Will Direct Mail Recipients Get mad at this?

Question

I'm about to start my first direct mail campaign using 3.5"x5" postcards. I'm also getting married in June 20th of this year. I am looking to buy houses to wholesale or fix and sell, BUT at the same time, a personal residence for us at a great discounted price where we would still have equity. Do you think it would be a bad idea to write something along these lines on the postcard:

We are getting married in June 20, 2015 and are looking for our first home to live in. We will buy As-Is and can close quickly. Please call me if you would like to sell us your house!

Then, if the house is not something we are interested in as a personal residence (after they call us of course), then pitch them that I also am a RE investor and buy and sell houses. I'm not lying to them about my marriage. At least I'm getting something good out of getting married (haha jk!). What do you think? Also, are 3.5" x 5" good size and good response cards?

Thank you for your help!

Michael Quarles · Answer

I wouldn't do it.

Talk about bait and switch.

We investors need to hold to a higher standard.

Mike Osterman · Answer

Rick H. has a really good point. I remember sending a letter to people in foreclosure…."Had Enough?" that was it, my contact etc….I now realize it was a reflection of what I was experiencing. Not what they need.

Google Gary Halbert, I know Rick turned me onto him a I'm a lot farther along in understanding what I'm trying to say/do.

Rick H. · Answer

@Aroldo Villarreal Your message to a prospective seller is a mess.

Others will be tactful and avoid the elephant in the living room: you are too caught up in your pending marriage and personal life to communicate a simple, clear message. Nor is there anything that hints at anything that would benefit them.

So, you either learn copywriting (doubtful at this moment in your progress), pay a professional (again, unlikely now) or find someone else who has a done-for-you service.

Direct mail is not the only effective way to market, of course. If you have the ability to get organized and mobile, learn how to door knock and just talk to people...everybody.

You can run little ads, starting with craigslist and paid media, too. Also, you might be a candidate for online advertising via Adwords and Google Display Network.

Better yet, I strongly suggest you consider working with or for an experienced, seasoned investor who will guide you to specific tasks and keep you from being a wild child as you master your craft.

Hope it works out before family pressure creeps in too much.

Aroldo Villarreal · Answer

@Michael Quarles I like your "I'm an investor looking for a personal residence" idea. I am going to use something like that. Great advice! These a good points of view which I never would have thought of myself. Someday I'll be on the other side giving advice to newbies like me!

Michael Quarles · Answer

why not just come clean and say I'm an investor wanting to buy a personal residence for myself and buy your home.   Naturally I can only buy one home to live in however I also buy homes as an investment.

Aroldo Villarreal · Answer

Rick H. You're right, nothing on my message shows a benefit to the seller. Can you explain copywriting? Is that like handwriting yellow letters? Lastly, I'm going to be working for a very successful and seasoned investor soon! Good to see I'm doing something right! Thanks for your comment and help!

Rick H. · Answer

Gary Halbert was, arguably, the best copywriter in the last 50 years. Excellent place to start.

Joel Owens · Answer

There are all kinds of unusual people out there. We used to go knock on doors for people facing foreclosure about 8 years ago.

One person was walking up and down the street drinking booze and even when shown the notice said it wasn't him or his house even though he started walking from his house when we got there.

In real estate investing be surprised by nothing and expect everything. Some people will get mad, cry, tell you their life story, etc. You will be more of a therapist than anything else in some cases.

Account Closed · Answer

I assume you'll include a link to your registry.

Account Closed · Answer

I am trying to imagine getting your postcard.  I think I'd be a little suspicious about someone who's doing a direct marketing campaign to buy their own home.  Then, if you started pitching me that you were an investor, I think I might feel that you were not very straightforward.  Same for if you were to include your website on the card - it would just seem...what's the word...just too salesman-ish for me ha ha.

But, if I received a postcard from you with a nice photo of you and your fiance that said you are getting married and are starting a real estate investment business and you'd like to talk to me about buying my home, I think I might do it.  You would seem honest, and I'd like the idea of talking to a nice newly married couple.

So, I suggest you take that approach.

And I suggest that your website also look friendly and not a hard-sell type website.  I can't stand those.  I haven't seen yours, so I have no idea if it already is friendly-looking.  But, if your website looked friendly and had a photo of you and your fiance, and talked about how you are starting your business and are ready to make fair offers to people - that would make me more likely to call you.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that most people want to talk to a person they think they can like, not a fast-talking salesman.

Good luck and congrats!

Will Direct Mail Recipients Get mad at this?

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