There is NO magic button.

What are other real estate professionals doing to market their listings and how are they finding buyers?

It’s a very popular question today and one that does not offer a simple answer. As an account manager with Chicago Title, this is a regular conversation I have throughout the day. It seems there is a variety of marketing methods, strategies and not one is more popular than the other. What it really comes down to is there is NO magic button.

While that may be so, a very common reply among most is, “We’re going back to basics and we’re using technology to help us market better.”

Blogging and Writing Articles – This represents an incredible opportunity for you to be a thought-leader in your respected field and build your brand.

Connecting with Businesses – Offering your services as part of a company’s H.R. benefit package. Helping to educate employees on how they can qualify and purchase a home.

Credit Repair Classes – Today more than ever, it’s going to be important to help consumers repair their credit for the future of home ownership.

Farms – Creating farms around a listing and creating it in a very strategic way. Finding potential buyers that will appreciate your services by selecting particular demographic filters such as married, children, occupation, home value, equity, interests and more!

First Time Home Buyer Classes – Offer regular classes bringing value to the “First Time Homebuyer” and walking them through the process of how they can be part of the “American Dream”…home ownership.

Flyers – Continuing to offer flyers and having a web address as well as a phone number so that you offer multiple ways for consumers to learn more about the home, about you and your services.

For Sale Signs – Important to have a web address as well as a phone number. Consumers like to “shop” before they go the next step in contacting the agent. Offer them another avenue to learn about the property.

Lender/Agent Relationships – Strategize your marketing message together with a preferred lender. Share the cost, share the referrals and offer consumer classes together.

Networking/Organizations – Continue to engage with your peers, volunteer with organizations that you’re passionate about and learn about how you can help that community and build your brand within.

REO’s/RELO’s/Short Sales – Connecting with lending institutions and businesses to be their “Preferred Listing Agent”.

Single Listing Websites – Turn your listing address into a website domain name for targeted sales promotion. Offers more exposure for your listing by those searching via search engines to find the right house.

Social Media – Social media is not a fad and it is where consumers are today. When connecting on social media sites, it’s helpful to offer information about what’s important to them and not about you. Always ask yourself, “What’s in it for them?”

Website – Keeping your website current, watching traffic, setting up Google Analytics or another tracking mechanism so that you can monitor how visitors are coming to your website.

It’s a challenging market but within there’s always opportunity. We just have to look at it a little differently, modify where we can and continue to be in front of the consumer who will appreciate our services most.