Does Old-School Marketing Still Work? We Believe It Does!

By Katy True, Operations Manager at Swartz and Associates

In today’s digital jungle, where email inboxes overflow and every screen flashes ads faster than you can say “skip,” Swartz and Associates, Inc. (SAI) stands firmly by the belief that the personal touch of old-school marketing still holds its charm—and power.

Take our favorite retro strategy, Direct Mailers.

Yes, we’re talking about actual paper. Here’s how it works: We craft a one-page letter detailing how property valuation and taxes might impact owners, while offering our expert assistance to ease the burden. We research the market, refine our target list, and assemble our direct mailers like marketing pros—writing, printing, signing by hand, stuffing envelopes, and sending them off with a personal touch that screams, “We care!”

And guess what? The ROI is worth celebrating. Some owners contact us immediately after receiving the letter (instant gratification!), while others tuck our little gem away for years (yes, years), pulling it out when property values surge and calling us like we’re their long-lost allies.

Then there’s radio advertising, another timeless tactic we love.

Currently, we’re spreading the word in Kansas City, Des Moines, and Eastern Iowa, with past forays into the Las Vegas airwaves to dip our toes into newer markets. It’s amazing how many new clients we’ve gained from this classic channel—people hear us on their commute, probably mid-coffee sip, and suddenly realize they need our expertise. And friends and family chiming in with “Hey, I heard your ad!” is an added bonus.

We occasionally mix in a dash of modern with mass email campaigns, but these are mostly reserved for keeping our existing clients in the loop—updating them on market trends, notifying them about important changes, or simply reminding them that we’re just a phone call away for all their property valuation needs.

With dozens of clients secured through these “old-school” methods, we’re here to say: the classics still work. Direct mailers and radio ads might not be the flashiest tools in the marketing toolbox, but when it comes to effectiveness, they’re solid gold. Sometimes, the tried-and-true methods are just what you need in a high-tech world. Old-school marketing—it’s vintage, it’s classy, and it works.

Swartz + Associates, Inc. (SAI) is a full service property tax firm specializing in the review, analysis and appeals of real and business personal property tax valuations. If you need help with your property taxes, give us a call!