1. Distribute your Listing Everywhere
There are so many free distribution channels online these days that you do yourself a disservice by not using them. Listings should be distributed all over the place! Put them on craigslist, Rofo, send them to Linked in groups, Facebook groups, make a video on YouTube, tweet your listing. All these distribution channels are free, use them!

2. Pictures and Video
If a Rofo user is given the choice of a listing with pictures or without, the listing with pictures always gets more views. People want to see the space they might end up working in. If you have pictures available put them on your listing. If you don’t have any, take some! Or pay someone to do it. The pictures don’t need to be professionally done, but at least take them on a sunny day. People don’t say a picture is worth 1,000 words for nothing.

Videos take it a step further and give prospective tenants an even better sense of the space without having to be there physically. Videos are difficult to produce, so either take the time to do some research on techniques that produce good results, or hire a videographer to do it. Good looking high end spaces definitely benefit from professional looking photos or videos. Craigslist is a great place to find photographers and videographers at reasonable prices.

3. Space Size
Don’t lump 10 different spaces into one listing. If a user is searching by size how are they going to find that 1000 sf space they are looking for if it is hidden in a listing with a range of 200-2000 sf? If the space has been separated with a build out, then those spaces should each have separate listings. Plus, it increases your chances of listings views since there is more content to distribute.

In this market, smaller listing are being leased much more quickly than anything over 5,000 sf. This is due to a variety of factors, such as downsizing, subleasing and people who have been laid off starting their own businesses. Moral of the story is don’t ignore smaller tenants or neglect to market smaller spaces, even though the reward isn’t as great when compared to leasing a large space. And who know, that small tenant may end up becoming a large tenant when the economy recovers (anyone’s guess to when that will be).

4. Be Flexible on Lease Term
We are still in a recession, no matter what Bernanke says. Businesses are apprehensive about committing to a long term lease because the economic outlook is fuzzy at best. Don’t scare them away by forcing them into a 5 year lease.

Also, be very clear when the space will be available. If you are flexible on timing, say so in your listing.

5. Pricing (Price your listing and don’t hide expenses)
Be as clear and upfront as possible about price in your commercial listing. Sure, you want to leave room to negotiate, but users of Rofo rarely click on spaces that are unpriced. If you know what the expected expenses are for a certain space, add them to the description. If you want to advertise any special offers like free rent, offer them in the title or description.

Sure NNN expenses fluctuate, but you can make a pretty good estimate. Tenants don’t appreciate seeing a low rental rate and then finding out it doesn’t include $1.50 in NNN expenses on top of the base rate.

6. Price Creatively and Competitively
A tough economy forces most businesses to make decisions based on the bottom line. Pricing a listing above market rates will cause many tenants to look elsewhere. Take a look at the market and other spaces in your area on Rofo and price accordingly.

One of the most successful space providers on Rofo offers a 3 year lease wiht a low monthly rate for the first year which then scales up over the following years. This allows tenants to get into a space at a price that takes into account the tough economic environment.

7. Keep the Tenants You Have!
If a tenant is mulling the idea of leaving do everything you can to keep them in the building. In this market it will be extremely tough to find a replacement. Don’t grovel, but make some concessions and be flexible. Also, having prospective tenants tour an empty building isn’t exactly great marketing.

8. Title Listings Descriptively
Users on Rofo view listings with descriptive titles twice as much as non-descriptive titles. Think about words that tenants would identify with and are descriptive. Try to describe what you feel are the best features of the space and identify them in the title. Some good examples could be:

-High end space in high rise downtown, great natural light and four offices
-Great space with parking, ideal neighborhood for a start up
-Nice space for a non profit, most current tenants NPO’s

Listings with descriptive titles on Rofo always get more views than listings with generic titles. Think about words that they would identify with and are descriptive. Highlight the best features of the space and identify them in the title.

9. Create Comprehensive Listing Descriptions
Many Rofo users search based on specific types of space or for spaces that are targeted towards specific uses. Make sure include sublease or shared space opportunities as they are very desirable for those smaller tenants and tenants seeking short term space.

If you feel your space is a great opportunity for a non profit, start up, or professional service firm, identify this in the description. Build out, amenities, and other special features of the building should be identified as well. Make sure to describe things like available parking and nearby transportation options.

10. Be Flexible
This is more of a concluding statement about leasing in a tough economy. Be flexible and do your best to meet tenant demands. In this market, if you don’t, somebody else will.