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You Don't Need a Massive Budget to Market Your Real Estate Business

  • Writer: Bridget McCrea
    Bridget McCrea
  • 2 days ago
  • 2 min read

I'm celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Real Estate Agent's Business Planner (5th edition just came out) and wanted to share one of the most asked questions I get from new agents: how much should I spend on marketing?

 

In the book, I write about how real estate coaches typically recommend spending about 20-30% of your projected first-year income on marketing. If you're targeting $100,000 in year one, that's roughly $25,000.

 

Sounds like a lot, right? Here's the thing: smart marketing doesn't have to break the bank if you spend strategically and show up consistently. Here are six low-cost strategies worth testing:

 

  • Show up in person. Join neighborhood groups, volunteer at school events and introduce yourself around town. Many agents earn their best leads through consistent community involvement.

 

  • Tap free digital tools. Short videos on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube Shorts grab attention fast. Share market updates, quick tips or neighborhood highlights.

 

  • Post wins on your socials. My daughter just sold her house and her agent quickly posted the "pending" news on Facebook. He quickly picked up another listing on the same street. People want to work with agents who are actively closing deals.

 

  • Get creative with outreach. Drop postcards in your target neighborhood that say "I have buyers waiting." Deliver pumpkins, holiday flags or seasonal treats to homeowners in your farm area. Small gestures like this get noticed when your competitors are focused on digital outreach.

 

  • Ask for referrals early. Don't wait until closing. Tell clients upfront you'd really appreciate the referral if they're happy with your service. Then they won’t be surprised when you ask later.

 

  • Look for free exposure. Reporters and podcasters often need local real estate insights. Make yourself available and position yourself as a resource.

 

You may not always be able to outspend the top agents in your area, but you can outwork them with strategy, consistency and a memorable presence.


If you’re looking for more ways to market and grow your real estate business, my books The 20th Anniversary Edition of The Real Estate Agent’s Business Planner and The Real Estate Agent's 12-Month Planning Workbook are both on Amazon.

 
 
 
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