We get this question a lot. How can people possibly get a 5-15% response rate with a direct mail marketing campaign? The simple answer is that our letters don’t look like a typical marketing letter.

Our letters use the handwriting of a person, not computer generated font. There isn’t a clear window on our letters, they don’t come in a business-size envelope, they don’t have a bulk mail stamp, and most importantly, the envelope isn’t typed! Since our envelopes are hand addressed and the letters are printed using a person’s handwriting, people want to open them to see what is inside. Our letters look like an invitation or a thank you letter, not a marketing letter.

Still skeptical? Request a free sample today and see what it’s like to receive one yourself!

I ran an ad in one of the smaller newspaper publications. It started running on April 19, 2009 and ran for 30 days. Overall, the ad resulted in 78 phone calls. Out of those 78 phone calls, I was able to collect information from 38 of these buyers regarding their contact info (including email address), their monthly payment budget, how much they have for a down payment, and what they’re looking for in a house.

The prospects are driven to a phone number where a live person answers (between 9 am and 5 pm), or a recorded message (after hours) telling them to leave me their name, phone # and email address.

Once they do this, I add them to my buyers database and begin marketing to them, sending them to my website so they can check out the homes that I have for sale.

Below is a screenshot of my actual email inbox, showing you only a list of the people that have left messages after hours. (Click on the image to see it larger).

This ad really did the trick!! I have 38 more people to sell my houses to, and it only cost me about $2.00 per lead. I think I’ll run that ad again………

Here’s what my ad said:

“OWNER FINANCING

THREE NICE HOMES TO CHOOSE FROM

24 HOUR RECORDED MESSAGE

(904) 555-5555 ”

Of course, the ad has my real phone number for buyers.  I chose a smaller publication newspaper to keep my marketing cost low.  I I had run this same ad in the Florida Times Union, it would have cost me nearly $500 for a month. Instead, I only paid about $80.  Not too shabby…… Now I gotta go…Ive got to get to work on selling some of these houses I have for sale!!

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 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

NOTE: This blog entry is only for fun!  Don’t take it too seriously. Thanks………(Continue reading now)

1.  “Did you just wake up or did you forget to brush your teeth”?

2.  “Ooh, is that an onion I smell?”

3.  “Did you buy your house in this condition or did you tear it up by yourself?

4.  “Quit talking and just sign my contract”.

5.  “I just started in this business and have no idea what I’m going to do with your house”.

6.  “How did your neighbors put up with these dogs?”

7.  “How long has that pork chop been sitting on the kitchen sink?

8.  “Have you ever heard of a vacuum cleaner”

9.  “They sell these little things in the store called roach motels.  They work great. You should buy some.”

10.  “Could you please go put on some clothes?”

Note: The Top 10 list is for entertainment purposes only. Sometimes is does good to lighten up a little.  You’ll see more Top 10 lists coming, no doubt!! Feel free to leave comments with MORE THINGS NOT to say to a seller. Contributions were made available by real people who deal with real people like this! (so there is honesty in humor)……Have a good one!

When the market was HOT (2000-2005), thousands among thousands of people were buying up houses left and right. They were making investments and building portfolios.  They were being persuaded to buy while the interest rates were low (which were Adjustable rate mortgages) and while the market was hot.  Little did they know that they best time to buy is when the market bubble has popped. That’s when you get the best deals on the planet and THOSE are the properties that ar a smart choie for buy and hold portfolios.

Nevertheless, there are hundreds of thousands of owners who purchased these properties as investments, and are now feeling the pinch of the economy, and the slow market conditions.  These property owners can be classified as absentee owners. They are people who own a property other than the one that they live in or occpy themselves.

Marketing to absentee owners is a smart move for real estate investors and Realtors. There is a gold mine to be earned in this untapped market.  While everyone is focused on pre-foreclosures and short sales, you can be paying attention to those people who are being ignored – the absentee owner.

Buy your list of Absentee Owners TODAY and start marketing to this group of motivated sellers.

You can order by calling our office at 1-888-294-0780 Ext 701.

The United States Postal Service has many different rate classifications. With direct mail marketing, there are two basic options: first class or bulk (standard) mail. When choosing which postage rate you want to use on your direct mail, consider these facts and differences of both.

First class mail is supposed to be handled within 24 hours of reaching the Post Office while Bulk Rate can go up to 48 hours before being processed. If you are dealing with time sensitive mail or an offer with a deadline (specific date), then the best choice for this type of mail would be first class to ensure timely delivery of your piece.

When sending a piece of mail that is handwritten, the United States post office requires that First Class Postage be used on these mail pieces.

No matter which one you choose, First Class or Bulk Rate Mail, address quality is crucial to getting your mailer delivered on time and getting in the hands of the right person. Incorrect house numbers, apartment numbers, or inaccurate zip codes all play an important role in the deliverability of your mail. The post office does return mail that is “Undeliverable” with an explanation of the undeliverability to your return address, unless the mailing address on the mail in not correct.

One final note: First Class Postage is printed in many cool designs, colors, and fashions. You don’t have the option with Bulk Rate Mail. One of the first things that grab the attention on the recipient is the postage stamp, so be affixing the Coolest First Class Commemorative Postage Stamp of Elvis Presley in August (his birth month) is a sure fire way to get the attention of your reader!

For more on handwritten marketing services, check out Yellow Letter Marketing.

Thanks to everyone who gives us feedback and lets us know what kind of services you’re looking for.  I understand the need for marketing services that are “done-for-you”, thus creating a totally hands off and worry free experience for you, the real estate entrepreneur.  By freeing up your time, you’re able to focus on what makes you the most money and taking care of your clients, which is your number one priority.

Being able to outsource your marketing is the biggest concern, and now you can finally rest our mind.

In the next few weeks, you’ll be able to have your marketing put into auto pilot mode, simply by making one phone call. It’s that easy.  You’re going to be able to add us to your dream team rolodex and let your business take on a new image.

Find out more about our auto pilot marketing services and be ready to hold on to your hats when it’s unleashed.