Which method is more effective?

Question

I would like to ask everyone to post your experiences between two possible marketing strategies.
One is a direct mailing using postcards with addresses purchased from a list broker and the second is using an opt-in from a website to gather email addresses and then email the sales pitch to them.

Which has worked better and more cost effective for you?

Thanks in advance for your time. :D

Douglas Christian · Answer

I would say for me with actual numbers.  That both can work, as stated previously, but I have had such a high success rate with the post cards until it is unreal.

One reason I see this is because I have actually looked at others and as stated by Ashley that if it is something that does not catch your eye or interest you then you are not going to respond.

I have been in this business for over 6yrs and I have never used anything, but postcards.  But, for those of you who are thinking that how can I compare, here's how.  My colleague started that same time I did and she took a SEMINAR on marketing and they told her to target a area and then send out letters on a lime green and then to personalize the outside of the letter.

Well I have to say that at the time she got BOMBARDED with return replys, but they were for bad areas and rough houses.  Now when she tried the same approach on the more affluent neighborhoods the results were VERY DISAPPOINTING.  She would target zip codes of neighborhoods that she wanted to work and then put a piece in the mail.  If she sent 1000 she got 2 or 3 calls.

Now using the postcard method and I target PRE FORCLOSURES and vacant and abandoned homes.  My response rate is high.  If I send out 1000 postcards which many time I do in a month.  I will get someback maybe 35% will be returned, but I will bet about 20% reply and that is what I look for.  Sometimes I get a call off of a postcard 3 mths after I have sent it out because the client is checking out all avenues and when they feel like all hope is lost that is when they call me.

Now the key to a successful postcard is the style and the wording, but after all that the MAIN KEY to me is the 800#.  Without this I do not know where I would be today.  24/7 days a wk someone is answering my calls.  We gave them 4 scripts and they ask you the questions on the script and after that they forward the info to me so that I can take a look at it before I get in contact with you.  So basically I know what I am dealing with before we ever talk.

Great way to generate business.  I can come to any of your cities and use my postcard, which by the way I have and guess what they still work.  I get calls and I forward the info to someone that I am working with.

In today's world it is not about who has the best or the prettiest.  It is about who gets RESULTS and I do.

Hope that I was able to help you with the questions that you posed.

Jim Marks · Answer

Nationwidepi, 
            This is a trick question.  The answer is "either done properly..."    Most Real Estate Websites are a disaster.  They are designed by a "web designer" instead of an Internet Marketer who understands the Real Estate Web 2.0 consumer.  Real Estate Professionals tend to understand print marketing more as it is a it more intuitive.  A good postcard, with a strong call to action will work better in the short term, than a website.  After all,  to deliver your postcard, you simply put a stamp on it...  to drive people to a website requires a strategy...  With all that said, a well designed website that takes into consideration the consumers expectations and gives them a COMPELLING reason to self identify, along with a sound traffic building strategy, will always be more effective.  There is also one more advantage to the web..  the investment keeps giving, month after month, whereas the postcard leads drop off when you stop mailing them.

Account Closed · Answer

Definitely. Thanks for starting Will, and everyone for the input.

Account Closed · Answer

Matt,
One of my young friends (about 18) has started an internet MLM business. The only way he is allowed to advertise is by word of mouth-no commercial print, no internet ads. 
He told me about it, and gave me a flyer. He said he stands at local busy stores and events and passes out fliers and talks to people. 
FWIW, his flier is pn heavy pumpkin colored 8.5x11 paper. He uses large print w/ 5 sections:
top almost 1/3 is 
his business name, 
...........AT............
his website address.
Next almost 1/3 has a "town crier" cartoon, (right side, facing left)  crying out the sections of his business, the  bottom 1/3, same type, smaller font, gives a little more detail via the name of the business his products are sold through,  the bottom right tells why someone should use his site.

Peter G. Cronje · Answer

I definitely think that both options work.  Depends on the area and the kind of people in the area.

Just keep on trying both to see what works for you!

Jason Bentley · Answer

Alex,

I can't say I've heard of the one you mentioned but a lot of direct mailing investors, including myself, use www.click2mail.com for postcards.  It's affordable and easy to use, and you can go through the entire mailing process without ever having to talk to anyone on the phone.

Alex Price · Answer

There is an online system where you can send out cards and it manages your contacts for you. i believe it's called send out cards. Anyone heard of it?

Will Barnard · Answer

Great posts and ideas, keep them coming! This is an extremely beneficial thread for many.

Jon Klaus · Answer

" I target PRE FORCLOSURES and vacant and abandoned homes."

Douglas, where do you get your lists or how do you build them?

What are the characteristics of the ideal neighborhood for this type of campagn?

Matt DuSold · Answer

I was going to start a thread but I figure me asking which is the best way to market is essentially the same thing as this thread.

For those who feel internet marketing is the way to go how do you get people to your site? Do you search absentee owners and promote your site with a postcard or do just promote through the internet? I guess I am just struggling to understand how you can only market on the internet.

I would be using this for wholesaling as well as rentals and what not if that would impact any answer...

Which method is more effective?

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