How Important is Marketing in Real Estate?

     It is a proven fact that marketing can single-handedly change the face of a business.  There are countless examples out there that prove exactly that. Take a look at Jack-In-The-Box.  Just where was the company 10 years ago?  They were on their way to closing their doors for sure.  I admit, they were my favorite burger joint and better yet I could grab a side taco there too.  It seems though that although I ate there a lot, I just could not eat enough of their burgers myself to save them as they were closing locations all around me.  The sad thing for me about them closing was that I was being forced to settle for eating a less favorite fast food burger!  And needless to say, I could not get my taco at this new burger place. Bummer.

     Then, to my joy, I saw a TV commercial touting: “Jack is Back!” and before I knew it there were stores opening up all over the place. All of a sudden with one single, but hugely significant, marketing swing of bringing “Jack Back,” Jack-In-The-Box was on the map again making burgers and selling tacos. 

     A few years into Jack being back, people all over were talking about the new advertising campaign and the new Jack-In-The-Box.  I was astonished, Jack’s head was all over the ends of car antennas, and Jack was flying on his private jet in commercials celebrating his revitalization.  To this day, some 10 years later, Jack-In-The-Box still holds the crown for the cleverest marketing of the fast food advertisements.  So, you see, they did not get new chefs, or significantly change their menu, or hire new cashiers, or even change their logo!  They revived their marketing plan and hit the ground running.

     This strategy can be applied to Real Estate in exactly the same way.  In an ever changing industry where the internet has greatly changed the consumer’s ability to find homes; sellers and real estate agents need to be creative about marketing homes and listings.  Yes, I understand during downtimes that sellers need to be savvy with their marketing dollars.  There are marketing plans out there that work and that will not break the bank!  Be creative, like Jack-In-The-Box, with your marketing.  Not just with your titles and descriptions, but, with your strategies.