All Forum Posts by: Brandon Foken

Looks like a great event, Ann Bellamy. I wish there were groups this well organized in the Bay Area. Any chance that you record your sessions and upload them to YouTube for those who live too far to make it?

Very cool idea, J Scott! I've never been to Georgia, but now wish I was close by. I, too, have noticed an uptick in the number of threads asking for a mentor - I almost didn't click this one because I've seen so many the last few weeks/months.

I'm looking for a mentor in the Bay Area, but trying to follow the advice I've heard from you, Will and others on these forums: add value to the relationship. So, with that in mind I'm trying to get a house under contract first before approaching people about a prospective mentorship focused on rehabbing and value analysis. The hope is to collect knowledge instead of an assignment fee. In order to accomplish this goal, I've already sent out ~950 pieces of direct mail. While response from the first mailer hasn't been great, I'm changing some things up and looking forward to getting out #2 here in two weeks.

Again, great idea and I hope someone from the Bay Area wants to join in!

I'm not too worried about the font being different from the envelope to the mailer. If anything, I think it'll make it stand out even more. I could see a prospect wondering "what the heck?" and placing a call just to see what's up. If that happens, it works for me!

Wow, nice work Deshone Drummond! I hope my first deal brings 10% of yours. Congrats!

Jerry Puckett Thanks for those pointers. I will make my next set of mailers have a much stronger call-to-action.

The closest Sam's Club to me is about an hour and a half round trip. I posted this on another thread, but I was thinking about trying something different and that is using the large, brown envelopes and then hand-writing the address in Sharpie pen. I'd still use the printed return labels. Do you have any experience using those? Just looking for ways to make my mail stand out and get opened.

Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Columbian-CO645-6x9-Inch-Catalog-Envelopes/dp/B000078CQ0/ref=pd_ybh_10

Jason Grosso, correct. I am currently printing a "hand-written" font on the envelope. Response rate has been far from good so that's why I'm looking to change things up. I'm thinking of trying those large brown envelopes and writing the address in sharpie with a printed return label.

Funny you are the one to reply, Jon Klaus, as I got most of my letter inspiration from your recent marketing campaign that you posted on here a month or two ago (the one you did with Jerry Puckett).

The copy of my letter is:

Dear «Owner_1_First_Name»,

My name is Brandon and I am looking to buy houses in the East
Bay area. Your property at «Property_Address_for_Word»
caught my attention and I would like to know more. Please let me
know if you have any interest in selling your house.

I can buy as is, pay all cash and generally close in less than 30
days. What do you think? Give me a call at (xxx)xxx-xxxx to talk
more.

Best Regards,
Brandon Foken
(xxx)xxx-xxxx

____________________________
Any critiques are very welcome.

I'm seeing a lot of suggestion to go with the A6 invitation style envelopes. Does anyone have any experience with the large brown envelopes? Like this one here: http://www.amazon.com/Columbian-CO645-6x9-Inch-Catalog-Envelopes/dp/B000078CQ0/ref=sr_1_14?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1360285163&sr=1-14.

I did my first direct mailer and have only received 7 calls back out of 896 leads. I'm looking for ways to increase my response rate so I was thinking of handwriting the address on these envelopes and using a printed "handwritten" yellow letter. Would love to know if anyone has used these and what their experience was.

Made my first offer on a house today. Hopefully will hear back tomorrow. Not getting a lot of love from my mailers. I'll be switching a few things up from my previous mailer. On Michael Quarles' suggestion I'll be using an A6 invitation style envelope and red ink. Hopefully this will result in more than 7 calls I've gotten so far.

Sorry Michael, not sure how I missed this. I'll give you a call on Monday morning and see what our schedules look like next week. Thanks again!