part of the UVP that allows the reader to clearly understand the value this team offers?

            Then, ironically, this same UVP shows up on seven other real estate websites. Seven agents trying to prove what makes them different share a UVP with seven other brokerages.

            Here’s another that we found. “Our astute team creates a plethora of assets unique to your home.”

            Aside from dumping the words “astute” and “plethora,” this real estate team needs to describe exactly what “assets” they will “create.”

            If you can save consumers money on their real estate deal, make the process easier or make it quicker, you’ve got yourself the makings of a UVP that will attract real estate clients.


            Did you know our Holiday Scheduled Campaign is currently on sale 10% OFF the first month?

            Farm, Holiday Scheduled Campaign is shown above. Learn more, HERE

            TO LAUNCH A HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN:

            Hit “CLICK HERE”, below (from a desktop or laptop computer).

            USE PROMO CODE: HOLIDAY10 to get 10% Off at check out.

            And, remember, YOU DON’T PAY for each mailing until it actually goes out (cancel or change each mailing up until the night before it goes out). This sale expires on 10/02/21.

            Launch a Holiday Scheduled Campaign now, CLICK HERE!

            Please reach out to our support team at 866.405.3638 with questions or if there is anything we can do to help you with your success.


            PLUS: When you have time…below are some helpful tools to support your success.

            1. The Free 12 Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

            The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month-Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do when. Four key market segments are included, Niche Marketing, Get More Listings, Geographic Farming, and Sphere of Influence. –Click Here

            2. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan

            The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals.  – Click Here

            3. The Automated Way to Become a Neighborhood Brand

            Become branded in a specific neighborhood with a 12X15 marketing piece sent automatically each month to an exclusive carrier route. Watch this video to learn more or Click Here.

            4. The Free Real Estate Mailing List Guide

            This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Real-Estate-Mailing-List-Guide2-3-D-999x1024.jpg

            The Real Estate Mailing List Guide outlines the top tools for generating targeted prospecting lists including Baby Boomers, Empty Nesters, Investors, Lifestyle Interests, High-Income Renters, Move-Up Markets, and more. The Guide also defines done-for-you marketing campaigns to match these markets. –Click Here

            5. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook 

            This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Become-A-Listing-Legend-3D-Book-White-274x300.jpg

            Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here

            6. The Free Online ROI Calculator

            This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ROI-calculator-b-233x300.jpg

            Consistency and automation are the keys to success. Discover how effective direct mail marketing can dramatically increase your bottom line. Enter your statistics in our Free online ROI Calculator and click the ‘CALCULATE MY ROI’ button to see your results instantly! –Click Here

            7. The Free Real Estate Marketing Guide “CRUSH IT” 

            This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is CRUSH-IT-Guide-3-d-298x300.jpg

            The “Crush It” Guide includes easy steps to launching an effective direct mail marketing campaign, how to create a targeted prospect list, the perfect way to layout marketing materials for success, seven opportunities available to target in your area right now. –Click Here

              Shown above: Postcards from various Just Sold Series and Donna Perri’s Just Sold postcard. See more Just Sold postcards HERE

              Congratulations, Donna Perri you are the winner of this week’s $120 gift card!

              Donna had the following words to say about her success after sending a Just Listed postcard through ProspectsPLUS!,

              I send these postcards to a 3-5 mi radius of each and every sale. They pay for themselves over and over. I have gotten five listings in six months from ProspectsPLUS!. I will continue using them in my marketing plan for sure. It makes farming easy and effective.”

              Donna Perri

              Thank you, Donna! You are a real estate rock star! Keep it up!


              NEW CONTEST STARTS NOW: Get the FIRST MONTH of Any Scheduled Campaign For FREE! ($120 value)

              FARM, Call to Action Series Scheduled Campaign shown above. Learn more, HERE
              Enter this week’s contest for a chance to win a $120 gift card covering the first month of ANY Scheduled Campaign.

              The scheduled campaign includes 150 jumbo-sized postcards, sent standard postage (excluding data and tax. Includes only the first month free of a new campaign).

              HOW TO ENTER: Just leave a review regarding how using marketing from ProspectsPLUS! has impacted your business, and you’re automatically entered into our next contest.

              Mention a “scheduled campaign you’ve launched” in your review and your entry into the contest is doubled.

              Leave a review on Google, HERE.
              Leave a review on Facebook, HERE.

              Don’t forget to watch out for next Friday’s email announcing the weekly winner!


              Ready to Schedule an SOI, Farm, Get More Listing, Holiday or Absentee Owner Campaign?

              Holiday Scheduled Campaign shown above, learn more HERE
              Launch a Scheduled Campaign today and save time on your marketing by automating it!

              You Can Launch a Scheduled Campaign to any of the following Markets in Just Minutes:

              Sphere of Influence
              Geographic Farm
              Just Sold Follow-up
              Holiday
              Renters
              Absentee Owners
              Expireds
              FSBOs
              Fence Sitters*
              Get More Listings*
              Empty Nesters*
              Move-Up Market*

              (*Located under Farm Campaigns)

              And, remember, YOU DON’T PAY for each mailing until it actually goes out (cancel or change each mailing up until the night before mailing goes out. The price shown at check out is per mailing, not campaign total).

              TO GET STARTED:

              STEP 1: Create your prospect list using our mailing list tools, HERE.

              STEP 2: Then, once you have your list, choose your Campaign, select your start date, and add your list, HERE or hit “Launch a Scheduled Campaign”, below.

              Launch a Scheduled Campaign now, CLICK HERE!

              Please reach out to our support team at 866.405.3638 with questions or if there is anything we can do to help you in your success.

                So, what methods are you using to get listing leads? Cold calls? Pursuing FSBOs and Expireds? Throwing random methods against the wall to see what sticks?

                If you’re like many other agents, employing one of those methods is how you spend a good portion of your workday.

                There is another, way to go and it includes hanging out with people who know, like, and trust you.

                Maybe it’s time to concentrate on SOI marketing for real estate.

                That advice you got as a rookie to depend on the people in your sphere for business was spot on and remains so to this day.

                If you’ve been running your business intelligently, you have a CRM full of warm leads to which you can make warm calls.

                All the time and energy convincing a stranger to like and trust you is better spent tending to your sphere of influence, nurturing the amazing possibilities in your CRM.


                The SOI, Inspiration Series Scheduled Campaign is shown above. Learn more HERE

                For the newbies

                The term “sphere of influence” didn’t originate as a sales term, but a political one. It first popped up in the late 1880s and it described a country that exercised “… exclusive or predominant control over a foreign area or territory,” according to britannica.com.

                Today, the term is applied to a “business model” in which the aim is to attract customers and clients from people one knows instead of strangers.

                Yes, it can be a terribly long list. It should include relatives, friends, friends of friends, the parents of your children’s friends, your parent’s friends and more.

                Everyone you know. That is a lot of prospects.

                These are people who will recognize your name on a direct mail piece and who won’t hang up on you when you call.

                What can happen when you focus solely on your SOI?

                Year after year, the NAR reports that home sellers sign up with the first agent they speak with. There are most likely a number of reasons that they do so but, primarily it’s because they forgot which agent sold them their home.

                I recently read a blog post and, I apologize because I can’t remember who authored it and the website on which it appears.

                In it, the author mentioned a real estate team whose coach advised them to focus on growing their SOI.

                At the time, their CRM contained around 280 members of the team’s SOI. Within four years after heeding their coach’s advice, the team’s revenue skyrocket from zero to nearly $100 million.

                It’s inspiring, isn’t it?

                Like most lead generation methods, this won’t make you an overnight sensation. But if you’d prefer doing business with people you know, making warm calls instead of cold, it just may be the perfect way to generate listing leads.


                Another way to grab your audience’s attention and keep it is with a Fence Sitters Campaign.

                The Fence Sitters Scheduled Campaign is currently on sale for 10% OFF the first month – 3 More Days!

                Fence Sitters Scheduled Campaign (shown above). Learn more, HERE

                TO LAUNCH A FENCE SITTERS CAMPAIGN:

                Hit “CLICK HERE”, below, to schedule your campaign (from a desktop or laptop computer) and select the Fence Sitter Series.

                USE PROMO CODE: FENCE10 to get 10% Off at check out.

                And, remember, YOU DON’T PAY for each mailing until it actually goes out (cancel or change each mailing up until the night before it goes out). This sale expires 9/25/21.

                Launch a Fence Sitters Scheduled Campaign now, CLICK HERE!

                Please reach out to our support team at 866.405.3638 with questions or if there is anything we can do to help you with your success.


                PLUS: When you have time…below are some helpful tools to support your success.

                1. The Free 12 Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

                The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month-Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do when. Four key market segments are included, Niche Marketing, Get More Listings, Geographic Farming, and Sphere of Influence. –Click Here

                2. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan

                The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals.  – Click Here

                3. The Automated Way to Become a Neighborhood Brand

                Become branded in a specific neighborhood with a 12X15 marketing piece sent automatically each month to an exclusive carrier route. Watch this video to learn more or Click Here.

                4. The Free Real Estate Mailing List Guide

                This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Real-Estate-Mailing-List-Guide2-3-D-999x1024.jpg

                The Real Estate Mailing List Guide outlines the top tools for generating targeted prospecting lists including Baby Boomers, Empty Nesters, Investors, Lifestyle Interests, High-Income Renters, Move-Up Markets, and more. The Guide also defines done-for-you marketing campaigns to match these markets. –Click Here

                5. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook 

                This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Become-A-Listing-Legend-3D-Book-White-274x300.jpg

                Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here

                6. The Free Online ROI Calculator

                This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ROI-calculator-b-233x300.jpg

                Consistency and automation are the keys to success. Discover how effective direct mail marketing can dramatically increase your bottom line. Enter your statistics in our Free online ROI Calculator and click the ‘CALCULATE MY ROI’ button to see your results instantly! –Click Here

                7. The Free Real Estate Marketing Guide “CRUSH IT” 

                This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is CRUSH-IT-Guide-3-d-298x300.jpg

                The “Crush It” Guide includes easy steps to launching an effective direct mail marketing campaign, how to create a targeted prospect list, the perfect way to layout marketing materials for success, seven opportunities available to target in your area right now. –Click Here

                  Shown above: Postcards from various Just Listed/Just Sold Series and Anita Blue’s postcard. See more Just Listed postcards HERE

                  Congratulations, Anita Blue you are the winner of this week’s $120 gift card!

                  Anita had the following words to say about her success after sending a Just Listed postcard through ProspectsPLUS!,

                  ProspectsPLUS! not only has a variety of postcards to choose from, they also deliver my postcards in a timely manner. It makes farming easy and effective.”
                  Anita Blue

                  Thank you, Anita, for your supportive feedback. We are cheering you on!


                  NEW CONTEST STARTS NOW: Get the FIRST MONTH of Any Scheduled Campaign For FREE! ($120 value)

                  FARM, Call to Action Series Scheduled Campaign shown above. Learn more, HERE
                  Enter this week’s contest for a chance to win a $120 gift card covering the first month of ANY Scheduled Campaign.

                  The scheduled campaign includes 150 jumbo-sized postcards, sent standard postage (excluding data and tax. Includes only the first month free of a new campaign).

                  HOW TO ENTER: Just leave a review regarding how using marketing from ProspectsPLUS! has impacted your business, and you’re automatically entered into our next contest.

                  Mention a “scheduled campaign you’ve launched” in your review and your entry into the contest is doubled.

                  Leave a review on Google, HERE.
                  Leave a review on Facebook, HERE.

                  Don’t forget to watch out for next Friday’s email announcing the weekly winner!


                  Ready to Schedule an SOI, Farm, Get More Listing, Holiday or Absentee Owner Campaign?

                  Just Sold Follow-up Scheduled Campaign shown above, learn more HERE
                  Launch a Scheduled Campaign today and save time on your marketing by automating it!

                  You Can Launch a Scheduled Campaign to any of the following Markets in Just Minutes:

                  Sphere of Influence
                  Geographic Farm
                  Just Sold Follow-up
                  Holiday
                  Renters
                  Absentee Owners
                  Expireds
                  FSBOs
                  Fence Sitters*
                  Get More Listings*
                  Empty Nesters*
                  Move-Up Market*

                  (*Located under Farm Campaigns)

                  And, remember, YOU DON’T PAY for each mailing until it actually goes out (cancel or change each mailing up until the night before mailing goes out. The price shown at check out is per mailing, not campaign total).

                  TO GET STARTED:

                  STEP 1: Create your prospect list using our mailing list tools, HERE.

                  STEP 2: Then, once you have your list, choose your Campaign, select your start date, and add your list, HERE or hit “Launch a Scheduled Campaign”, below.

                  Launch a Scheduled Campaign now, CLICK HERE!

                  Please reach out to our support team at 866.405.3638 with questions or if there is anything we can do to help you in your success.

                    Most real estate agents know that staged homes sell faster and for more money. Some, however, go beyond merely suggesting staging to their listing clients.

                    Rather than lay the burden of staging on their clients, these agents bring in a staging team, at no expense to the homeowner.

                    What seller services do you offer? Does that list on your real estate website include the usual?
                    • “Complimentary home value analysis!”
                    • “Open Houses & Broker Tours”
                    • “Your home will be entered into the MLS”
                    • “Your home will be featured on our website”
                    • “Place a distinctive [name of brokerage] for-sale sign on the property”
                    • “Active promotion to my expansive network”
                    • “I will bring the buyers to you” (for more information on how to do this by becoming a Market Maker, watch this video)

                    These are actual “Seller Services” offered by agents on their websites.

                    If you are tired of not getting the listing and want to truly offer value, thereby standing apart from the crowd, it’s time to change things up. Read on for some tips.

                    Complimentary Pre-Sale Home Inspection

                    As you know, when a problem is unearthed by the inspector, the entire transaction is at risk.

                    Why not be proactive and head off as many challenges as possible before putting the home on the market? Offer your listing clients a free, pre-market home inspection.

                    Yes, some agents balk at the idea, claiming that the inspection now becomes a disclosure item. And that’s true.

                    The flipside to this is that the items on the pre-sale inspection list will most likely show up on the buyer’s inspection report as well.

                    A pre-market inspection allows the homeowner to make the repairs that the lender or buyer will most likely demand.

                    If for some reason your client can’t or won’t make repairs, you’ll have the time to determine upfront how to deal with repair requests and to have that heart-to-heart about lowering the asking price.

                    Professional Photography

                    I don’t need to tell you that there are far too many agents out there who are still snapping listing photos on their smartphones.

                    Since the first showing of a home typically happens online, it needs to be ultra-compelling.

                    We know many successful agents who have left the old ways behind and offer the services of a professional photographer to snap the marketing photos. Yet, that service isn’t listed on any of the websites we researched for this blog post.

                    Virtual Tours

                    Over the past few months, the popularity of 3D tours has outpaced other types of virtual tours, including video.

                    In fact, a recent study by the NAR claims that “Consumers Strongly Prefer Listings With 3D Tours.” Here are a few other things you should know about virtual tours:

                    • “About 55% of survey respondents say they’d even consider buying a property sight unseen if there was a 3D tour available in the online listing.” (NAR)
                    • Agents who use 3D tours in their marketing of listings sell them 20% quicker and for 9% more than agents who don’t use them. (Matterport survey)
                    • Almost 80% of real estate consumers say they would switch to a real estate agent who offers 3D tours of homes for sale [Matterport survey]

                    Consumers are demanding more than a video of a home’s interior. They want the ability to virtually tour homes without someone else deciding what they can and cannot view.

                    If other agents in your market offer this service and you don’t, the chances are pretty good that you won’t get the listing.

                    Do yourself a favor and earmark some marketing dollars for at least one, true, seller service before the end of this year.

                    Another way to grab your audience’s attention and keep it is with a Get More Listings Campaign.

                    The Get More Listings Scheduled Campaign is currently on sale for 10% OFF the first month – 3 More Days!

                    Get More Listings Scheduled Campaign (shown above). Learn more, HERE

                    TO LAUNCH A GET MORE LISTINGS CAMPAIGN:

                    Hit “CLICK HERE”, below, to schedule your campaign (from a desktop or laptop computer).

                    USE PROMO CODE: LIST10 to get 10% Off at check out.

                    And, remember, YOU DON’T PAY for each mailing until it actually goes out (cancel or change each mailing up until the night before it goes out). This sale expires 9/18/21.

                    Launch a Get More Listings Scheduled Campaign now, CLICK HERE!

                    Please reach out to our support team at 866.405.3638 with questions or if there is anything we can do to help you with your success.


                    PLUS: When you have time…below are some helpful tools to support your success.

                    1. The Free 12 Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

                    The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month-Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do when. Four key market segments are included, Niche Marketing, Get More Listings, Geographic Farming, and Sphere of Influence. –Click Here

                    2. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan

                    The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals.  – Click Here

                    3. The Automated Way to Become a Neighborhood Brand

                    Become branded in a specific neighborhood with a 12X15 marketing piece sent automatically each month to an exclusive carrier route. Watch this video to learn more or Click Here.

                    4. The Free Real Estate Mailing List Guide

                    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Real-Estate-Mailing-List-Guide2-3-D-999x1024.jpg

                    The Real Estate Mailing List Guide outlines the top tools for generating targeted prospecting lists including Baby Boomers, Empty Nesters, Investors, Lifestyle Interests, High-Income Renters, Move-Up Markets, and more. The Guide also defines done-for-you marketing campaigns to match these markets. –Click Here

                    5. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook 

                    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Become-A-Listing-Legend-3D-Book-White-274x300.jpg

                    Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here

                    6. The Free Online ROI Calculator

                    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ROI-calculator-b-233x300.jpg

                    Consistency and automation are the keys to success. Discover how effective direct mail marketing can dramatically increase your bottom line. Enter your statistics in our Free online ROI Calculator and click the ‘CALCULATE MY ROI’ button to see your results instantly! –Click Here

                    7. The Free Real Estate Marketing Guide “CRUSH IT” 

                    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is CRUSH-IT-Guide-3-d-298x300.jpg

                    The “Crush It” Guide includes easy steps to launching an effective direct mail marketing campaign, how to create a targeted prospect list, the perfect way to layout marketing materials for success, seven opportunities available to target in your area right now. –Click Here


                      Ah, the humble postcard. So simple, yet filled with so much power.

                      For a time, it appeared that the selfie would replace the non-business postcard, but recent statistics say no.

                      In fact, in the recent Harris Poll Essential 100, Americans named the U.S. Postal Service as the number one most essential business’ in the country.

                      Never has this been more evident than in the real estate industry, which is seeing a resurgence in the use of “time-tested” marketing methods and direct mail is at the top of this list.

                      A late April Valassis survey found that 30% of consumers are spending more time reading the direct mail marketing pieces they receive.

                      There is an art to creating an effective postcard marketing campaign, though.

                      No, it’s not difficult, but there are certain strategies that work better than others. Let’s take a look at the most important of these.

                      It all starts with your audience

                      A Scheduled SOI Campaign is ideal for keeping in touch with your past clients and other VIPs in your sphere. And, ProspectsPLUS! offers a 3 extra closing guarantee when you Schedule a one-year SOI Campaign.

                      Postcards are also ideal for another type of lead generation – niche marketing. Decide on who it is you want to attract, buyers or sellers, and more specifically which niche of buyers and sellers, and launch a campaign.

                      The narrowing down of possible leads to focus on helps the rest of your marketing plan go more smoothly and increases your potential ROI.

                      If you’re looking for listings, find out the median duration of homeownership in your area. ATTOM Data Solutions’ most recent U.S. Home Sales Report shows that homeowners owned their homes an average of 7.95 years.

                      As we know, all real estate is local, so if you can find the data for your area, rely on that instead of the national numbers.

                      For instance, ATTOM also finds that homeowners in five Connecticut cities have the longest tenure, while those “… in Colorado Springs, CO … Oklahoma City, OK … Grand Rapids, MI …Denver, CO … and Minneapolis, MN had the shortest.

                      The Absentee Owner Campaign is shown above. Learn more HERE

                      This information helps you narrow your mailing list even further. You’re now looking for homeowners who purchased their homes at least six years ago (or whatever number is appropriate for your market).

                      How far back should you go?

                      “If someone bought last year or 30 years ago, they’re probably not looking to sell,” according to James McGrath, co-founder at Yoreevo in NYC.

                      “You want to be in that sweet spot of owners of 5-7 years,” he concludes.

                      The more you drill down in demographics, tenure, and the like with tools like the Demographic Search Tool (for niche marketing) and MapMyMail (for radial and pinpoint polygon lists), the more targeted the list and the better the response will be to your real estate direct mail campaign.

                      Absentee owners have been a popular target market this year. A targeted list of absentee owners in your local market can be easily created with the MapMyMail search tool (just select the “absentee owner” radio button in step 2).

                      We offer a number of brilliant Absentee Owner postcards as well. Make your marketing easy by scheduling an automated Absentee Owner Campaign.

                      Prefer targeting buyers?

                      Why not bring YOUR OWN buyer to the table. NAR states home buyers move within 15 miles of their last location. This means there’s a good chance your farm’s home buyers are renters located in the same area.

                      Geographic farming in some of the most popular apartment and condo complexes in your market is a good place to start. Narrow the search to tenants between the ages of 30 and 49. You might also want to narrow your target audience further, according to income.

                      Then create a targeted renter prospect list and launch a Rent By Numbers Campaign.

                      Ready to launch a targeted direct mail campaign?

                      Did you know our Farm, Get More Listings Scheduled Campaigns are currently on sale 10% OFF the first month?

                      Farm, Get More Listings Scheduled Campaign is shown above. Learn more, HERE

                      TO LAUNCH A GET MORE LISTINGS CAMPAIGN:

                      Hit “CLICK HERE”, below (from a desktop or laptop computer) and choose the Get More Listings Series of postcards.

                      USE PROMO CODE: LIST10 to get 10% Off at check out.

                      And, remember, YOU DON’T PAY for each mailing until it actually goes out (cancel or change each mailing up until the night before it goes out). This sale expires on 9/18/21.

                      Launch a Get More Listings Scheduled Campaign now, CLICK HERE!

                      Please reach out to our support team at 866.405.3638 with questions or if there is anything we can do to help you with your success.


                      PLUS: When you have time…below are some helpful tools to support your success.

                      1. The Free 12 Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

                      The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month-Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do when. Four key market segments are included, Niche Marketing, Get More Listings, Geographic Farming, and Sphere of Influence. –Click Here

                      2. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan

                      The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals.  – Click Here

                      3. The Automated Way to Become a Neighborhood Brand

                      Become branded in a specific neighborhood with a 12X15 marketing piece sent automatically each month to an exclusive carrier route. Watch this video to learn more or Click Here.

                      4. The Free Real Estate Mailing List Guide

                      This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Real-Estate-Mailing-List-Guide2-3-D-999x1024.jpg

                      The Real Estate Mailing List Guide outlines the top tools for generating targeted prospecting lists including Baby Boomers, Empty Nesters, Investors, Lifestyle Interests, High-Income Renters, Move-Up Markets, and more. The Guide also defines done-for-you marketing campaigns to match these markets. –Click Here

                      5. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook 

                      This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Become-A-Listing-Legend-3D-Book-White-274x300.jpg

                      Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here

                      6. The Free Online ROI Calculator

                      This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ROI-calculator-b-233x300.jpg

                      Consistency and automation are the keys to success. Discover how effective direct mail marketing can dramatically increase your bottom line. Enter your statistics in our Free online ROI Calculator and click the ‘CALCULATE MY ROI’ button to see your results instantly! –Click Here

                      7. The Free Real Estate Marketing Guide “CRUSH IT” 

                      This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is CRUSH-IT-Guide-3-d-298x300.jpg

                      The “Crush It” Guide includes easy steps to launching an effective direct mail marketing campaign, how to create a targeted prospect list, the perfect way to layout marketing materials for success, seven opportunities available to target in your area right now. –Click Here