Hi Amy, Most people are Internet based these days but you can't count print out. Not everyone is Internet savvy and a lot of people still look at print but a larger majority are online. Realtor.com Say's 80% of property searches online start there. I'm still out their figures and not sure I want to pay their sky high prices (over a $1000.00 a month) for Internet advertising when a little research will show there are many choices. Your smile alone should be enough advertising. Best of luck with the ad's. Dedicated Darren Century 21 AZ Foothills

Amy, Online is the way to go! Put your time and money into online marketing. I have had friends that have had good luck with the Real Estate Book, and they do put their listings online! Could be a win win

We are spending more time marketing properties on the internet since that is where the buyers are starting these days. I can't remember when the last time we did some print advertising. That being said the speciality properties do get some print advertising on the high end books.

Great answer Mike. I agree completely.

Niche properties and active adult communitites can do well w/ print. Also, we use Sunday classifieds for open houses.

Outside of those exceptions, energies are heavily directed to online media.

We have not had good luck w/ the online media verions of print magazines. Those seem to work equal to the print counterparts. :(

Amy, if I have a listing that is unique, meaning it may appeal to someone who didn't even know they were in the market for a home i.e. on golf course, on a lake, includes acreage etc. I advertise with print advertising. The only other time is with properties that appeal to seniors who MAY not access the internet as much. I think all of the publications you mentioned have on-line versions too so if you advertise in their magazine they add you to their website. I have heard of agent getting business of that.
Michael

Homes & Land is expensive but I think it's the best of the free mags out there and easy to find for consumers. It will take a while for the phone to ring but remember, it's also about building a "brand" for yourself and getting your name out there. I agree, print is turning into a dinosaur but there are still people out there that love to flip through the nice, colorful mags rather than stare at a computer screen. Print also has permanence---meaning that an issue of homes & land could end up on someone coffee table for a long time, whereas your message is here and gone in an instant online.

Just some things to think about when you develop your marketing plan.

Hi Amy, I suggest you look at it as making your seller happy and building a reputation in the local community. But as far as expecting it to generate instant leads, I would not hold my breath. Some agents will claim that it works - then again some people do win the lottery.

Amy

I would really consider looking at print. I know the majority of the responses are very negative, yet I have good results. Like anything else in this business, you have to have a plan for every form of marketing to be effective. Most people want information without necessarily calling an agent. Call capture is a must for print advertising. You can't wait for them to call you, you call them. Check into Arch Telecom and others like them. It's truly a game of strategy, and yes it works if done the right way. The photos must be good, the description must entice them to want more ( give them a reason to call), and then you have to capture the information. The internet is the same. IF the follow up and information captured aren't there, it's not effective either. Demand a return from everything you do and commit to tracking and working it.

You have to have a balanced approach but I rarely do anything other than a flyier in print. Open houses are ok for the paper...

Sounds like a pretty overwhelming..."Not worth it." I had a feeling that would be the consensus. I've decided to continue with my internet marketing and forget about print. I think print marketing really is a dinosaur! Thanks to all for your answers.

Save the cash and focus online.

Amy,

As for my thoughts and experience. Advertsing in any magazine is only good for 1 thing GETTING LISITNGS. Sellers look to see who is advertising and feel that if you are advertsing in the magazines you must be good. They do not sell homes. Even the internet leads that are set to you via the magazine are usually some one that is "just looking" or moving when........ no answer. Put your money in direct marketing and internet!

I have sold 2 houses to clients who were US citizens working in government contracts oversees. They purchased the homes via virtual tours, faxes, emails, maps and pictures. That is the power of the internet!

Best of Luck,
Linda J Sears

Amy, my partner has advertised in Homes & Land for the last 18 years. She says it used to be quite effective but over the last 18 months I would be surprised if we received 2 calls on our ads. However, H&L has a pretty good website that gets some traffic. They also place your ad listings on multiple other websites. We have received three internet inquiries over the last two weeks. This is something you may want to consider.

Hi Amy. Magazine advertising is one of the least cost effective forms of advertising these days. Most agents continue advertising in magazines because they think sellers expect it. I explain to my sellers that magazine ads don't sell properties anymore. N.A.R. published a report which showed where buyers came from and printed advertising in magazines and newspapers did not even make the top ten list.

In my opinion, you're far better off taking that money for print marketing and spending it to drive traffic to your on-line marketing.

We don't do any print marketing (other than flyers at listings, and those maybe soon replaced with "eFlyers"...