Know-How Exchange : Advertising/PR

While you don't say what kind of apartment community you have (luxury, budget-concious, etc.), the most important part of "selling" someone on a living space is to get them to see it.

Hold a couple of open houses...have nibbles on hand and give away an ad speciality so visitors remember you.

Make it more enticing in that people won't have to fill out the tedious visitor's cards unless they want to see more than the unit in which you hold the open house, such as the gym, pool, etc.

Bottom line: focus on the features, warmth, safety and fun of the community.

What about offering your tenants a finders fee? My complex offers a signing bonus for both the current tenant and the person moving in. When I moved in I was a referral. My friend received a $300 credit to use whenever needed and I received $100 of the first three months of rent. Advertising for this is easy. All you have to do is put a flier in each tenants door.

Lots of complexes in my area will offer free first and last months rent if you sign up by a certain date. Advertising for this is more expensive. You could advertise on the radio or in the paper.

Another option would be to have an Open House to get people in to look at the apartments and offer them a special signing rate. Advertising for this could also be done in the paper or on the radio.

You could also advertise these things on Craigslist for free. It doesn't hurt to put a general ad on Craigslist or any other site like Craigslist.

I hope this helps a bit. I'll keep racking my brain and let you know if I come up with anything else!

I would suggest first and foremost if you dont have a web presence, to get one up and maintain it, make sure you have both pics.. of your complexes apartments in the website so they have an idea of what you have to offer, if you have amenities on the complex... they make get filler as well.

Are you currently advertised in any of the Apartment rental guides? The upfront cost might be a little more but you have a wider area of distribution ( which is free for your consumer base).

You need to reach out to the Realtors, the local business, new home sales offices and the major employers in the area to partner up with them, these are your strongest allies and your base for networking with eachother. everyone benefits, helpful information is garnered for your welcome packages for new residents, and the businesses also benefit by supplying discount coupons-thus increasing their exposure.

Major employers, many major employers will have programs for the relocation of their employees. Get in touch with the Relocation Specialist Officer. that offer preferred discount employer.

Some one has already said throw an open house, so no need to repeat others.

Chamber of Commerce- you should be actively networking with the businesses and individuals around you, it actually creates alot of good will and word of mouth

have you considered corporate leasing.. work with a corp housing company, to set this up, minimum set up of the stays are three months.

LASTLY.. always, always follow up on the leads you have, within 24 hours.


but then you have traditional banners, balloons,gifts, refreshments, etc..

this is the best i can do on this.


Krista

Where do your existing residents work? Can you contact their HR departments and offer a relocation package? How about offering fully furnished apartments for long-term stays (business people)? If you have the zoning, turn some of the apartments into small business centers - for low-cost business rentals.