As the real estate market gets worse by the day, realtors are scrambling to make sales to stay afloat. Today’s market is vastly different from 2004′s market. Real Estate Agents just stuck a sign on the property and it was sold. Now, realtors have to work five times as hard for the same amount of money. While the government is figuring out a solution to the real estate crisis, realtors have their sights set on marketing, sensing that this is the perfect time to brush up on their marketing strategy. When the market regains momentum, agents want to have the cutting edge to increase their sales. Here are some real estate marketing tips to use on a tight budget.

Online Presence
It sounds redundant but a real estate agent should have a website. This gives buyers and sellers an exclusive online path to the agent. Many real estate agents have websites but this is not enough exposure. Consumers will not look for homes on a company website. Rather, they will look at a website (www.yourname.com) with a realtor they trust or was referred to.

Real Estate Agents need to know how much online exposure they are receiving through their brokerage. Are their listings appearing on Trulia? Are their clients’ homes showing on Google Real Estate? Agents need to confirm that their clients are getting the most out of the online experience. If this is not so, then the realtor must re-evaluate how and where their marketing dollars are being spent. Most real estate magazines offer a online exposure package in addition to print advertising. With 80% of buyers doing their research on the Internet looking for their next home, having a unique online presence is the key to reaching potential clients. pictureplan-it Real Estate Marketing can help expose your listings syndicating them to a plethora of online real estate sites. Not only will your listings have a presence, but they will stand out with the featured floor plan virtual tour or video property tour.

Business Card Marketing
Are you making the most of your business cards? The purpose of business cards is to hand them out to everyone you know. You never know where your next referral will come from. Most real estate agents hoard their business cards as treasured gold. Think of your business cards as seeds for your business. The more seeds you plant, the greater the harvest. One must have this mindset when it comes to business cards. Don’t be afraid to slip one of your cards in the envelope that contains your car insurance bill. Why? Why not! Your car insurance agent could possibly be looking to buy or sell and most likely knows someone who is as well. When leaving the tip in a restaurant, leave a business card also. Display your business cards at places of business where your potential client likes to shop. Remember when handing out business cards to hand out two: one for the person to pass along to someone else and one to keep for themselves.

Community Involvement
Most real estate agents spend their time at the office, waiting for that phone call that will bring them a sale. This is not where you need to be. Take advantage of the slow market and get involved with your community. Sponsor a neighborhood garage sale, host a community bi-monthly affair, or volunteer for a community project. Not only is this a great opportunity for you to meet other people but to gain potential clients. If the community perceives you to be the dominant real estate agent in the area, you’ll get more listings and sales. By maintaining community involvement, you are keeping your name in front of the residents and that name will constantly be in their minds. Keep in mind that the brain needs many attempts before it can associate you and your business with your name on its own. So, stay involved!