Real Estate Marketing Ideas

Ohhhh. that’s easy! I do!  And who am I?

My name is Tracy Caywood (in case you’ve never met me). I’m an experienced real estate investor in Jacksonville Florida. I’ve bought and sold nearly 300 houses since 1999. My husband and I are partners, and work closely together in our business.  I also own the website www.YellowLettersComplete.com and provide real estate marketing services to real estate investors and Realtors all over the United States and Canada.

Now, let me explain a few things. When I first started in this business, I hadn’t heard of yellow letters. If I had, my beginning days as a real estate investor would’ve been much easier.  Do you know what I had to do instead?  Dan and I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning printing postcards on 4 x 6 index cards, and then mailing them out.  We used the”unsafe structure” list that we got from our local code enforcement office.  Did it work? Absolutely.  Do we still do that?  Absolutely not. But back then, we had no idea which direction to take. All we knew is that we had to generate leads to do deals.  So we did whatever we had to do for the least amount of money.

These days, things are much easier for the newbie real estate investor. There is one simple technique that you can apply (without having to stay up all night), that will generate motivated seller leads and have you well on your way to doing deals. Can u guess what it is?  Yep! The yellow letter.

I’ve been using the yellow letter in my business now for about 4 years. Of course, it’s not the only media that we use to attract seller leads. I also implement bandit signs, postcards, and  a website. But it is the most head slapping simple way to get alot of leads coming in at once. In fact, I’m about to mail out 500 yellow letters on Monday that are addressed to Pre NOD Leads.  This campaign is targeting short sales.  I’m going to create a new blog entry for this campaign to keep you filled in on the progress, so keep watch for that.

I guess I never answered the question of “what type of person” does yellow letter marketing, did I? Well, the answer (other than the obvious) is………a person that wants to quit dreaming about making it happen and just make it happen.

We Love Canadaians at Yellow Letters Complete.com, and we’re one of the only (if not the ONLY )provider of yellow letter services to real estate professionals in Canada. If you are a aspiring young real estate investor or Real Estate Agent who is looking to dominate your locate market, then you’re in the right place.

Letters are only $.99 if you are in Canada!  Read the Details about yellow letters in Canada right here.

Yellow Letters get a 5 to 10% reponse rate  – that’s higher than any other type of marketing that’s available to you anywhere! Don’t miss this opportunity to generate the MOST motivated seller leads.

It doesn’t matter how much I talk to you guys on the phone telling you how great Pre NOD Leads are for your business, there’s nothing quite like hearing it from the horse’s mouth.  Listen to this voice mail that I got from one of my Florida customers on July 30, 2009.   Once you hear this message, I’m sure you’ll understand why you should be calling me every 3 weeks to get YOUR list of Pre NOD leads.

Listen to Voice Mail Left By Actual Customer

Then go the Pre NOD order page and get your order in for Pre NOD Leads!!

Dear Newbies,

I know the TV and the Newspapers have got you thinking that this is the worst real estate market that you’ll ever see. if you don’t quit watching that crap, you’re going to self combust. There are too many people doing deals right now in today’s market, including myself, and you can do the same thing!! You have to know how to market for these properties, and more specifically, you have to know how to price and sell them quickly.

Fear can overcome your entire being when it comes time to make a decision about getting started in real estate. Coaching can be expensive, and some of these coaches can even make you feel left out in the cold. They’re too busy to take the time with you that you need, and you may never get a deal done. I’m not calling any names out, because there are some really great coaches out there, but some may just want your credit card number.

I’m ready to help some newbies out!! I’m ready to be the one who can help you make it happen. Here’s the deal:

For a LIMITED number of people(5) , I will be your real estate coach/mentor. I will help you get through the hardest part (your first deal), and see to it that you make a big check. Once you get through the first one, the rest will be a piece of cake. I’ll be there to help you overcome your fear and make sure you’re doing and saying all of the right things to your sellers, Realtors, buyers, etc.

I know I will get a huge response from people who want to get on board with me today, so please, please understand that I can’t take everyone under my wing. I am a pretty busy lady, and have a full planner page. I’m going to squeeze my calendar and make time for you!! I want you to do a deal, so I’m going to see to it that it happens for you.

Here’s the scoop on the partnership:

1. You must have some training under your belt and know the technical part of doing a deal. You don’t have to know everything, but some basic knowledge about how creative real estate works is certainly a must.
2. You must be willing to pay for at least 1,000 yellow letters and a mailing list. That is your investment into this deal to show me that you are serious about becoming a real estate investor and being in business for yourself.
3. You need to be open to suggestion and follow the advice that I give you when it comes to deal analysis, making offers, and selling the property. You will also do all of the talking to the seller (of course I’ll tell you what to say and how to say it). If it gets to a point where you need for me to step in, I will, but I want you to get used to doing it on your own (or you’ll always be afraid to do it).
4. We will split the profit on the deal 50/50 at closing (we will sign a partnership agreement for one time transaction agreeing to this).
5. You will provide me with a recorded/video testimonial once the deal closes explaining how I was able to help you and how much money you made on the deal.
6. You will pay me a one time fee in advance of $1,000.00 (that’s it) for my time.  It doesn’t matter how much time it takes me to get you through your first deal, that’s how much of my time you’re buying.  My time is valuable, it’s just not Free………

MAKE SURE YOU READ AND AGREE TO THE ABOVE TERMS BEFORE FILLING OUT THIS FORM!!

Here’s what I’ll contribute:

1. My time and knowledge making sure you know how to pre-screen sellers, how to select the deals that make sense, what to do with the deals that don’t, etc.
2. Walking you through the entire process of getting a deal under contract all the way to closing. This will include marketing, taking calls, making appointments, your presentation, negotiating, signing paperwork, marketing to sell, finding buyer, and closing on the transaction. If it’s a short sale, I’ll help you with that, as well.
3. Being your motivation and your “security blanket” until you get through the deal.

If this sounds like something you’re interested in, you’re going to need to reply in a quick like fashion. I really only have the time to commit for 5 people. That’s it. So if you’re interested, don’t procrastinate!! Fill out the form below and I will be in touch with you shortly. Remember, I’m only taking 5 students, so don’t be upset if I don’t choose you.

I’m a firm believer that you should constantly be testing new products and new ideas and essentially, implementing those that are working the best into your business.  Well, check out this video! You’re not going to believe your eyes or ears when you find out what’s been going on behind the scenes with ME!  I’ve been testing a new marketing piece that’s going to make you flip your lid!!!  Play the Video Podcast to Find out MORE!!!!

Are you struggling with your bank account, but still determined to get started in the real estate business?  I totally understand where you’re coming from!  It’s not easy trying to juggle around all of the expenses that are associated with starting in the real estate business.  After all, you have education and training, travel, hotels, business cards, websites, marketing campaigns, and now answering services.  Gheez….You’d think this is a real business or something. (Who’da thunk it?)

Well, this one is for the aspiring young investors out there who need an inexpensive way to get their calls from sellers answered.  Good luck!!!!

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Sample Craigslist Ad:

I need someone to answer and pre-screen my calls. These calls are coming in as a result of direct marketing efforts to owners of real estate that are in unique situations (foreclosure,divorce, bankruptcy, probate, etc).

Your job will be to answer the call, and ask them a series of questions that will be provided to you by me.  I will pay you $1.00 per call for each pre-screening form that you turn in to me (that is completed) , and $.50 for each call /message that is turned in (or partially complete).

This can be done from your home, but I do need someone who can take calls on the “fly” – and maintain a professional sound to the caller (no TV, dogs, or other noises in the background).  I will forward my own number to you so that you can take the calls.  I will pay you once per week on Fridays – either via PayPal or check (your choice).

Reply to my ad if interested. I will call you to do a a phone interview and a “test run”.

As you may already know, Than Merrill (Star of A & E’s Flip That House) launched Wholesaling University a couple of weeks ago.  It’s so exciting and dynamic, that I even signed up as a student of the University (and I’ve been wholesaling for 10 years).   But there’s something that’s even cooler than that.  Than Merrill PERSONALLY recommends that you use www.YellowLettersComplete.com to get all of your yellow letter direct mail done.  If you are a wholesaling University Student, be sure to check this out for yourself. Here’s How to Find it:

Login to Wholesaling U >  Go to Bonus Marketing Jumpstart > Listen to 1.7 Week 7 Pre-Foreclosure Direct Mail

In this video  (around the 38 minute mark of the video) Than Merrill tells you to use www.YellowLettersComplete.com for all of your pre-foreclosure direct mail needs.  HOW AWESOME IS THAT??

This podcast reveals the winner of the $20 Marketing Challenge, where we put 40 Yellow Letters up against 400 Driveway Flyers.  Guess who Won?   Listen to the podcast to find out!!

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Once you listen to the podcast, feel free to leave comments!  If there is a particular marketing test that you want us to do, just let us know.  For instance, absentee owners, Pre-NOD, Free and Clear, postcards, mail merged letters, black and white vs. color, standard yellow letter vs. extended version.  You Name it, and We’ll Report On it.

Until Next Time, Remember: People Do Not Fail, They Only Quit Trying!!

One of the most important things that you can use to present yourself to a seller (or buyer) of real estate is credibility. You can talk all you want about how smart, proficient, professional, and helpful you are, but the person you’re talking to may still be reluctant to do business with you.

That is why I want you to start getting testimonials from your clients and start using them in your presentations! There is nothing quite as powerful as the spoken testimonial from someone who has used your services and is pleased. When they are willing to write a testimonial on paper and allow you to share it with your potential clients, that is a powerful recommendation.

Even better than written testimonials are video testimonials. These days, everyone should have a website (or at least a laptop computer). You can easily capture testimonials on video and post them right to your website – or you can keep them on your hard drive and play them for your potential clients during your presentation. This technique will close some deals for you without you having to say another single word.

Here’s what I do: Just as soon as I’ve agreed to terms with the seller or buyer, and the contract has been signed, I pull out my checklist to make sure that everything has been completed. Contract, signatures, email addresses collected, all of that technical stuff. Then I ask the seller, “Have you been happy with the service that I’ve provided”? They have 100% always said “Yes, of course!” I then say “Well, then you wouldn’t mind giving me about 15 or 20 seconds of video that I can use on my website, would you?”

I carry The Flip Video in my bag with me at all times when I’m on an appointment. Then I pull it out and tell them “When the red light comes on, just tell me your name, and how I was able to help you in this transaction”. Then I hold the camera up and hit the Record button.

I have never had anyone tell me “No” to this. Sometimes they are a little nervous because it’s the “camera in their face” syndrome, but with a little help from me about what to say, they get through it with no problem. And then BAM! I’ve got a video testimonial that I can use on my website and in my credibility kit for life.

Check out just a few of the video testimonials that I’ve captured on video:

This is exciting stuff right here!  Dan (he’s my husband in case you didn’t know) has been working on some new marketing techniques.  He’s got the assembly of the media locked down pretty tight, and the message is good.  He wanted to “man up” and challenge my yellow letters to a response rate contest!  (ROFL)  Listen to the podcast to find out what we did! Once you’ve listened to the podcast – leave a comment and let us know who WHO think will win!  This will be interesting.

Click On The Arrow Below To Listen to Podcast

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