People are bombarded with literally thousand of advertisements and solicitations daily. The key to getting your message seen, heard, and acted upon is to first get noticed.

There are a number of ways to get noticed that don't involve spending a lot of money. Some ideas are so simple, you may be tempted to say, "Why didn't I think of that?" Others are a little more off the wall. The point is try something new, even if it it is a little bit of a stretch for you.

Many a multi-million dollar real estate career was built upon being noticed. Rand Smith used life-size poster boards of himself which he positioned next to all "For Sale" signs and which pointed the way to an Open House. Terry Parranich dressed in a cape and was often seen on roof tops.

Try this idea. Get three photos taken of yourself in very humorous or striking poses and write a catchy phrase to match your pose. Then simply use these marketing pieces everywhere. For example, you might have three postcards printed, one pose on each. Then, the next time you address a crowd--be it a mixer, a real estate class or hosting a buyer or seller's seminar, instead of handing out plain old business cards, place your alternating postcards on everyone's seat. Not only will they provide a chuckle, YOUR message will get noticed and people will realize you are someone who is doing something in real estate.

But if those ideas are a little too extroverted for you, here are some other relatively inexpensive ways to get noticed:

Show your community spirit.

Call your local department of transportation and sign up to participate in their "Adopt-A-Highway" program. It doesn't cost anything to participate other than an agreement to keep your 2-mile stretch of highway clean. You'll be committing to cleaning the strip once a month, but trash bags and litter sticks are provided. And if you aren't the cleaning type... simply hire the work out.

The rewards are incredible... you get your name and company logo placed prominently on the highway sign! Each and every day, day in and day out, people will see your name and logo and be reminded of your occupation. You'll gain instant name recognition, and will become quietly, subconsciously known.

Always be a REALTOR^®.

Terry Crook, a CBR,CRS,GRI,RECS and Broker Associate with Realty Consultants of Needham, MA, says, "Never be a secret agent."

"I wear my nametag (Company My name & CRS designation) everywhere. Shopping, cleaners, package store, church, Town offices, YMCA, etc., as well as all R/E functions, activities, classes, tours, and board offices. I am well known in most of these places but it pays to advertise. Many new people see it as well as those who already know me & my profession," says Crook.

You can amplify that idea by making sure your car license plate mentions your business, have your web address posted on the trunk of your car, and use magnetic signs.

Don't forget other agents

It is important for agents to notice you, as well as buyers and sellers.

Have a monthly or quarterly drawing for everyone who has sent you a referral, bought a home, or listed a home during that period. Make your drawing a regular event, giving you ample reason to correspond on a regular basis.

In each mailing, mention who won and what they won. And, of course, make sure to include in your mailing a "mail in" form or postcard to make forwarding referrals an easy, painless process. You can cut costs and still provide valuable prizes by making deals with local vendors.

You might also consider having a drawing for all agents and brokers who showed your properties and completed a "feedback-fax" form. You gain valuable feed back to share with your seller, help establish credible rapport with your peers, and will surely known industry wide for your "contest."

Remember, those who will succeed in this business Are those who are right in front of the buyers and sellers when the buyers And sellers want to do business. And if you are operating as a "Secret Agent" -- how will they ever know to contact you?

Published: March 10, 1999

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

Robert Fore is the president and CEO for Realty Profit Systems. He is a nationally recognized marketing trainer and strategist who specializes in combining the proven principles of direct response marketing with the cost-effective, worldwide penetration of the internet. Realty Profit Systems publishes the Online Real Estate Marketing Report at http://www.hometeam2000.com and offers a free, weekly e-zine of real estate marketing tips at http://www.top10realty.com.