Partner up on SCAL "We Buy Houses" classified ad

[Brian Wall]

I have negotiated a deal with the Los Angeles News Group set of newspapers, http://www.langnews.com/About/index.shtml

I can get a "We Buy Houses" classified ad in front of 1.5 million readers (1.6M on Sundays) every day for about $41 a day (I have to prepay for 40 days). This includes the following papers: Los Angeles Daily News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Whittier Daily News, Pasadena Star News, San Bernardino Sun, Redlands Daily Facts and Torrance Daily Breeze. The same ad must run in all papers.

That is much too large of an area for me to cover on my own. I am looking to partner with my fellow investors here at BP to share in the cost (I am not looking to make any money off of this). Each person would have exclusivity to that area code and prefix.

Here is what I was thinking. I can get an 800 # for $2 a month, and $.06 a minute, that has a voicemail on it.

I can set up the voicemail with a 60 second "screening" script.

When a person leaves message, I get emailed an MP3 file with the message, along with the caller id # of the caller. I will forward that email on to the person that has the area.

Or I may be able to redirect the call based on area code & prefix, but not sure.

Then, based on where calls come in from, we can 'divy' up the calls, based on Area Code and prefix. You can see what area codes and prefixes are close to you, here: http://www.melissadata.com/lookups/phoneradius.asp You have to register, but is a free search.

Depending on who wants what, will determine the area. it is pretty much determined by the paper.

I for sure want the area code, 562. The rest are up for grabs.

Each month, I get a bill for the 888 service, so at that time, I would like to get reimbursed for the minutes used for your area.

there are probably some details that still need to be worked out, but for now, let me know who is interested.

Whatever payment is agreed to, would have to be paid upfront. I imagine, we could all make checks out to the LANG and I could mail them together.

None of this is set in stone, I would like to hear your opinion on how it would work for you. If this works, we could also start looking at going to other papers.

let me know!

[Richard J.]

I like the way that you think big and play with partners, if we were into that mode of operation, we would jump in with both feet! Good Luck to you! -- Dawn

[Loc R.]

Brian,

Consider me very interested.

Loc

[Brian Wall]

Thanks Loc! lets give it a few days, then we will see how it goes. Please feel free to forward to any contacts you may have that you feel may be interested.

[Loc R.]

Brian,

My partner and I are interested in taking the 909 and 951 areas...and possibly 626.

[Michael Carter]

Brian,

Have you done "I buy houses" in the classifieds before? What other methosds have you used that are successful. - From San Diego

Michael

[Will Barnard]

Brain,

Great idea! Similar to our venture together on mailing lists to locaste private investors. Great out of the box thinking.
I would be interested as well if I was going after that strategy. Unfortunately, we are doing well on teh trustee sale side and REO side, so I have no need for it at this time.

[Brian Wall]

Michael,
I have tried it before. About 2 years ago, I ran a "We buy houses" ad for about 5 weeks. I had an 800 number, going to a automated message which was about a mnute that walked them through a "rating" system, and if they were a 1-5, I asked them to just hang up, because I could not help them, but, if they were a 6-10, please leave me their name & number, and I would call them back, see how I could help them. It was one of those special deals where they run your ad in the "throw aways", like penny saver and Thrify Nickel. For $180, your ad showed up in 1 million papers, across 20 cities. They were all "small town" papers. I did end up doing two "subject 2" deals in Pueblo, Colorado. It ended up being a good learning experience, but did not make any money.

Will, as I mentioned in an email to Michael, you guys inspired me!

I understand you are not in that market, perhaps you could share with others that you may feel would benefit.

Thanks,
Brian

[Will Barnard]

Sure Brian.

For all others, pulling efforts and money together in a group fromat benefits the entire group and is a great way to reduce marketing costs, purchasing costs, time, and much more.

Brian is currently involved with us in a group campaign to go after additional sources for private money. As a group, we can get better pricing than we could each on our own.

This offer from Brian to join him in marketing to motivated homesellers is similar in that the entire group will benefit from lower costs and time. Going at it on your own would only cost you more money and time.
Groups and joint ventures work.
I should know, I have done them with BP members several times!

[Marcus Mccray]

Brian,

I am definitely interested and would like 626!

[Marcus Mccray]

Maybe split the 909/951 prefixes cause I'd like to deal out that way too and those areas are huge.

[Will Barnard]

There is one more for you Brian!
Anybody else?

[Brian Wall]

Thanks!

Okay everyone, I just waiting until we get someone in the 818 area code!

Then we will have 4 people, at a cost of just $10 per day!

Just 2 more days, then we will charge ahead!

Brian