7 affordable marketing strategies you need

This post was originally published on Inman.

Whew. Where did the time go? The new year is here, and it is time for a fresh start to all of your real estate marketing initiatives. There is no doubt you want this year to be even better than last year. Kick off 2016 with a good start so you can generate more referrals and repeat clients.

Luckily, it can be done. With a systematic and strategic approach and some out-of-the-box ideas, you can jumpstart your marketing success.

Here are 7 affordable marketing strategies you need to succeed in 2016:

1. Pick five of your best clients to reach out to, and ask for testimonials

Testimonials tell prospects and colleagues that you have a reputation for building long-lasting, solid relationships with clients. They also make all your marketing communications and presentations more believable.

Because this is a new year and a fresh start, it’s the perfect time to reach out to some clients you have not received testimonials from yet.

It’s the perfect time to reach out to clients and you have not received testimonials from yet.

2. Record a podcast of yourself

A podcast is a digital audio file people can listen to. It does not include video. In the podcast, interview past clients, home renovation experts, or talk about market trends.

Then upload and host the podcast on your website. Promote it across your social channels, email marketing, and direct mail to get the word out about it and attract an audience.

3. Create an animated video

This idea might seem intimidating, but there are many creative professionals out there who could help you make this fun, innovative video. Use it to bring your brand identity to life in an entertaining, creative way. It will definitely set you a part from your competitors.

4. Become a columnist in a local newspaper or magazine to share your expertise

Visibility is key to increasing brand recognition and allowing prospects to learn more about you. Thought leadership through content creation is a perfect outlet for that visibility.

It also provides valuable information to a target audience, allowing you to come across as an attentive and helpful real estate expert.

Visibility is key to increasing brand recognition and allowing prospects to learn more about you.

5. Create a Pinterest board to showcase your listings

Pinterest is an ultra-visual social media platform, so it’s a great channel to showcase your listings. Create an individual board to display all of your newest listings.

Label it “January listings” or “Winter 2016 listings,” and keep it updated with appealing images, website links and descriptions.

6. Get some useful items branded, and give them away

Just like becoming a thought leader is great for visibility, so are branded items such as bottle openers, t-shirts, and for more ideas click here. Be creative with the products you choose.

Pass them out at events, open houses and showings. If it’s something useful, your clients and prospects will use it on a regular basis and consistently be exposed to your brand, which keeps you top-of-mind.

7. Shoot a video of yourself

Upload your video to YouTube, and share is across your social channels, email newsletters and other communication channels. Nowadays you don’t need expensive video equipment to create videos.

If you have a smartphone that captures decent image and sound quality, you should be good to go. Keep the video short and to the point, and use it to cover the most useful information possible.

These 7 affordable marketing strategies you need will help you garner attention, leads, and referrals. Cheers, and have a great new year with a stellar marketing plan.

Key Takeaways

• You don’t have to keep doing the same marketing tactics year after year, silently hoping for better results.
• It’s time to incorporate some fresh, innovative ideas into your plan and benefit from an increase in referrals and repeat clients.

We offer The Referral Marketing System which includes: direct mail, email newsletters, website, and the best real estate CRM that will help you manage your entire real estate business.

Contact us today to find out more and get the first month free*.