First, charge them a much higher upfront fee for the extra marketing that you will be required to do.

Then get started with irritating everyone with phone calls, emails, postcards, etc for something that would have been much more efficient to just post on the mls.

I don't understand these sellers who want to limit the exposure of their property to the marketplace by keeping it off MLS.

Many of the agents who do "private placement listings" advertise them as coming soon listings on Zillow etc.. and even my website developer has a "coming soon" program that we can advertise those listings that the sellers don't want in the MLS. I think it is a sign of the times.

I'm not sure of the exact details but I watched a Real Bird video last night that was talking about Janie Coffey getting an agreement from a seller that he would pay a commission on his high-end home if she brought a buyer. She did an advertising campaign and some targeted ads and sold it within weeks. 

I would get a signed commission agreement including an agreement that they will sell if you bring a buyer, and then do some kick-ass advertising. Depending on the price point, if you're in a hot market, it may go quickly.

I suppose all you can do is notify all the agents you know without the mls.

Market everywhere, network within the area the home is listed.  Email blast, flyers delivered to local offices.  Blog, your website and social media would be a few ways to market a non MLS listing..  

Messenger out flyers to all the Real Estate offices in the area

Confidential offerings are more common in CRE than in residential. And still a huge pain in the butt. I honestly do not see much advantage to off MLS residential listings unless it is some kind of public figure. If you have no choice, and you really do want the listing, create an offering package, then reach out to your CRM, likely buyers and their agents and begin distributing that information.

Most agents have become so one dimensional that their entire marketing is essentially put in MLS and beat the owner down on the price...every week.

Brokers, associations, franchises and NAR have make alternative marketing options so cumbersome an agent gets bogged down in forms from broker and association or they find courage and stand in defiance of their controllers.

I use First Look which rejects all investors and accepts real buyers who know the value of the community and the privilege of the private sale.

What you need to do is figure out is what "NOT IN MLS" means?

No co-operating compensation

No sign in yard

Keep out of the grasp of Z-devil

Protect the owners information and the onwers properties information

Let me see the agent dance.

Why has the seller made this request?

Advertise in newpapers, send flyers to local real estate offices, email, put it on your website, mail post cards, etc. If owner doesn't want it in mls, they probably don't want it on zillow or simialr sites. Also, blog about it. make flyers for owner and their family to take to work. Word of mouth will get around. Most likely a buyer will have an agent, so contact as many agents as possible that have recently listed or sold any nearby properties.

Same way, just do your regular advertising plan on it but expect way less showings I believe. We have to have the seller sign off that he knows the risks involved with doing this.

After they read the form, no seller does it.

That's not allowed in my area.

I would have the sellers pay for 100% of the advertising - then push it out maniually to my online resources.

HOWEVER, pocket listings are not allowed in our board although they certainly happen on the QT.

I would market to the agents in your office and nearby offices (via office mtgs, email and informal discussions).

Also maybe do something online on your website. (unless the person isn't allowing this nor public advertising).

I think the seller has to commit to selling the home. Did you ever ask them " If I take on this task and find you a buyer at a price you accept then will you move out of your home?"  Unless they are committed to selling then your waisting your time.

If you find a buyer, do it as a Transaction Brokerage Agreement. Non MLS listings can sometimes be hard to sell.

I would first have something in writing that you make money and then I would go coming soon sign.

Assuming it is an exclusive listing, you could put up a for sale sign.

Market it with all the other facets of your marketing

Emails, websites (just not realtor.com since they don't let you post pocket listings).  It's tough as nails.

There are hundreds of sites to advertise it on without neededing the MLS and you can e-blast flyers to Realtors local to you.

Word of mouth and social media.

Try to avoid it. You need a letter on file with the Board signed by the seller to avoid breaking MLS rules. It is a pain!

I guess you'll need to find out what their motivation for restricting information distribution.  Are there other avenues they don't want used also?  Or, is it because they don't want to list with someone else they know, and they don't want them to know?  Not sure I'd want to work with my hands tied behind my back.  

Peter Mohylsky Market it like you would market any other listing. It's just not in the MLS. Networking will also work.

I have to say I'm amazed that so many responses indicate that their area does not ALLOW them to not put a listing into the MLS. Happily, my area is not that way! I fully think that the ways a property is to be marketed should be fully controllable by the owner/seller and their broker, and not be forced by the boards. End rant. ~

Peter Mohylsky - unless otherwise also limited by the seller: single property website, flyers, signs, social media, postcards, open houses, broker's opens, videos, calling brokers, calling contacts, attending area RE network clatches,  and more ... all the same stuff that you might consider doing even with MLS input. 

Next!  Why mess with a process that works?

You must comply with your MLS rules.

Unless you have a buyer in hand, it will be near impossble to find a buyer without marketing it properly and extensively. 

I have not sold pocket listings.

Contact your buyer leads directly, and hold open house events. Need to be careful though on signage to avoid breaking board rules.

Everyone has said what is the motivation.