How can you farm using the telephone?  With so many people on the do not call list I find that there is no one left to call.

Holland Michigan Real Estate | West Michigan Home Values | Selling a Home in West Michigan

Of all the articles I've published over my career, I have never received as many nasty emails as I have from this article. It's actually kind of interesting. I teach Social Media marketing, effective web sites with direct response components, using Unique Selling Propositions, and using Guarantees among others.

Readers seem to be pegging the article to mean that I believe the only effective marketing is by Farming. That's not the case.

HOWEVER, in response to many of the long letters I've received - when you say "websites hit thousands of customers and knocking on doors only hits a few", I remind you that every agent in your area has a website and there are 2000 agents in your MLS. When you say "I can't possibly call anyone because of the 'Do Not Call' list", I say there are plenty of people you still can call.

My point in this article is that the most effective method of convincing someone to use your service, refer your service and be a raving fan of your service... is to meet with them face-to-face. Actually seeing and building a relationship with potential clients is by far the most effective way of getting them to like and trust you. A face on a website is not.

Again, I teach a lot of different methods of marketing, prospecting and generating leads, but don't rule out farming (geographic or demographic) because it still works.

Have a great day and a wonderful career!

OK Loren.  Now I'm curious.  What are effective web sites with direct response components, that use unique selling propositions?

Holland Michigan Real Estate | Holland Michigan Home Values | West Michigan Mortgage Center

I have been fortunate to have success by mailing newsletters to expired listings. It has gotten me several listings this past year. I'm developing a couple of other things for next year, but I was very pleased with the response to my newlsetters this year, I'll continue for next year as well.