Prospecting new business for Realtors

[Chris Lynch]

All fellow agents out there what have you found to be the best prospecting methods to build your business as a new agent. Here are a few things I have tried. I do have a big Facebook spare but most of them I am not close with and have no numbers. Mainly acquaintances. I do not know how to reach out to them though.  I have tried the following. 

• Door knocking. Just listed/Just sold.
• Cold call expired listings: Not much luck here yet.
• Facebook marketing
• Open houses- Must people have had realtors.

I also use some lead sites for buyers but have not had much luck. However I really want to make my main business on listings and just help buyers I get from listing calls. 

What is the best way to get listings? any advice would be great!

[David Hunter]

To go off what Russell said, Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is amazing!!!!!

But, you have to do it right.  If you just say, "Call me to sell your house" then you're just like everyone else and probably won't get any calls.

I've said this a gazillion times on here... offer a FREE Home Seller's Guide on all of your marketing, especially your direct mail.  This is a low-resistance lead generation magnet to get potential home sellers to raise their hands.

For Open Houses, are you asking buyers straight up... "Are you working with an agent?"  If so, that's the wrong way to go about it.

Just assume none of them are working with an agent and work 'em! Tell them you can set them up on your auto-notification system that will alert them of houses that meet their criteria as they come on the market (Let's hope your MLS has this amazing feature).

If, then, the buyers say they're working with an agent then fine.  But don't just ask them.  Buyers are programed to say yes, whether they really are or not.  Plus, if they are working with an agent and don't tell you, then they probably don't like their agent.  It happens more than you think.

If you're not having luck cold calling expireds, then set them up on a 3-step marketing campaign.

I sent a postcard for the first step, home seller's guide along with a sales letter and testimonials from Angie's List and Zillow for the second step, and a mini trash can as the last step.

Speaking of Angie's List, since you're new, be sure to create a free business account and start collecting reviews and you do business.  Then ask your clients if you can use their reviews as testimonials on all of your marketing material along with their first/last name, and city.

Got to get started on the right foot!