Do you have customers who don't have e-mail or internet access? Do you want to attract new customers with tabloid style printed newsletters placed at local business? Do you blog great content and still pay for a printed generic or stock newsletter to mail to customers or homeowners in your targeted neighborhood?
If you answered "yes" to any of the questions above, you may want to take a look at www.FeedJournal.com. Feed Journal is offers free and paid service for creating print publication such as newsletters or newspapers from RSS feeds from your website and blog.
FREE VERSUS PAID SERVICE
Here are some of the benefits of the basic service:
- Create an online newspaper that your prospects, clients or blog readers can easily download from your website or blog.
- Create an offline newsletter that can be mailed or handed out to your prospects or clients.
- Allow your readers the option of reading online or offline by including a link to your online newspaper eliminating the need to separately located and print each blog post.
Here are some of the benefits of the paid service ($59/month):
- Unlimited feeds - good for brokerage wide newsletters.
- Create your own newspaper masthead.
- Custom page size, fonts and more.
- Customize sections and headers such as technology, new listings, localism, etc. Select the number of columns. Select the paper size.
- Narrowly tailor content based on dates of articles or last x number of articles. Choose the feeds or articles to be included in the newsletter.
- Include article images in the newsletter.
- Eliminate third party ads.
STEPS TO CREATING YOUR FREE NEWSLETTER USING YOUR OWN BLOG CONTENT
Step 1 - Go to http://feedjournal.com/Publisher.html.
Step 2 - Enter you e-mail address and the URL for your RSS feed.
Step 3 - Open e-mail from Feed Journal with your own newpaper in pdf form.
SAMPLES OF NEWSLETTERS
Sample: Free Service - The Lafayette Report.
Sample: Paid Service - Liberty Newsprint.
Interested in learning more about how to use technology to market and sell your home in St. Louis, Missouri? Contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381 or send an e-mail to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
PREA SIGNATURE REALTY
PREA Signature Realty is a full service brokerage located at 1709 Park Avenue in the Lafayette Square neighborhood of the City of St. Louis. PREA Signature proudly serves the following city neighborhoods: Lafayette Square, Soulard, Benton Park, Benton Park West, Downtown Loft District, Forest Park Southwest, Central West End, Tower Grove East, Tower Grove South, Compton Heights, Shaw, The Hill, Dogtown, Carondelet, Holly Hills, St. Louis Hills, Dutchtown, and the Other Historic Neighborhoods of the City of Saint Louis, Missouri.
The opinions expressed herein represent the opinions of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of PREA Signature Realty. All photos and written content were produced by PREA Signature Realty. All Rights Reserved - PREA Signature Realty (2009). This content may not be reproduced or reprinted, except for Active Rain re-blogging, without express written permission of PREA Signature Realty.
For more information, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com or contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381 or send an email to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.
I have it on my list to start a print newsletter because we do have a lot of people in Florida that are not on the internet. In fact, I am about to write a post about serving those who are not online. I like the look of the newspaper type. Are you using this?
so many kewl tools that one can find out about here on AR. I've been toying with it but my focus is online and a print newsletter didn't really make sense timewise. This just might be the answer! thanks for this.
Katerina - I have played around with the free tool. It isn't branded to my liking so we are going to do a test run with the paid service. I'll let you know how it goes.
Kate - I have done print newsletters - either they contain canned content and are expensive or too generic or they are time consuming in terms of production. This is a pretty simple tool. I'm going to test drive the paid service and do a post in couple of weeks as to whether or not it was worthwhile.
Thanks for sharing it. I plan to look into this soon.
Lorena - I love reading your posts and thanks for stopping in. I like the concept behind this site. Although I typically post about free tools, I think the paid service is the way to go with this one. If you find another provider of a similar service, let me know. We have been looking around for just the right tool and this seems to be the best fit for us.
They give you the free version so you upgrade to paid. Paid is always better. Get what you pay for
I am going to look into this one for the company.
Hi Ryan, Good post. Thanks for sharing.
Best - Sash
What a terrific idea! So applicable to older clientele, although even my 82 year old mother has learned to use email.
Ryan,
I will check this out. Sounds very interesting! Thanks for sharing.
That is really neat. I used to do a newsletter and tried to do a newspaper format. This looks like it could make things really easy.
Good morning Ryan,
I like the look of the newsletter, free service, but pg. 7 was little off. I think that I am going to try and use the free service for now and I will let you know how it works. Thanks for the heads up my friend.
Eric: I agree to a limited extent. There are plenty of free software sites that offer good free tools. Is the paid version better? Yes. However, this is one where I would spend the money because I want branding and more customization.
Sasha: Thanks for reading.
Janice: I have very few clients who don't have e-mail. However, I do have older clients who don't regularly use e-mail or internet. So, if I want them to read my material, I need a print option.
Renee: You are welcome. I like finding cost effective tech tools that make my real estate practice run smoother.
Tim: When I did a personal newsletter I had two results. Either poor quality in terms of layout and design or too time consuming.
Don: I agree with your take on page 7. It is one of the reasons that I intend to give the paid version a try. Better product.
I love this idea! I have quite a few clients who don't have / use email. Let us know what you think about the paid version. Thanks for the info Ryan!
Stacie - I will do so.
Wow, this is a very cool tool. There's tons of potential here for agents. Thanks for sharing.
Great idea, Ryan. You are becoming the expert in marketing ideas. Thanks for sharing with us. I am bookmarking this post to remind me to follow up!
Ryan, this is a fantastic way to extend your reach to clients not using the internet, shocking to know some people still don't but I know it does exist. Heck, even my parents use the internet at age 69 - lol. I will be very interested to hear/read a follow-up to this post on what you think of the paid version. I'm with you - branding is so important and if they offer take advantage of that. Excellent post as usual. ~Anne Marie
Rich: Thanks for reading - I hope it helps.
Pat: Hardly, an expert - but I do have some plans for this one.
Anne Marie: I do have clients that have no e-mail or don't use it. In most cases, they are either elderly or disabled - plus my mother heard about my blogging and, after a lenghthy discussion, wanted to read my posts. She used the internet up to age 74 and still can - but won't. I keep you posted on the paid version. I agree that branding is extremely important. Thanks for reading - I enjoy your comments.
Hi Ryan! As always, I have learned something else from your blog and BOOKMARKED--again! What a wonderful idea, especially for those with the SRES certification, who primarily serve the retired community--many of whom do not have internet access, nor do they WANT to! Great idea that I will definitely be checking out!
Am going to look into this, as I think it's a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
I'm sending this on to our office manager. She's always looking for good ideas>
Kathy
Ryan - this is just an excellent idea, and could have lots of uses. Thanks very much for the info!
Debe - Blame my mother... She isn't able to use the internet anymore and wanted to read my blog posts. However, I have other customers who have e-mail and internet access - but prefer printed material.
Sea to Sky - I hope it helps. We have some plans for this one... I'll let you know how the paid version works.
Kathy - I like the tool and concept. Feel free to share - it is what makes AR a great place - it is truly a marketplace of ideas.
Duncan - I see the potential and like the automated nature of the software. Laying out text can be tedious so this tool definitely helps. However, I need a more branded product that the free version. I will let you know how the paid version works out.
Ryan, I tried this out a few months ago but couldn't get it to look right due to the way my graphics were displayed. I think I need to go have another look. It's pretty amazing the free stuff we can find online now.
Broker Bryant - Thanks for reading. I am glad that TLW is doing well. I had the same problem with the free versions - going to see if we can perfect it with the paid version. I'll keep everyone posted. I just need something to use for people who don't have or won't use e-mail or RSS feeds to read the blog. We have some good ideas for this as a community newspaper if we can perfect the finished product.
Another tool for our business. I'm going to also check into this and see how good it is. thanks,
Rebecca - I hope it helps... Each day it seems like some new, good tool pops up. I like this one if I can tweak it a bit.
This looks like an interesting tool -- but the paid version would be better branding -- and would have to think longer about investing $59 monthly into it. Thanks for sharing.
The Benjamins - For an individual agent, it might be a bit pricey. For a brokerage or team, it may be cost effective. The paid version allows for multiple feeds.
You are the king of great info and how to harness the internet and blogging. Thanks
Russ - Thanks for reading - and the great compliment.
Thanks for sharing this service. This the first time I've seen such a service. Please do share your thoughts after your trial with it.
Ryan - This is a cool tool. I will check for your followup post to get your review.
Ryan - What a fun way to turn your blogs to a newsletter(which I do for all past clients). Brilliant. Incorporated in my next flyer. Many thanks
I have bookmarked this blog, really cool stuff here.
Sometimes you read about something new and you are not sure exactly how you can use it but you know you can, this is one of those things for me. :)
I am definitely bookmarking this as I am just getting ready to do some print, YAY!
The Kwoks - I will definitely share our experiences with the paid product. I am looking forward to using it.
Jennifer - I really like the tool. We will see how it works out.
Claude - Clients love the newsletters. It is a great way to keep in touch and blogs are a great source for content.
Mark - A newsletter - even if it is just your localism posts and market reports - seems like a great way to keep in touch with customers - at least that is one of intended uses with this technology. A community newspaper is the other.
Renee - I would love to hear how you plan to use it. Keep in touch.
Ryan, to quote the Joker, "Where do you get all these wonderful toys?" Truly do love all your great finds for us. Thanks for all you do.
Roger - I enjoy finding new tech tools. Thanks for reading.
I have been doing this by hand for a while but this looks much easier and quicker.
Shane - This takes about 2 seconds to do. I like it - still looking for other options - but this will do for now. Not enough hours in the day for me to produce my newsletter from scratch.
What?!!! That is an amazing tool! I love that. Ryan what a great find, my clients would love this.
Juliana - Yep, pretty goood find. Thanks for reading and come back for more.
You should also check out Zinepal, it's free & incorporates blog RSS feeds from many sources. Here's the link to my last edition I published. Also it makes it into a Adobe Acrobat file (.pdf) as well as a Mobipocket version for BlackBerry etc. handhelds also just recently released the Amazon Kindle. I got my first subscriber recently to my blog thanks to Zinepal.
http://www.zinepal.com/zine/medfordhouse/2982
Scott - Thanks for the tip. I like Zinepal. Now, to figure out which one to use.
It seems intriguing. The free version looks like it's branded to them and may make it harder for the client to find you.
Christine - I agree - the branding issue is what makes it hard not to pick the paid version. There are some ways around the issue...
Ryan,
Wow!!! Was that easy or what?!!!! I see lots of potential uses....you have my head swimming with ideas now.....THANKS!!!!
Lori - Thanks for reading... I have pretty much the same feeling... Which new project to use with this tool???
Worth sharing. Thank you.
Bookmarked for that wrinkle in time...
Daren - I hope it helps... I would also take a look at the other site listed in the comments above. It is a different format - but same basic concept.
Ryan: This is intertesting.. I will have to check it out.. Thanks for sharing
Hey Roland - Thanks for reading... Let me know what you think after you have tried it out.
That is awesome looking and I can see how it could really stand out when they receive it in the mail. I like the look of what you did with it, do you e-mail it this way, do you mail it or are you doing a mix of both?
Ryan, this may sound like a dumb question, but what feed are you using on this? Just curious, as your free version seems to pull stuff my did not. I've tried just the regular rss feed (adding rss to the end of your blog link) and also my feedburner feed. Thanks.
Ryan- You and the internet are limitless fonts of useful information! Thanks
Michael G
Thanks Eric, great ideas as usual.
This is a terrific tool - and I have bookmarked to research further this weekend.
... I have been looking for a way to back up emails with hard copy items, and this may just fit the bill !
Cheers Ryan !
Sheldon
Todd - I haven't used it for customers yet. We are trying the paid version. I intend to use it for periodic mailers, post to website, Realtor events, etc. Still a work in process.
Roger - I tried it with my Feedburner RSS feed.
Michael - Thanks for reading.
Lyn - Thanks - I think.
Sheldon - I think it would work for the "best of..." and for archiving...
Very good information. I would be interested to know what kind of response you get from you newsletters.
Another useful tool that I'll have to put into my bag of tricks, which is actually an Excel database.
Gene - I will give you an update on how the newsletters work.
Russel - I want to know more about your secret Excel database.
Hi Ryan,
Thanks for the great information. Keep up the great work!
Jerry Gray CRB,CRS / Prudential Carolinas Realty / Winston Salem, NC
I just tried it. Pretty neat. Unfortunately, it also includes my blog footer with every article. Maybe the paid version can work around that issue?
Jerry - Glad to help...
Bob - Good questions - we will see what can be done.
Ryan,
Definitely something to think about. It might be worth a try on the free side first and see how it goes.
Ryan,
There are people with no internet? Oh my gosh. We need to bail them out or something...
Ann
Ryan, this is another great tool. And might be a good community newsletter idea. We are rethinking the one we are sending out and this might be a good alternative. Thanks!
Esko - It is a worth a try.
Ann - Yeah, that is amazing... In all honesty, I know that some of our retired customers simply don't use e-mails. As I was told, that is reserved only for pictures of the grandchildren.
Frank/Sharon - We are exploring its use for community newsletter, farm target newsletter, website, and archive of posts. We will see how it goes. Be warned - this one has sparked my imagination.
Excellent post and thank you for bringing this up. . . this will assure you in covering 100% of your base. I will try them out. .thanks again
HOW COOL IS THIS TOOL!!!!!
Ryan...this is so awesome. I did not print out my first one (will do so on the office copy machine altho I think we are about to get charged for copies....)
I was looking for a way to print my blogs and put them in my Listing and Buyer packets...and BAM....here you are with this idea. I'll be sending this along to my other AR Buds to let them know about this too!
Fernando - Getting out the message is only good if your target audience is getting the message. I do have some customers who don't have e-mail or don't use it regularly. Since I am addicted to tech, I sometimes forget that my customers aren't always at the same place tech wise and I need to match my communication methods to their preferences.
Thom and Ray - Make sure you check out the link in the comments. It is an alternate website and it worked pretty good as well.
Ryan, Thom emailed me the link to this post yesterday. What a great way to cover both sets of clients - internet vs noninternet people. I was just reading an email from my 82 year old cousin. Yet her niece, my age doesn't do email and I have to call her for everything! Go figure. You're only as young as you want to be! LOL
Connie - Thanks. It does cover the bases. I too am surprised by who does and doesn't use e-mail, the internet, etc. It doesn't always make sense and doesn't seem to simply relate to age.
Thanks for sharing this, Ryan! It certainly is worth trying since it's free. Perhaps the paid version will allow customization. I'll watch your post for this. Really cool!
Yoland - You are welcome. I learn more from AR than I can ever repay. I like the tool. We will see how the paid version works out.
Hi Ryan,
The paid version of the Feedjournal is quit handy. I started http://www.Libertynewsprint.com to experiment with the platform. The creator of the Feedjournal, Jonas Martinsson, is hands on; so if you have any questions do email him, he wants the feedjournal to meet the customers needs.
By the way Nice Blog, full of good information.
Regards,
~J
This is a very interesting thread of comments, I will definitely look into how I can even better cater for clients in the real estate market. Thank you all!
Jonas.
FeedJournal Founder.
Liberty: I like your newsletter.
Jonas: Just wanted to say "Thanks for providing a great tool."
Another option that might be useful: RSS to PDF Newspaper at http://fivefilters.org/pdf-newspaper/
This is a project I'm working. The main difference with this is it's free software (open source) so users have the option of downloading, customising and hosting the application instead of relying on a third party. On the site I've also produced PDFs using similar services so users can compare the results - I'll be adding zinepal to the comparison soon. Hope it's useful for some of you.
Keyvan - Thanks for the input. I will take a look. I like tools that make my business easier so I will definitely take a look. Thanks for commenting.