When you list with the BDX Network, we make it as easy as possible to enter and update your data. No matter what resources you have, we have an option that will work with your business. You can even start out with one approach and then migrate to another as your business evolves.

Things to consider when choosing your data upload method:

  • your back-end systems setup
  • frequency of updates
  • in house resources

BDX now offers four solutions to make the listing process as simple as possible:

  • Via BDXlive directly – for builders that do not have a system that houses all of their community and plan marketing information in an easy to export system and would like to manage their data directly via BDXlive, our robust content and data management application.
  •  XML file feed – for builders with multiple communities, BDX offers an industry standardized XML file format to send us data as often as daily.  This is for builders with IT capabilities and a system that houses their marketing data that is easily accessible from one place.
  • NEW! — EZ Upload – a middle ground for builders who don’t quite have the resources to do XML file feed but also want an “EZ” button to upload and maintain their community and plan data.  This option allows builders to send their data to the BDX via an easy to use excel file template.  There is even an export feature that allows builders to quickly export their data, update in the same excel file and then re-import back into the system – as easy as that!
  • NEW! — BDXtractor XML Screenscraper – for a builder who truly wants a hassle free XML process.  The “screenscraper” application is mapped to a builder’s key fields on their website pages.  The application then converts the data screen scraped into the BDX XML schema.  This process can be run as often as daily.

We make the data management and upload process as easy as possible. For more information about any of these data options, contact your account manager or email support@thebdx.com.

Recently, BDX/BHI has entered into a local contest to benefit the Austin Area Food Bank. BuildASign (a local Austin company) hosted CANville, a community-wide food drive to benefit the Food Bank’s “Summer Meals That Matter” program.  BuildASign invited Austin area companies to join them by constructing an Austin landmark entirely out of food items.

Each company had to create one structure of an Austin landmark using a minimum of 1,000 food items. BDX/BHI decided to recreate the famous “Greetings from Austin” mural that can be found downtown.  Our version of the giant “postcard” is composed of over 1,300 cans and stands about 7 feet tall! All items will be donated to the program campaign, along with a monetary donation from the company.  The structures are being judged based on creativity with the winner being announced at the Austin Area Food Bank on Thursday, July 25th.

While most of our time each day is spent supporting our builders to market and sell their new homes, it was fun for our employees to get in on some building action themselves! And of course, the fact that the fruits (and veggies) of our labor went to support a good cause was very motivating.

Leading the pack during the design and construction was our very own Advertising Manager, Thane Tennison, who in addition to lots of can shopping worked furiously with the rest of his team to complete the massive structure by the deadline.

Want to follow the action? “Like” CANville Austin’s facebook page to keep track of the competition and to see behind the scenes photos of what other Austin landmarks are being built.

***UPDATE*** While there were some worthy opponents, as of Thursday evening BHI/BDX has taken the golden can award! We swept first place and are delighted with the outcome of the contest. Watch out CANville 2014-we’ll be back!

In order to connect with today’s home buyer, it is important to always keep your website and marketing materials up to date with the latest information and facts. But where do you find fresh and engaging content? Many builders are turning to our “Start Fresh. Buy New.” initiative and taking advantage of the campaign’s resources.

In case you haven’t heard, this year, BDX launched an initiative to promote new home advantages. The “Start Fresh. Buy New.” campaign is designed to educate and inspire home shoppers and encourage them to consider purchasing a new home (read more here). The campaign centers around the website: www.startfreshbuynew.com.

Including “Start Fresh. Buy New.” messages in your marketing can keep your buyers engaged and coming back for more. Here are some ways you can use “Start Fresh. Buy New.” in your next marketing campaign:

  • Include a new home statistic in your weekly/monthly newsletters. The “Start Fresh. Buy New.” site is packed with useful information, so you will have plenty to choose from!
  • Feature a link to the “Start Fresh. Buy New.” site on your homepage—it will not only drive the benefits of a new home, but also shows your commitment to your buyers to arm them with the most powerful information. Logos and other graphic elements are available in the Builder Toolkit that is available to all BDX clients from within our BDXLive client portal.
  • Connect with “Start Fresh. Buy New.” through your social media, and comment too! “Start Fresh. Buy New.” is an active participant in the social scene and frequently posts compelling content for you to share with your own followers. Click here for our facebook page to get started.
  • Download the “Start Fresh. Buy New.” videos via the BDX client Builder Toolkit and have them playing on a loop in your model home lobby. The videos are informative, humorous and most of all eye opening as they act as a great ice breaker for dialogue.
  • Implement a scavenger hunt game through your social media with incentives—featuring questions involving the real cost of a “used” home versus a new one; and have them search the “Start Fresh. Buy New.” site for the answers!

Nothing makes us happier than seeing these positive new home messages spread throughout your newsletters, websites and sales centers. How are you leveraging “Start Fresh. Buy New.”? Email us and let us know how you are using the Start Fresh. Buy New. campaign in your marketing — we can’t wait to hear from you.

If you are a builder and want to get involved in the campaign, your best resource is our Builder Toolkit created exclusively for BDX clients to leverage the campaign marketing resources and research. This toolkit can be found within BDXLive, our client portal. If you’re not a BDX client and are interested in finding out how we can help your business succeed, email us to learn more.

At BDX, we are always looking for new ways to connect with home buyers and show off our builders’ design talents and communities. That’s why NewHomeSource.com has recently launched a new email marketing campaign to help inspire subscribers to begin the search for their dream home.

Each week, we select a “Home of the Week” from active communities listed on NewHomeSource. Why “Home of the Week”? When we recently surveyed visitors to NewHomeSource.com about the type of new home content they would like to read, this idea was a clear winner!  The “Home of the Week” email is being promoted on every page in the New Home Source Resource Center, with the subscription list growing each day!

In order to deliver the richest content to subscribers, the weekly email is designed around three components. First, we include a spectacular photo of the featured home with a link to a detailed blog post about the community and plan.  Next, we provide a link to the specific plan’s listing on NewHomeSource.com so the reader can immediately start their new home search. And lastly, we include tid-bits from our “Start Fresh. Buy New.” campaign to highlight new home advantages. What more can you ask for?

We know there are builders off all different sizes across the nation, so we vary the price point of the featured homes each week. Remember, we’re seeking truly exceptional homes, designs and photos in order to create inspiring content that represents new homes at their best.

This week’s email highlights Ryland Homes and their truly stunning Prescott Plan in Woodbury, Minnesota. Ryland Homes’ awe-inspiring renderings and community features earned it a spot in our “Home of The Week” feature. (Check out the featured home here.)

So how do we choose the next “Home of The Week”? If you think one of your homes has what it takes, be sure that your NewHomeSource.com listing is up to date with photos of exceptional quality.  Not only will it help you to be considered for the next email, but also will help drive engage traffic on your listing. If you would like to be considered for Home of the Week and put the spotlight on your homes, contact us today.

By BDX Guest Blogger, Carol Morgan, mRELEVANCE

I’ve got a challenge for you: show off your new home or community in six seconds or less. Sound difficult? Even though it might be a little tricky, it does force you to get creative, which is exactly why Vine, a video sharing app from Twitter, has become so popular with users and brands alike.

Videos on Vine are limited to six seconds; however, they play in a continuous loop until the user scrolls down to watch the next video. For marketers, this makes Vine a great tool for entertaining current and potential customers, which can lead to increased brand awareness.

Here are a few ideas of how homebuilders can use Vine:

  • Share videos of a home throughout the various stages of construction.
  • Share a video with short clips from various rooms in the home.
  • Show off a community by creating a video with clips of the location, amenities and streetscapes.
  • Create a video showing the day in the life of an employee.
  • Develop how to or educational videos.
  • Promote a current incentive or contest.
  • Showcase homeowners at a community event.

While these video ideas for showcasing your specific product and brand, you should also create additional “fun” videos related to the holidays, seasons or just for pure entertainment to give your viewers a reason to keep coming back to your profile.

You can even put your followers to the test by asking them to come up with a creative video for you!

Ready to get creative with Vine video sharing ? Contact Marketing RELEVANCE.