Landlord and Rehabber · Newton, MA · Member since 2010 · 2k+ posts · 877 votes
Hey BiggerPockets marketing experts.
I would like to know people's thoughts on using car magnets to generate leads? I have some but just have never gotten over the "tacky" factor to put them on my car.
Stupid I know. Obviously part of the beauty of a magnet sign is I can take it off in a situation where that might be an issue.
Anyway I was curious what people thought the effectiveness of this type of marketing is vs. other types.
I'm also curious if there are seasonal differences. I'm in MA so it would be interesting to know if there are seasonal differences with them.
Like is their a dip in the winter when all the old people with equity in Massachusetts go the Florida or Phoenix to play golf for 6 months. :)
Investor · Macomb, MI · Member since 2013 · 654 posts · 115 votes
13y
I have used a magnet on my truck for a year now. I have gotten a few calls but no real leads. I do it mainly for tax write off. my vehicle becomes 100% tax deductible instead of keeping mileage records. Gave me so much deductions last year my accountant couldn't even use them all because he said it could get me audited even though all my receipts are legit.
@Shaun Reilly , what did the 1-800 number set you back?
To be honest I'm not sure. :)
Got it quite a few years ago. I know that the service I use costs me ~$120/year and for that I get the 800# with some amount of monthly minutes, voicemail, ring out ability from my cell or home phone and eFax as well as other stuff that I will probably never even consider using. I also pay $5/month for a local number under the same plan so that would be roughly the guess for the costs of the actual phone number.
I actually don't love my service but I'm not sure how easy (if possible) to move my numbers if I got a new provider. Even if I switched it up if I could not keep my numbers I'd keep this indefinetly just because I have put those numbes out on hundreds of things over 3+ years.
All I mean Jenkins was that when I put them away (Bought them a while ago but have not used them) they were on a shelf that was a little smaller so the sides were curled up and after all this time there is a crease and they aren't flat.
I just laied them flat and put a heavy box on them to hopefully get the crease out so they will lay down flat on the car door.
Wholesaler · Salt Lake City, UT · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 401 votes
12y
The signs serve several purposes, one is to give you some creditability when checking out properties. The sign tells the neighbors you no burglarizing the home and they don't dial 911. Also when prospecting other leads.
Also the sign on your car and a name badge will ease the neighbors fear when your hitting their doors for info.
And I do get sign calls not a ton of them but enough to produce a deal or two a year but the no sale contacts may have other needs and have led to other business. Don't forget every one you talk to is a center of influence. And may be a prospect for something else or know someone else who is.
The signs serve several purposes, one is to give you some creditability when checking out properties. The sign tells the neighbors you no burglarizing the home and they don't dial 911. Also when prospecting other leads.
Also the sign on your car and a name badge will ease the neighbors fear when your hitting their doors for info.
That is interesting since I would actually be inclined to take them off if I was going to a sellers home to see a place. The neighbors may not know of whatever the "distress" is and might be embarrassed seeing a car with some "We Buy Houses" message sreaming out in front of their house.
@Shaun Reilly , leave the signs on. It's your company. It's advertising. In fact i switched to vinyl for the better appearance and professionalism.
I'm going tonight to check out a house that an investor is ready to throw in the towel. He was driving behind me and took down my number.
Remember, you are not only trying to make money, but you are trying to help them out of their situation.
I guess it would depend on the situation. If it was an investor I would not think anything of it. Also if it was a vacant house or an absentee owner situation not a big deal. Probably not on a probate either.
What I would worry about is in some situation where the owner lives in the house and they may not want the neighbors know that there is some distressed situation going on. Might embarrass them and get off to a bad start. Might not be the case either, just a thought (and something I have heard others say).
Investor · Macomb, MI · Member since 2013 · 654 posts · 115 votes
12y
@Shaun Reilly , we have different views. Im proud of what im doing. Just because we look at someones house doesnt mean they have an embarrassing situation. People sell for many reasons.
Besides maybe the neighbor is in a situation and needs to sell. You lose that possible lead by taking your sign off.
@Shaun Reilly , we have different views. Im proud of what im doing. Just because we look at someones house doesnt mean they have an embarrassing situation. People sell for many reasons.
Besides maybe the neighbor is in a situation and needs to sell. You lose that possible lead by taking your sign off.
I agree that we are there to help and I am proud to be able to do that.
However that doesn't change the fact that they may have gotten in contact with an investor to sell the house fast because they don't want to deal with the embarrassment of whatever the situation is and having the whole neighborhood know about it.
In reality it probably isn't a huge deal either way. Most of the time it probably would not be an issue with the person and the chances someone actually calls off the signs when you happen to have the car parked there is pretty slim too.
I think my preference would still be to remove them in certain situations. Thought being the tiny chance I will piss off a legit warm lead more than offsets the tiny chance I miss out on a call from someone that may or may not be a viable lead.
Investor · Macomb, MI · Member since 2013 · 654 posts · 115 votes
12y
@Shaun Reilly , you never know where the leads will come. I have had 3 in two months. One from being at the has station. One from a car salesman i was talking to when i was looking for my escalade. ( he saw my lettering on my truck when i left) and the third was driving home in my own neighborhood just this past sunday.
So that gos to show you a leadcan come from anywhere. If they contsct you to buy thenn i think they are passed embarrasment if any and now are looking for a resolution.
Landlord and Rehabber · Newton, MA · Member since 2010 · 2k+ posts · 877 votes
12y
Good discussion @Aaron Yates I don't think there is any one right answer. I obviously think I have a valid concern but you make a very strong argument for why you should keep the advertising in those situations.
Great thing about business is that people can do things different ways and both could work. Some might work better in some places and maybe you try both and find the other way is better for you than you would have thought.
I always think it is best to keep an open mind and try to learn and respect other points of view. I appreciate the commetns!
Investor · Macomb, MI · Member since 2013 · 654 posts · 115 votes
12y
@Shaun Reilly i agree. There is no right or wrong. Its a personal preference thing. Many good points made from this discussion. Its nice to know that others understand there are more than one way things can be done.
Keeping an open mind is good in every aspect if life I think.
Finally got the big ones back in good shape and put them on the car.
Took the pic with the little one too for size contrast of what I had been using.
Now I will surely need to get an answering service. :)
Much better in my opinion.
I have since changed to vinyl lettering and more recently a brand new logo. This has gotten me two leads in the past month. I believe the professionalism of the design is helping tremendously.
I haven't gotten a deal because they are not quite at the truly motivated level. But in all, I have now gotten 4 leads in 3 months just from simple vehicle advertsing.
My first lead was my fault it wasn't a deal. I waited too long to act. The day I did, they accepted an offer that morning.
I have been testing the waters with different marketing. Today I received my second lead on LinkedIn. Simply by changing my status. All this has been giving me experience and teaching me how to talk to sellers. Learn what works and doesn't work.
the glare sucks for the camera shot but this was my final design and what I am now using. Two leads from this since I put it on.
I wish I would have taken pics of my dodge advertising before I traded it in. My dodge was black with big yellow lettering that said "WE BUY HOUSES". That one got me two leads also.
I have a total of $150 bucks into both vehicles for vinly lettering. Never did get one single call from my magnetic sign.
Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
12y
Look good Aaron, another color might have been more noticeable, but it looks good.
Car signs work! My parents used them in RE and people would start conversations in parking lots and ask a question!
A broker asked me about me getting a car sign, I told him I don't drive that well.
One thing about putting your name on the car, you can't cut anyone off, get upset with them if they cut you off, honk at lights and pass others like they are standing still, so a sign was not a good thing for me. :)
Look good Aaron, another color might have been more noticeable, but it looks good.
Car signs work! My parents used them in RE and people would start conversations in parking lots and ask a question!
A broker asked me about me getting a car sign, I told him I don't drive that well.
One thing about putting your name on the car, you can't cut anyone off, get upset with them if they cut you off, honk at lights and pass others like they are standing still, so a sign was not a good thing for me. :)
Bill are you just worried about getting a POed person calling you? I mean if you actually did something that was illegal they would just take your plate #, which is a bit more official if they are calling the cops. :)
Look good Aaron, another color might have been more noticeable, but it looks good.
Car signs work! My parents used them in RE and people would start conversations in parking lots and ask a question!
A broker asked me about me getting a car sign, I told him I don't drive that well.
One thing about putting your name on the car, you can't cut anyone off, get upset with them if they cut you off, honk at lights and pass others like they are standing still, so a sign was not a good thing for me. :)
, I don't cut people off so I'm not worried.. ha ha ha..
The silver does get washed out at times in the sun but i didn't want it to scream out at people. I wanted classy and professional. It's been doing it's job and that's all I was shooting for.
Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
12y
Aaron, I'd say it's classy, drive nicely, not too slow in that truck you need to look like you really have some place to be, take your other car to the clubs or bars too or remember to back up to the building! :)
Aaron, I'd say it's classy, drive nicely, not too slow in that truck you need to look like you really have some place to be, take your other car to the clubs or bars too or remember to back up to the building! :)
@Bill Gulley , ahhh... youre one of those guys who have figured EVERYTHING out and thinks your way is the only way huh. And apparently you seem to have a drinking problem based on your experience of bars and clubs and the best way to park.
I myslef dont have time for that kind of stuff. I have a family, a full time job and a growing business.
But As the saying goes.. opinions are like ********... everyone has one
Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
12y
LOL, that was kinda rough, no, not really, I've just been around Realtors, contractors and related RE types in my area a long time and know how many are. And I don't go to clubs, but you can drive by seeing pickups with racks and signs on them. Your truck still looks good! :)
LOL, that was kinda rough, no, not really, I've just been around Realtors, contractors and related RE types in my area a long time and know how many are. And I don't go to clubs, but you can drive by seeing pickups with racks and signs on them. Your truck still looks good! :)
@Bill Gulley ok ill give you that one. My truck would definitely be noticeable in that scenario and would not allow me to be very covert.
But I am not that guy. Well not anymore .... ha ha ha... i did my fair share of bar hopping in my early 20's though.
Hell at second thought. Maybe I need to go to those bars. Maybe those guys are drinking cause they are losing their house and need to sell!!!!