I'm gearing up for a major showcase of homes event. We had 4,000 people go through last March and we plan on that or more in three weeks. I'd like to do some creative advertising this time. I've got one video done, and will have two more done by the end of this coming weekend. I'd like to give my ad a movie theatre flare... "Now Showing" or "World Premier" type headlines. The ad would then, instead of 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and the typical description, would read...two thumbs up... five star production, tear jerker... a trip down memory lane, etc. If anyone has any ideas on how to pull this off let me know. I want the ad to be different, but at the same time, effective. My first video is on the front page of my site if anyone would like to check it out and critique it. Thanks for the help! Rick

www.teampaulick.com

Hi Rick,

I don't get it really. Like why be artsy when what you really want to do is make sales? I watched the video you have on your website already, and the main thing that struck me was the bad lighting - might your resources be more gainfully employed lighting your properties in a more appealing way than hiring vintage vehicles? I also found the music a bit annoying after a while.

I'm sorry to say this, but I thought the website looked a bit home-made. It's certainly not the kind of thing I would expect from a real estate agent.

But I'm not your market, so maybe my comments don't count.

Jane

I'm not overly excited about my website either. The problem I have is locally to have one pro done is a few grand, which doesn't bother me, but most of the companies don't know how to link to our MLS system or allow me to do my own changes, which means paying everytime I add or delete a home, thats where it ads up. The reason behind the video was to get people inside the home. In our area we have what I call "track house" builders and we wanted to show that it's not just another "McMansion" which is a big overpriced box with no character. I just put the video on the site tonight to see if it worked and am looking for ideas for both my website presentation and ads I'll be running in the next few weeks. Rick

Rick,

First things first. You need to begin by getting crystal clear about which home buyers you are targeting and exactly what they are looking for in houses. Then every word, every visual must support that message for that target market.

Envision those people by giving them names, personalities, jobs, problems, how much money in the bank, etc. If you don't know enough to do that, then go out to other similar home showings and talk to prospective buyers to find out what makes them tick.

Doing this in a vacuum is not going to work!

You may already know all you need to know, and if so, then you need to USE that knowledge relentlessly in building your web site, ads and verbal presentation. And as was said earlier in this thread, the quality of your wording and graphics must be consistent with the value of what you are selling. You can't sell high-end homes with schlocky design and Wal-Mart ad copy.

Good luck,
Marcia Yudkin