In this episode of REI Marketing Weekly, I’m joined by Benmont Locher, co-founder of Ramp REI, for a deep dive into the most overlooked competitive edge in real estate investing: your brand. We unpack how building a recognizable and reputable brand can eliminate seller resistance before the conversation even begins—and why generic, “We Buy Houses” marketing just doesn’t cut it anymore.

Benmont brings real-world experience from helping grow one of the largest home-buying companies in the Northeast and shares how personal branding and cohesive marketing ecosystems are outperforming isolated, transactional strategies. If you’re tired of chasing cold leads or feel like your marketing is stuck in a one-dimensional rut, this episode is your wake-up call. We talk balance, longevity, and how brand equity isn’t just a feel-good concept—it’s a cash-flow multiplier.

Timeline Summary:

[0:00] – Introduction

[1:10] – How branding can instantly eliminate seller objections

[2:34] – Why cohesive marketing outperforms disconnected channels

[7:10] – The rise of personal brand influence in a “trust recession”

[10:22] – How Eric Brewer’s team phased out third-party leads

[11:06] – Creating a marketing ecosystem: Connecting your channels for maximum impact

[13:00] – Long-term ROI: Why branding is your best sustainable lead source

[15:22] – How to balance short-term lead gen with long-term brand building

[18:41] – Social media, SEO, and the power of omnipresence

[22:08] – The marketing-to-fitness analogy: Why consistency wins

[27:11] – Tactical tips for building a brand with limited budget and time

[30:41] – How AI and search behavior are shifting the branding game

[34:00] – Doing more with less: How top REI teams triple conversions with fewer leads

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Trust Comes Before Transaction – A strong brand builds authority and lowers seller resistance before you ever get on a call.

2. Disconnected Marketing = Confused Sellers – If your ads, mailers, and social posts don’t align, you’re breaking trust instead of building it.

3. Cold Tactics Have a Shelf Life – Relying on cold calls and third-party leads may get you quick wins, but brand building sustains your business long-term.

4. Marketing Ecosystems Outperform Lone Wolves – Channels like direct mail, TV, SEO, and social need to “talk to each other” to amplify your message.

5. Clarity Beats Virality – You don’t need to go viral to build a brand—just be clear, consistent, and relatable in your messaging.

Links & Resources:

• RampREI.com – Learn more about Ramp’s training programs

• Josh Culler on YouTube – Weekly videos on REI marketing, branding, and content creation

If this episode gave you fresh ideas or confirmed your branding instincts, take 30 seconds to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone in your investor circle. You’ve got the vision—now let’s build the brand that matches.

In this episode of RE Marketing Weekly, I share a live training where I walk through how to build a sustainable content machine that drives leads consistently—without burning out. This is for real estate investors who are tired of posting sporadically with little return and want a repeatable system that builds momentum over time.

I cover why content marketing is more essential than ever in the age of AI, how to stay consistent, and what really makes content connect with motivated sellers. From structuring your message for impact to leveraging AI tools for unlimited content ideas, this episode is full of practical strategies and examples that you can apply right away—no fluff, just real tactics that work.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - The #1 reason real estate investors fail to stick with content

[1:24] - Why AI-driven search makes local, relevant content more valuable than ever

[3:02] - The secret to effective marketing: creating relevance that actually connects

[5:05] - The power of nostalgia marketing and emotional hooks

[8:55] - Why repelling the wrong audience is just as important as attracting the right one

[12:03] - The “bridge” analogy for turning content into a direct line to your customers

[14:10] - Content vs. advertising—understanding their roles and differences

[16:23] - Producing vs. documenting: how to choose the right approach

[20:04] - Don’t let vanity metrics mislead you—focus on real ROI

[25:17] - How to balance content quality and quantity without burning out

[33:14] - A live walkthrough on using ChatGPT to generate 50+ content ideas

[44:08] - Structuring short-form videos for maximum retention

[45:03] - 7 essential rules for building a content strategy that lasts

[51:18] - What to do if you’re uncomfortable on camera (real talk)

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Relevance is king. Content that connects emotionally and practically with your audience will always outperform generic, surface-level posts.

2. Consistency builds trust. You need a system that allows you to show up regularly—sporadic effort leads to poor results.

3. Use content as a bridge. Every piece of content is a step closer to turning a stranger into a lead.

4. AI is your assistant, not your replacement. Tools like ChatGPT can help you never run out of ideas—but the value comes from your voice and perspective.

5. Focus on outcomes, not likes. A video with 50 views that brings in a $50K deal is more valuable than one with 100,000 views and no ROI.

If this episode helped you think differently about your marketing, make sure to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your feedback helps me reach more entrepreneurs who need this kind of real-world strategy.

In this episode of REI Marketing Weekly, I sit down with Joe Cipollini, co-founder of The Ramp Skills Academy, to have the no-fluff, tough-love conversation that real estate investors desperately need right now. If you’re struggling with inconsistent closings, underperforming lead pipelines, or a sales team that feels out of sync, Joe breaks it all down—why it’s happening, what you’re doing wrong, and how to fix it.

We dive into the philosophy and tactical execution behind becoming a true professional in this industry. Joe shares insights from working inside Eric Brewer’s high-performing operation, which consistently brings in $1 million+ in wholesale revenue per month. He also breaks down the “seven numbers” you must be tracking, how sales and marketing can (and must) work together, and what separates the top 1% of investors from everyone else.

Timeline Summary:

[0:00] – Introduction

[2:22] – Why most real estate investors are struggling to stay in business

[4:45] – How top performers are weathering the storm by aligning sales and marketing

[8:15] – Pipeline health: Why what you do today affects your revenue 150 days from now

[10:34] – The “Mamba Mentality” and how Kobe Bryant’s attention to detail applies to sales

[15:16] – Delivering Mercedes-level customer service in your seller conversations

[18:00] – What messaging works in today’s trust-deficit market

[20:15] – Why the first 90 seconds of a call can make or break a deal

[25:06] – The 7 sales metrics that diagnose any bottleneck in your funnel

[28:11] – Why relying too heavily on AI can kill your business if fundamentals aren’t in place

5 Key Takeaways:

• 1. Pros vs. Amateurs – Professionals thrive by obsessing over the details in sales and marketing. Amateurs blame their leads and coast on past momentum.

• 2. Your Pipeline Is 150 Days Old – Revenue issues today stem from poor marketing and sales execution months ago. Track it and fix it before it’s too late.

• 3. Fix the Funnel with 7 Numbers – Gross leads, quality leads, appointments set/held, contracts, closings, and profit are the only metrics that matter.

• 4. The Power of First Impressions – The first 90 seconds of a sales call can determine trust, rapport, and the outcome of the entire deal.

• 5. Excellence Isn’t Optional – In today’s trust-deficit market, delivering a high-touch, personalized experience is your competitive edge.

• 
  

  Links & Resources:

  
  

  • Ramp Skills & Conversion Academy – https://ramprei.com/

  • Josh Culler on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoshCuller

  • Cullermedia.com

  
  

  If this episode helped you sharpen your skills or gave you the clarity you needed, take a moment to rate, follow, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Let’s raise the standard together.