How Do You Know What Marketing Works Best? TRACK IT!

This is so important. I don't care what kind of advertising you spend your money on, you need to know if it works. Trends don't matter. Results matter.


Below I will describe some ways to track the leads you're getting. As silly as this may sound, write down all your advertising methods on a piece of paper and track where every email/call comes from. Make sure you have the results in one spot so you can analyze them after each week, month, year.

Call Capture Numbers - You can tell exactly what ad leads are coming from by the extension that was used. Placing these extensions on your yard signs tells you how many people are calling from your sign.

Google Analytics - Need I say more? It's great and easy to use. See where new visitors came from and where they went on your site. This provides enlightening information as to the most and least viewed pages on your site. Most likely, this will tell you that you need to do some updating to your site.

Landing Pages - Create specific web pages that you place on direct mail pieces, print ads, Internet ads, or in email newsletters. When people go to each specific landing page than you know exactly what ad generated the lead.

Email Newsletters - This is almost too simple. Use an online program like ConstantContact to send your email newsletters and it will do the rest! Track your open rates, click throughs, bounces, etc. A great tool to see who is opening your emails. It even tells you want section of the email they clicked on, so you know what your clients/sphere wants to read.

Asking - Oh yeah, if you just a get a call from a lead, don't forget to simply ask then how they got your number!

The only way you will be able to generate leads proficiently is by implementing an advertising tracking program. What works for one agent may not work for you and your database of clients.

Hope this helps you create a more productive marketing year for everyone.

TC Business Management, LLC - www.TCMandD.com - is a full service marketing firm that specializes in real estate. Search our blog for great marketing tips or feel free to call or email!

Direct Mail Marketing 101

Direct Mail That Works

Follow these simple steps and you are sure to get more results out of your next direct mail campaign.

1.Hit Your Sphere: The most important and beneficial target market is the people whom you already know. They should be your first priority and you should hit them at least 3 times a month (not all direct mail though).

2.More is More: Sending to 150 farming addresses once a month is not going to generate a lot of business. If you want 50 sales out of your farming database expect to send a minimum of 2,500 pieces, once a month for a year. Then wait for results. Don't quit too soon or you just wasted a lot of money. Marketing is a commitment.

3.Mailer Quality: Full Color, Jumbo, Laminated Postcards will generate more branding and remembrance than standard postcards with black and white address sides.

4.Promote Yourself: Not the company, not the house your listing - YOU. The most dominate image on your direct mail piece will be the one your audience remembers.

5.Branding: Mail consistent direct mail pieces. Meaning: create a brand - image set - and stick with it. Change it up every now and then so you don't bore people to death, but do keep it consistent.

6.Offer Something of Interest: Don't harass people with pointless postcards. Make sure you are sending something of value as not get irritate people. Market Trends, DOM, Recent Sales are something that everyone likes to see.