Some time in the month of July I received a phone call from a fellow stating that I had won a prize for being successful as a real estate agent. The prize was that I would have my picture taken and turned into a billboard. I got to choose the location and select the professional photo to be put on the billboard.
Was I ever impressed! I told the guy on the phone that I didn't want any part of such foolishness. Not only did I think my "free" prize and honor would cost me something, but I wasn't too sure about having my presence made so public. He assured me that it wouldn't cost me anything, and that in fact the brokerage firm was really pleased with the work that I had done and they wanted to give me this advertising advantage.
Well, sure enough, my real estate partner and I had our pictures taken and they were converted to a billboard that was near the intersection of Plato Blvd and Robert St. in St. Paul, MN.
One of the things that convinced me to get into this billboard thing was the fact that my real estate partner relied heavily on the business we had as agents and it seemed that this would give us quite boost.
Even though the bill board was big, and our names and pictures were on it, there was absolutely no way that a person could learn from it how to get in touch with us. No phone numbers were allowed, no web page addresses and no email address was to be seen. It was a branding scheme dreamed up by some marketing firm that sold the parent company on the idea that they could ride on the coat tails of their better agents to increase their brand awareness.
That's one of the reasons I don't work very hard at real estate! The billboard was "free" for me but I was used to promote someone else. Needless to say I don't do much real estate these days, for all kinds of reasons. What I spend the lion's share of my time and energy on is the promotion of something that I know was paid for and then offered freely to everyone and anyone that wants it.
I spend many hours each day working at the public ministry and concentrate on the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I try real hard to make clear the details of what the Bible says about me and my fellow man. But most importantly I spend most of my time and waking moments talking about my personal Savior Jesus. I'd like very much to have the opportunity to share Him with you. Not because it gets me brand recognition, but because Jesus is also your savior.
I have a church in Hudson, WI and serve the Lord and a congregation of wonderful Christian friends as their pastor. We have public services each Sunday at 9AM to which you and those whom you love are cordially invited. What is more we have webpage that you are iinvited to browse at anytime. www.emmanuelhudson.org
God bless you and yours, stop by sometime we're located at 712 Grandview Drive, Hudson, WI 54016.
Oh yes, the surprise cost was levied at the photography studio, and even though my "free" billboard was up and in full view, it's gone now, somebody else is there in my place and they took my billboard away!
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