Direct mail marketing

[James Harris]

Hi BP

I was wondering is it common practice to use a PO box and a "virtual" phone number (such as Grasshopper) for the privacy of my personal address and phone number.  I don't mind paying for these services, just wondering if this is something that other investors typically do.  Thanks!

[Stephen Barton]

Hi there @James Harris. Sounds like you are on the right track! Yes, we actually use a P.O. Box for our direct mail as we do not want to use our personal home as a return address. We also do use google voice (which is free by the way!) but I want to encourage you to always answer your calls! 

Every other investor in my market does this type of thing or they outsource this to someone who is not a real estate expert (generally a VA) and sellers are getting frustrated. I can tell you what separates those who I see are successful and those who are just doing a deal here and there- all falls into whether they actually answer the phone calls or not.

Think about it like this...When you have a problem with your printer do you like it when you need some help with an issue and all you can do is just leave a message? I cannot stand that when it happens. Sure, out of necessity you may elect using something automated but I see what successful real estate investors do- they actually answer the incoming calls.

I also feel that this is something a new investor really needs to get a handle on so they know what works and what does not for their market. If you do not know how to do a job then how could you effectively show someone else how to do that job-you couldn't! At least for a while you should use your money and spend it in the right places. You want to develop a personal relationship with sellers. I get more deals from referrals now then I could have ever imagined. Why? Because people want to work with someone who is honest, trustworthy, and does what they say they will do. An answering service will not be able to really learn your market. Only you will hear from sellers what is working or what is not. 

I hear stuff like: "Yeah we got this yellow letter in the mail the other day, and it looked like it was handwritten by an 8 year old-plus we could tell it was typed". People are not stupid, and they know when something looks cheap. If they do not have confidence in your presentation (beginning to end) and the way you field those phone calls, then they will go somewhere else. I hope this will help you. I just experienced things the hard way and want to help you learn a better way than what I started out doing.