Help deciding how to spend marketing money (agents, sellers, value)

[REinsider]

I've got a $1,000/mo marketing budget that I need to spend to generate leads and business. Any tips on how to get the best return on my marketing money? I've been in the business for two years and have relied mostly on circle of influence and team leads up until this point.

Thanks!

[MikeJaquish]

How fresh is your website?

[EricBoyd]

Have you identified where the “leaks” in your business development pipeline are occurring? If not, there’s a good place to start.

[MinivanDriver]

Create a web page. Hire someone to do it or use a template. Make sure it's attractive and has some features on it. Just as importantly, have someone help you with paid search. This will suck up a couple months of your budget at the very least.

Have a brand. Most real estate agents put up a site with the lame "Ask me for all your real estate needs" or some such. In other words, they are doing the same damned thing as every other real estate agent on the planet. Instead, do it differently. Brand yourself as a consultant who is intent on helping a seller create value, not just another person who hammers a sign in the yard and slings business cards around at every gathering.

Then on to social media, primarily Facebook marketing. Create your own Facebook page and KEEP ADDING CONTENT. Whatever you do, don't create it and then let it sit. In terms of content, attach articles that will be interesting and useful to people. Paid advertisements within a very defined geographic area and demographic are dirt cheap, too.

Do not throw away your money on newspapers or real estate magazines. Complete wastes of money. Do not put your photo on billboards.

If you are an effective speaker, figure out a way to get yourself on morning talk shows, radio shows, and anything else. Not to hawk yourself, but to give people information on the best way to sell/buy their homes.

In fact, avoid the temptation to put your photo on anything. Yes, I know that marketing hacks have advised that from the dawn of time, but those cheesy photos make real estate agents look like escorts, not professionals. Plaster your photo on a bus stop or a billboard, and it looks creepy. Plus there's little return on your investment.

[TeamLynn]

I'd buy some lead lists and phone numbers.
Start calling and sending to the highest potential sellers.
What city are you in?

Might also spend an hour buying coffee in the morning and afternoon meeting face to face with people who can send you leads.