Slogan Wanted: $50 if I use yours..

[Hilch]

Originally Posted by Madman

If you are using an email, I would suggest getting your own domain.

Nothing against Gmail, but it just doesn't scream professional to me.

I hate to pile on but this was the first thing I noticed when I saw your signature for the first time. I would never use a professional who used gmail, hotmail, yahoo or any free service. Shaw would be better but even then I would wonder.

And shorten it! You gotta remember people are driving by or walking by when they see your advertisments. travis@realtorone.com is simple and easy to remember. I hit reply and already forgot what your email address is.

edit: And speaking of your signature it is WAY too busy, so if you do a bus bench make it simple.

[4X4]

People hating on gmail? I'd rather use gmail than shaw or telus or anything else. If someone didn't do business with me because I paid for crap instead of using free awesomeness, then I'm probably better off.

But I guess you can pay for a domain and route it through gmail, so maybe that's the thing. Whatever.

As far as a slogan goes, it's better to use nothing at all, than something really cheesy or contrived. For example, there's a bench in marda loop for a realtor Mark Doll. His slogan is.... (get ready to facepalm) ...."You deserve a Doll house". Really? REALLY? Oh, I get it. Your name is Doll...Doll house....How clever.

[FlamesKickAss]

"Discover A Positive Experience"

[malcolmk14]

You wouldn't ____ without ______, don't buy/sell your house without Travis.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by 4X4

People hating on gmail? I'd rather use gmail than shaw or telus or anything else. If someone didn't do business with me because I paid for crap instead of using free awesomeness, then I'm probably better off.

Yes, the free email services for the longest time have been seen as "disposable." To me it just screams "I haven't been doing this long enough to setup a website yet." Either than or somebody who doesn't use computers much. If you are selling something on Kijiji and you get a response from a Hotmail account; are you saying that doesn't give you a little bit of concern?

I like the previous suggestion to contact you; I would say make sure you have your phone number, email, and website. Then have something like "Let me show you why I should be your realtor." Of course be ready for when people call.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by 4X4

People hating on gmail? I'd rather use gmail than shaw or telus or anything else. If someone didn't do business with me because I paid for crap instead of using free awesomeness, then I'm probably better off.

But I guess you can pay for a domain and route it through gmail, so maybe that's the thing. Whatever.

Bingo
You can still use gmail but set up google apps to create an email with domains you own. If you own a domain anyway (which every Realtor pretty much does) it is no cost and matches up with your web marketing anyway.

[V]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

^^ you hit the nail on the head with the daytime buddies thing.
I actually feel that the crazy/creative minds of cp might of come up with something better than any professional.
Paying people extreme amounts does not mean I will get something better than paying someone $50 on CP.

Well, if you hadn't insulted everyone in the profession before, this sure as hell did it.

[Prototype]

I would split your order in two...

"Don't let your dream home pass you buy"
"Don't sell your home short"

The "mistake" in the first one might catch some eyes... but might be catchy enough that people will remember it.

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Bingo - you are a troll!

FYP


Furthermore - As far as the email bus bench contact issue. Yes a long email stinks to have to remember. QR codes are the way to go!

http://www.qrstuff.com/index.html

get that on your bench for the win. I second and third the idea of your own domain. Build that brand! For the 75-100 bones per year it will cost you to make that happen it is a must.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

You wouldn't ____ without ______, don't buy/sell your house without Travis.

#### a hooker without a condom?

[Travis Munroe]

Originally Posted by surferguy

FYP


Furthermore - As far as the email bus bench contact issue. Yes a long email stinks to have to remember. QR codes are the way to go!

http://www.qrstuff.com/index.html

get that on your bench for the win. I second and third the idea of your own domain. Build that brand! For the 75-100 bones per year it will cost you to make that happen it is a must.

I used QR codes for a couple months and felt it would be a fad .... glad to hear that some people do use them!

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

I used QR codes for a couple months and felt it would be a fad .... glad to hear that some people do use them!

Same. I've also used text for info services on listings on streets with lots of foot traffic & been very underwhelmed by the response.
Expected more people to use the text/qr codex but get very little response.

[Travis Munroe]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Same. I've also used text for info services on listings on streets with lots of foot traffic & been very underwhelmed by the response.
Expected more people to use the text/qr codex but get very little response.

Ya I gave the text thing a shot and quickly dismissed it from the strategy.

[stampsx2]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

'If you lived here.... you'd be a hobo sleeping in a bus shelter'

This one. Take this one. But 'If you lived here.... you'd be a hobo sleeping on a bench'

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by Table 5

It's not just fun, it's his business. He's probably already spent hundreds or thousands of dollars on this advertising. Cheaping out on the actual message is going to cost him much more than just 50 bucks. It will waste his time and the money that went into purchasing the advertising space.

The message has to resonate and hold true. On my way to work, I keep seeing this bus bench of some dude advertising his real estate services... basically some pimple-faced teen with the generic tag-line of "a name you can trust". Right, you're fresh out of high school and I'm supposed to trust your vast experience. Probably paid $50 bucks for that too.

That is $51 too much.

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

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 like the straight to the point strapline. What can initially sound fun and witty can very quickly become cheesy and grating. I think 'call' is ok or you could go for 'contact'. I know it sounds dull, but people are after what is a professional service and when I want a professional service I want someone who I can trust and if I think their communication is flippant or cheesy, I won't trust him.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

I like the straight to the point strapline

"No cheesy slogans, just professional service."

[Barnet Flame]

As for specialising in a particular area:



Stay out of the West Side!

[Sr. Mints]

Your sig is too cluttered for a bench ad: too many fonts, too many colours, and it's not easy for the eye to follow. How is someone driving by at 40km/hr supposed to get through all that? But I agree that the colour scheme is solid and can be worked with.

Copy... As others have said, you have to figure out the message you want to put out there, but first you have to figure out how you want to market yourself.

Based purely on my own anecdotal observations, you've done a better job than many other realtors I know of to reach out and form a connection with a community. Why not use that?

You want your message to be short, bold and to the point. Not too complicated, not too clever--but you want it to be reassuring and strike a chord. It has to connect with people in that split second when they see your bench on their drive home from work. And you want your message to stay with them, or be easy to recall when the time comes to buy or sell.

It can never hurt to start simple by brainstorming what you want to say:

Real Estate Agent
Committed
Calgary
Motivated
Different
Casual
Results
Etc., etc.

String some of those thoughts together.

Travis Munroe
Passionate Realtor, Passionate Calgarian

[Imported_Aussie]

This is to go on bus benches right?

"Travis Munroe: getting Calgarians home"

"Helping people find their way home"


I think emphasis on the word "home", as it personalizes a property, is a big one.

Also, the advice about the email/domain that others have mentioned is spot on: it should look as clean, simple, and legit/reliable as possible.

People don't look at these ads for a long time: you need a quick snag