Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: FW: Search Engine Marketing and Direct Mail

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

> On Mar 17, 2016, at 5:24 PM, Robert Oyafuso <boyafuso [at] sbcglobal.net> 
> wrote:
> 
> In addition has anyone sent direct mail to a list compile by a search engine
> for prospects whose demographics are like cohousers?

In general marketing in the conventional way does not bring in prospects. In 
Florida one group put an ad in a national alternative lifestyle magazine (I 
forget the name) in the 1990s. They got hundreds and hundreds of responses. No 
takers. I advertised Sunday afternoon open houses several times. Lots of 
interest and praise and fascination. No takers. The group hired a real estate 
publicity agency. No prospects. 

And these things are hugely expensive. Huuuuuuuuuge!

Cohousing is far more well known now but person to person, local publicity, 
presence on this list, and flyers, flyers, flyers work best. Flyers in food 
coops, chiropractor’s offices, Unitarian Churches, given to friends. Tours. 
Gatherings.

It’s the personal contact. Local food coops, churches, synagogues, etc., all 
feel personal.

The group in Iowa City has published an excellent publicity plan. You might 
contact them.

Sharon
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Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org