Business

Why Real Estate Door Hangers are a Waste of Time & Money

October 31, 2022
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For years, real estate door hangers have been a go-to marketing technique for agents looking to generate leads in their farm area. But the truth is, door hangers are an outdated and ineffective way to market your business. Not only are they costly and time-consuming to produce, but they also have a very low response rate (typically less than 1%). So what are some alternatives that you can use that will actually generate results? Keep reading to find out.

Why Real Estate Door Hangers are a waste of time

They Don't Get Read (Or Seen)

Let's face it; most people don't pay attention to door hangers. In fact, a study by Ritter Communications found that door hangers only have a .05% - 1% response rate. That means that for every 1,000 door hangers you distribute, only 5-10 people will actually respond to them! And of those people, even fewer will take action and become a listing or new buyer. So why bother?

They're Expensive

Another problem with door hangers is that they can be quite expensive to produce and distribute. The cost can often be a hidden one, your time. To distribute 1,000 door hangers will take hours if not days of your time. Not to mention you also have to design and print the door hangers. Then you have to pay someone to hang them on doors (unless you want to do it yourself). All of that adds up quickly! And if your door hangers end up in the trash instead of on doors, you've just wasted a lot of time and money.

They're Intrusive & Annoying

Have you ever had a door hanger hung on your own door? If so, then you know how intrusive and annoying they can be. Nobody likes having their door covered in advertisements! So why would you subject your potential customers to the same thing? It just doesn't make sense.

What to Do Instead

So if door hangers don't work (and are actually a waste of time and money), what should you do instead? Here are a few ideas...

Handwritten Direct Mail: Marketing via a road less traveled

Handwritten letters are a rarity these days. And that's what makes them so special. When someone receives a handwritten letter, it stands out from all of the other junk mail and bills. It's something unique and special, something that was taken the time to create just for them. And that personal touch is what grabs their attention and makes them more likely to read it. So if you want to grab your prospects' attention, send them a handwritten letter. It's sure to stand out from the rest and get their attention! At LettrLabs we create handwritten letters and handwritten Post Cards specifically for Real Estate agents. Our past clients have experienced unprecedented success with our outreach resulting in a consistent flow of listings and buyers.

Is Handwritten Mail Scalable?

Handwritten mail is scalable due to LettrLabs advances in robotics, where each card is written with a real pen. With this technology, agents can easily and affordably send handwritten cards to hundreds or even thousands of recipients at once. And thanks to the personal touch of a handwritten card, recipients are sure to appreciate the gesture and be more likely to act on the message. As a result the cost per piece is closer to printed mail than any alternative marketing mediums today. So if you're looking for a powerful and affordable marketing tool, look no further than handwritten mail from LettrLabs!


Other Alternatives

Direct Mail Campaigns

One of the most effective lead generation techniques for real estate agents is direct mail campaigns. Unlike door hangers, which get thrown away or ignored, direct mail pieces are more likely to be opened and read by your target audience. Plus, you can be very specific with your targeting by using demographic data like income, age, and homeownership status to pinpoint who you want to receive your mailers.

Online Advertising

Another great way to generate leads is through online advertising. This could be in the form of banner ads on websites that your target audience is visiting or pay-per-click ads on search engines like Google and Bing. Online advertising allows you to reach a large number of people with your message and you only pay when someone clicks on your ad.

Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing is another great way to connect with potential leads in your area. You can use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to share helpful information about the real estate market, as well as updates on listings and open houses. You can also use social media to build relationships with potential clients by engaging with them in the comments section and responding to their messages.


There are many different lead generation techniques that real estate agents can use to market their business. Door hangers may be the easiest method, but they are also the least effective. Direct mail campaigns, online advertising, and social media marketing are all much more effective ways to generate leads and grow your business. So if you're looking for better results, ditch the door hangers and try one of these other methods instead. Contact LettrLabs today and request a free sample to see the quality yourself.

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Handwritten letters are a rarity, with the average American only receiving four per year - US Postal Service

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