Tips from a Marketing Coordinator on How to Simplify and Expedite the Creation Process
By Emily Dugal, Back Bay Marketing Coordinator, RE/MAX Leading Edge
We’ve created a lot of great marketing templates that allow our agents to highlight the beauty of their listings and we are excited to help our agents create postcards, brochures, and listing sheets. We have a myriad of options that create a clean, luxurious look for our agents. So here are a few tips on how to help us, help you get the best marketing materials in a timely manner.
Timing
Marketing Coordinators need a 2 day heads up. Those two days consist of the time it takes to create drafts, get and make edits you want and need, print and fold/bind the materials. So if you need something printed in the office before end of day Friday, your marketing coordinator needs to have everything by the end of the day Wednesday/ first thing Thursday morning. That being said if you need something printed out of house then the printing company will also have a 48 turn over rate so you’ll have to plan accordingly. For everyones sake don’t want till the last minute!
And remember the marketing coordinators have a first come, first served policy. So send along your photos, template, and information as soon as possible so we can get you on the list!
Photos
Yes, iPhones have come a long way but they aren’t going to cut it for your marketing material (or your headshot!) so invest in hiring a stager and photographer for your materials. Keep in mind the timing of your photos. If you know you need your brochures ready to go by the end of the day Friday for a Saturday morning showing then you’re going to want to be sure you have the photos from the photographer by the end of the day Wednesday so plan accordingly. Also, as always, be sure that your marketing coordinator has your most up to date headshot!
Templates
The dynamic duo of Christine George (President of Marketing and Business Development) and our Graphic Design Extraordinaire Amanda Carriero did a lot of research when they came up with the templates for our company. We understand that this is your brand and you may want to make some tweaks and changes but please realize we strongly suggest sticking to the template. They didn't just work to make them visually pleasing, there was careful thought and reason put into everything they did.
Focus
If you decide you want to create something new and different the best way is by sitting down face to face with your marketing coordinator. Make sure you have a focus though. I have agents who come in with a lot of ideas and they start bouncing them all around without focusing in on anything or giving any details. I’ve had agents come in to talk about “Marketing Materials” and we sit down and they are talking about a brochure for a property one moment, thank you cards the next, a graphic for constant contact, and a postcard. We can help you with all of those things but take it in little bites. You have an open house coming up? Well then let’s focus on the brochure first. And then we can work down the list one by one rather than bouncing back and forth.
Be Specific
When it does come time to sit down and create something you should really have a solid idea of what you want. Saying you want “something new and different” isn’t enough information for us to come up with something from scratch. Ahead of time really think about what you want.
What are you going to be using this piece of material for?
Who are you going to be giving it to?
How will they be distributed?
What layout did you have in mind?
What colors?
All of these things should be things you consider before you come in to sit down. Then at the meeting you and your marketing coordinator will be able to move forward and nail down a clear idea.
Less is More
Your descriptions doesn’t need to be 3 full paragraphs long. You don’t need to write the next great American novel in order to capture the client, believe me that is not what they are looking for when they arrive at an open house. The brochure and/or postcard does not need to have every minute detail mentioned. When you only have 10 seconds to grab their attention talking about the Nest thermostat or the new knobs on the kitchen cabinets is not going to help the client focus on the true selling features of the home. You don’t want the really important information to get lost in the fringe benefits that are great to highlight in person when showing the house but not necessary in a postcard or brochure.
The marketing coordinators are great assets and are here to give you guidance when it come’s to creating effective and attractive marketing materials for you and your properties! They are here to help further your brand, your business and you!