Early in 2006 I read an email that came from Broker Agent News that talked about the power of Craig's List and how some Realtor were reaping huge profits from it while other saw no return.
The email went on to say that when we post our listings on Craig's List to use the template Craig's List provides or something very similar and to make sure to insert a link to your website in the ad. Give readers a reason to go to want to link to your website by saying something like "See virtual tour here".
Look at the ad I just submitted today for an example Quality Built Idaho Home
You will see in the ad that I have given important basic information but only posted the 4 photos that Craig's List allows on it's template. To see more photos readers must click the link to my website. This does much more that get readers to go to your website. When readers click to your site from Craig's List it is powerful and the more clicks from Craig's List to your site the more the search engines will pay attention to your site. I know this because an old template site I had skyrocketed on the search engine ladders when I started doing this.
Postlet, Vflyer and other similar programs are awesome and offer very attractive flyer's but if you give away the farm in advertising you have given readers no reason to link to your site which hurts you. Both Postlet and Vflyer have a link to an virtual tour and visitors can view those tours without ever linking to your site.
Try this and I can assure you that you will see some positive results.
George,
I just re-posted some of my listings on craigslist and I wish I had seen this blog earlier. I think it's an excellent idea. Always keep them wanting more.
May I add.. property flyers that give too much info also can have an adverse effect. Too much info will not get the phone ringing.
Pamela - You are very welcome. I hope this gets everyone to thinking. I am having a great day...thanks!
Lori - Very, very true.
George,
Excellent tips. The visitor gets to see your website and what all it offers there. The other thing is that it helps give your site a search engine boost, which might be equally beneficial to you. Even if the lead turns out to be cold, at least the SEO part makes it worth your while.
Gary - Yes this is true
Esko - Yes, this is what I have stated in my post
Carol - You are very, very welcome my friend
Steve - I post an repost my listings on the 1st and 15th of every month. I can't tell you what it has done for me.
Great blog post George. I agree that Craigslist can be effective in generating leads and building traffic for your web site.
Currently, I am conducting a survey to determine the effectiveness of Craigslist in generating leads for Real Estate agents. Please click the link below to fill out a short 5 question survey. Once I receive the results I will share them with everyone.
Survey: The Effectiveness of Real Estate Classified Ads on Craigslist