It’s time for Blog Action Day 2009!! 

As of 10-7, there are 4,176 sites reaching 10,146,400 readers participating.  Not sure what the fuss is all about?  Visit www.BlogActionDay.org.

If you haven’t registered to participate, you’ve still got a week to register and prepare a post for October 15.

The topic this year is Climate Change.  It is an especially timely topic since there will be a United Nations sponsored conference in Copenhagen this December.  The momentum is evident because nations from all over the world are coming together to hammer out some agreements related to climate change.

This world conference is going to be a defining moment in determining whether  the nations of the world can come together to address such a signficant issue, according to the incoming COP15 president.

And, it seems right that bloggers from around the world should raise their voices to support finding solutions at that conference.  As real estate related professionals, I’m sure we’ve all got something to say about climate change.

Whether you address a personal concern, or write in support of green and eco-friendly home construction, please join the rest of the blogosphere in letting your voices be heard this October 15!

You may not want to look at any more reports.  Heaven knows, you’ve got enough resource material to wade through.  But, what if there were a report that would actually help you sell your services?

You probably know that there are lots of people moving into and out of your market area.  But, wouldn’t it be nice to know where they’re coming from and where they’re going?

How to Use Relocation Data

There are a number of ways that you can benefit from relocation information.  For example:

• Impress your listing clients – You can advertise specifically to people who would be more likely to relocate to your market area.  Impress your sellers by going the extra mile to expose their property to additional target markets.
• Expand your buyer marketing – Right now, your real estate marketing plan undoubtedly includes targeting potential buyers.  But, imagine how much more effective your marketing efforts would be if you could reach out to propsects in areas where you know there are people who will be likely to move into your target market area.
• Increase your referrals – If you know that a significant number of buyers are moving into your market area from specific counties, you can target your partnership marketing efforts to other professionals in those areas.

Now, you may be asking yourself this question:  I know I can find real estate professionals in other areas — but, how am I supposed to reach consumers in other counties in my state or other states?

You’d need a low-cost way to identify and reach out to consumers in those remote counties.  That’s where the tool that was recently discussed on this blog could come in very handy. 

You can address both sides of the equation. 

• You can identify areas to target using NAR’s free Relocation Report. 
• And, you can reach people in the areas identified in that report by using cost-effective real estate marketing emails!

Keep in mind that the relocation reports are current through 2006.  If there’s been a big upheaval in the key industries in your area that would signficantly impact relocation trends, two year old data may not be as valuable.  But, for many people, that data will work quite well.

Take a look at the tools available to you.  It may just help light a fire under your marketing efforts!

I have often said that the strength I bring to my client work is the fact that I’m not from the real estate industry; that I excel in applying solid marketing principles to the real estate industry, bringing a fresh perspective.

And, that is still true.  However due to a bit of whimsy, last week I was a REALTOR® for a day.  And, I had a very impressive listing to promote, too!!

Did you see it?  The first ad on the left.  It’s not my photo, but it’s sure my company name, address and telephone!  Wow!!  It wasn’t easy landing that listing — especially since I’m in a different state, and given the fact that I have no real estate license!!

However, it was a short-lived high.  The ad got fixed, hopefully the half-asleep person who produced the ad got a good talking-to,  and by the next day I was back to being just the person who did the marketing for the house.

Ah, but it was magical while it lasted!!