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Real Estate Business Cards - Who would have thought of this great idea?!

I wanted to share a wonderful tip I learned from my Ralph Roberts conference call 3 weeks ago that has already earned me a lead.

Ralph shared with all of us that when he goes into a restaurant he always leaves his business card with a hand written note on the back thanking the waiter or waitress for the great service, smile, etc. and always writes their name if they are wearing a name tag eg: "Thanks for the awesome food and great service Tiffany".

He always leaves a healthy tip with these business cards. The return he says has been amazing.

I tried this just 4 days after Ralph had mentioned it and to my amazement the manager of the local "Outback Restaurant" called me an hour after I left the Outback to personally thank me for such a kind and wonderful gesture. He said his boss is looking for real estate and he gave his boss my card!

Aside from the potential business just think about putting a smile on someones face that might be having a bad day or personal problems. Paying them a compliment may just be what they need more than you or I will ever know.

Give this tip a try. It can't hurt and you never know when you will see some results.

Thanks Ralph!

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Posted by George Tallabas - Idaho Real Estate on 10/20/2007 03:04 PM

Comments (104)

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Originally posted at: Idaho Real Estate >> ID Real Estate Specialist: Real Estate Business Cards - Who would have thought of this great idea?!

104 Comments on Real Estate Business Cards - Who would have thought of this great idea?!

OCT

2007

Great Tip George. I will certainly try this. You could also do this to anyone who gives you great service. Leave you card with the cab, or limo driver.

Great idea!

I think business cards can be a great tool. It's traditional but you can come up with ideas such as this - so simple. I have thought of doing short runs of two sided business cards - with my info on front and a property on back. When I thought of it homes were selling fast - but in today's market it might work.

Gail - Thank you and yes, it will work with anyone that gives great service. Have a great weekend!

Judi - Congrats for "Thinking outside the box"!

Gail - I always leave my business card with the cab driver. Now I am going to start writing their name on the back of the card and give them more compliments.

George - This is a great idea. I am definitely going to try it out. Great post.

Hey Ralph I love this idea! My husband always beats me to it though. He is a mortgage broker. That's not the business card I am assuming that you hand out? :)

Wow great suggestion I certainly will use it!

Lanre - Try it and you will be amazed

Naoma - Thanks for giving thanks to Ralph. He is amazing!

Donna - Go for it!

Oh, I love being around smart people! That is such a good idea I feel dumb that I haven't been doing it!

Thanks for sharing. Great idea, can't wait to see what results it brings.

Sarah - LOL Don't call yourself dumb dear. We all learn from many different people and we learn every day. The moment we stop learning we go downhill. "Go get em dear!"

Sue - This is so exciting!. Give it a try and it it will amaze you!

George, Thanks for the great tip. I plan on trying it myself, starting with my next meal out.

Rolando - You are welcome dude! Good luck!

We have been leaving 2 cards behind with our generous tip for years now. It actually does work, especially when you have a compelling message on the back. What a great way to market yourself for only a few pennies.

George:

Great idea. The note is what does it. Much more powerful than the card alone.

Excellent tip George, I will try that today! What is there to lose?

Aloha - The Hunter

Brenda & David - Good for you!

Bill - The note is very powerful for sure. Everyone likes a comliment

Georgina - There is nothing to loose my friend....go for it!

George: Great post! My mom is a waitress and she taught me this lesson when I first got into real estate. Of course it wasn't until I started making a little money that we could actually eat out and tip good. =]

It does work. I tipped a guy good and come to find out his dad was a developer and I did a 2 million dollar land sale!!!!!! BUUUUYAHHHH!!!!!!

Everybody is somebody's somebody!

George, I think this is a wonderful idea and I'm definitely going to use it! If nothing else it will bring a smile to someones face! Great tip (no pun intended :)

Jessica - Good for you and congrats on your huge sale! Ralph has a ton of more ideas and make sure to listen in when I email you his conference calls. The calls take place every Monday evening. I hope all is well my friend.

Carole - Everyone loves a compliment and yes, it brings a smile to everyone's face and that is the most important part of this idea!

You're right it works like a charm. My husband used to dread me doing this, now he actually reminds me!

George - you come up with the most amazing things to spur leads, success and good will. I love it! and I always leave good tips, even when the service is poor, because I believe the waiter or waitress is just having a bad day and needs a lift - so this suggestion goes to the top of my list - and I will use it tomorrow.

Thank you!

What a Great Idea..Amazing the things that are so simple, but many of us never think of. Thanks for sharing.

I always make it a point to pass on my card in a restraunt (espicially at Hooters HAHA). Never thought about the hand written portion of it though, I like it!

George that is a great idea. No cost personal promotion. You can't afford not to try this one.

This used to embarrass my wife until I got a deal as a result. Now she reminds me too!

That is a great idea George!! I actually received Bridget's business card in the mail a few days back with a very nice note! She has some amazing business cards. I wanted to get her printer and use her layout. Great looking card and very impressive. Add your tip and you have a winner all the way around. Thanks for another great post my friend!! 12 days til I meet Ralph Roberts personally, but who's counting right? LOL

George, thanks for sharing this awesome idea.

Well, I have heard of this idea, but never seen what was put on the back of the card and I will start this process and report back. Thanks

Keisha - Thanks for the comment and have a great weekend

Eva - Thanks and good luck to you my friend

Jay - It is very simple and oh so powerful!

Chad - Give it a try and bring a smile to someones face!

Kotambu - The reward is amazing

David - Glad your wife got over it....LOL

Candi - I too received a thank you card as well in a brown coin envelope which she used. I sent her my cards in that same envelope with a note which I learned at a CRS class. She loved the idea and is now using it. I hope you are having a great weekend with your family.

Missy - You are very welcome my friend

Susan - Go for it and I would love to hear your report!

I do this all the time, but haven't had anything come from it-but I will continue to still do it.

Penny - Keep it up. Right something that will really touch their heart and pad the tip as well. Be patient and good things will come :-) I had something great happen the first time!

George, what a wonderful idea. I don't have much room to write on my card, but I did leave a little room. I waited tables and both of my children waited tables so I tend to be a fairly big tipper anyway. That is one of the hardest jobs I ever had.

Marchel - I respect waiters and waitresses and have always respecte them. I can just imagine the feeling a waiter or waitress has when they receive a heartfelt note accompanied by a handsome tip. I hope you are doing well.

George, You always have such great tips! I will try this! My husband works for chili's and we are always eating out even at other chili's it would be a great way for me to network with other managers and other managers at other stores in the area. Thanks for the tip!

Carla Cullum

Keller Williams Dallas Ft Worth Denton

Carla - You are very welcome and good luck to you

This really does work, because I do this when we go out and eat also. It is just a simple gesture and it means so much!!

Nicole Garner
Portland Metro Oregon

Nicole - Good for you and keep up the great work!

OCT

2007

This is a great tip, George! Thanks for sharing. Sometimes we overlook the obvious.

One thing I always enjoy doing - and it gets wonderful results - is when a waiter/waitress says, "Hi, I'm Bobbi and I'll be your server tonight." I always say, "Hi, Bobbi, I'm Carol and I'm going to be your customer tonight!" This always gets a smile and a laugh and great service.

George, I have done this a few times with waitresses /waiters and even at the car wash. I've only done it a couple times with no results yet but I will keep trying.

Great idea! My problem is I go the same restaurants and asks for the same waitress! I guess I should go to different restaurants! :)

This is why I spend time on Active Rain--great idea...

Great post. I try to give as many away as possible.

That is a great idea! It amazes me how many people don't give away their business cards.

I'm so happy Martin Abeshaus shared your blog with me in his own blog you inpired him to write. This is brilliant. Thanks!

Carol - You are very welcome and I hope all is well

Roberta - Don't give up and remember flattering comments and higher that normal tips

Rick - Why wouldn' the same waiter or waitress appreciate constant compliments?

Gerry - Good luck and I wish you well

Keith & Robin - Go for it!

Martin - This is very true...we need to "Think outside the box" and always be creative

Natalie - Thank you and I hope all is well

Great tip George!

I've heard this idea before but never actually tried it...I think I will give it a try next time I go out to eat! Thanks for the encouragement!

Tara - Thanks and good luck to you

Kelly - Go for it my friend!

George - This is an excellent tip. I had been doing this years ago and for some reason stopped doing tit. I am glad I read your post. This is a great reminder of some of the little things you can do to create business for yourself.

George: I love the idea of a personalized note. Also, by using their name - they will be more likely to keep the card because it is essentially a testimonial for them. Excellent idea.

Bill - Thanks and I wish you well

Sue - Thanks for stopping by and good luck to you

I love this idea and am going to use it. Thank you.

P.S. I couldn't find the spot where you rate the post. It seems to have disappeared. Do you know how I get it back so I can come back and rate you a 5.

George, we eat out often each week. Just think of all the contact I have been leaving on the table. great thought and thanks for sharing.

Great Idea. The beauty is in it's simplicity. Thanks for sharing.

Adele - Thank you so much....I appareciate you rating me a 5! You may want to refresh your browser Adele.

Frank - You are very welcome my friend.

Matt - You are welcome and it is a simple and powerful idea thanks to Ralph Roberts!

Well i guess i am going to start leaving my cards with a note on them, thanks George.

Sometimes the simple things make the biggest difference. I try to give out 5 cards a day. Thanks for the tip.

Hey George!

My mom was over today and I showed her this post. Like I told you...she is a waitress. She said that you can come eat at her restaurant any time. She has a thing about the tall dark and handsome!

She is such a big flirt!

Anyway, I just thought I would make you laugh with that.

Have a good one!

PS....sorry my kids have a concert monday night at 7:00 PM. I've got to see them and plus I will probably hit 50 contacts in 2 hours!

Vicki - Go for it my friend

Keith - You are welcome and I wish you well

Jessica - Your kids are important to you and I hope you can make future Ralph Roberts conference calls because Ralph is awesome. Tell your mom I will be over to her restaurant in the next week or two...LOL

They are George. I am just glad that I can watch Heroes online because I hate missing it!

She would drive you INSANE! Trust me.

Jessica - Have a great evening and "You go girl"!

OCT

2007

George: What a great idea. I will give it a try.

George, Great tip I always leave a card when I tip but have not writen a note. I will now!

Dianne - Thank you my friend and I hope all is well with you

Keith - Go for it and and good luck!

I love AR, and I love great tips. Thanks George for that.

Kevin Gapol Golden Star Financing

Kevin - You are welcome dude!

I too LOVE this idea! What an innovative thought!

Yvonne - Thanks and go for it!

OCT

2007

George, I did this the other day after you told me about your call with Ralph. I didn't get any response from it, but you never know I still could. I thought that writing on my cards was going to be a problem becasue I just got new laminated ones. They look really nice, but if you write on them with pen it smudges. So I picked up an ultra fine point Sharpie to keep in my purse. It works great! Thanks for all of your awesome advice!

Great idea, George! I'll have to try it next time. Sometimes people just need a lift during a stressful day.

George - I was in a seminar that Ralph had and he mentioned to us about the business calling card. I use it all the time. I have received 2 phone calls and working with someone to find them a home.

Amy - You won't always get results the first time but don't give up my dear friend

Brigita - Good luck to you and have a wonderful evening

Chuck - Thanks my friend. Ralph is awesome!

OCT

2007

George,

This is a fabulous idea. I will definitely be giving this a try.

Anthea - Good luck to you my friend and have a great weekend.

Thank you! i am going to start using that! I will let you know how it works.

Sara - You are very, very welcome and good luck to you.

George, what a great idea! I've left cards & tips (of course) :-) before - but never with a personal note. Even if no business surfaced from leaving the card, it's a fabulous way to brighten someone's day.

Darleen - Thanks for stopping by and I wish you good luck. Have a fabulous weekend.

This is a great idea. I also heard about this one at a conference. I have tried this for the past three months with no results. I am a former bellman so I tip well. I do plan on doing this for a long time. Great way to market yourself and a great way to make someone's day.

OCT

2007

Before doing real estate (and kids) we owned donut shops... While working the drive thru one morning this guy came up and handed me a few business cards with a great tip. I remember seeing him almost everyday, but had no idea what he did for a living. It just so happened that several months after him doing that we decided to sell our home.. Not knowing who to use..... I remembered the guy who came through the drive thru and gave me his business cards! He sold three properties for us and also for many of our friends! Which reminds me now that I am in real estate..... HE OWES ME!! :)

Spencer - Keep it up and good luck to you. Have a great day!

Susan - What a great story! Just goes to prove to you that being proactive like this can pay big dividends! You should really write a post about this Susan. I have a wonderful day!

Great tip George! Thank you, I'm going to start doing this!

Ana - Good luck to you my friend

OCT

2007

Hi George- thanks for the idea- I'm going to use it today at lunch(if my waitress is good of course). In this market, you need to always put your best foot forward.

I just started doing this about a month ago. I haven't included their name, but have left atleast a 20% tip and have not had the results yet, but we'll see. I'm sure eventually something will come of it.

Judy - Good luck to you and thanks for stopping by

Rob - Good for you and keep it up

Goood Idea!

I am certainly going to do this.

I am excited about this.

Jeanette Hemmer Re/Max Clarksville, Arkansas

Jeanette - Thanks and "You go Girl!"

OCT

2007

It's true. Usually, the most obvious, easiest ideas, are the best ideas. To be sucessful in Real Estate, you have to see the forest through the trees.

Jeff - Thansk and have a great day

The past 6 months, I have made a habit of doing this... no leads yet - but you never know what could happy :-)

Thanks Dana - Keep at it!

DEC

2007

Thanks for this info...and it already worked for you...that's impressive!

Diane - Thank you very much and have a great day!

DEC

2007

Thanks, everyone I enjoy reading tips. Several weeks ago, I read somewhere? When you go through a drive-thru pay for the person behind you and ask person at the window to give them your card! Just make sure it isn't a passenger van LOL !

Good Tip, you just never know.....keep them coming....

Great tip! Thank you. Who doesn't like to recieve a compliment?

Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging

yes, this is a great idea. I have actually left my business cards at the car washing place, the dry cleaners, etc. and you would be surprised how much of a response you get!

Great tip for everyone!

Thanks everyone and good luck using this tip.

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