The is an agent that mails into my neighborhood. She has for years. She gets business.

Direct mail is effective, it's budgeted and there is an ROI annually or I wouldn't do it. The trick is consistency and planning because most agents quit so half the battle is won by being reliable every month; it's brand building too, so there's both a long term and short return result.

I send over 1,000 pieces of direct mail per month:

1. For 25 years to my database,

2. For  the last 3 years to my new farm to support my move to Mission Bay Park from La Jolla, although I still market there too since I lived there for 20 years.

3. For the last 25 years to the target market around all of my listings; a campaign  I craft with my Title company, and does include prospects, what you care calling "strangers" when promoting a listing...but it's not "spray & pray" it's laser focused on particular doors. So not everyone one on every block gets one in other words. Just the most likely to sell or buy.

I send just listed and sold postcards to neighborhoods when I have a listing in a specific neighborhood.

When active In Martin and St. Lucie County Florida did a monthly newsletter to selected neighborhoods. Highly successful. Never got a good response from postcards.

Yes, I have a geo farm. 

 Hi, Michael Elliott 

     I have done all of the above, at some point in my career.  What worked, and what did not work?

   One-time mailings (just listed, just sold).  No ROI.  A sale here and there, but over time, not worth the cost of the trade postcards and the postage.

    Mail to absentee owners, vacant houses, etc.   No ROI.

   Farming?  YES, that worked.  In the neighborhood where my wife and I lived.  154 houses, perfect Tallahassee location.  I knew those people; they knew me.  Monthly lunches or pizza parties, participation in the HOA, regular mailings and emails (not only "just sold" or "just listed", but updates on the market, our city, the general economy, etc.)

       Over the 15 years that I lived there, I had many, many closings.  I sold several of those houses multiple times.

   When I moved from that neighborhood, the personal presence was over.  No more regular parties or gatherings; then I quit doing mailers and emails a year or so later.  But just last month, I got a call from a former neighbor, "Hi Fred, we are moving, we need to sell the house, can you help us?"

  Farming works, when you meet and greet the people, stay in constant communication, knock on doors when necessary.   Don't be a stranger; be the face of real estate in your neighborhood!

I have in the distant past and actually got a quadruple deal from my first mailer!  Got someone who wanted to sell, represented them on the sale, my investors on the buy, them on their next purchase, and my investors on the resale.  Future mailers generated nothing.

I did send a mailer recently to a neighbor of mine who is absentee and was not maintaining their landscape.  I offered to help them find another tenant, help them list the house, or buy it from them.  They sent a gardener the next week and have been maintaining it since.  At least it looks nice.  Still vacant.

I farm 4 sub division and it works for me plus mail just sold post cards, not Just Listed cards so much.

I sent direct mail to absentee owners for commercial properties.😎

I don't.  Direct mail is expensive, and the return is poor. 

They say that a "good" return for direct mail is 3%, but more often than not, it's far less than that.  I'd rather concentrate my efforts on marketing that is more effective and less expensive.

I did in the past.  I no longer send mailers. 

My marketing is to my database - soft touches every 3 weeks, birthday cards, holiday cards, handwritten notes, and occasional phone calls. 

I only sent it to strangers Michael Elliott . I f they are not a stranger I let them know face to face what I offer. Of course now that I'm retired all I tell anyone is "come visit my son's art gallery".

I've always had good returns but the best is on Just Sold cards. It is defintely getting more expensive.

Yes I do send direct mail to my community farm area and have for many years. Every quarter and end of year market report. Just got 3 calls for appointments and secure 2 listings waiting for the third to make up their mind. It takes time and don't expect instant gratification! I have several email campaigns that go out every month to same sphere.

I have employed targeted marketing for many many moons and it is very effective. All the other types you mention as well.

I believe in direct mail and I want listings, so nice post cards tell prospects she has good taste and spends on her properties. Which I do.

I send out postcards to my community of 960 houses.  Different shots of the golf community, almost as if they want to keep them and hang them on their fridge.

I send out two types of mailouts.  One is to specific people and another type is sent out to anyone fitting the criteria.  This type goes to everyone in that category.

I do not do direct marketing... I try to avoid any print when possible, in general. 

Michael Elliott 

I have sent mail in the past, not lately.  Most sellers are waiting to list their properties next year after the elections. When I do send, it is very strategic and yes, it has worked. Katina

no but I do send mail to past clients.

farm mailings.

We do send postcards to expired each week.

I send just listed postcards around a new listing, and prepare a flyer for renters in the neighborhood just after listing.    Have sold the listing that way and garnered more listings.