Cindy,

What does the next level mean?  More Income?  Social Media is not free, it takes your time, and what is your time worth?  You may find spending $$ rather than your time, maybe more efficient than spending time on social media.  I wish your question was more specific.  I also think blogging on Active Rain benefits your Internet profile greatly.  A

Did you decide on website. If so, once it's built, it will then take constant promotion. Inexpensive ways to start conversations are- car signs, wear your agent name badge and/or R pin, leave some business cards on eevry bulletin board like grocery stores, etc, check with flyer companies about printing and distributing flyers, target mail/call to expireds and withdrawns, keep blogging, just to name a few.

Social media, in general, is not a lead generation tool.  It's a tool to build relationships.  It can take a lot of time and effort.  My advice would be to do more prospecting through networking or phone calls.  I would spend more time with your sphere and/or creating additional complementary partnerships (e.g. w/ mortgage brokers).

I don't know.

What level are you at now?

What you need to do changes dramatically when you are approaching 46 transactions a year.

If you already have a team, what is the earnings ratio per team member?

If you are doing 25 transactions a year and have no intention of doing more, then upping the price point and expanding your income portals are places to up your game.

All of those slackers selling stuff to agents promising the take you to the next lever...ALL WORK.....they just don't work for everyone. It is the agent that is the variable, the variable among the agents is what they are willing to do.

You have already said "I don't wanna get lost on social media or spend dollars on direct mail."  IDWDT syndrome keeps agents frozen in place until they fade away.

What you have left on the board is cold calling, door knocking, inbound marketing, random acts, Adwords, placement ads, bus benches, open houses, SOI tending, affiliate/collaborative ventures and real estate magazines. They all work, which are you willing to do? They ALL work, but not for everyone.

Right now, at the start of the year is an opportunity to take a one step, truly effective action. Actually I will suggest two things.

First, write everyone you know a personal LETTER,,,,on real paper upon which you have used a pen to inscribe a message. In this letter share with each and everyone whom you call friend your heart bound commitment to take your business to the next level so you can be more able to help others and you understand an important part of that is keep your friends close to you. Then commit to contact them no less than one time a month. Are you willing to do that?

The next action is to keep YOU focused on living in the moment. EVERY TIME anyone crosses your path and delivers on a commitment, performs an act of kindness, demonstrates love/compassion, shows up in their fullness, lives in courage by refusing to conform, write them a letter of acknowledgment. Are you willing to do that? 

The return to you will be as though standing beneath the cloud as the rain falls.

You did ask for EFFECTIVE ideas. These WILL change your business and your life. They cost nothing but your most valueable possession. Are you willing to do that?

What is your target and how do they like to be reached?

Have you thought about one of the La Jolla brokerages with floor duty?

I have been looking in the tax records for homeowners who have not filed for homestead exemption.  This is an exemption the county offers if you're an owner occupant.  I self address an envelop with a letter and a homestead exemption form.  

What I find interesting are the marketing pieces that are so-so to downright bad.  I see them all the time.  The fascinating part is that it seems the agents who generate this stuff are getting business.  I can only attribute this to consistency.

I'm not suggesting you generate crappy marketing pieces, but whatever you decide to do, be consistent.  

Evaluation your business and what you did the previous year.  Do 1 thing different and your business will increase from previous year.  Consistency is the key.

I think referral business is the best and often them most neglected. When I look back at where I get most of my business it really comes from people who know me and want to do business with me. So when you have time think about those who can refer you business and do not be afraid to ask them for business this is called the "Referable Moment".

Also if you want to promote yourself for business then think about the type of clients you want to work with. They maybe first time buyers or empty nesters. You may want to work with sellers only ? Choose 1 and try to increase the numbers in those areas.

That depends on what your next level is...if you are already doing A, B & C we would need to know that so we could tell you the next step.  

Cindy Davis marketing on Internet needs plan and system. There are lead providers that will charge you $15/lead to high-end lead providers where you may spend thousands of dollars.

I think this small space may not be sufficient for the answer to your question. Call me if you can - I can give some ideas on how to plunge fully into this.

It really depends on your market, too. Have you tried some of the more old fashion ways like walking neighborhoods and knocking on doors. What are other agents doing in your area that works? You have to find out what is going to work, and it may be a combination of things. Each area different.