Realtors are like mini-business owners; they need to generate leads to get listings and utilize various techniques to find new business. Unfortunately, the costs of TV or large newspaper ads are usually too costly for their budget. Developing an online Public Relations or PR campaign strategy may be just the thing to generate leads that set them apart from the competition.

Most real estate agents fail to take advantage of the internet as a PR campaign channel and will rely on print ads in the local penny saver or direct mail advertising as a way to get their name in front of potential clients looking to sell their homes.

This traditional process can prove to be unsuccessful as many people begin to move away from these types of advertisements and onto the internet for their research. Of course many real estate franchises off tools to their agents to promote themselves with realtor website templates and other marketing materials, but fail to realize these all look the same when the client is looking for an agent to list their home. Because of the template look and feel, each agent website looks like the other with the same color scheme, listings and no promotional content of the agent themselves.

Incorporating PR techniques along with the standard template website can set the progressive realtor apart from the rest in the eyes of the prospect.

3 Things that a PR campaign should include:

1. Satisfied customer testimonials - As clients close on their homes, the agent should ask for a small sentence or two outlining their experience and satisfaction with the agent. Placing these testimonials on their website can provide some instant credibility to the agent and their ability to service the customer.

2. Promotional video - A small 60 second PR video can be created in a professional studio for less than the cost of one direct mail campaign. Using an unbiased spokesman touting the agent's strengths and experience can go a long way toward building an impression that can stay with the prospect for weeks or longer.

3. Real Estate Newsletter - Creating an e-mail subscription campaign to distribute information about the real estate market will continue keeping the agent in front of potential buyers and sellers over time. The agent is more likely to be contacted when the time is right as they have built a rapport over time.

In summary, realtors need to do more than the traditional business card at the grocery store bulletin board to get new clients. Creating a PR campaign that creates a web funnel of prospects to your door is not as hard as it sounds and can cost a great deal less than the traditional marketing most agents are following.

Having a basic web page to market your business is pretty much what your competition is doing. Having a PR Video about your company can make an immediate impression on your prospective clients.