eCards, eCards and more eCards
I'm determined to get this update out before I go home tonight!  It's National eCard week! Well ok, I made that up, but this IS the week we are loading the Prudential Select Properties series of eCards into the system. Below is a complete list and a sneak peak of what will be available by Friday.  If you have additional suggestions email me at sarah@discoverstl.com.

(download)

Click here to download:

updates-from-the-marketing-department-5-10-11-JmsGdJaCoIdcDwvdEfGj.zip (3.2 MB)

eCard Line-Up

• Holiday: New Years
• Holiday: Valentine's Day 
• Holiday: St. Patrick's Day
• Local: Storm and Tornado Tips
• Spring Forward  
• Local: Cardinals Schedule
• Local: River City Rascals Schedule
• Holiday: Easter
• Client Event: Photos with the Bunny
• Contest: Easter Coloring Contest 
• Garage Sale Tips 
• Local: Six Flags Discount
• Local: Summer in St. Louis 
• Local: StL Patios
• Local: One Tank Trips from StL
• Holiday: 4th of July
  
• Company Event: SSK Golf Tournament 
  
• Local: Mizzou Football Schedule 
• Local: Rams Football Schedule Waiting for schedule release
  
• Local: Wineries
• Fall Back
• Holiday: Veteran's Day
• Client Event: Pumpkin Patch
• Contest: Halloween Coloring Contest 
• Thanksgiving Letter
• Thanksgiving Wish
• Contest: Thanksgiving Coloring Contest 
• Why List over the Holidays
• Holiday Online Shopping Tips Coming Soon
• Request a Letter from Santa
• Client Event: Photos with Santa 
• Winter Car Care Tips Coming Soon
• Client Event: Blood Drive 
• Client Event: Magic House 
• Client Event: Community Shred Day 
• Buyers - New Customer Registration Letter  Coming Soon
• Buyers - Open Houses eCard
• Buyers - PHL Preapproval
• Buyers - Accepted Contract Checklist 
• Buyers - HSA 
• Buyers/Sellers - Moving Checklist & Discounts
• Buyers/Sellers - Connect Your Utilities 
• Buyers/Sellers - Lowes Discount 
• Sellers - HSA
• Sellers - Open House Tips Coming Soon
• Sellers - After Contract Checklist Coming Soon

Buyers Campaign 
I've asked Jana to put together a Buyer's - Accepted Contract campaign.  This campaign will include the following eCards: Accepted Contract Checklist, HSA/Home Warranty, Moving Checklist & Discounts, Connect Your Utilities and Lowes Discount.  This way you can just turn it 'on' for your buyers and cease to worry about getting this information out to them.  I'll let you know when it's available. 

Website Buttons
We'll also be creating buttons for your website to point to specific pages and resources. For example a button for the local winery information or holiday shopping tips.  You get the idea. 

Summer Seminar 
We've scheduled Rick DeLuca to join us on June 15, 2011 for a presentation on "Avoiding the 20 Biggest Agent Mistakes." The presentation will take place at the St. Louis Association of Realtors from 9:00 - Noon.  RSVP to your office admin as soon as possible because space is limited.

If you read that closely you'll note the contest has already begun! Yes, we're tricky that way. Congratulations to the agents who are already qualified for our drawings:

• Lisa Burkemper, Troy (6 points)
• Eleanor Lyons, Des Peres  (7 points)
• The Kerlick Team, South County (7 points)
• Chrissy Krewson, Town & Country (13 points!) 

I'll be talking to you again soon.  Have a great Tuesday!

Sarah

Stuck for an idea the other night I asked my 8-year old daughter what I should blog about.  (By the way, I find most of life's questions can be answered by asking my 8-year old). 

"Just blog about what you do, "she responded.

Which was just the reminder I needed.  The reason I started this blog in the first place was to pass along to you what we are doing and why we are doing it. And then I wondered if you knew who 'we' were? I thought I might want to write at least one post about who we are in the marketing department.  The team is made up of myself, Jana Rice and newcomer, Nancy Logan. 

Nancy joined us just a few months ago. She's learning the ropes right now which for her includes putting together the St. Louis Post Open House ads and Your Next Home ads, updating the Resource Center, adding agents to our systems and assisting in general Help Desk and marketing duties. She is responsible for nasty things like deadlines and numbers in excel sheets. . . and she does an exquisite job of keeping things timely and orderly.

Jana really needs no introduction.  She's definitely a familiar name and face to you.  If you don't know her from your office meetings or company training sessions than you probably know her as the person who always answers the phone with a smile on her face. Jana joined us back in 2004, in the same month we introduced our current website system.  She's evolved with the system from aid, to trainer, to the authority on what the system can do and how to do it.  I even go to Jana with questions. She's been involved every step of the way on creating eBusiness policies and web-marketing strategies. 

And I'm Sarah. I introduced myself last year, promised you blog updates and disappeared for another year into obscurity.  Anyway, I joined Prudential Select Properties in 2003 just 11 months after they opened their doors. I had worked at a St. Louis RE/MAX office while working towards my Graduate Degree in Digital Media at Lindenwood.  After graduation it seemed an easy step to combine the marketing principles I'd been learning in class to the field of real estate I was already in.  So here I am, 8.5 years later. And goodness we've come a long way. Back in 2003 I stepped into a department that didn't exist and needed to be built from the ground up.   There was no Resource Center, no website system, no marketing materials or tools.  And while I'm thrilled with the progress we've made in putting together the tools and technology you use today I still feel like there's so much I still want to do for you. The rest of the year these projects are near and dear to my heart: 

• Evaluating and updating the tools and marketing materials we offer you
• Seeking out the best ways to distribute your listings online and push more leads to you
• Positioning Prudential Select Properties as the local choice for St. Louis real estate

As always your ideas are welcome; email me anytime at Sarah@DiscoverStL.com.

Talk to you soon,  

Sarah

P.S. Jana's been working on a list of events in and around St. Louis this summer.  An eCard is in the system that links to this list and is available to send to your clients.  She'll be sending out step-by-step instructions today in her Tuesday Tech Tip. I'll be sending out a complete marketing update next week with new materials! 

Happy Monday all! As you may know, the Marketing Department was pretty swamped earlier this April as we prepared for our annual Awards Gala. (For more about the event click here). However, last week we started playing catch-up and are now rolling out a few new additions to you:

QR Code Labels
If you've been wanting to go sticker-crazy with QR codes you can now download these customizable labels from the Resource Center.  Stick them on the back of business cards, on flyers or pretty much anywhere. 

(download)

Click here to download:

marketing-department-update-4-18-11-deuqJyutmHulFiwHbFJy.zip (138 KB)

QR Code Signs
These 8x5 x 11 QR Code signs are now available on the Resource Center.  Download, customize and place them on Flyer Boxes at your listing.  

(download)

Click here to download:

marketing-department-update-4-18-11-hFjnismxHkDizuaaBBCn.zip (17.66 MB)

QR Code PREA eCards
You can now generate a QR code for each PREA eCard you create.  These can be placed on any printed materials and will take the user directly to the eCard on their mobile device.  While I haven't yet determined the full scope and intent of this addition, a few top-of-mind thoughts include directing visitors to a J.D. Powers video eCard or the PREA newsletter eCard.  

QR Code Just Listed Cards
Out within the next week or two, the Just Listed cards through Xpressdocs will have the option to include a QR Code that can direct to the listing detail page.  I'll shoot out a sample to you when available. 

Six Flags Client Discount
Back by popular demand is the Prudential Select Properties Six Flags discount for your clients which gives $45 off a season pass and $31 off a one-day pass. This eCard is now available in your website's letter library.

Open House Survey
This open house survey is now available in a customizable Publisher format on the Resource Center. 

In the Prudential Select Properties marketing department there are five seasons - Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter and Awards season. Every year about mid-January we begin thinking about our annual awards banquet.  As we approach mid-April I sometimes wish we could shut down the department for a week. I actually tried that a few years back by sending a "The Marketing Department is Closed. We'll return after the Awards" message out to the admin and mangers. . . .  no one found it quite as funny as we did. :)

I took a stroll down memory lane this morning and got out all the Awards Programs from years past.  The work that goes into these little books is surprising.  Over the years we've picked out special papers, troubleshot printing issues, collated, folded, stapled, hole punched, bradded, gold leafed, and more.  

In 2006 the booklet was designed to look like a picture frame and after ironing gold metallic on vellum and x-acto kniving each cover individually, Kinko's botched the job and ruined all the meticulous work.  Kinko's and PSP Marketing have had a few issues over the years. . . another year they cut they books in half instead of folding them.  Nowadays we don't leave the store before threatening the manager. . . I'm sure we're intimidating. 

In 2007 we were printing the books in the evening so we wouldn't interrupt the agent's printer usage during the day.  Some faulty designer (cough, Joe Cordeal) decided to create a black background for every page. . . . which caused the printers to overheat and the pages to melt together.   I think we were there half the night printing a few pages at a time then waiting for the printer to cool. Thank goodness for Matt Muren, one of our sales associates, who jumped in to help Sara Fedele and I with refreshments of pizza and bud select. 

(download)

Click here to download:

untitled-kmirbGJznAIihAvElvBb.zip (6.25 MB)

And here's 2008, one of my favorites.  We had the event at Mad Art Gallery, once a jail, which corresponded perfectly to our Monopoly theme. Alex Cota, our designer at the time, carried the theme meticulously through the event.    From customized PSP Monopoly board table covers to burlap money sacks filled with gold coins -  it really was outstanding.  Sara Fedele spent serious time hunting eBay for spare Monopoly houses while Jana Rice remembers cutting burlap circles for the favor bags until her hands were raw. 

The picture above is from earlier this month.  I had just finished cutting out the playing cards which were personalized with award winner names.  The cards were spread out on the floor of my office in an attempt to organize them by award winner order.  I'm sure I got strange looks from visitors passing by who probably thought I was playing a rather overzealous game of solitaire. 

Despite the work and occasional mishaps, each awards event is well worth the effort because we get a chance to celebrate YOU at one of my favorite parties of the year. This year's Gala took place at the Nightclub of Ameristar Casino in St. Charles.  George Bruns and Maryann Vitale acted as MCs for the night and started the event off by giving away cash if you could answer their trivia questions. 

Our winners at a glance:

• Top Team in GCI: Diane Denny Team, Des Peres 
• Top Team in Units: Leslie Cheek Team, Jefferson County
• Top Individual in GCI: Cindy Baker, Town & Country
• Top Individual in Units: Theresa Curtis, Troy
• Rookie of the Year: Mark Warren, St. Charles
• Administrator of the Year: Julie Morrow, St. Charles
• Top Sunshine Kids Listing Agents: Linda & Kelly Boehmer Team, St. Charles
• Top Sunshine Kids Pledge Agent: Cindy Baker, Town & Country

After the awards presentation we mixed and mingled in the 'Lounge' with hors d'oeurves and cocktails aptly named the 'Citrix Meltdown' and 'Tuesday Morning Meeting.'   This year's addition of a photo booth provided a lot of entertainment and some great shots.  Take a look at a few select moments here:

(download)

Click here to download:

untitled-vvbnkyHlCjHehqBtfakv.zip (56.89 MB)

For more pictures from the Awards Gala visit our Facebook page here.

To view and download your shots from the Photobooth, visit www.ciphotobooth.com. Click 'View Your Event" and select 'Prudential Select Properties.'  Enter passcode 040711 to enter the gallery. 

A big thanks to Jana Rice, Nancy Logan, Susan Cardwell, Susan Dempsey, Stacey Folk and Maureen Adler for helping to make the event a success.  George and Maryann, wonderful job, as always. 

We returned from the Prudential Convention 2011 in San Diego the week before last.  God, never take a 6:35 a.m.. flight back from a trip. Especially if it's the morning after Fat Tuesday.  After three days of non-stop classes, presentations, sight-seeing and team-building activities (read that as bar hopping ) I was ready to collapse. George, of course, managed to spend the afternoon in the office.

Have you been to a Prudential Convention?  This was my second.  Last year, my first, was in Austin.  (Music, Mexican food, craft beer, and hole-in-the-wall bars; I was in heaven). But if you haven’t been, the Convention is simply something you need to experience.

As you would expect it offers you classes, introduces you to new tools, updates you on trends and presents networking opportunities.  The presentations are usually over the top.  Fireworks, smoke machines, light shows and big name speakers.  This year found us partying at PetCo Park one evening (by the way stilettos and in-fields do not work) and entertained by Jay Leno another.  Although my favorite presentation had to be Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, subjects of the motion picture The Blind Side.  They combined the perfect mix of comedy and purpose. 

However, it’s the intangibles that really make the experience.

For example, I think the convention is one of the best ways to renew your energy for the business. You get to look at what you are doing (and what you are not) with fresh eyes; it’s motivating.   I don’t think you can walk away without at least one new idea. Here's a handful: 

·   Use your email signature to connect, especially in regards to social media. Seek out companies like WiseStamp, or connect to online profiles such as About.me, Dooid, Google Profiles or Follr. 

·   Dive into social networking.  Prudential is even on board with a new online social networking site (https://www.nextwork.prudential.com). It rolled out on the 18th of March.  I’ll let you know more as I experiment with it. 
 

·   The person you just walked past is the one who can change your life.  So every once in a while stop and turn around.  

·   Ever just wished you could avoid talking to someone by leaving a message?  Try Slydial, a free online service  for going straight to voicemail.  Or if you’re like me and hate listening to voice mails, use a free voicemail to email converter from Google Voice, Phone Tag, YouMail or Jott.

·   Review your website and make a game plan.  Try Amy Chorow’s “5 Critical Elements of Your Website” for the best practices for 2011 below.

 

Click here to download:

5_Critical_Elements_of_your_Website(2).pdf (239 KB)

(download)

Click here to download:

5_Critical_Elements_of_your_Website(2).pdf (239 KB)

 

 

I have to admit though, my favorite part of the convention is the opportunity to connect with your collegues. Oh the stories I could tell!  But don’t worry my convention buddies, my lips are sealed on most accounts and I’m only sharing these few pictures.  And Seeger, I’ve even resisted the urge to include the one of you on stage at the dueling piano bar. 

  

(download)

Click here to download:

why-weren-t-you-there-kCykroeEemsIHaddlGyg.zip (13.7 MB)

I want to thank George Bruns, Maryann Vitale, Deb Colburn, Angie Ignatowski, Jana Rice, Jim Von der Haar, Sarah Seeger, Ann Cordeal, Jim Dillas, Betty Urban, Pat Sobelman, and Laura Wilburn for such a wonderful time.  Hope to see you next year in Orlando. 

 

Sarah Grobe, Director of Marketing
Prudential Select Properties, Your local choice for real estate

DiscoverStL.com | Facebook.com/DiscoverStL

Last week I promised you an eCard campaign.  Today we're taking our first steps at rolling that out.  The first four cards in the series include a St. Louis Cardinals baseball schedule,  a River City Rascals baseball schedule, a St. Patrick's Day eCard and a Photos with the Easter Bunny eCard (for offices with client events)  These are now both now in your website system for you to use. 

(download)

Click here to download:

updates-from-the-marketing-department-3-16-11-nefJqBwfmiavcCHsiivd.zip (398 KB)

How are these different from what we've been doing in the past?  For the last few years we've been making eCards as they are needed.  Every eCard has looked different than the one before; never providing that all important brand-identity we need in order to make an impact on consumers.

The new cards will be part of a branded series, focusing on our 'St. Louis' campaign and offering calls-to-action on the right hand side.  

Please note that the 'login' button and "apply for a loan' button can be customized for your website.  It's a quick edit and directions are below.  

Click here to download:

eCard_Diretions.docx (412 KB)

(download)

Click here to download:

eCard_Diretions.docx (412 KB)

Business Cards

A few of you had requested business cards that reflect our 'you know you're from St. Louis when' campaign. These two business cards are now available through Xpressdocs and you can choose one of two backs that have different 'you know you're from' phrases.

(download)

Click here to download:

updates-from-the-marketing-department-3-16-11-gzwngeGJFArnvJiBroHA.zip (59 KB)

(download)

Click here to download:

updates-from-the-marketing-department-3-16-11-BfiHHrxbzDigvcvkBcgI.zip (141 KB)

However, if you want to order one of the standard business cards we've also created optional backs for you to use. Three of these backs include room for a 'contact' QR code. This is one of my favorite uses of QR codes. When scanned it adds your contact information into the user's phone contact list.  Very practical. 

(download)

Click here to download:

updates-from-the-marketing-department-3-16-11-wIkvfgnhBAmnwlfllJHJ.zip (365 KB)

I've also spoken to Xpressdocs on having a QR code options on the Property Business Cards. Coming Soon. 

Listing Presentation: Your Voice Needed

Monday I sent out a poll asking you which CMA / Listing Presentation tool you use. . . Toolkit, eNeighborhoods, MARIS, Resource Center materials, etc.  I simply need to find out what is being used so I have the right materials in the right place.  A HUGE thanks to Art Vibulakaopun for being the ONLY agent to respond to the poll. If we end up with a listing presentation with every page customized to him, you'll now know why! :-)

A special thanks to Doug Hippler, Greg Bowen and Glenn Miller for the email follow-up on listing presentation ideas. 

If you want to take the poll on your preferred CMA options and voice your wish-list for the company listing presentation please do so here: http://www.facebook.com/discoverstlcareers

Sarah Grobe, Director of Marketing
Prudential Select Properties, Your local choice for real estate
DiscoverStL.com | Facebook.com/DiscoverStL