Effective Marketing Messages

i like the sold in 9 days.

do you know how many #1 sales people there are? i can't count them all.

i'm a lender one day i had 3 of my account executives come to visit and they all claimed to be the nations largest lender.

how could that be? 

I'm with Jay.  I like the "SOLD in 9 Days, Seller overjoyed" message.   When I think about marketing messages, I try to remember that famous Craig Proctor statement regarding what all consumers think when listening to an ad -- we all listen to WIFM Radio -- the "What's In it For ME" Radio Station. 

A home that sells in 9 days and makes the seller overjoyed is a rather powerful message to sellers. 

For sure - sold in 9 days, seller overjoyed.  Almost everyone thinks they're #1 (in this industry, we need to).  Taking it to the seller being overjoyed is most effective.

Tony, interesting series you have going... I'll come back and visit for more.  :-)

My humble opinion?  With the way the market is right now - home sellers want the facts - "sold" hard facts.  Like Jay mentioned, there are lots of people out there claiming to be #1 at something, but the proof is in the pudding and Tony - your stats are the proof people are looking for to answer their age old question, "What's in it for me?"

Sold in 9 days is my choice -- and Calie just said it --"what's in it for me?" 

Oh by the way --I am the #1 realtor with the most z's in a name (HA HA) 

You are too good. I like the "sold in 9 days". I will definitely think about how I word my messages in the future. THanks!

Sold denotes action and both buyers and sellers want to see action from their agent..

I can't really add anything different to this list.  However, if you ask my mom I bet I am the #1 Realtor!

Not a close call here.  Like a few others mentioned that are thousands of number one agents.  I am sure I am number 1 at something.

Jay - I admit it - #1 - I mean the first option - was a "ringer"!  I've come across seven number one agents in a single subdivision!

Andy - Thanks for the vote for the second choice.  Score now 2-0 in favor of SOLD in 9 days.

Rhonda - Thanks for the vote. Score now 3-0 in favor of SOLD in 9 days.

Irina - I didn't see a vote from you - please come back and vote!

Calie - Good to hear from you! Score now 4-0 in favor of SOLD in 9 days.

Aziz - That's a unique approach!  Thanks for the vote. Score now 5-0 in favor of SOLD in 9 days.

Rhonda - Thanks for the vote - hope this doesn't mean the imminent destruction of postcards already in stock! Score now 6-0 in favor of SOLD in 9 days.

Kaye - Right on - ACTION speaks louder than words! Score now 7-0 in favor of SOLD in 9 days.

Anthony - Family counts - but in a different way! Score now 8-0 in favor of SOLD in 9 days.

Randy - I KNOW you're number 1 at many things! :-) Score now 9-0 in favor of SOLD in 9 days.

 Hi Tony, good ringer/test. Unfortunately you see a lot of agents using # 1. The egocentric "it's all about me" approach. From a consumer's point of view... WHO CARES ABOUT YOU!!!

 Strategy # 2 clearly states a benefit and a very specific result, i.e. you'll sell my home fast and for lots of $$$. Simple to see what people would react best to. Happy 4th of July.

Marti - You are right on the money - as usual!  The consumer's number 1 focus is THEIR transaction! Score now 10-0 in favor of SOLD in 9 days.

Since we already know you are #1 that would make the first one a wasted effort - so by default I pick the second one! :-))))

I never talk about my volume except of listing appointments. I like the 2nd one better and I'm sure the public does too. Which do you use, Tony ?

Missy - Thank you for asking - I've been waiting for someone to finally ask me!

I use Number 1.  It helps feed my ego, demonstrates I don't have a clue what's important to the client, and is something impossible to substantiate or defend!

Well - not really folks - I am an avid proponent of Number 2 - and am happy to see that all who commented here are like minded!

Results are what matter - or as we say in the UK - The proof is in the pudding.... (Though why we say it I haven't a clue!) :-)

The word of the moment is BIGNAI

Tony - you just had to ask...so here you go.  From ask.com

" Word Detective and other etymology sites pointed out that the phrase originated as "the proof of the pudding is in the eating." It means that the true value or quality of something can only be judged when it's put to use. The meaning is often summed up as "results are what count."

Now, aren't you glad you asked?

Sold in 9 days.  No doubt about it!

But...but...Can I call myself #1 if I sell it in 8 days?

 SOLD means much more to the consumer than #1  they see #1 everywhere, it's about them not us  I would back it up with a great testimonial from the sellers. 

Calie - I am glad I asked - though now I'm hungry!

Mike - Of course you can - especially if it's the same listing! :-)

Karen - That's a great way to reinforce the message!

Tony, I like the second choice, but can you add "Staged & Listed" to the beginning? Yeah, that's so much better for me.

Sue - Now there's a thought!  A co-branded message perhaps?

I like the second one.  Results don't lie....give them solid numbers and facts.  Whenever I see I'm number #1 I always think so who voted.  Those comments turn me off from whatever it is...even if it might be true.

I like the sold in 9 days, the other one seems to "Hey, Look at me!" where the 9 days is modest but to the point.  Thanks for sharing. 

#1 doesn't mean a thing, especially with twenty people claiming to be #1.  As grandma used to say, the proof is in the pudding. 

I'm a big fan of putting production numbers in makreting instead of things such as the #1 agent in Arizona.  I've found it more beneficial to show clients what we can do, rather than discuss how great I am.

The sold in 9 days is definitely the winner, and it even creates subtle demand by asking who's next?

Not sure which agent originally coined the phrase, but Andy Krause, Realtor in the DC area uses this tagline...I'm Not #1 - You Are! Of course, it's all over the internet now. You would be surprised at the number of agents out there who resist moving away from the I'm #1 mantra.

Personally I like....Show me the $$$, not your ego!

How about, "Purchase today and we'll send you on a cruise for 2 to the Grand Bahamas!"

Check out www.varcose.com

Kimberly - I'm with you!

Penny - Thanks for the vote.  Wish I knew what "bacury-pary" was - since AR is presenting me with a lot of it!

Chris - I'm with you - but don't tell that to the #1 folks - I'm not sure their ego could take it! :-)

Scott - Right on the point.  I wish there were more like minded folks in our market.

Lisa - Thanks for catching the thought behind "who's next?"

Bobby - Thanks for the vote!

Josh - Thanks for the link.

 Add something free in there too, like CMA, on the just sold one.  I just looked at my blog stats  #1 (LOL) hits has been to my blog Free Color Printer

Tony love the 9 days one.  It's perfect.  I always get a kick out of those million dollar clubs.  I've sold over a million dollars in real estate.  Around here that might be only one home.  Two at the most.  

It is hard to have a great message with a little bit of humor, you pulled it off perfectly.   

When you say that you are #1 at everything it usually raises a few questions.  It's been used so many times before and we need to be creative in this business.

Too many number 1's out there.  I am toying with a "STOP DON'T BUY THIS HOUSE BECAUSE..." campaign (I think I may have gotten the idea from Tom Ferry).

To say you are the #1 agent anywhere, is an arrogant statement, when it is impossible to be factual.

Why not just say "I'm the best agent for you"? And then go on to tell the client what you'll do to prove it.

Am I the best home inspector? I highly doubt it. But at the minimum I meet my clients' needs and expectations every time, which in the end is what they really want.

Karen Ann - I'll have to check out your color printer offer!

Maureen - Good to hear from you!  Saying it another way - an agent who hasn't sold over a Million dollars in real estate is probably not making a living in the business.

Treci - You are right on point.  I think the "I'm #1" approach may have worked for a while - but now the consumers are more educated (thanks to the internet) - that approach only serves to raise a red flag to them.

Renee - I agree - too many - and the claim is not connected to the checking account!  I notice we haven't heard a peep on this post from anyone using that approach.

Darren - Right on point.  #1 in sales (for what period), #1 in customer service (who's the judge), etc.

Definitely #2, and I love the "who's next" part.  Very clever.  Benefits always win over features.

My choice is the SOLD in 9 days!  Absolutely, this is exciting to both Buyers as well as Sellers.  Those types of cards have brought me far more business than the ones about my designations, #1 status, etc!

Debe in Charlotte, NC

Tony-

Your comment with specific, provable results, will ring truer than making hollow claims like #1.  Roll on.

My dog is positive I'm #1 in Kentucky! She's the boss. But....I agree that the second choice is the best one. "Sold in 9 days!"

Many people also say sold in x days. I think you have to back it up with more than a slogan. You have to be able to show why your number 1 or why you can sell homes in 9 days.

There are hundreds of  "#1 in sales" just in my area. Who wants to hear an agent talk about "me, me, me" I also know of an agent who farms serveral condominum complexes in different towns and on every mailing he writes, "your *insert complex here* expert."