Topic: Looking for ideas for Outreach Marketing to preferred employers!

Looking for ideas for Outreach Marketing to preferred employers! Thanks!

I just saw your post about a new construction lease up. I'm doing a new construction lease up in Lynn and I'm from Wilmington. What's worked well for me is reach out to local businesses and ask for coupons/flyers that advertise their businesses. I made a folder to give to residents at move in that have a copy of the lease docs, receipts, etc as well as all the promos. It's little cost to the businesses and zero cost to you other than a little leg work of reaching out. Just tell the businesses they have until a certain date to provide you with hard copy fliers. I have about 15 businesses in my welcome packet.

You could also reach out to big companies that may need corporate housing for their executive employees. If they need a short term lease and you're not doing short term leases currently, up the monthly rental rate 10-15% which will likely cover turnover expenses. Good luck!!!

Pick a Resident who works at one and offer to buy her and several coworkers lunch. We did pizza for 20 and doughnuts are good too. They look like a rockstar for brining I’m treats. And you get marketing done

A twist on this one.... do it monthly....don’t tell the resident and send whatever it is to the office (Ive often gone with baked goods....here in the DC market Georgetown Cupcakes delivers or ships (if outside delivery area)). The surprise factor typically makes the resident talk about it more!

Hey Shauna, a lot of larger employers don’t allow solicitation BUT there are a few ways you can approach. Are you looking to go more digital or more personal? The above idea from Staci is great, building on your current residents is always a plus we used to call them Hugs at Work by bringing new move ins baskets or gifts as a thank you for choosing us! There’s no better WOM than everyone’s curiosity

Look through your current resident list and see if any of them work for the places you’re hoping to target. They could be your best resource for an in.

I would take them some treats and some advertising materials and see if they’ll set them in the break room. I still believe personalized pens are the best ascertaining materials! Especially if your going somewhere that uses them a lot

I found Preferred Employers love having their name mentioned

I visit the human resource department and have them advertise free apps or admin fees as an employee benefit. That way, they look good and we get increased traffic. Our preferred employer leases are up over 30%from last year.

Offer to bring pastries to the employee break room. Take literature, brochures, business cards.

I’ve used LinkedIn and had great success in the past. They appreciated that I reached out first and made an appointment for me to come by with my PE packages.

Offer a free car wash for each referral.

Cookies. It sounds too simple but it works. I did it myself in a major hospital at each nurses desk in downtown Chicago near the mag mile.
1. Get lots of boxes of cookies and label them with your information
2. Include flyers but keep them on the small size.
3. When you walk in say “hi my name is X and I’m from Apartment Name here and I just wanted to drop off some cookies for your team. We are apartments right off insert street and we just wanted to say hello and if you know anyone looking we are running a great special.”
4. From there it’s just a convo. Some will turn you away but others will start chatting with you and you may get a lead.

It doesn’t matter how high end, EVERYONE loves cookies.

Outreach Marketing Lover right here! ⬅️

Brilliant insight Ms. Kristi! I can’t wait to implement this in my outreach process. This should be a headliner with all Preferred Employer programs.

Thank you so much! I LOVE doing outreach marketing (I know some folks don’t) but I like it a lot more when I can really see if what I’m doing, is working. Glad you found some good nuggets of info here. Good luck with your outreach!

Donuts to the local hospitals for the staff. If you are pet friendly make doggie treat bags to take to local vets and doggie daycares, make sur to bring flyers and goodies to the people too! Also pens, flyers, and candy bags to the local police departments.

Host a Speed Dating event!

Bring lunch/coffee/donuts to recruiters to your area—. ask them what they’re fav is and see them in a consist basis. Anything where you’re out of your office shaking hands is good!

Effective outreach is becoming your neighborhoods favorite person to work with!

*if you do three month lease/corporate leases introduce yourself to the traveling nurse relocation companies. I wish my company allowed 3 month short term leases because they rotated nurses like crazy and they’re luxury apt qualified

During a lease up in a soft market, near a regional hospital, We picked up hospital team members in a limo and escorted them to the community with happy hour en route.

Pay it forward at local businesses

I do rock candy sticks with a tag that says "Our apartments rock" with our logo and contact info

Here's the biggest problem with what most properties call 'outreach marketing". They simply start hitting up anyone and everyone in their neighborhood. Not the smartest thing to do. Good outreach marketing has a WRITTEN plan with goals, strategies and takes into consideration current and upcoming vacancies. Remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish.

I agree with Lisa. Who is your renter? Who can you PARTNER with? Don’t just throw collateral out. Some examples: Home builders- if you’re in a hot housing market they may have a customer who needs an apartment fast. If you’re dependable they will refer. They want a great experience for their customer *we have a property that has a lot of divorcees. We’ve partnered with local family/ divorce attorneys with nice collateral to give to their customers. *Can you get your community on an major employers internal website for THEIR employees? (school districts for teachers?). It may seem like more work but it is usually more cost effective and get better results. *Eat out around your community and be SUPER NICE and talk about how great your community is. Word travels

Consistency and connection! The goodies are easy and fun but it's YOU that really makes the difference!

I am always amazed at all the time and energy put into “outreach marketing” when they do little to no effective online advertising, ppc, or enhancements to their online footprint. Just my opinion but I see it all the time.

Divorce attorneys referrals

It is true! I was just telling this to one of my leasing peeps. Hate to say it but divorcees were my fave to lease to lol