Yesterday I wrote about a forgettable door hanger  that did nothing to distinguish the agent from the others who canvas our neighborhood.

One of the comments raised the question:“What other products would you use to distinguish yourself from your competition?”

Before responding to this question, let's clarify the purpose of items like the door hanger I referred to.

Purely and simply these items are intended to help prospects remember you so that when they are ready to buy or sell, they will contact you.

To help prospects remember you, three ingredients are required:

1. some element of your personal brand to help distinguish you from the competition
2. something to engage your prospects or catch their attention
3. some connection between your message and the item you leave. One or two short sentences is all you need.

My suggestions:

1. Advertising Specialties

These are things like key tags, pens, golf tees and so forth with your name and contact data.

One of my favorites is a pad of post-it notes with a home motif, which together with the agent's card is attached to a magnet. This item has been stuck to my filing cabinet since I received it a couple of years ago.

Check it out: www.MagnetStreet.com

2. Door Hangers

Why not play around with the "do not disturb" theme? Perhaps on the front, a "do not disturb" motif, which would pique my curiosity.

On the back, comments like

• "I don't want to disturb you so am using this door hanger"
• "if you are ready to sell I would like to help you with as little disturbance as possible"

3. Fortune Cookies

I once used fortune cookies as part of a direct mail campaign.

When I followed up by telephone I made reference to the fortune cookie.This was good connector...many people remembered receiving the cookie and what the fortune was.

4. Game Pieces From Board Games

What better give-aways than the houses or deeds from Monopoly?

Or what about attractive checker or chess men?

5. Garbage Bags

During the recent garbage strike in Toronto, Glad Bag reps gave away green garbage bags and clear recycling bags with appropriate promotional material.

I've also noticed advertising the paper bags that we use for yard waste.

6. Kitchen Gadgets

Remember the weird and wonderful gizmos and gadgets the Fuller Brush men used to leave?

Check out your local dollar stores...lots of fun kitchen gadgets you can customize to help prospects remember you.

7. 'No Flyers or Direct Mail' Signs

Like many people, I don't like flyers and direct mail...so have placed a notice on the mail box requesting that none be left.

What about preparing an attractive and tasteful 'No Flyers or Direct Mail' signs for residents in your area. I'm sure thy would appreciate it and remember you.

Be careful you don't annoy advertisers with whom you have an existing relationship.

8. Origami

This is the Japanese art of paper folding. I have seen small kits that contain the paper and instructions to make little houses or cranes.

9. Recipes

Everyone loves recipes from other people. 

Print up recipe cards with 'grandma's apple pie recipe'...or something else seasonal, local or personal.

Add a story about the recipe and your contact data. A real keeper.

10. Referral Partners' Items

Small packages of grass seed from landscapers, thermometers from HVAC people or whatever your referral partners can give you.

A great win-win for both you and your referral partners.

Those are only my suggestions. What kinds of things have you used to help prospects remember you?