From MLS to Yellow Letters

[Account Closed]

I've put in 18 offers so far on SFR's/multi's and have been rejected on each and every one due to a number of reasons - when there has been a good deal on the MLS, especially, other buyers are offering cash while I have financing. Additionally, when I see their offers, they're not really making sense (using the 2% rule as a metric).

I'm thinking I need to approach the Phoenix, Arizona metro market differently and am willing to begin a marketing campaign. I have an affinity for lists - checklists if you will - that simply tell me exactly what to do and when to do them. Thus far, I've listened to probably 60 of the podcasts starting @ #1, read a few books, and have compiled this list of everything that needs to happen before I purchase my first deal. Until today, I have not included marketing in this checklist. 

My questions to you: What other items must I consider when carrying out a campaign? Additionally, I assume there are as many approaches to seriously entering this business as there are investors, but am I missing anything on this list? I'm currently @ step # 6 (not including SEO).

• 1. Begin to Save Money, ensure personal finances are in order. The Complete Money Makeover.
• 2. Become educated – read, listen to podcasts. Learn the vocabulary. http://www.reiclub.com/real-estate-terms.php#top
• 3. Once confident, decide your niche(s).
• 4. Form 3 (or more) LLC's to avoid having all assets being subject to getting sued. 1 – An LLC as the buy and hold holding company, 2 – An LLC for flips, 3 – An LLC as the operating company (heads into contracts, collects rents, etc.). As an alternative, set up a Series LLC, to file one tax return for what is legally treated as separate LLC's. BiggerPockets.com/show109
  • a. Establish each LLC with two (2) members in order to ensure corporate protections are enforced. "Pick your best friend or your mom and give them a 1% non-voting, non-saleable interest, not entitle to distributions interest."
  • b."Consider using a trust to hold the deed to a property as well as be the manager when you file your LLC and you've just created a very decent smoke screen to ward off creditors."
• 5. Use saved money to purchase business cards.
• 6. Create a website detailing your business, allow for user input if planning to directly cater to your desired market.
  • a. Research Search Engine Optimization, consult a SEO professional.
• 7. Use saved money to begin marketing campaign – as of right now in the Phoenix market, the MLS is a challenging place to find deals.
  • a. Yellowletters.com
  • b. Listsource.com
  • c. Drive for Dollars
  • d. Be prepared to answer calls and how to speak with callers/getting the correct questions answered.