The famous quote, "A picture is worth a thousand words", is one that we have all heard so often that it has truly become a cliché. Attributed originally to Confucius, who lived over 2000 years ago, and used so often even today... well, we must give this proverb some attention, if for no other reason than for it's resilience. But there is another reason to pay this quote attention. Why, we ask, has it remained so popular for all these years? Perhaps because it's true (duh)!
Now, when it comes to trying to articulate a deep thought or emotion, or trying to win a heated debate, or trying to convince someone of a viewpoint on something complex such as politics or religion, I agree that words are very powerful and useful tools. However, when it comes to selling a house... well, let's just get to the point:
Don't write a book in your advertisement or flyer!
Buyers have a lot to choose from these days and their options are abundant and very diverse. We live in a world where time is rarer and more sought after than gold, so we must maximize it at every turn if we are to be competitive. Buyers will grow impatient and frustrated if they have to read a novel to get the "feel" of a house. Or they may just ignore the text altogether, feeling overwhelmed by the amount of it, and let their eye flow straight to the pictures. And of course, if you've overused precious space on a flyer with words, the pictures will most likely be undersized or too few to make an impact. Why not just show them what you want to tell them? Here are two examples of what I would call a "successful" flyer:
http://www.classifiedflyerads.com/display_flyer.php?flyer_id=5879
http://www.classifiedflyerads.com/display_flyer.php?flyer_id=5777
Now, before you get the wrong idea here, let's not forget that some words are necessary. Obviously, if you have an ad or flyer that has only pictures and no words, you will have left out essential information that a buyer may be looking for in their quest for a new property. The key word here is "essential"; a short paragraph with the significant selling features of the property is ideal and can be oh so effective. Better still are bullet points with key details. Remember, a simple and organized flyer makes a world of difference when trying to attract the most amounts of buyers possible. In addition, keep in mind that space on ads is limited, so be sure to dedicate more of it to pictures than to words.
A good place to make impressionable flyers is at ClassifiedFlyerAds.com. The process is simple and the site offers many options and features.
Here's to your advertising success! Good luck.
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Go Smart Solutions, LLC |
You're right. I use many pictures, and pay Realtor.com for showcase listings, with extra pictures, but since I have only one listing right now I'm certainly not getting my money's worth.
Some pics do more harm than others, I think. Photography counts more than words, but can detract of it's bad photography. Don't you agree?
I use "Publisher Pro" and do my own. It's really easy.