Well that’s £1000 well spent!

Like most agents at this time of year, you may well be gearing up for (or already started) the traditional ‘awareness raising & valuation generating’ early New Year mailshot?

How much are you planning on spending? £300, £500, £1000? More? per office?  You’ll be rationalising that you only need one instruction and it’s paid for itself hasn’t it? Even if you don’t get anything right now, it’s all good for the future. Sow the seeds today, for growth tomorrow and all that…

Or do you privately feel, that just like your last mailshot, you’ll be left feeling slightly damp at the gills that you won’t be called out to that many additional valuations? If any? Or maybe of the ones you’re called out to will more than likely be tyre kickers, that may at some point in the future, come back to you to sell. Or not? Brand building for the future is all very well, but you need instructions now!!

Above all, like every other agent up and down the country, whilst you’re handing over tons of cash and hoping that all your leaflets get delivered, you’ll probably be wondering if there are any other cost effective, measurable ways to drum up business, get your branding out there and get those phones ringing. Is there anything new – something cost effective and immediate  that can help drive traffic and generate leads?  Something that produces tangible results where the motivation for you doing it is not just because the ‘other guy up the street does it’.

A board that was just for Christmas?

Did you do a Christmas fayre sponsorship for the local school, or are you planning to do the the Easter fete or similar? That’s another set of boards (& slips), the board contractor’s costs. Your time in setting it all up! Your staff’s time fielding all those calls from locals who can’t (or can’t be bothered to) read properly. It says “Christmas fayre sponsorship – not ‘for sale’ stupid”!  But again, at least your agency is interacting with the locals….

After every event, every board promotion, every marketing drop, there’s always the nagging feeling that although you’ve done it and it’s been crossed off your list, where is the bounce  – the tangible uplift in instructions. I bet it’s negligible. And of course, I also bet that you don’t measure it. Most agents don’t. Do you ask where a particular valuation lead came from, every time? And even if you did get an answer, how accurate is it?  It’s not top of a vendors list to remember where they saw your name or why they called you out. They just want their home valued!

At the end of the day, there are other options available that will produce a great bang for your buck and produce great results. Ones which will help generate leads and bring more business to your door (or phones) more or less immediately.  – Where your primary motivation is not just to ‘shut out’ your competitors from doing it instead of you. You’ve just got to know where to look!

Have a great 2016!

Alex Evans

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Renters urged to understand their new rights before major law change

With just one week until the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act comes into effect, renters across England are being urged to understand how the changes will affect their rights, tenancies and day-to-day renting experience. From 1 May 2026, the new legislation will introduce wide-ranging reforms designed to provide greater stability, clearer rights, and…
Read More
Adding second coat of varnish floor boards
Home and Living

The Foundation of Your Home: Why Your Subfloor Dictates Your Flooring Destiny

In the field of residential and commercial renovation, the aesthetic selection of a floor covering—be it the grain of a hardwood plank, the texture of a stone tile, or the finish of a luxury vinyl—often commands the most attention. However, from a technical perspective, the long-term performance and durability of these materials are entirely dependent…
Read More
Breaking News

Almost £1.4m difference in property prices between the start and finish lines of London Marathon

The latest property market analysis from London’s number one lettings and sales estate agency brand, Foxtons, has revealed that there’s a difference of almost £1.4m in the average sold price from the starting point of the London Marathon and the finish line. As London’s largest estate agent, Foxtons holds an unrivalled view of the London…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Demand drops year-on-year for commercial property from high base

Three out of four of the main commercial property sectors saw a yearly decline in demand both in terms of leasing and investment in the first quarter of the year, amid speculation about interest rate hikes following the start of the war in Iran. According to Rightmove’s Commercial Insights Tracker for Q1 2026, the office…
Read More
Breaking News

Property market is improving

Property market is improving, but more sellers are cutting prices and withdrawing from the market The latest market data analysis from House Buyer Bureau has found that whilst the property market is showing signs of improvement, more sellers are still being forced to cut their asking price, endure a failed sale, or withdraw from the…
Read More
Letting Agent Talk

How much to live along the London Marathon Route

Local lettings and estate agency, Kinleigh, Folkard & Hayward, reveal the costs to live along the iconic route – from the start in Blackheath to Greenwich all the way to Tower Bridge Sunday 26th April sees the iconic London marathon – the world’s biggest annual one-day fundraising event – return to the streets of London.…
Read More