Just started my first direct mail campaign!

[Dustin Little]

On Tuesday, this week I began mailing to my lists. I have two list: List one 805 addresses, absentee owners in my zip code; List two 1200 addresses, owner 1 age 45+, equity 30%+, two zip codes (not mine but nearby). I kept the list small and wanted the homes to be nearby, having a newborn and a two year limits my time what I save in driving is priceless. I started by mailing in batches 25-50 letters or postcards each day alternating between the lists. I created my own font using my handwriting ($10, very easy) and auto fill my seller's names and addresses into a letter I typed in Word. I then print how many I need that day and if I'm doing t letters I use the same font and red ink to print the envelopes. I don't need to hand write anything including the signature, I also do not need to copy and paste anything. Mail merger allows the excel list of sellers to be auto filled into the Word docs. As great as companies like YellowLetter.com are this saves me about $0.20 per letter. Until I get going and start answering more calls at higher volumes I'll continue using my current system. When the money starts coming in and I have better use for my time I will likely outsource the letters.

Two days after mailing my first batch I received a three calls. One was already listed on the MLS as a short sale, one was an experienced landlord who does not seem to be a motivated seller, and the other is also an investor who purchased the house a month ago as a foreclosure. So, I am up to three calls that led no where other than developing my screening skills. But, I am super excited to be receiving calls it is starting to feel like a business and I WILL sign my first deal within a month.

I am using Vumber.com, I am military and have an out of state area code so I wanted a local number and I also got an 877 number. Postcards get the 877 and letters get the local 253.

Well I just wanted to share a few of my experiences with everyone, hopefully it encourages anyone who is hesitatant to get started to go do something, anything.  I was telling my dad about what I am doing and because he is short on funds but highly motivated he is using cardboard to post bandit signs, Good Luck Dad!

[Mike Sumsky]

Great job taking action @Dustin Little.  I've got a newborn too, so I know how challenging it can be to get time to work the business.  Staying local is a great idea, I've focused 90% of my marketing within a 20 minute drive of my house in Bremerton which I've found to help me become a 'big fish' in this pond and makes managing the properties that I buy and hold so much easier.  

I wanted to mention that your first three calls weren't necessarily duds.  Some of my favorite calls are those that come from other real estate investors.  That experienced landlord may turn out to be a future private money lender or mentor, the other investor who just purchased a foreclosure may not have the knowledge to find off-market properties and could turn out to be your best cash buyer should you decide to wholesale some of your deals.  Even the short sale could have been an opportunity for you to throw out a low cash offer.  Perhaps you've already considered all of this, I'm primarily speaking out loud for any other investor who might be reading this post and getting similar calls.  

More than anything, congrats on getting the marketing out.  I also use a personalized handwriting font on some of my campaigns and found it to be pretty effective.  Touch base with me if I can help at all or if you run into any deals that you'd like to wholesale.  I really like the Thurston County area.