Top Five Blog Posts for 2011

In 2011 we shared over 130 real estate marketing ideas, tutorials and information. Here are the top five most viewed:

#5. 7 Steps For Writing Effective Ad Copy
In today’s market, it can be difficult to attract qualified buyers. Print advertising is an effective way to generate leads—if you give buyers the information they are looking for.

#4. What is a QR Code Anyway?
There is a lot of buzz in the real estate industry about QR codes. But what is a QR code and how does it work? And – how should you use them to better connect with prospects?
This short video explains.

#3. Ad Design Challenge: To Starburst Or Not To Starburst
Starbursts are one of those graphic elements included in ads to call attention to specific qualities about a home. They do the job – but they’re overused. Nothing clutters an ad (or screams “used-cars”) more than a page full of starbursts and small photos.
There is another way. Lots of them in fact.

#2. Choose Your Words Wisely
That’s what a study at the University of Guelph in Ontario found from analyzing the wording of more than 20,000 listings. According to the research, a listing’s phrasing affected sales price and the length of time it was on the market.

#1. Coke vs. Pepsi – A Marketing Case Study
The Cola Wars are fierce. Coke, the perennial leader in beverage sales, is still at the top of the class. And Diet Coke just passed Pepsi to take the number two spot. Pepsi has held that number two spot for many years – so what happened?
Pepsi has been closely watched by marketers because of the innovative social media strategy it rolled out at the beginning of 2010.

We look forward to bringing you even more insight and inspiration in 2012.
Happy New Year from Homes & Land!

P.S. The top posts from 2010 are also worth reading.

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Effective Advertising & Design

by Rob Wicker

Homes & Land works hard to make sure you get the best possible response from your marketing. To that end, we’ve created a website devoted to effective advertising and design. Short videos cover topics like How To Write Ad Copy That Works, How to Win Listings, and Effective Branding Techniques. To find out how you can maximize your advertising investment, visit www.HomesAndLand.com/Design

 

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Create A To-Do List That Works

by Rob Wicker

It’s almost the New Year, a time to reflect on how to make our lives more productive. One thing to consider is using a To-Do List that actually yields results. Wall Street Journal columinst Sue Shellenbarger reflects on why some To-Do Lists are ineffecive, and she reviews new software applications that can help you stay on task in 2012.  http://on.wsj.com/tlhicj

 

 

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What You May Not Know About Rudolf’s Red Nose

by Adrian Amos

I know we’ve all seen the timeless Rudolf cartoon that shows his rise to fame in the North Pole. You remember, he traveled to the Island of Misfit toys with the elf-wannabe-dentist Kirby, and had to escape the abdominal snowman. What you may not know is that while Kirby was studying dentistry, Rudolf was reading up on marketing strategies. After being teased and shunned by all the other reindeer for his unique red glowing nose, Rudolf realized he needed to improve his image in Santa’s Village.

See, village residents are no strangers to the concept of branding – after all, Santa is a Brand Mastermind. So Rudolf started thinking of ways to make his red nose more desirable. He started with placing subtle posters in the break room that said “Red is the New Black” and others that showed fashionable accessories that glowed.

Then Rudolf expanded his message to other areas of the village and updated the images used to start associating himself with these new glowing, red trends. The extra-foggy Christmas Eve was really just a bonus. Santa had already been conditioned that Rudolf was someone he needed on his team.

The rest, as we know is history.

We at Homes & Land hope you have a safe and happy holiday!
See you next year.

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7 Simple Ways to Brand and Market Yourself

from Seth Godin’s The simple first rule of branding and marketing anything (even yourself)”

  1. “Keep your promises.”
  2. If you say you’ll show up every day at 8 am, do so. Every day.
  3. If you say your service is excellent, make it so.
  4. If circumstances or priorities change, well then, invest to change them back. Or tell the truth, and mean it.
  5. If traffic might be bad, plan for it.
  6. Is there actually unusually heavy call volume? Really?
  7. Want a bigger brand? Make bigger promises. And keep them.

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