I don't agree with increasing moderation here, since your goal should be to build a community of people who will actually use your services, which is actually a pretty high bar.
The thing with real estate agents is that there are tons of them, and it's a big decision. If I was walking down the street and saw a corner store, I might walk in and buy an ice cream on a whim. If I was walking down the street and saw your bus bench, that wouldn't get you on the list if I was selling my home.
Instead of trying to build name awareness with a huge amount of people, you're better off being the #1 choice of a niche market. (ie realtor to CP users, on here). If you got all the RE transactions of CP members that would be a great living. If you were everyone in Calgary's 4th choice, you'd be bankrupt.
That's why bus bench's work better (IMHO) for someone who is trying to be an area specialist. The neighbourhood I live in has one realtor who always has his ad on 1/2 the benches, with "neighbourhood specialist" on it. Since it's repeated so often, people begin to believe it, and he gets a lot of listings in the area, which reinforces that impression. Thus, he's become one of the top choices in area (a niche), even though he's actually a terrible realtor. (I've dealt with him, which is why the realtor/neighbourhood will remain nameless.)
Go deep with a niche, not wide with your advertising.
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to bizaro86 For This Useful Post:
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"The name you can bank on"
While I like it, I think this form of advertising will target drivers just as much as those who take the bus.
So how about something like -
Why are you sitting in traffic when you could have been home already?
or
Rather be stuck in traffic then your house, I can help.
or
A better home awaits, you're worth it.
I appreciate all the advice.
My biggest debate within myself has been the 1 area vs throughout the city.
Throughout the city would be ideal for more exposure although as mentioned it might be "4th choice" exposure.
I think that my mind is made up on targeting a specific area although I do like the the slogans related to being home already which would need to be placed on a main road outside a community.
I also like the straight to the point slogan mentioned above "Need A Realtor? Call Me Today". What are your thoughts on that one? Lastly, would you use the term call? I find that at least 80% of my business is initiated through email. Are people more comfortable sending an email? I know that I prefer email in most situations when inquiring on a service. It would be different to say "Email Me Today" but perhaps I would seem as a very impersonal individual.
Thanks again to the contributions!!!!
__________________
OFFICIAL CP REALTOR & PROPERTY MANAGER
Travis Munroe | Century 21 Elevate | 403.971.4300
your sig is about the size of a bus bench, use that
I am not sure if this was a joke but I also could see something similar. I do like the color combination and would get rid of the cartoon character for an actual picture A bus bench is a bit higher and with the subtraction of CP Realtor and the addition of my phone number ..... hmm
__________________
OFFICIAL CP REALTOR & PROPERTY MANAGER
Travis Munroe | Century 21 Elevate | 403.971.4300
I appreciate all the advice.
My biggest debate within myself has been the 1 area vs throughout the city.
Throughout the city would be ideal for more exposure although as mentioned it might be "4th choice" exposure.
I think that my mind is made up on targeting a specific area although I do like the the slogans related to being home already which would need to be placed on a main road outside a community.
I also like the straight to the point slogan mentioned above "Need A Realtor? Call Me Today". What are your thoughts on that one? Lastly, would you use the term call? I find that at least 80% of my business is initiated through email. Are people more comfortable sending an email? I know that I prefer email in most situations when inquiring on a service. It would be different to say "Email Me Today" but perhaps I would seem as a very impersonal individual.
Thanks again to the contributions!!!!
I would just put "Contact me today" or "Contact today" whichever you think sounds better. Then you're covering calling and emailing. Although, in reality, I don't think saying "call today" or "email today" or "contact today" really matters too much. As people will contact you with their preffered method, regardless, as long as your email and phone number are in the ad.
I doubt anyone will go "geez, I prefer email, but his sign says "call me", so I'll just use a different realtor.
I also like the straight to the point slogan mentioned above "Need A Realtor? Call Me Today". What are your thoughts on that one? Lastly, would you use the term call? I find that at least 80% of my business is initiated through email. Are people more comfortable sending an email? I know that I prefer email in most situations when inquiring on a service. It would be different to say "Email Me Today" but perhaps I would seem as a very impersonal individual.
Thanks again to the contributions!!!!
I would mention buying and selling, something like:
Buying or Selling a Home? Contact me Today!
It's unbelievable to me how many people (especially first time homebuyers) don't know that they can get their own buying agent that the seller (typically) pays for. It's a great deal for a first time buyer.
Followed up with phone/email. Having email on there is great for people who prefer it. I hated calling realtors who had some number at an office with 100 agents, who would page it out and have me called back.
I also like the straight to the point slogan mentioned above "Need A Realtor? Call Me Today".
Quote:
Originally Posted by JiriHrdina
What makes you different from other realtors? Do you have an identifiable point of difference?
With a slogan like that? Nothing. (My apologies to the poster with that suggestion, I'm only using that as one of many examples). This is my issue with most realtors/realty advertising. There's very few signs/slogans that make one stand out from the next. Why shouldn't I call that guy on the bus stop sign across the street today? His sign says to call him right away.
I like the idea of targeting one area/niche, and build a slogan around that. It doesn't have to be catchy, just to let me know that if I'm in X demographic, you're the go-to guy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Realtor 1
I do like the color combination and would get rid of the cartoon character for an actual picture
Here's an off-topic question, if you don't want to answer here feel free to shoot a PM. What is the point of realtors (or car salesmen, for that matter) using a picture at all? The homes section of my local newspaper looks more like a yearbook than ad space. I could care less if you look like the elephant man as long as you can sell my house and I don't get screwed in the process.
Here's an off-topic question, if you don't want to answer here feel free to shoot a PM. What is the point of realtors (or car salesmen, for that matter) using a picture at all? The homes section of my local newspaper looks more like a yearbook than ad space. I could care less if you look like the elephant man as long as you can sell my house and I don't get screwed in the process.
What graphics are they supposed to use, clipart with a dollar sign transposed over a house?
It's the same problem you mentioned, it's hard to differentiate yourself. At least with a face to the name it makes it more likely people will remember it.
Realtors are a personal service, the best way to advertise is to do a great job and get referrals. Advertising itself is tough, which is why they're all so similar.