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I Love Referrals

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Showcase Homes

Early on in my real estate career, I learned that if you do ot ask for the business, you will not get the business.  Among my friends, my circle of influence, my past clients I am known as the I Love Referrals guy.  I have gone through many thousands of the red I Love Referral hearts--on my just listed/just sold/ monthly sphere postcards, on the 600 desk calendars that go out every December, on just about every piece of mail that leaves my desk.  The tag at the end of every email that I send--no matter to whom--is I LOVE Referrals with my contact information.  It is quite fun when people walk up to me and say with a smile on their face,  "I know, you love referrals".  At the end of our conversation, I usually make my last comment, :Oh, and don't forget, I love referrals."

It works, it really works, since referrals are the second most important source of my business.  Repeat business is primary, but referrals is right behind.  At first I placed the I Love Referrals stickers on the outside of the envelope that my calendars were in, but realized very quickly that they threw that away instantly.  So, now the sticker goes on the calendar so they see it all year.  It is quite amazing to walk into the home of someone in my farm area when I am called for a listing appointment and see my calendar  on their desk with the red sticker.

It pays to take the time and effort and very little $$$ to be consistent and remind people that you love referrals.  Blogs, and emails, and all the high tech operation are important and fruitful, but 20 some years of little red hearts works as well.  Oh, and by the way...

                                                                           I LOVE REFERRALS
                                   If you or someone you know is thinking about buying or selling real estate,
                                           Choose the full time REALTOR with 21+ years experience
                                                                           GerryBanister.com
                                                                            248-645-1589

Comments (13)

June Piper-Brandon
Coldwell Banker Realty - Columbia, MD
Creating Generational Wealth Through Homeownership
Referrals are often the most overlooked source of future business in this game of real estate.  Thanks for the reminder.
Oct 26, 2007 09:50 AM
Gerry Banister
RE/MAX Showcase Homes - Beverly Hills, MI
MBA

June,

You are right on.  If we don't ask, it won't happen.

Oct 26, 2007 09:52 AM
Sean Carroll
The Get Off Your A$$ Academy - Manhattan, NY
Real Estate Speaker and "Expert" Coach
without referrals, we are one month away from being out of the business forever. I love referrals too. If I do it right, I can actually cause them to occur, simply by asking like you said!
Oct 26, 2007 09:54 AM
Gerry Banister
RE/MAX Showcase Homes - Beverly Hills, MI
MBA

Sean,

you are right--it really works,,,andin this market we have to use every possibility at our disposal

Oct 26, 2007 09:57 AM
Rob Arnold
Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. - Altamonte Springs, FL
Metro Orlando Full Service - Investor Friendly & F
Referrals are really great to have.  They are the lifeblood of my business. 
Oct 26, 2007 10:03 AM
Tyghre Collentine
Coldwell Banker Burnet - Minneapolis, MN
So true, we need to focus on the clients we already have and get leads from them.  Simple concept, but not always so easy to do.
Oct 26, 2007 10:07 AM
Joshua Barré
LA West Real Estate - Pacific Palisades, CA
Not only do you and I love referrals, the people giving the referrals often times love giving referrals.  What I am trying to say is that you are reminding people to do something which will bring joy to both you and them.  Who doesn't like to feel responsible for someone else having some success?
Oct 26, 2007 10:09 AM
Christopher Smith
TREGO REALTY - Cedar Rapids, IA
Gerry, I like your comment about " if you don't ask for business, how do you know you'll get business."  Myself included, I need to ask more for business and I think that will help increase my sales.
Oct 26, 2007 10:12 AM
Meredith Hanson
Coldwell Banker Colorado Rockies Real Estate - Silverthorne, CO
Sometimes the simplest things are often the most overlooked!  What an easy way to get your message out without it feeling like that is the only reason for the contact.
Oct 26, 2007 10:15 AM
Gerry Banister
RE/MAX Showcase Homes - Beverly Hills, MI
MBA
Sometimes the simplest are the most overlooked and the most productive...
Oct 26, 2007 10:20 AM
Karen Webster...Grand Rapids, MI Realtor
5 Star Real Estate, Grand Rapids MI - Grand Rapids, MI
Hey, what a coincidence!  I love referrals, too!  Let's refer some buyers back and forth.
Oct 26, 2007 01:09 PM
Stefan Scholl
Buyer's Broker of Northern Michigan, LLC - Petoskey, MI
Northern Michigan Real Estate
Thanks for the reminder, Gerry.  You have inspired me to send out a stack of I Love Referrals business card refrigerator magnets which have been gathering dust in my closet.
Oct 29, 2007 03:34 AM
Gerry Banister
RE/MAX Showcase Homes - Beverly Hills, MI
MBA
Great idea Stefan. Good luck.
Oct 29, 2007 06:56 AM