Marketing with Intention or Just Checking a Box?
This is your permission slip: Do it your way. Do it with heart. Do it on purpose.
You’re here—woohoo! You’ve officially stepped into the slightly sparkly, highly-caffeinated, Post-it-filled brain of someone who believes unicorns are real, joy is a strategy, and intentional business beats “busy” business. ALL. DAY. LONG.
You never know which story or idea I’ll pull off the wall (brain) first, but it’ll always be one that excites me or made me go “hmm.”
I promise not to get long-winded. And if I do, you have full permission to skim. If you know me, you know I can have 15 conversations in 5 minutes. That’s why this has a 4-part structure to keep us both on track.
If we’ve worked together, you already know I’m not here to blend in. No clouds? No unicorns? No thank you! I’m here to help you do the same. We’re lucky to serve people the way we do, so let’s have fun and lean into who we are, fully!
My secret mission (should you choose to accept it)? To build, or keep building, a business that makes sense, feels good, and gets results… while finding the joy in it all. It’s not rocket science, but it is intentional.
And intentional is my rocket fuel.
You ready?
Let’s do this.
Real Talk: Strong Offers Speak for Themselves
Last week, I received an offer that looked like a win—over asking, full of promise. But the fine print told a different story. It included an Additional Provisions addendum with open-ended, pre-written repair terms. No specific dollar amount, just a note that if there were major items, the seller would agree to repairs. Blank check, anyone?
Then came the curveball: the agent looped me into a surprise three-way call with her buyers. During that call, they asked, “If the home’s in great shape, why not agree to repairs now?”
Yikes.
My clients declined, respectfully. I kept the process moving, and we held our Open House as planned. Five days later, they went under contract, with a different buyer. This offer was clear, clean, and came with a thoughtful summary from the agent about why the home was so perfect for their clients. (Not a love letter, by the way). Professional communication and genuine interest.
The takeaway? Price isn’t always the tipping point.
Clarity, professionalism, and connection matter more than ever.
Marketing That Sticks: Make it More You
In a world where Zillow, CoStar, and Rocket Mortgage are fighting for your people’s eyeballs online—your mailbox is still a wide-open playing field.
Direct mail is one of the last places we get (almost) undivided attention.
Even if it’s the 10 seconds between the mailbox and the trash can, it’s your name they see. A reminder that you’re still in real estate, and showing up.
One agent from my hyperlocal workshop lives in a neighborhood with just 22 townhomes, and she’s mailing a flyer about snakes. The good ones. The dangerous ones. And what to do if you see one.
It’s simple. It’s smart. It’s exactly what her neighbors are talking about right now.
That’s what makes it work. You don’t need to mail hundreds. Start with 25. Or 50. Or just your street. You don’t need to send something flashy. Just send something real.
If you’re a numbers person? Print a one-page market update from your local MLS, pop it in an envelope, and send it out monthly. Your power move is that you must be consistent.
Love storytelling like I do? How about a Top 5 or 10 events list based on things you would go to, or a local business spotlight with a fun call to action - meet me for a taste-test at a local pizza shop/cake/burger place? The possibilities are endless! The point is to be intentional. Don’t make this hard work, make it FUN work.
I send my Cloud 9 Chronicles each month. It includes everything from my favorite coffee shop and book of the month to used bookstores, strawberry patches—and yes, real estate too. It’s fun. It’s real. It’s very me. And I get replies every time. Here’s a look at my latest issue: Cloud 9 Chronicles.
Back To Basics: Your Power Move This Week
What’s one thing you’ve let slide that actually helps you feel better, do better, or sell better?
Add it to your calendar. This week!
For me, it’s walking. I stopped for a while (cranky knee), but I’m back to it.
Because walking resets everything, my head, my energy, my ideas.
Maybe for you it’s journaling. Or calls. Or lunch with someone who energizes you.
Whatever works for you, bring it back. You’re more powerful with it than without it.
Inspiration: You’re Already the Spark
You’re already doing more than you think. This is your nudge to keep going, intentionally.
I know it’s rainy today, but you’re still showing up. For you. For your family. For your business.
And that’s what moves everything (and everyone).
Thanks for reading!
Cheering you on always,
Vanessa