Need other broker advice- How are you marketing yourself?
I have been a CRE broker for a while now and I started like everybody else, cold calling. Recently I have acquired a jr agent and of course they have to cold call as well but I also know that some brokers use ads and other forms of advertising. I am curious to if anyone has tried using Facebook/Instagram ads or local newspaper? If anyone can shed lights on this, that would be appreciated! This is my first post so I am sorry if I violated any rules.
[{"id": "hamdu6s", "text": "Ads are good but can be pricey- we run google ads which is great for an SEO boost but if your just starting I think linked in ads would work better. \nThat said don\u2019t under estimate the power of social media. Just posting on linked in and Instagram are great ways to get your brand out there without having to pay anything. Can\u2019t beat free reach.\nAsk your clients for a google review, that\u2019s always helpful. \nYour real estate signs are your friend. A little mini billboard with every listing so invest in the biggest the zoning code allows and make sure they\u2019re readable. \nGet involved in your community. Join your local chambers and go to all the events. And if you have the means host a networking event thro them (chamber makes sure you have attendees all you have to do it provide the place, food and drink) \nIf there\u2019s a country club nearby join that. It\u2019s a great way to meet people more naturally and less networky. People will be more likely to trust you when they\u2019ve seen you with your family in the pool haha. \nAnd finally just be on all the listing platforms. Costar/loop net is ideal but expensive, crexi and commercial cafe are good free alternatives.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hamx31o", "text": "More people have been active on LinkedIn. Helps to have a niche and a point of view on things. Consistency is key, people do it for awhile then drop off since it has little measurable return", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "haorkss", "text": "Specifically to marketing yourself, I would suggest using social media platforms as a way to post your intelligence and experience as a broker. Build a following and post information rather than buy ads. \n\nAs a landlord, I would rather work with and would reach out to a broker (when the need arises) who displays business acumen rather than someone who calls me over and over again.", "replies": [{"id": "harq7k6", "text": "Awesome advice, very few of your social media posts should be transaction oriented. Case and point right here. Same with calling a landlord, you should NEVER call just to check in. Call with a relevant case study, or non transactional interest generator. A now great client of mine that owns multiple QSR\u2019s in the PNW would first hangup when I called. Once I started calling with quarterly earnings and other similar materials, she opened up to me.", "replies": [{"id": "hcehxnd", "text": "What is QSR", "replies": [{"id": "hcei0b8", "text": "Quick Service Restaurant (Fast Food)", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "harpjp5", "text": "You need to brand your deals like a mad man. Every Listing and every closing should be a postcard you send to targeted groups in your database. It\u2019s also VERY important to do weekly constant contact blasts. Since you should already be blasting your closings and listings as they happen, this weekly blast should be non transactional oriented. I spend $20,000 a year on mailers. Remember the rule \u201cIT ONLY TAKES GETTING ONE CLIENT AND IT WILL PAY FOR ITSELF\u201d", "replies": [{"id": "harr52j", "text": "That is really helpful. I am terrible when it comes to constant contact so definitely something I need to work on.", "replies": [{"id": "harvnl4", "text": "Every single person you speak to, you should be getting an email from. Put them in your CC and start sending research materials. Does your firm come out with research pieces? Typically the firm had a way for you to rebrand those. \n\nCC should also be at the forefront of your expansion. I also double end 90% of my deals (typically within a week of being on market) because I have over 2,000 investor emails on there.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "hax2uzm", "text": "The mailer is the least congested channel and best ROI today, in my opinion!", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hax2pid", "text": "Who is your target audience? What are they reading and where are they spending time? \n\nI have spent a lot of time strategizing and trying different approaches and have found I get significant exposure without spending a true \u201cad dollar.\u201d However, my target audience is somewhat unique.\n\nBy the way, my best ROI came from a tip I picked up on Barbara Corcoran\u2019s podcast (Barbara from shark tank). I realized no one published stats for the asset type in which I do business, so I found a way to research each and every sale. Then at the end of each quarter I put together quarterly stats and a few observations. My local business journal started calling every 3-months wanting first look at the data. We \u201cmade a deal\u201d that they got first look as long as my name and picture were published with the stats. A tip: they loved publishing the top 5 transactions ($ amount) of each quarter. People love being ranked!", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hcwzey4", "text": "Really depends on the asset class and who you are targeting - tenants or landlords. It also depends on the size of the deals that you are targeting. Mom and Dad have a different view than institutional groups. \n\nPersonally I am in office primarily with a focus on agency. \n\nI try to be consistent on linkedin with at least a post a week to stay top of mind with clients and prospective clients. Some weeks are better than others. Views of these posts can range from 400 to 7000. My best posts are typically not business related. \n\nTo put this in perspective, I have spent time connecting on linkedin. My typical ask to connect is to say: \n\n\"I saw you post about such and such and I want to see more like it. I typically post about the office market and a little personal stuff here and there. Thanks and have a great week!\"\n\nWe all get those shitty linkedin requests to connect. Try to actually look through their profile and say something specific. When you see them post something - message, share or like it. If you do not like it do not do it. People are bombared by bull every minute of every day. Actually building a little bit of a relationship goes a long way.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]