seems that many of these marketing and advertsing companies...not to mention tech companies believe we are.

"here is the solution to the problem that you didnt have'....$300 please.

How many emails, calls, post cards and other solicitations do we get for some new wiz bang doodad that is designed to solve all of our challenges.
Does an agent really need a 'personal brochure' when they are new and have no clients, have no idea how to get clients and what to say to a client once they find one?....'here is my personal brochure.......see my cute doggie(or whatever is in the brochure)....?'
WHY are agents so willing to blow money on companies to generate leads for them?
http://www.Housevalues.com charges agents what averages to $50 per lead. THATS NUTS!

Here is another question...does advertising sell homes? How often does a buyer buy the home they called on via the ad. Very very rare. SO, why do we tell sellers that advertising works?

I have a website I have not yet taken the time to really put much on yet with some of these companies in mind.

http://www.shaftingrealtors.com

Many of the companies intentionally lie and have deceitful business practices with regard to their marketing to Realtors. I am thinking of getting all of the companies who lie to agents "featured" on the site (verified lies) and then promote the site. Put companies on notice. The primary market for some of these people is less successful agents who really can't effectively fight back.

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russell shaw
[url="http://www.nohasslelisting.com"][COLOR="Blue"]nohasslelisting.com[/COLOR][/url]

Russ, that rocks.
I should of guessed you would of already started something for this.

Looking forward to hearing what others have to offer on this topic. If you are reading this chances are you sell 100-200+ homes per year. What were the stupid things that you were sold, bought into? Warn others so they dont make the same mistake.

Lets start;

1) 99% of the web sites that are being sold to agents are 100% pure waste-o-time-o.
2) advertising homes....why do we do this? Make the seller happy or to sell the home?
3) Branding. Do sellers/ buyers actually call you because of your branding? Me and my dog pictures...sellers call, really??

Lately I have been overwhelmed with the vast numbers of e-mails and telephone solicitations by companies that are going to solve "all my problems" with regards to web placement, lead generation and the like. At first I tried to be polite because I eroneously thought I might learn more about the subject matter at hand. I am a veteran of 30 years and the internet is always somewhat of a mystery to me. The more I listened or allowed one of these telemarketers to get their foot in the door, the more I became frustrated and confused. Most spoke to me like I was a 5 year old with assumptive closes and grandiose guarantees. What I have learned is a definate need to understand all the issues we face in today's new world of reaching the consumer, define which will enhance and improve my personnal business model and concentrate on interviewing the specialists that have given proven results to my contemporarys. Before I allow ANYONE to waste my "dollar porductive time" I have my research complete, the individual who will be responsible on my staff available and then schedule a tele-conference in front of a computer of a face to face in the office. I have my questions and agenda prepared and I STICK TO IT !!!!!! Just remember, Like all the referral companies who have discovered that we were willing to pay a fee for our own customers, everyone looks to us as walking talking ATM machines willing to dispense at a moments notice for anything that is pitched to us. Unfortunatley that is mostly true of my fellow Realtors ( and myself ) . We deal in a product and a decision process fraught with emotion. We work with people who buy and sell on emotion and we conduct our own business in the same manner more times than not. So remember in the immortal words of Nancy Reagan, untill you understand your needs, have done your homework to define what you want the end result to be or whatever your due diligence you need to do ........

JUST SAY NO !!!!!!!!!!!!!

thats great...perfectly stated Roy.

Lets be specific about the more erroneous things Realtors buy into. Its perfectly OK if there are disagreements about what is seen as a waste of money and time.

DESIGNATIONS. Stupid meaningless letters after an agents name. Knowledge is power and some of these designations offer great ways to learn BUT, they are sold to the agents that having stupid letters after your name will have some value to the consumer. The only letters that may matter are PHD and maybe MBA..other than that why is it that we think ABR or GRI means a thing TO A CONSUMER?

WHOs-WHO OF Real Estate Directory. LOVE this one. They call and try to play into an agents ego. "You have been selected as being someone of note in the industry..."...."for $500 you can get your name listed in our WHOs-WHO of REAL ESTATE book".

TALKING HOUSE. Exactly, how do can you track this? Do we really believe that any buyer is going to retune their radios to listen to some blurb about a house for sale?

Hi Group,

On the left coast we have dozens and dozens of speakers/ trainers/ mentors you name it...all claiming to be real estate gurus. All selling some 'system' for $395. Its amazing how few of these self proclaimed gurus have even sold real estate! They make these great claims to success but have never actually done a thing in real estate...other than sell stuff to agents. I suspect that many of these gurus will move on to whatever is the 'hot' industry over the next 12 months.

I actually feel a little sorry for all the newer agents who must be falling for all of these jokers sales pitch.

Hi All:

I have found that the best advertisinng for me is talking to people. I try to get in front of as many groups as I can to let them know how we differ from every agent. I must have a dozen calls a week from salespeople they have a better mouse trap and will make me better known and richer. None have, however, and I have painfully paid too much to too many. Nothing beats the Hour of Power, and personal contact. You can spend yourself right out of this business. I believe that it is necessary to be on the internet. I have several sites. When we surveyed, the bulk of our new business came from either the internet or sign calls.

Btw: I DO have a dog on my card and in my logo. I am known as "the Best Doggone Realtor Around." The dog is a bassett and she has sold me a ton of homes. In Pittsburgh, I guess it's a dog's world.

Joe Hirsch

Everybody has to have a Niche and if it Works IT Works!! Glad to hear it is for you. Have been trying to find one for myself.
My Nickname is CAT but never have really cared for cats so much, guess the Florida Cowgirl will have to replace the animal pics for me. Dont think anyone really wants to see there Realtor and a Horse on their Web. Just a little Humor!:D

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[COLOR="DarkRed"]Cat Murphy Realtor