4) Your sphere!

Followed by 5) Your website/blogging/social media and then direct mail!

#1 and #2 go together, one without the other is "almost" pointless and this implies you know them.

#3 popping by people that know you works, door knocking strangers in 2017, not so much in CA.

My point being all this is done to your database, not strangers.

The phone is my friend, and business partner.

Direct mail. Door knocking and phone calls here will guarantee you won't pick up a lead. One annoying agent called us 6 or 7 times recently and left messages on our home phone, and also sent emails as well trying to find out about a property where we have tenants in. She wanted to know if it was for sale. She said she asked some neighbors that told her it was rented. Her last message, she stated that she still trying to fnd out, and was planning on stopping by our house since she hadn't her back from us. That was last straw, I won't say what my response was, but now her and her broker know that they better never contact us again, and that better never set foot on any of our properties for any reason.

Direct mail marketing is my method of choice.... it can be mass mailings or smaller target mailings.... it costs money but that's what it takes to get business today.... 

I'll go with what Barbara Todaro would say and that would be direct mail.  Having said that I've tried door to door with some success.

In 25 years I've never done cold calling or door knocking and don't expect I ever will. I get new leads from my sphere and past clients and the remaining typically come from my website.

I was looking for none of the above.  I really feel that today's customer is on the Internet searching and you need to connect with them and service their needs. Most agents do not give quick response. When a customer get an agent that answers the phone and send out information as promised, they tend to keep your number on speed dial. Now all you need to do is show them what they want and they will make an offer.

First of all my sphere, including agents I know around the country, and direct mail

I believe direct mail will  give good results if the content is the right content.

It depends on the individual.  When I was new to the business I tried all three methods you mention, Gene.  

Direct mail will be costliest in terms of $$$ but may be more time efficient in the long run but remember the results will not likely be immediate.  Have enough reserves to be consistent.

Door knocking and calls cost relatively little money.  I tried both and found they weren't the best fit especially cold calling.

Additionally:

Open houses have been a good source of leads for me but they need to be well-planned.    They may or may not work for you or your area.

I took floor time when I was new and although the world of real estate has changed, there are still agents who can make this work.

Sphere of influence --- get out there and be face-to-face with people you know and who care about you.  Do things you like and be known.  

Good luck.  Find the right fit for you.  

I can say consumers hate cold calls as much as a stranger knocking on their door. Direct mail works great when you use the right mailer and send it to the right audience. I love using my Active rain blog to reach new clients. I share zero leads and all are fresh.

I've always found door to door more productive.  I face to face is so much better than getting a flyer in the mail tht usually get tosse dout.  People are usually very friendly, and I've much success by doing this..

Gene, I assume you provided these three for a very specific reason. Those may be the three you are currently considering for whatever reason. I could suggest Devine Intervention, but that is not on your list.

Of the three you suggest, direct mail is the easiest but requires sustained effort. So #1 will be the action most encouraged, most easily accessible and allows the agent to avoid discomfort. 

However, if you couple #1 with a door knock, you will have a high likelihood of capturing the immediate 90 day market and get a good start on community list building.

Cold calls will prove counter productive especially to the Psyche of the one making the calls. Warm calls, however, are HIGHLY effective.

WARNING: if the message delivered is "Thinking of buying or selling?" it will not matter which method you choose, because no one will hear you.

2 and 3 require no money, just time. I would ask a different question: Who are you targeting and what is your message?

Best way? Direct mail.

Cheapest way?  Doors number 2 and 3

I vote 1 as long as it has a valuable "hook". 

Old school today? Mail is still king of those 3!

For me it is none of the ones you've outlined... sorry

None of the above.  My personal Website.

It is completely up to your preferences and your budget. Cold door knocking is the cheap but solid way, direct marketing requires $$$ and takes time. Cold calling is probably the least effective way with all restrictions and min home phones these days. 

I mail to a specific niche target market and then follow up with a phone call. This is in additional to content and posting on my blog on my websites. I also sending a light-hearted email to my database every three weeks.  All work together well. 

Gene,

I think you have great answers here.  What I would add is meeting people, whether in service organizations or social events...face to face!

Yes in that order.

I've knocked on doors to let neighbors know of open houses, new listings, & just solds and it ain't pretty! It has been the biggest waste of my time. I think a direct mail, after you have the internet presence up and running is ideal. Got to keep the blogs rolling and the site relevant. If you really want to get the biggest bang for your buck, work your sphere and let them work for you.

Gene Joyce 4) Face-to-face networking.

Face to face contacts and your networking will bring positive results.

Direct mail of the 3 choices. First is working your sphere!

SOI 

Internet presence.

Direct mail.

4. Networking, 5. Social Media 6. Blogging, and the list goes on.

1) Direct Mail

1) Direct Mail 

Direct mail is by far the best, but you have to maximze the ROI on the piece with proper tracking and follow up!

Definitely blogging with the right keywords, do open houses and your sphere.

We use Predictive Analytics then knock on their doors.

Follow Barbara Todaro, She always has great suggestions.

between those three direct mail, but it's not my #1 or #2 or #3 source of business.

I like number 2

Gene Joyce - I'd add #4) Call Sphere of Influence and ask for referrals. (Simplest of all!)

Depends 

4- sphere

Meet a real person

Picking one and being consistent about it.  All will work, some better than others, but just know it is not a "one and done" thing, but a marathon.

I think that is really a personal preference. What are you good at? Are you better on the phone, or in person? Do you want to avoid the personal contact, then mail.

The best way, imho, is to use every method but talking to people is the best Gene Joyce