Postcards: The Unsung Heroes of Real Estate Marketing

Ah, direct mail—the fine art of spending a small fortune to convince people you're not just another agent. It’s one of the priciest ways to advertise, but also one of the most effective. Meanwhile, email marketing is the real estate equivalent of shouting into the void: cheap, easy, and usually ignored. (If I had a dollar for every time my emails got lost in a spam folder, I wouldn’t need to sell houses.)

Over the past 28 years, I’ve learned that the key to real estate marketing isn’t picking just one method—it’s mixing things up. Like a good cocktail, a well-blended marketing strategy packs a punch. And one of my favorite ingredients? Postcards.

Why Postcards? Glad You Asked.

Postcards are the MVP of direct mail. Here’s why:

  • They’re the least expensive form of direct mail (your wallet will thank you).

  • There’s no envelope, so recipients can’t help but see your message—no “junk mail” pile for these little gems!

  • They’re cheap and easy to produce. Print them yourself, and you can squeeze four onto one sheet of card stock.

The Secret Sauce: What to Send (and What NOT to Send)

Here’s where most agents go wrong: they send out the same tired postcards everyone else does. Let’s take a moment to mourn the thousands of dollars wasted on “Spring Forward” clock reminders and cookie-cutter “Just Sold” cards. Been there, done that, got zero results.

Instead, your postcards need to have a strong, unique marketing message. Something that makes homeowners say, “Wow, I need to call this agent!”

Some of the best-performing postcards in my business have included bold guarantees and exclusive programs. For example:

  • FSBOs (For Sale by Owner)? Try: "Sell it Yourself While It’s Listed—Pay No Commission!"

  • Expired Listings? How about: "Sold in 39 Days—Guaranteed!" (Because six months with no offers is no fun for anyone.)

DIY Postcards: Because You’re Smarter Than the Average Agent

One of the best things about postcards? You don’t have to spend a fortune on professionally designed, glossy cards that look just like everyone else’s. In fact, the homemade ones often perform better! Print them yourself, and they’ll cost just a few cents per card. And at just $0.56 per postcard for postage, this is a no-brainer investment.

You can even merge addresses onto the cards or use labels—no envelope means it doesn’t really matter. The key is to get your message in front of potential clients consistently.

Need Help Growing Your Real Estate Business?

Here’s the deal—I don’t compete with our agents; I help them succeed. If you're looking for a broker who’s got your back, let's chat. Call me for a confidential interview at (979) 777-7677.

Go forth and mail wisely!




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