Brokers received tips on how to get local PR and how to actively recruit on the latest Tele Call with Kim Ades.

Getting your firm’s name in your local paper or trade publication can help you generate many recruit leads. One of the best ways to get “free press” is to send out a press release.
Gloria Fraser of ERA American Realty shared how she used the press release in our Broker Resource section about how the Real Estate Simulator helps individuals to explore a career in real estate. She inserted contact information for ERA American Realty, and sent the news releases to local newspapers.
Three feature articles were published as a result. One article showed a picture of an ERA Realtor using the Simulator, and the two others gave the address of the ERA Web site.
Here are some other suggestions to help generate local PR:

· Read your local papers and trade publications to find out what they are writing about and develop an “angle” suitable to their content and audience. For example, find the person who writes the “career section” and share with them how the Real Estate Simulator helps people find out if a career in real estate is for them. If for example, you are trying to get coverage from your local real estate association, your “angle” should be how the Real Estate Simulator can help their members to increase their skills.

· Contact either the writer or editor by email or letter first, then follow up with a phone call.

· Compliment the writer on one of his or her articles and say something like, “that was very interesting…you might also be interested in this…”

· Invite the writer or editor to personally try the Real Estate Simulator.

· Create an event around the Real Estate Simulator. Jack Cotton, Broker, Cotton Real Estate, threw a Real Estate Simulator Party and had all of his agents take the test at the same time. He invited the local press to attend and received front page coverage in the business section. For more information on hosting your own Real Estate Simulator Party, contact Junior Adjetey: 1.888.260.7212 x30

Active recruiting with the Real Estate Simulator
Getting your firm’s name in the press is a good way to attract potential recruits, but active recruiting means not waiting for recruits to come to you. Here’s how some brokers are using the Real Estate Simulator to attract new leads as well as “revive” old leads.

A number of brokers have increased their recruit leads by placing a banner ad on their website inviting visitors to try the Simulator. You can also take out an ad in your local newspaper with an invitation to visit your website and take the test. Asking people to register online will provide you with a database of leads.

Find out what career websites and online job boards are available in your area and contact them to see if you can include a link to your website and the opportunity to take the Simulator on them. A website banner ad and a sample newspaper ad are available for your use on the Broker Resource page.

Another source of leads could be your local real estate school. Why not use a “tele-call” to help you recruit new licensees. Distribute a flyer inviting students to participate in a tele-call giving them tips on how to pass their exams with a “by the way…go to our website and check out the Real Estate Simulator.”