Business Cards for Wholesaling?

Question

Hi. I hope this isn't a stupid question (in case there is, in fact, such  thing), but what you recommend a wholesaler put on a business card (other than  one's contact info, of course)? Does the usual "I buy houses" really apply to a  form of real estate investing such as wholesaling, as you're NOT really buying  the house? Basically, I'm just getting started with this, and am trying to  figure out what wording to use. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Dev Horn · Answer

Good conversation - a few thoughts:

1) Business cards are critical to communicating who you are and what you offer to solve other people's problems.  They are the very first thing we create for people that join our system and an important part of your identity.   At just pennies per card, they are one of the most efficient means to market your business IF you are aggressive about getting out there and meeting people.

2) Advertising - You can bet that bandit signs are a violation of city ordinance ("illegal") in your area.  Look at doing pay-per-click advertising and also direct mail.  We almost always mail to absentee owners & one benefit you get from that is many of those guys are investors, so over time - if you hit them repeatedly and your identity is memorable - they become aware of you and the opportunity to work with you on deals.

3) Phone calls - Guys, you have to do a BOATLOAD of advertising to generate more calls than you can handle, so volume is not the problem.  I see too many people waste all this time, money and energy on setting up PatLive or whatever and then there are hardly any calls.  This is a BUSINESS and businesses require a start-up period - you don't put up signs or send 500 postcards and expect a deluge of phone calls, especially in Westchester County.  Expect to put a lot of time, sweat, and money into building your business.  Heavy call volume is not going to be a problem until you're spending over $5,000 per month on advertising.

4) Wholesaling in general - I don't like the term "wholesaler".  It's a made up word in our business - means nothing to sellers.  But the main problem I have with it is that it limits the very idea of who you are and what you do.  Think of yourself as a real estate SOLUTION PROVIDER.  "Wholesaling" is a solution for about 1 in 20 sellers.  What do you have for the other 19?  Can you list them?  Do lease options?  Owner financing?  Rehab them with hard money?  If the only product you offer is "wholesaling", I don't think you have a business in the current market where leads can cost you $100, $200+ each in advertising cost.  But it's not a problem with wholesaling in concept - it's a problem with how you define yourself and your business.  Strip off the limitations of being a "wholesaler" and become a consultative solution provider for sellers with problem situations.  THAT is a business opportunity.

Happy Investing!

Dev Horn · Answer

Here's another business card idea that we copied from real estate agents (in addition to including PHOTOS on our direct mail pieces).  The business card is included on a postcard - so the recipient can tear it off and save it (or put it on the frig!).  I bet GoBig Printing has a template for this postcard design that anyone can use (check with andy@gobigprinting.com).  I really like this Idea.

Dev Horn · Answer

Yeah, whatever happened to the idea of us just pointing these smartphones at each other and exchanging our info wirelessly? =)

For giving your info to sellers in a way that it might be retained, I really like the idea of things that can be easily stuck to a refrigerator.  We've used magnetic business cards - which can cost too much - and also sticky notes which only cost about a penny

Steven Thompson · Answer

Agreed. On my cards to sellers I keep it simple:

I BUY HOUSES FOR CASH

DIVORCE,UGLY,UNWANTED,UNNEEDED, ANY CONDITION

NAME:

PHONE#

EMAIL:

& on my cards to investors

I have more information explaining my business my contact info and my name.

J. Martin · Answer

Also, I recommend a non-glossy white-back card so whoever you are giving it to can write something on the back. People get a lot of business cards, so make it obvious what you do, and leave them a place to write on the back. This is especially important at networking events, but others write on there too..

D'Mark Poole · Answer

Welcome to BP Jordan!

I keep the same message on my business cards although I may tweak it when I re-order to allows me to keep up with which marketing campaign I'm doing. I use a referral bonus on my cards also. Do you plan on using an answering service? You'll want one if you don't wanna be answering calls all day. You'll be getting calls when you start passing them out! Bandit Signs work pretty good too for your marketing effort. Anyway, I hope this helps.

Jim Viens · Answer

Wow! Awesome info, @Dev Horn ! Definitely useful to those of us who are new to REI. I particularly like the idea of not setting yourself up bigger than you need to right out of the gate. I also like the idea of having a Real-Estate Solution Provider mindset. Originally I was going to start out "wholesaling", but the more potential deals I look at the more I find myself looking at multiple exit strategies. After all, a successful wholesaler should be looking at properties through the eyes of their potential end-buyers anyway and what exit strategies they may be using. Again...thanks for the great info in your response!

Brian Parks · Answer

Jordan,

I thought this link may be of interest in case you do implement Google Voice.

http://9to5google.com/2014/03/18/google-plans-kill-google-voice-in-months-integrate-features-into-hangouts/

Brian Parks · Answer

Great insight Mike. That [ wholesaler is buyer a buyer concept ] was necessary to understand. Much appreciated!

Business Cards for Wholesaling?

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