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Tips on marketing this free service

by jbearnolimits
11 replies
So I have a free service where I help people find an apartment that they qualify for. This saves them time and money because they don't have to pay aplication fees to places they may not qualify for and they don't have to call a lot of places or drive by a lot of places. I basically take the guess work out of finding an apartment and it is free to them.

I have been using craigslist but the people don't seem to be serious about finding a home. Any other ideas?
#free #marketing #service #tips
  • Profile picture of the author SashaLee
    Hi there,

    Being free implies it has no value, or is possibly a scam. Maybe you should position it differently.

    All the best,
    Sasha.
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    • Profile picture of the author jbearnolimits
      Originally Posted by SashaLee View Post

      Hi there,

      Being free implies it has no value, or is possibly a scam. Maybe you should position it differently.

      All the best,
      Sasha.
      The thing is I offer it free to the client but I get paid by the apartments.
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  • Profile picture of the author KingOfContentMarketing
    I'd try to focus on one or two niches. For example, if there are a number of colleges nearby you could specialize in helping them. In that case you could blanket all the places college students would be looking- forums, classified sites, college newspapers, local shoppers, high traffic bulletin boards, specific sections of Craigslist, campus housing sites, etc.

    If you are in a young, growing city like Austin you could also target new residents and single professionals. Tailor your marketing to those areas they would be looking- apartment guides, local weeklies, suburban newspapers, local sites like Austin360.com (part of the Statesman newspaper Austin Classifieds - Austin American-Statesman Classifieds | www.statesman.com), shopping malls, welcome centers, etc.
    Signature
    Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
    - Jack Trout
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  • Profile picture of the author freeadstime
    How about using Facebook ads or say Adwords type ads? You can target the audience, you're after.
    Signature
    Post an ad to FeeAdsTime.com in major cities such as Chicago Classifieds, San Diego Classifieds and Los Angeles Classifieds.
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  • Profile picture of the author Cobaki
    I agree that you should target locally at first. You should try reaching first those who are just starting who don't have that much income. College students is a great idea as you can target many prospects. Search in public libraries or newspapers those that offer services independently.
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    • Profile picture of the author Vikuna2009+
      This thread;

      http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...o-5-000-a.html

      might give you some ideas...

      Eva

      P.s. What do you offer for your services exactly?
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      • Profile picture of the author jbearnolimits
        Originally Posted by Vikuna2009+ View Post

        This thread;

        http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...o-5-000-a.html

        might give you some ideas...

        Eva

        P.s. What do you offer for your services exactly?
        Thanks, that thread sounds exactly like what I am doing actually.
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        • Profile picture of the author SashaLee
          Originally Posted by jbearnolimits View Post

          Thanks, that thread sounds exactly like what I am doing actually.
          Hi there,

          Then you might want to check the laws in your state. In that other thread the discussion got derailed by people knocking the idea for the lack of licensing.

          I think you need to come up with an angle - something to build a list. Renters today will most likely be renters tomorrow so while you don't get them this time around if you have their contact information you'll be able to ping them 12 months from now.

          How about running a competition for a free iPad, or free moving ("we'll move your furniture for free!") or something that will catch the renter's attention. If you have a shiny object to cause them to read your ad and give their email address or other information, then you'll have a list you can communicate with all year with tips on getting into a nice flat, etc.

          All the best,

          Sasha.
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  • Profile picture of the author clg21
    Wow, this is great!
    Is this for online business networking and marketing? If this is, this is a good idea and plan for people who are still new in the business. You can really be a good and great help for us newbie’s. Please do update us all for your offer.
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  • Profile picture of the author CandyxLand
    How are you contacting the people on craigslist, through email or a phone call? Remember that emails listed on craigslist are spammed to death, and they are probably assuming that your email is another junk email (it is, no offense). You have to make it stand out or personalize it. Try calling some of them. Otherwise, think of a new product. Don't beat a dead horse.
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    • Profile picture of the author jbearnolimits
      Originally Posted by CandyxLand View Post

      How are you contacting the people on craigslist, through email or a phone call? Remember that emails listed on craigslist are spammed to death, and they are probably assuming that your email is another junk email (it is, no offense). You have to make it stand out or personalize it. Try calling some of them. Otherwise, think of a new product. Don't beat a dead horse.
      I have them contact me by phone. The email is hidden.
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