Holiday guerrilla marketing tactics

Guerrilla marketing is loosely defined as any unconventional or creative way that small businesses market their services. The concept, which was popularized by Jay Conrad Levinson in his book Guerrilla Marketing, was originally used by small businesses operating on tight budgets. But today most businesses – big and small – incorporate some kind of guerilla marketing tactics into their marketing plans.

Because the end of the year tends to be slow for anyone in the real estate business, now may be a good time to incorporate some guerilla marketing tactics so you can turn prospects into new clients in the New Year. Here are some ideas you can use this holiday season:

• Sending out holiday cards to clients may seem like a no-brainer, but make it more personal by handwriting a note thanking them for their business or for their referral. In today's digital world, people will be appreciative that you took the time to jot down a few personal lines and even if they don't need an agent right now, they may be more likely to contact you in the future.
• Organize a group to Christmas carol in your market area. Be sure to leave behind a Happy Holidays card from your business.
• When you donate to holiday charities, use your realty's name instead of your own.
• Send your past clients news articles on shopping tips or saving money during the holidays and encourage them to pass them on to a friend.
• Host a blood drive. Encourage people in your community to give the gift of life this holiday season. Learn how to organize a blood drive here. You can try the same approach with many other charitable acts and get the same result – you'll be doing yourself and your community a favor!
• Send out e-mail ads for obscure holidays that fall within the big ones. For instance, send out e-mails wishing clients a "Happy Winter Solstice" (Dec. 21) and remind them that while it's the shortest day of the year, you'll work as long as it takes to find them the perfect home. XSellerate, the automated marketing program, comes with plenty of eye-catching pre-built ads for nearly every holiday on the calendar. You can also create your own custom ads using your own images or the ones we provide you in XSellerate's clip art gallery.