Q:  Denise, I have been approached by the local high school asking if I want to advertise in their basketball booster program. I can put a business card size ad in the booklet. Do you think this is something I should do?

A:  I can’t tell you the number of times I have been asked a question like this. If you are asking me if you should randomly put an ad in a publication that is small and probably will be competing with several other real estate agents, the answer would be no. However, here is where I would say yes:      

1. You are otherwise involved in this school or the basketball team. For example, if you have a child on the team, you are an alumni member of that basketball team, and/or you are somehow a sponsor of activities such as a halftime show.
2. You have a larger ad such as a full page or inside front or back cover AND one of the above.
3. You make the booster organization your target charity where you donate a portion of your profit every year.

When thinking about an opportunity like this, you have to think about whether this is part of your long-term lead generation efforts or not. Make a plan and think about how you can layer your lead generation efforts. The ad is one layer. Being a part of the booster organization is another layer. Being at the games and being a part of the action is a third. And of course, your ad must look different than the rest of the ads.