Julie's Blog

HHHmmm, I will definitely have to look into this site and what it can offer. Thanks for sharing the site with us.

Sean Allen

Thanks for pointing out VistaPrint, we'll check it out. We still use direct mail, along with print advertising and a strong internet presence. We find that we get a good lead - either a listing or a good buyer each time we do a mailing. We also use direct mail to increase the traffic at our open houses. We find that a handwritten personal message on the mailing helps too, even though it takes more time.

I use them all the time and have ordered thousands over the past year, best prices around when you catch the good sales. They will send you emails very often you just have to watch and then buy when they have the good sales.

YES! I do "relationship marketing"  I send a card for everything. The best way I have found to increase referrals is to send a card to everyone in your database AT LEAST once a month. If you can not afford this, then do it once a quarter. You don't want people you know to forget you. We think they think about us when one of their friends needs to sell or buy a house, but....... they FORGET. If you send them a funny or thoughtful note, they will remember how much they like you and will want to send you more business.

I use a great system to send cards to my clients, it only cost about a dollar for a real greeting card written in my handwriting, with my signature. Let me know if you want more info, I am happy to share what I have sent.  Check out the website, you can send a free card to try it out:  SOC

Kelly - I would love to see what sort of stuff you send to your clients so I can get some ideas, thanks.

I have used them a few times as well, and I know that we have also used them personally for some invitations and such.  As for your question - yes, I still do direct mail and will continue to.  The key is consistency and tracking. 

Hello Julie,

I have been using Vistaprint for over 4 years now and find them to be the best deals in print material. To date, I have not had a lead through direct mail but what I am learning to do is create a marketing budget and try to be as unique as possible. My name is certainly out there. I know it will happen some time. I have a strong internet presence, I do blogs on my website as well, I give out business cards and also attend networking groups. My advice though is to advertise as cheaply as possible and Vistaprint will help you accomplish that. I even have a customized magazine that I send to businesses and select residents in my farming area.

Afie Makinde; Exit Realty Properties www.makinhomes.com; www.makinhomes.net; 484.410.6569.

Hi Julie,

I will check them out.

I do use postcards as well as email marketing (but almost no newspaper ads). With email you are never sure if it's seen or not - often it's caught in spam filters etc. I think it's helpful to use a variety of ways of reaching households and postcards are relatively inexpensive.

Thanks for the tip!

Mary

Vista Print is the Greatest!We have been using them for a few years now and not one complaint!Sure do love all taht free stuff too!

Sean: Yes, check them out for sure.  I've been completely satisfied and happy with their service.

Kevin & Monica: I like the handwritten message! Great idea.

Michael: Glad to know their great service isn't a fluke!

Kelly: I'd love to see some of your marketing as well.  Perhaps there is a way for all of us to share. Hmmm maybe I need to start a new group!

Steve:  Good to know, and I agree.  I always need to work on my consistency.  Thanks for the reminder!!!

Afie:  You know, sometimes the benefit comes in the form of the "long tail"... I'm sure it won't be long!

Mary: Hi friend! I think you'll be very happy with their selection and service.  Seriously, it is addicting.

BLR: Yes the free stuff is one of the most addicting aspects of the whole thing!!!

Julie -- I recently discovered the Vista Print's great deals.  Like you, I was totally addicted...almost as bad as the one I have for AR.  I found myself spending countless hours designing business cards, postcards, my own notecards, stationery, etc.  I was pleased with the quality of the products when they showed up in my mailbox too.  I have come to the conclusion that some addictions are worth having!

While I have not used them I have heard a lot of positive things about vista print.  Also, I do believe in direct marketing.  There are many variations.  You can actually get pieces that will stay on the fridge for a while.  A little more expensive...but most often I used to find these types of mailers on fridge's.  sports schedules, school schedules...things that are useful to the homeowner.  I do believe if you are going to direct market you must be consistent and don't forget your sphere.....

I love Vista Print too. Just ordered last night more marketing postcards. Can't wait to get them in! I just love all the free offers they send too. It is just too good to pass up.

Julie, I get those free offers too.  Do you like the quality?  I'm afraid that they will look cheezy!!  I've not yet taken them up on any of the offers!

Julie, I've used Vista Print for several years and have been really happy. I like the creativity of modifying their products.

Colleen

I';m a long time user of Vista Print. I getsome business cards from them and some "fancier" ones from Victorian Trading Co.

I don't do mail outs to strangers. Just my SOI because I never had any luck at all with mail outs. Who knows though...it may work for you.

I designed a business card through Vista a while ago, but ended up using another provider. I think I will revisit their site and check them out again. Thank You.

Hi there Julie -

When we set up marketing campaigns for our clients, we include the priority three - telephone calls, e-mail, and postal mail.  Direct mail marketing is extremely valuable for many reasons.  People get so much e-mail that, as someone else here already said, they either just glance over it or it gets caught in spam filters or sits in a inbox forever.  That's where direct mail comes into play.  Even if a postcard gets tossed, they will at least look at it (back and front) before they toss it.  Also, when planning your direct mail campaign, be sure to include unique marketing activities - not just sending stuff just to send it.  And be consistent!  It won't give you huge results right away but, over the long haul, you will make a bigger impact.

~Renae - Market 4 Real!

I like the  listing card with the plain yellow For Sale sign 26 cent card size- I send them to fsbo off the local fsbo sites and tell them.  Putting a sign in the yard and hoping someone will call is not the way to sell their home- not exact phrase, then I mention my website and marketing info.  I have gotten more calls from doing this............  Keep back Black and add more verbage, its very inexpensive to mail 20-50 a month, and they send you 100 for free plus shipping.

Hi Julie,

I loved your Vista Print blog.

I was addicted to "sticky notes"  often using them to make long chains and then running out when I really needed them.

Creativity is true fuel for life. You reflect that quality.

 

John Hurbon    Benson , Az               google BENSON HORSE PROPERTY

 

LOL - I will join the vista print addiction club - order from them way too much - however - I find their quality is awesome for the money and I like having a nice selection of cards around. Also their other stuff is great - just got notepads, a tshirt and pens for a 12 year daughter of a friend of mine.

I like sending postcards from there the most - and the flyers for info boxes are always highly recevied. 

Thanks for the info.  I'm always looking for new marketing ideas.

Yes, I always get those Visat Print "free" offers too. They're always there, so I try to only get them if I'm buying something else from them anyway. Then they're truly free for me, as I'm not paying any additional postage to have them!

Once a month we send our database a e-newsletter, direct mail piece, and offer a FREE educational webinar.  I highly encourage you to keep up the mailing.  I find that only 30% of our database is opening our emails so hitting them again with a direct mail piece is important.  I often times use postcards or hand write the envelope so it looks like a greeting card to make sure it gets opened!

Good Luck!

Erin

Julie,I started Real Estate in 2003 and I have never used it. It's much less expensive and much more impactful to knock on a door. Good Luck to you and Later in the rain~Deb

Wow guys, this is one blog that still ges tons and tons of traffic.  Let's just say that I've been busy and that's a good thing!!! 

Thanks everyone for coming by and adding to the discussion! I found that the biggest impact that my postcards had were after I did the bridal expo and used them as a follow up to meeting all of the brides to be. 

Thanks everyone for giving this post value by commenting with your experience!

 

I send out postcards, mailings and do a lot of farming. I have asked several of my clients to give me the "junk" mail that they get from other agents so I know what my compition is doing. I have used vista print several times, but the quality did not stand out. I realized that I needed to step up my game. I hired a graphic designer to give me a branding, and now I just send him the info that I want on the postcards/mailings etc and he plugs it in. WELL worth the money. His cost to do the work is actually cheap and his prices for printing are comparable, but he offers free shipping. The quality is amazing and my mailings stand out from the others. I have gotten business off of these. The information may not be what the recipient of the mailing is looking for, but if you send out quality it stands out and you are giving the impression that you put that much time, effort and quality into your job.

And then when they have us hooked and in their system, we'll come to them for the higher priced pieces.  They are a responsible and entrepeneurial and they get our business.

thats great, i like to see websites that other realtors use and are getting great success. thank you again.

I've used them, they're very inexpensive.  I don't think the quality is there for most of my business needs, but for personal things & business post its, etc.  its great

Thanks I never used them, but their prices look great!

Dacia: I know what you mean.  I'm well versed in graphic design so I do a lot of my own designs and upload them myself using Photoshop.  I think if you do that, AND use Vista Print for your printing needs you will come out ahead!

Terrylynn: Now that I am on their mailing list, I don't think I will ever have to pay full price!

Freddy: That's why I love Active Rain!!!

Eric: I value your opinion!  I'm surprised though... I've never been disappointed!

Jim: Give them a try and take them up on one of their FREE offers.  I think you'll be very pleased with the service AND their products!!! 

I will give them a try. I get my post cards from Color for Real Estate and make some on publisher.

I thought I was a fairly saavy business person when I happened upon Vista Print who does an excellent job of printing business documents. I was astounded when received an email this morning warning me of their deceptive practice of enrolling you in a wide variety of programs, all costing $14.95 per month. I was enrolled in three via one email address and two more on another email.

When you call them, they are very cordial and tell you that they'll release you from your membership and refund the last charge. YOU MUST ALSO ASK THEM TO TELL YOU HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN ENROLLED IN EACH PROGRAM AND INSIST THAT THEY REFUND ALL MONTHLY FEES, WHICH THEY WILL DO, BUT ONLY IF YOU ASK! Don't click on any special offers on the website when you order. That's how they get your information and enroll you in these programs. I'm appalled that they would risk their business relationships this way, but frankly, they are probably making more money on the monthly fees than they are in the low-cost printing.

Personally, as a business owner since 1990, I don't have an hour to sit on the phone trying to get refunds for ridiculous reasons such as these scam programs. I'm sure that raising by blood pressure isn't a 'physical damage', nor is the headache that ensued, but this was a real exercise in frustration. If it happens to me, I'd believe it's happening to thousands of people who don't have enough information or clout to insist on refunds for the duration of membership in these programs.