How effective are the different marketing options out there for you as a real estate professional? What are other Realtors spending money and time on that you aren’t…but perhaps should be?

Over 600 real estate agents and brokers completed the HomeGain Realtor Marketing Survey this month, giving us insight into this year’s top marketing strategies for acquiring new business.

Top 10 Effective Marketing Strategies for Realtors*:

1. Referrals (Scored 8.9 out of a possible 10)
2. Leads From Broker (6.0)
3. Events (Open Houses, Fairs, etc.) (5.3)
4. Featured Listings (5.0)
5. Email Campaigns (4.7)
6. Postcards/Mailers (4.6)
7. Social Networking (4.3)
8. Craigslist (4.2)
9. Online Lead Generation Services (4.1)
10. Print Ads (4.0)

* (1 = Least Effective /10 = Most Effective; Final scores are rounded up or down)

Surveyed agents indicated that they think referrals is the most effective strategy for acquiring new clients, with a score of 8.9 out of a possible 10 for effectiveness, compared to 8.7 earlier this year. Similarly, they also indicated that they will continue to focus on referrals as their leading marketing strategy for the remainder of 2010.

The next two most effective strategies were new additions to the survey results — Leads from the broker and events, which includes open houses, fairs, etc. Craigslist was also a new addition not seen on the previous two surveys.

The survey revealed the lowest most effective marketing strategies, in order: Craigslist, online lead generation services and print ads.

Five marketing strategies that did not make the top 10 most effective marketing strategies list, in order of score highest to lowest were: outdoor ads (4.0), YouTube / video sites (3.8), blogging (3.6), banner ads (3.4), and pay per click (3.1).

2010 Marketing Goals

Surveyed agents indicated that they would like to focus on top marketing strategies — referrals, leads from their brokers, and participate in more real estate focused events.

Top 10 Marketing Objectives for Realtors in 2010**:

1. Referrals (Scored 8.8 out of 10, most likely to use)
2. Leads From Broker (6.2)
3. Events (5.8)
4. Email Campaigns (5.4)
5. Postcards/Mailers (5.0)
6. Featured Listings (5.1)
7. Social Networking (4.8)
8. Craigslist (4.8)
9. Print Ads (4.6)
10. YouTube / Video Sites (3.7)

**(Cumulative Averages, 1 = Least Likely to Use / 10 = Most Likely to Use)

Five marketing methods that did not make Realtors’ top marketing objectives for 2010, in order of score highest to lowest: online lead generation (3.6), blogging (3.6), banner ads (3.4), outdoor advertising (2.7), and pay per click (2.3).

HomeGain conducts regular surveys of Realtors, including the HomeGain Home Improvement Survey and the quarterly HomeGain Home Prices Survey. The 2010 1st quarter HomeGain Home Prices Survey results will be announced in two weeks.

HomeGain’s AgentEvaluator marketing program helps Realtors build their referral pipeline.

AgentView online marketing program provides real estate agents with several of the top 10 most effective marketing practices for reaching potential new home buyers and sellers in an all-in-one, exclusive and ad-free platform.