One of the most valuable tactics home builders can implement is Sales Associate Marketing Initiatives, or SAMIs, as New Home Star likes to refer to them. These are low-cost, high-impact, community-level marketing efforts that a sales agent executes to market their community. These new home sales marketing ideas can take various forms, including community events, social media outreach, incentives, or contests, to name a few. They are designed to complement marketing campaigns done across the entire builder. Still, they can bring incremental traffic that would not otherwise have been captured through a local approach.
In total, SAMI activity should take approximately 36 minutes a day, five days a week, to drive one additional sale to each community every quarter. This allows agents to earn that extra commission with time from in-between customer interactions, giving them ownership of their results — especially if they are placed in a struggling community. For these reasons, the SAMI approach is a staple at New Home Star, and every agent must create and execute their home builder marketing ideas. Continue reading to learn more about our strategies as a foundation for this program.
1. Attend or sponsor local sporting events at schools, park districts, or municipalities.
2. Host, attend, or sponsor local charity events (blood drives, toy drives, etc.).
3. Send direct mailers to the community.
4. Attend, sponsor, or set up a booth at a local outdoor festival.
5. Host an open house event.
6. Attend a farmer’s market and distribute collateral.
7. Organize a Hometown Heroes appreciation lunch or treat drop-off.
8. Host a community yard sale.
9. Sponsor a little league/sports team.
10. Host a first-time homeowner seminar.
11. Organize a Dusty Boots Tour (an exclusive tour of homes under construction).
12. Host a ‘Facts and Snacks’ info session.
13. Organize a community cookout/block party.
14. Host a grand opening event and invite community members.
15. Organize a seasonal celebration event at the model.
16. Send out a ‘Rent vs. Own’ postcard.
17. Organize a seasonal incentive (Spring Into Your New Home, Summer Savings, Fall Into Savings, etc.).
18. Create flyers (Homes of the Week, Deal of the Month, Floor Plan of the Month, Community Overview, etc.).
19. Create and send a ‘Benefits of Buying New’ postcard.
20. Plan a food truck event in the community.
21. Organize incentives (Medical Heroes, Teacher Appreciation, Theme Park Employee Appreciation, etc.).
22. Join the local Chamber of Commerce and attend events.
23. Market at a local golf outing or 5K race — customize water bottles, sunscreen, etc.
24. Create door hangers with community information.
25. Host a dog photoshoot event or other pet-related initiatives.
For new home sales marketing ideas for sales agents, local businesses, and referral marketing tactics, check out our e-book "100 Marketing Ideas for Your New Home Sales Team."
As your traffic keeps increasing, so will referrals, and ensuring you’re offering an exceptional customer experience to each client is imperative. Once a client has moved into their new home, don’t lose touch with them. Continue to reach out to showcase your care and support throughout their journey. Doing so will not only help you cultivate meaningful relationships but could also lead to potential clients down the road — taking your sales operations to the next level.