Interview with Roger
Ng, property sales agent.
1) Do you put leaflets into HDB's mailboxes/doors as a means of advertising?
A: Yes.
2) Where do you put the pamphlets? in the doors, letterboxes or do you pay Singpost to do it?
A: Both doors and letterboxes.
3) How frequently do you do this? How much does it cost?
A: As frequent as weekly, and it may cost between $400-$500.
4) How effective has this advertising strategy been for you?
A: It is effective especially when the frequencies increased and the vastness of areas expands. We want to extend distribution of leaflets as far as possible to attract the maximum number of customers.
5) How do you hire people to distribute these leaflets?
A: Through companies, where they provide such services.
6) If you do not give out leaflets are there other alternative means of advertising that you employ?
A: Through internet, newspapers etc.
7) Do you think this is the best way to promote yourself? Why?
A: There is no best way; every way has equal opportunities for business.
8) Do you think people are indifferent or annoyed by these leaflets?
A: There will always be a small group of people who are indifferent and/or annoyed. While, people who need to sell their houses now or near future will find this very helpful.
9a) Would you be willing to switch to paying money to put adverts on notice boards at the void deck?
A: Certainly. It seems more cost effective than employing runners.
9b) How much would you be willing to pay to advertise this way?
A: $300-$400
10) Would you be willing to place pamphlets in plastic slots placed beside the lifts instead of putting it in mailboxes and doors?
A: Sure do.
11) How would you respond to a law imposed that bans advertisements in doorways?
A: I always believe that there are many ways to reach the customers even if not putting flyers on doorways.
Printing flyer is just wasted money, paper and not-environment friendly, not to forget that it is considered vandalism if they try to paste their flyer on public places like bus stop.
In fact if one is resources enough, there are better way of using cheap internet tools which allow you to host your website for marketing or promote your service products, still you need to under how to use and create the website domain after you sign up as their user, a few well-known are :
1) Namecheap : http://www.namecheap.com
2) HostGator : http://hostgator.com
3) Global Virtual Oppportunities : http://www.gogvo.com
4) 1 & 1 Internet : http://www.1and1.com
Finally I do see that some property agent placed their ad on transport like bus and taxi, any property agents care to share if it works, cos it seem reductant and I always see flyer about if someone is interested in buying an unit in the block they are interested, only seller can reply, otherwise the buyer will "rejected" any property agents who offered their service.