Hi Karen!
Want to know what the best outreach marketing is? You! I live on-site and make sure all my local businesses know how great my community is. At the checkout counter when I shop, the cashier will always ask "how are you?" My answer will always promote my property. "It's freezing outside, I'm sure glad I live next door!" I now have several employees of that business living at my property. And even if they are happy where they are, maybe the customer in line behind me is looking for a place. Introduce yourself to the managers of nearby businesses. This way they can recommend your property any new employees looking to move to the area.
Keep up with your comps! We're all on the same team. So find out which of your comps are fully occupied and make nice so they send traffic your way! I send out market survey requests each quarter. Other communities who respond to my requests get my referrals when I have a prospect with needs I can't meet.
My community has discontinued publishing in local newspapers but we use a lot of free online marketing. I have a list of about a hundred websites that are free to list vacancies on, but when a unit becomes vacant and isn't pre-leased, we get busy with outreach by making another visit to other local businesses.
I have "QR Code" stickers that will take any smartphone or iphone users directly to our website with their barcode scanner ap. Printed on stickers, our code can be easily distributed by handing out treats or posting flyers at bus stops, grocery stores, etc. I also send out postcards to local businesses, especially any new business in the area.
Many properties use balloons to attract drive-by traffic, but in my city, balloons and flags are prohibited, so we have to be a little more creative. I put up bushes that are cut in noticeable swirly shapes to draw eyes to our sign.
I ask residents to consider posting a review of our community on apartmentratings. Surprisingly, I get a lot of traffic from there. Renters want to rent at places where other renters are happy, so ask your happy residents to to refer their friends and coworkers or post an online review.
If your office is slow, send a spare staff member out to hand out flyers or hang them on local bulletin boards. Print your flyers on brightly colored paper, cut them into non-typical sizes, cut tabs in some at the bottom with your contact information.
Happy renting! :lol:
