Ok everyone. I know we all do crazy things in order to find new business. I've been reading about a lot of them over the past couple of days. I thought I would share mine. It's a crazy concept, but IT WORKS! I write handwritten note cards to agents & clients all the time. If there is a reason to send a card (with business card enclosed of course) I send one. I probably send about 10-20 out a week. As a result of this and a once a month newsletter, I have NEVER had to cold call.
I will get calls months after sending one to an agent and hear, how they loved the card and kept my business card until they needed it. I've even gone into offices and found the cards on top of the shelves in their cubicles. In the days of emails, mass mailing, etc the personal service I offer shows through when their first meeting of me is directed specifically towards them.
When to send note cards:
- You see their name on a sign outside the office naming them as top producer, etc
- You see their name in the newspaper for any award
- They called or emailed you for the first time
- You met with them for a consultation or walk through for the first time
- They referred a client or agent to you (EVERY TIME!)
- Birthdays, anniversarys, etc
Another advantage of the note card is a reason to give them additional business cards. On average each of my clients receives 3 business cards from me one at a time. (Upon meeting, note card, client comment card) This means they always have one to give away when they talk to another agent about my awesome service!
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Melissa Marro, a published artist, now turned staging advocate and national speaker speaks her mind about real estate and the home staging industry. In her 'no holds barred' approach, audience members find real answers to the industries pitfalls and learn how to overcome them with tried and true information and guidance. With marketing as her passion, she turned a small home based business into one of the nation's largest home staging and training facilities. Selling her successful home staging company in January 2012, Marro is now a full time speaker and instructor for Staging And Resign and Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)'s trade events.
For more information on having Marro speak at one of your real estate functions, please contact her at 843.619.1593 or email at marro.melissa@gmail.com
Melissa - you are so right. It's a great way to communicate.
FYI - I'm now making home-made cards and placing on the back "Decorated by GIS." I'll have to take a pic and post it.
Thanks for sharing the mulitple reasons for sending notes!
Kathy
I love this idea! Thanks for the tips on when to send
~Kimberly~
I really love this idea. I haven't applied it yet but can certainly appreciate its effectiveness.
I was once advised to pre-stamp envelopes with the note cards and keep them in my car so that immediately after a visit, I write a note and mail. This will work for someone like me because I procrastinate to the point where it's no longer appropriate to send the note. Not an effective technique.
Hi Melissa,
When writing your notes do you keep it strictly to the congratulations with your biz card enclosed or do you also write a quick sentence at the end of your note about your staging services--something along the lines of, if you ever have a listing in need of staging assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me. ???
Thanks for the idea!
Sandi,
I make sure that this card is about THEM! I feel that is really important. They know deep down that this is a marketing technique so there is no reason for the plug. What you can do is follow up with another card or email a few weeks later (at least 2 weeks) with an email about any current listings they may have, or add them to your email list if you do monthly newsletters. Chances are once you've made personal contact - even if only by handwritten note - they won't consider your newsletter spam.
To everyone else who posted:
Thanks for the kind words, I cannot tell you how strongly I feel that awesome client service is the cornerstone of my business. This is one of the best tools I have to set me apart.
Melissa
Melissa,
You are absolutely correct about the impression that the written word makes - especially in this day and age when so few of us have, or take the time to acknowledge one another!
Thanks for the reminder of the effectiveness of the hand-written note!
VAL
Thank you so much for the advice! I was thinking about this, but it wasn't till I read your post that I realized the potential.
Dane Caldwell
2 Hounds Design