Direct Mail Tips for Flippers`

[Brett Kash]

Hey all! Wrapping up my first flip project this month and looking to kickoff a new direct mail campaign. I am hoping to get some tips from some of you with a lot more experience doing direct mail. Background, I am in month 5 of our first campaign with a little bit of success in the first two mailings (one may turn into a deal yet) but almost none after that. We used a pre-foreclosure list from foreclosure's daily and did printed letters in hand written envelopes (except one month we tried postcards and got ZERO response. Not even the usual angry calls). I am looking for some advice from the experienced (successful) direct mailers here on BP on:

1) What kind of mail you are sending (postcard, letters, etc.)

2) What criteria you are basing your mailing list on (pre-foreclosure, demographics, probate, etc.)

3) Where you are getting your mailing list.

4) Qty per mailing

Any advice on the above or any other tips on marketing for deals would be appreciated (anyone having success with online marketing??). I am working in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and marketing here as well.

Thanks!

-BK

[May Emery]

@Brett Kash You should consider mailing to people who aren’t on every other investor’s radar. Absentee Owners have been popular for a long time, and are apparently still somewhat effective (people are still mailing to them) but they are getting multiple offers to buy their home. It's hard to stand out.

There are some owner-occupied segments with people who share motivating factors for selling their home.

Seniors with Long-time Ownership: often ready to downsize or transition to assistance.

Homeowners with Low Financial Stability Scores (FSS): Struggling financially and likely ready to cash in on their asset.

Both these categories have additional advantages in that they probably don’t haven’t been updated and may have deferred maintenance. They won’t be expecting the same money as their neighbors with the shiny new kitchen and fresh paint.

A mailing list broker can help suggest and fine tune for your exact requirements.