Thoughts on Real Estate Marketing…

A few years ago a writer had to convince an editor that their words were valid before they went into print. Even then, some of what we read was not good advice. Now that anyone can have a website and/or a blog, there’s not even an editor to convince. Anyone can write anything they please. [...]

When you write marketing copy, you hope to persuade. But as it turns out, some of the more popular words that marketers choose have the opposite effect – they ANNOY. A recent Active Rain post posed the question: “Which words make you disregard a marketing message?” Here are some of the replies: Paradigm shift hard-worker [...]

E-mail is a wonderful way to reach a large number of people for little cost. But it won’t do you any good if it goes straight into the delete file. The first step is to pass the “glance test” and to create a friendly feeling in the minds of your readers. First pay attention to [...]

I often get emails and calls from agents who really are embarrassed to admit that they need a copywriter. I find that embarrassment strange. Some of those same agents have no trouble hiring a professional photographer to help them show their listings in the best light. They have no problem with hiring a stager, either. [...]

Use the rule of threes to keep your marketing message moving forward.

This message was originally posted on Active Rain, a little over two years ago. It was intended for real estate agents, but the principles apply no matter what business you’re in. So here is the question: Is writing your own marketing materials the highest and best use of your time? You as a real estate [...]

You should – especially if it isn’t bringing you as much business as you’d like. So go there today. Read it as if it wasn’t yours, and see if it’s giving your visitors a reason to stay and explore – or a reason to choose you and your product or service over all others. I [...]

Everywhere you look, someone wants you to buy what they have to offer. Whether it’s a product or a service, the push is there to buy, buy, buy. You have to wonder if marketers really think their prospective customers are a different breed of animal. After all, they themselves must be tired of of someone [...]

Do you “we-we” on your marketing copy? A whole lot of people are doing just that lately, and it’s a darned shame, because it’s a sure way to get prospective customers and clients to “round file” your message. What the heck am I talking about? Starting your message with “We” or “I” – and continuing [...]

Back in 1993 when I decided to strike out on my own and left the real estate agency I’d been with for years, I had no clue about lists. I also had no clue about the importance of reaching back into the past to contact the clients I’d worked with before. Believe it or not, [...]