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Lisa Hernandez, Realtor serving Kendall, South Miami & Pinecrest (Opes Real Estate Group)

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Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Lisa Hernandez Your best marketing tool is face-to-face networking. It doesn't cost anything but time.

Dec 22, 2016 03:29 PM
Ambassador
2,178,603
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

My blog and website.  It is what established me as an expert in my market. Yes, it takes some time to build... but it is the least expensive long term lead generation too ever!!!

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.  Multiple Streams of income.  Online, direct mail, social media, networking, etc. etc. etc.

Dec 22, 2016 03:29 PM
Ambassador
5,230,079
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Lisa Hernandez - My #1 marketing tool is ME!  I make phone calls, meet people for coffee, lunch, dinners, invite them to local events, parties...personal contact is THE #1 way to build your business!

As Barbara Todaro mentioned, I also use those same tools and they're really not that costly.  

Pick a neighborhood or two and farm it like you live there!  Immerse yourself in the community - make sure the entire neighborhood knows who you are...rinse and repeat EVERY SINGLE MONTH!

Best of luck!

Dec 22, 2016 07:51 PM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Invest in yourself and be wary about "get rich quick schemes" which will come your way in droves.   Education is important.   Proper broker choice too.   Focus on a consistent prospecting program.  You are smart and ahead of other new agents by joining ActiveRain -- I wish AR was around when I was new.

Good luck.  

Dec 22, 2016 05:19 PM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Direct mail, give them a reason to contact you.

Dec 22, 2016 02:53 PM
Rainmaker
1,955,212
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Your number 1 tool is a vibrant dynamic website with a great IDX set up that will capture leads for you.  Everything else works off of that.  Blogging, youtube, pinterest, link it all to your website.  

Dec 22, 2016 02:50 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Everything I use works for me or I don't use it....direct mail, full page newspaper marketing, open house events every weekend, online marketing via websites, wordpress blogs, AR, Google+, personal facebook page and business facebook page, Realbird for listings, Animoto for video, You Tube for the videos.....  and you wonder why I start my day at 5:30 am at the gym!!!!

Dec 22, 2016 02:15 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Lisa,

It depends on your marketplace, and I agree with Michael Setunsky A

Dec 22, 2016 05:15 PM
Rainmaker
5,005,642
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

There are many things I do: direct mail, You-Tube, blogging, On-Line, e-newsletters, volunteering, sponsorships etc.it all works in concert with each other. Everything needs to be consistently done to keep you "Top of Mind" in your market area..one thing is not going to cut it! 

Dec 22, 2016 05:12 PM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Picking up the phone and calling a client or colleague.

Dec 22, 2016 04:57 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Direct mail works for me. I would get up your website as fast as you can. Work on lead generation that you don't have to pay for so no Z or T. Blogging works.

Dec 22, 2016 02:35 PM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

For our brokerage it is our website - which we link everywhere possible.

Dec 22, 2016 02:17 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Barbara Todaro is my queen of marketing...

Dec 22, 2016 09:51 PM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

I am my number one marketing tool.

Dec 22, 2016 07:28 PM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Tied for #1

  Sphere of Influence (personal networking), and Internet Presence.

Dec 22, 2016 06:08 PM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Your best marketing tool is yourself and your market knowledge. A website, blog and social media presence where you share that knowledge completes the package. But first things first.

Dec 22, 2016 06:02 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

It's sort of trial and error, and a combination of new and old school strategies.  Just don't spend any money buying leads from Zillow, Trulia or anyone else.  I don't know anyone for whom that strategy has really worked. I would preview (in person, not in front of a computer screen) all of the homes for sale in your market area, especially the high-end ones, and then get to know Brian Buffini or Joe Stumpf.  Wish they'd been around when I was a newbie.

Dec 22, 2016 05:23 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Develop a database with all of your contacts and send them email on a regular basis in addition to your face to face contacts. All of you contact records should show in your database.

Dec 22, 2016 03:17 PM
Ambassador
3,043,262
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

I love what Barbara Todaro  and Debe Maxwell  said in their answers to your questions. 

I would add it depends on your personality, what your strong points are, and who your audience is. 

Debe is outgoing and likes to build relationships with her peeps who will and do buy and sell with her. That works great for her. 

However, for an introvert, not so much, it would be quite painful for a very shy person to be able to build a business the same way. 

Likewise, some agents are super good on the phone and their phones are their blood lines for their business. They will call, cold call, farm call, etc. They will be successful because they are focusing on tactics they are good at and which they enjoy. 

However, if you are like one of my daughters, she is scared to death of the phone. She won't even call Pizza Hut to order pizza. So if that is your personality then the phone is not your best friend:) being on line would suite you better. 

The great thing about this business is you can build it any way you like to, using your strengths and multiplying them. There are so many paths to success you can choose to go on. 

It all works to the point of what you believe will work, will work.:) 

Dec 26, 2016 02:53 PM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

I did Open Houses for the first two years to build up my business

Dec 23, 2016 06:55 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

There's never just one marketing tool. It's a combination of numerous tools that work for different aspects of your business. I've been a big believer in a good CRM forever to generate a healthy level of repeat and referral business.

Dec 23, 2016 04:39 AM
Rainmaker
2,817,671
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

I'm not a realtor, but for several years, it has been my website - The Flooring Girl.

Dec 22, 2016 09:13 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Mine is print ads.  It varies all over but do yourself a favor and don't by leads.  Use that money to market yourslef long term

Dec 22, 2016 07:11 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,823
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

My ReferralMaker CRM and a phone is always #1

But, video email and video texts have been well received the last 2 years (kept under 60 seconds and not too often).

Dec 22, 2016 05:25 PM
Rainmaker
815,253
Paul Antonelli
Antonelli Realty - Saint Cloud, FL
Broker Owner; Antonelli Realty

Ive been doing 3000 direct mail pieces for almost two years straight now and the ROI is way off the past 6 months

Dec 22, 2016 05:19 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

My website with a strong follow up plan.

Dec 22, 2016 05:12 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Online and offline.

Dec 22, 2016 05:02 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Today it would be your online presence, blogging, web site and lots of content.

Dec 25, 2016 12:27 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Lisa Hernandez - a few - including Facebook Ads and business page for listing. No direct mail, though.

Dec 24, 2016 03:20 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

My rural market is a bit different. Heck print advertising still works here. 

Let everyone you know...know that you are in the real estate business. Ask for business and for referrals. 

Dec 23, 2016 04:40 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

My sign with a "SOLD" rider is my best piece.  Other than that, networking/sphere of influence, online is free mostly.  Blogging.

Dec 23, 2016 09:31 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,683
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Work your sphere first, then come up with a mailing program.

Dec 23, 2016 07:58 AM
Rainmaker
864,658
Les & Sarah Oswald
Realty One Group - Eastvale, CA
Broker, Realtor and Investor

It is different for everyone. Focus on what you are good at, and it will become your #1 marketing tool. Some are good with phone call follow-ups, other are awesome face to face, and the techie ones are fantastic at online and marketing postcards. Let us not forget the performers who are giving their Oscar appearances in front of the camera.

Don't try to do everything. Focus on your ONE thing, and it will bring you success. It won't be an overnight accomplishment. However, consistency will propel you to #1 come 2017. Good luck!

Dec 23, 2016 07:57 AM
Ambassador
1,026,993
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

Lots of good answers here, but you want to make sure that when you are approached by companies who want to sell you leads that you not waste your money. Best of luck to you.

Dec 23, 2016 06:51 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Face to face to gain name recognition! Follow-up. Gain market knowledge and introduce yourself to experienced Realtors. People find it easier to do business with people they know!

Dec 23, 2016 05:44 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Seminars.

Dec 23, 2016 04:08 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Ken Jones nailed this one!

Dec 23, 2016 02:03 AM
Rainmaker
151,633
Julie Larson Realtor® Sarasota FL 941-284-9826
White Sands Realty Group FL | 941-284-9826 | Serving Sarasota, Manatee & Charlotte Counties - Sarasota, FL
When you're thinking of moving...ThinkSuncoast.com

Business networking groups and Facebook!  :)

Dec 22, 2016 08:21 PM