Special offer

Does Your Dry Cleaner REALLY Know What You Do...???

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Agent Assistant Network

Dry CleanerRecently I was chatting with one of my agents and she mentioned she was dropping off items (business cards, candy, etc) at local businesses to promote herself and her business.  She mentioned dropping some promotional items at her dry cleaners specifically.

Knowing her, I know she puts every name and email address she can get her hands on into her database.  So I asked her if her dry cleaner was in her database as well.  I was pretty surprised when she told me no because he knows me and knows what I do.  My response was, are you sure

Unfortunately, I’ve heard that all to often from too many agents. More unfortunately for the agent, they have lost business because their barber forgot John was a real estate agent; or Jane’s friend though of her as the friend only, but forgot Jane was an agent; or worse, the next-door neighbor thought of you as a great neighbor, but somehow forgot you were also a great real estate agent.

I just saw that George Souto blogged about working your sphere of influence so I won’t even go there.  

But let me ask; is your dry cleaner in your database?  And once you put him in there, will you actually stay in touch?  If not, who is to blame if they buy or sell with someone else.

For a fun homework assignment, see how many names and email addresses you can collect this week.  Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

  • Dry cleaners
  • Barista at each coffee shop you visit throughout the day
  • Dentist (they really owe you)
  • Jeweler
  • Childcare provider
  • Owner and server at your favorite restaurant
  • Hairstylist

Anyone you do business with... 

 

Posted by

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA.  She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

Copyright© 2009 By Tracie Mason Holton, All Rights Reserved.  You may re-blog with links back to this post.

Marc Blasi
Palm Beach Gardens, FL

I learned my lesson very early on!

I was talking to someone ay my gym and they were talking about a friends RE transaction and the rotten time they had with the financing.  I just stared at him for a second and he said 'Oh &^%$ I forgot! I could have sent them to you!'

Annoying? Yes.

My fault - completely.  Keep your name fresh in their minds!!!

Nov 05, 2006 08:20 PM
Tracie Mason
Agent Assistant Network - Seattle, WA
Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant

I think for many agents, they worry that they are being to pushy with friends, family, and associates so they don't really know how to keep themselves top of mind.  I am always a fan of a nice, general real estate topic drip email campaign or a monthly market report through your database.

They receive an email once a month so your name is always top of mind, and they have general real estate info that they may forward on to others.  The important point, one email a month isn't so much they feel you are hounding them and you are actually providing them something of value.

Nov 07, 2006 02:13 AM
C Tann-Starr
Tann Starr & Associates, Inc. - Palm Bay, FL

The one email a month sounds interesting... :-)

Sep 01, 2008 07:09 PM
Tracie Mason
Agent Assistant Network - Seattle, WA
Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant

Thanks for stopping by this old post C.  An email a month normally isn't to much; and if you use email drip campaigns they always go out on time.  :-) 

Think about it..

Sep 02, 2008 03:44 PM
Susan Hilton
CENTURY 21 Beal, Inc. - College Station, TX
Texas Aggie Real Estate, College Station Bryan Texas Real Estate

I think email drip plans are working less and less - I'm moving back to a more personal touch... the old fashioned card with a high tech touch. Imagine sending the dry cleaner a card with their business on the front with a banner saying "My favorite dry cleaner" or a card in the mail to the the listing appointment you have next week with THEIR house on the front?  It is SO easy and all for about $1 INCLUDING POSTAGE!!!  Tracie - I'll put one on the mail to you. Tell me what you think. 

It is working very well for my agents!

Sep 16, 2008 01:51 PM
Tracie Mason
Agent Assistant Network - Seattle, WA
Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant

Susan - I agree, high tech with high touch is key.  I can't wait to see the new card!  You have mail.  :-)

Sep 16, 2008 02:01 PM
Keenan Tameling
Libertas Holding Inc. - Calgary, AB

Thanks for the inspiration to get cracking on making a networking plan and working it

Oct 23, 2008 07:09 PM