If you are just beginning your real estate career, you probably already have a sizable mailing list… even if you don’t know it. The best way to organize, use and expand that list is to send out an “I’m in Real Estate” announcement.
The announcement postcard or note card should tell what you are doing, how you can be contacted, and should invite them to sign up for future updates and real estate related information. You should also ask them to think of you if they, or anyone they know, has a question about local real estate, buying or selling a house.
Never underestimate the importance of asking others to help you grow your business.
Tap Into Your Personal Sphere
Go through your personal address book. These are the people — family, friends, peers, former co-workers and employers — to whom your new venture would be important. You should be the one that lets them know what you are doing now. They are also the people most likely to send you referrals and to remember you when they have property to sell, or are ready to buy a house.
Social Networking Boosts Your Mailing List
If you are on social networking sites personally, you can mine those contacts for your mailing list — especially your announcement mailing. Be sure to include a URL (or a QR code) on your postcard, note card, letter or business card that leads your reader to an online form to sign up for updates. This will allow you to send physical mail and email and will ensure that the people who receive this information from you will want it.
Use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+ and other sites to compile your announcement list. Although you SHOULD tweet and post a status update with the information on your favorite networks; you should also send a physical note or postcard to these individuals. When you announce on the networks, be sure to add a link to go to your website and sign up for updates. This will help you to grow your list.
If you aren’t already using social networks, now is the time to begin. Also, be sure you have a business page set up on Facebook and Google+ for your new real estate business.
Selecting Mailing List Software
Which software should you use? I’m going to say something radical (especially for our tech-based times)… it doesn’t matter.
What does matter is that you select a software or methodology that is easy for you to use, to keep updated and expand. If that’s a simple spreadsheet, fine. If that’s the most expensive subscription-based service on the market, fine. No mailing list will be worth your time, money and effort – if you never get around to using it.
Personal touches are important (especially in the real estate business) so be sure whatever software you use has the ability to record notes, children’s’ names, spouse’s names, assistants’ names, birthdays and anniversaries. You should send out birthday cards to the people on your list — just a quick hand-written note card which includes the link “Thinking about you on your special day” will get the job done. It will also help build a relationship with the people on your mailing list or boost an existing one.
And if you are too overwhelmed with all the other things you are doing to build your business (and you want some dependable help) you can upload your new mailing list to your BestPrintBuy.com account and take advantage of our economical mailing service. Just design your postcard using our simple web-based design tool, upload your mailing list and we will do the rest.
How’s that for hassle-free?