Marketing - Other than Newspaper Ads - by Becky Sanders

Here's some ideas for marketing and the getting the "I Buy Houses" message out there other than using newspaper ads.

1. Business cards. They do no good sitting in a box at home. Pass them out to people you know, people you don't know. Leave them with your tip at restaurants. Post them on bulletin boards at grocery stores, churches, community colleges, office buildings (look for them near the vending machines), etc.

2. Distribute flyers. Ask small businesses if you can post a flyer in their window or on their door. I asked a friend who owns a laundromat and she said, even better, she'll staple my flyers to the laundromat ticket which is affixed to the bag of clothes that customers take home!! What a deal!!!! :) Another idea related to this is I saw in a Dairy Queen a little holder full of brochures for credit card applications sitting on top of the garbage dispenser. Now there's a good idea!! Some will say no, but some will say yes!!! Go ask!!

3. Bandit signs or yard signs. Put these up on street corners, on telephone poles, and in the yards of houses you own. You can buy these from many online sources (one of which is www.banditsigns.com, but shop around). Be aware that some cities have ordinances regarding placement of these signs, but they'll generally call you and ask you to take them down before they ever impose a fine. A way to get around this is put them up on a Friday evening and remove them before Monday morning.

4. Direct mailings. I haven't done this yet, but hopefully someone else here can expand upon this.

5. Word of mouth. Don't ever underestimate the power and effectiveness of this. So you might be afraid that you don't have any credibility with the people you know because they may perceive you as a wannabe? Well, that's easy, tell them you've hooked up with a group of investors and you're essentially a "front man" for their RE operations in your area - that'll impress them!! When I finally started telling my friends and acquaintances that I buy houses, many times they've said, "I know someone who needs to sell because they've lost their job or they're behind on payments or they're in foreclosure". Get their friend's name and number and CALL THEM!!! These are GOOD LEADS and you've got the added benefit of saying that so&so referred you (which is an endorsement for you!). Let's hear some more ideas from you or expand on some of the things I've listed!!