Do you call the people ahead of time, or just drop by?  I was thinking of doing something similar this year.

Keeping a face-toface presence is key ... not just during the holiday season, but all year long ... thanks for the ideas

Marlene-

I LOVE pop-bys! So, I'd probably lean towards a yummy scented candle. Vanilla or pine even ('tis the season...). There's a lovely selection of jar or canister candles at Michael's... I go with the $1 ones. My pop-bys are on a budget!

Other than that... what do you like to get for the holidays? Maybe doggy or kitty treats for the family pet. Foot soak or scrub for the lady who's been running around (I love to make a foot soak from epsom salts and peppermint tea). What guy doesn't need batteries for his new toy?

Have fun! Happy holidays!!

~Emily

The San Diego Real Estate Expert

Good holiday candy is always a good one!  But the candle is a good gift as well...everyone likes candles!  Let us know what you decide to do!  I love those bags!

Marlene,

You snagged a good deal with these bags. The look great.

Sandy

Christina, I just drop by, but I try to do it on a Saturday morning, when more people will be home.  If they aren't home, I'll just leave it on the doorstep, then call them on the phone later that day or the next morning to make sure they saw it.  Usually, they end up calling me first!  :)

Allen, I totally agree, and if you want referrals to be one-third (or more) of your business, then you absolutely need that face-to-face!

Emily, I haven't checked Michael's yet, that's a great idea.  Thanks! BTW, you didn't go to school in Seattle, did you?

Ooh, Naoma, maybe I'll put a candle down in the bag surrounded by small individually-wrapped candies.  oooo-oooo, I'm liking this idea!  Thanks!

Thanks, Sandy, I thought they looked festive but not gaudy, professional but not stuffy, just the right combination of everything I needed for my holiday gifts.

Marlene, this is my favorite "pop by" time of the year.  I'm pretty well lined up right now, but a few more trips to the dollar store for "bag stuffers" will put the finishing touches on them.  Lovely idea for a reminder for all of us.

Walgreens usually has sale items every week. Holiday  Pot holders regularly 99 cents for 2 for 99 cents etc. I always love the dollar store and buy my pop by items there. You might want to read my post about dollar stores .Happy thanks Giving. Candles are a great idea.

Kris and Gita, what other times of the year do you all do pop-bys?  I can think of a few, but I am always looking for more ideas...

I was thinking of doing a poinsettia this year.

Christina, for a while there, everyone was doing poinsettas, so I deided not to do them.  It seems everyone made that decision, 'cause now no one does them!  Everything old is new again, so I think going back to poinsettas is a good idea!

What a great idea!

How about adding some wonderful chocolate truffles?  You can get some really nice looking ones (and they taste good too!) from the 99 cent store! 

Great post. Thanks so much for offering the ideas for everyone.

Appreciate it.

Remember, it is not so much about what you give out to your clients, but, that you are face to face with them, once a month.  I, also, popby my vendors (attorneys,paralegals,mortgage officers, the dry cleaner that I use, etc).  It never fails, someone ends up listing their home with me, or giving me the name of a friend who wants to move.  Popbys are very effective, especially if they are done every month:)  I, also, make the follow-up phone call if they were not at home.  I left a poinsettia and then called that evening. Answering machine, oops!  I went by the next morning and no one had brought the plant in.  I am assuming they are away for a few days, so, I took back the plant and will need to redeliver when I know they have returned.  Our weather in Connecticut is very cold now, especially overnight.

It's a Good Life!

Sandy, truffles are a nice idea.

A.C., thanks, but these marketing concepts aren't mine,  I am just trying to apply what I learned from Brian Buffini.

Fran, I have to be honest, I never thought about my vendors.  Duh....  I may need more bags. Thanks for the idea.

Marlene ~ I was thinking of doing pop-bys this year to a few select people. Thanks for the inspiration - and the tip on the bags.

Marlene, great idea!  The holidays is a great reason to revisit our past clients and keep in touch.  Thanks for your ideas.

Hi Marlene. Great post. If I were your client I'd remember you when it was time to refer a friend, family member or even a co-worker. Best of luck in 2008.

Marlene- great deal on the bags!  I'll have to head out to get some for additional pop-by's.  Coffee beans, vanilla candles and candle holders are going in several of mine - the scent if divine when combined.

Jackie

Darlene,  you're welcome. It's a great reason to go see people that you generally like anyway!

Thavisak, I totally agree with you, it is a good time to keep in touch.

Vincent, Thanks, Vincent!  That's what we do, isn;t it?  :)

Jackie, I never thought about combining with coffee!  Have fun delivering your gifts.

I like this idea, I just joined AR and already getting a great number of ideas.  I think several thinks (low priced) in the bag would work well. 

Harold, the idea is to keep them thoughful and as personal as possible, while keeping the price down.  And make sure you sign up for the Buffini group and the Out of the Box group!

Harold, the idea is to keep them thoughful and as personal as possible, while keeping the price down.  And make sure you sign up for the Buffini group and the Out of the Box group!

Great idea.  I would love to do something similar as well but on a budget.  With Valentine's day approaching, maybe I can put something small togther.  I guess you have to spend money to make money, huh?

Latonia, Start small.  Choose your 10 clients or friends who either have referred to you or would refer to you if you asked them for a referral.  Then head to the dollar store and get them a pretty Valentine's Day mug and fill it with kisses.  Try to stop when they will be home, so you can use the "just had a moment and wanted you to know I was thinking of you" line.  Then, on your way out, ask them the By The Way question that Brian Buffini is famous for.  Then move on from there.  Start small, but start!   Good luck!

Try www.TheMarketingPiece.com.  This is a great company that offers inexpensive Pop-Bys and has found that the same effect can be reached with a Pop-By mailed every month... with their prices... why not?