Real estate marketing ideas dealing with online and print marketing are perhaps the easiest and most obvious. Make sure your business cards are updated with your social media profiles. Create free “schwag” items like pens or mugs and give them to clients and friends. Consider vanity plates for your car and focus on word of mouth campaigns everywhere you go. Keep in mind the weight a hand written card of appreciation or thanks carries in this digital age. Other simple solutions might include:

* Sponsor a local event for charity
* Host a local meetup or even a tweetup
* Create a local business and resource guide

When it comes to email marketing, a few real estate marketing ideas you can do yourself include simple email campaigns offering tips and advice. Regular e-newsletters are a snap to put together with free online templates. Sending out flash birthday cards or seasonal greeting with your photo and contact information keeps you on the radar. In fact, seasonal homeowner reminders and safety tips is a great way to stay connected. One great avenue is to create “weekender tips” that include coupons to local attractions. Other options to consider:

* Work with local businesses to co-brand an email offer (send to both your contact lists)
* Invite people to a local event or free online Webinar for homeowners
* Provide rate updates and information
* Surveys or polls your clients and sharing the results with others

You can’t discuss real estate marketing ideas without addressing the blog and website aspect of your online presence. Consider creating an ebook that requires an email address for free download. This builds your subscription list. Podcast or video blogs on specific topics, especially when created in a series can be excellent attention grabbers. Client Q & A through a contact form in your sidebar is helpful and interactive. Make sure your Facebook, Twitter and other social media profiles are easy to find on your site. Be sure to respond to blog comments in a timely fashion and create an ongoing conversation therein. A few more real estate marketing ideas for your website or blog:

* Offer a free IDX search tool
* Host a contest with prizes from local businesses
* Post articles about local businesses or interesting neighborhoods on your blog

Today marketing is all about social networking platforms. You must have a Facebook account for your business. Fill out the profile completely and thoroughly with good detail. Take some time on this as people will read it to get a feel for you and your business. Additionally consider:

* Sending daily birthday wishes
* Commenting or Liking 3-5 posts every day
* Updating your status with something fun and valuable once a day
* Post helpful and relevant resources, links and information
* Create a happy client photo album with testimonials
* Create animated slideshows or a photo album for listings

Twitter is a new entity to many us, but don’t let it scare you away from leveraging the awesome power of this tool. When it comes to great real estate marketing ideas, Twiiter is just beginning to realize its full potential. Start by creating a Twitter profile and use twitterlocal.net to connect with people in your area. You can easily find people you know using Twitter’s “Find People” feature. Then begin tweeting valuable useful and interesting information! Things like:

* Homeowner tips (easy repairs, projects, upgrades)
* Post funny experiences and stories (related to your niche)
* Local market info, updates
* List yourself on Twitter directories: NearbyTweets, WeFollow, etc.
* Be the first one to tweet about breaking news
* Mention local event information
* Always tweet your blog posts
* Feel free to occasionally mention your professional expertise and activities

These are all simple and easy real estate marketing ideas that can significantly improve your exposure and maximize your following. There are plenty more, but these should get you started!

Yard signs are always a good marketing tool and you should never hesitate to use them. Make sure that you have a nice sign in the yards of people you are already doing business with. This is an effortless form of advertising because your sign will let every passerby know that you are in the real estate business! This is one good way to plant your name in the minds of people who may someday need your real estate services.

Sometimes you can offer to put a sign in the yard of a home or office even though they might not be actually using your services at this time. If someone you know lives or works in a great, high-traffic location, it might be worth it for you to pay them or barter some work to get your sign up. A monthly fee, snow shoveling, trash pick-up or gardening might be an excellent payment in exchange for advertising! You will also get to know new people and being seen beautifying a neighborhood can never be a bad thing for business!

Finally, keep in mind that your family and friends can be excellent networking resources. Encourage them to use your name often with their friends and coworkers. Give them some of your business cards to keep on hand at work or at home. Networking among friends, family and neighbors can be fun and profitable. Just remember that no matter how reticent you feel about marketing yourself, it is a requirement in good business and if you want to succeed in business. Keep in mind, however, that marketing and promoting yourself can be done with integrity and creativity. You can be successful without compromising your own values or becoming a bore!