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One of the most powerful tools in my arsenal...and I get 8 for $1

Yes, you read that title right. I have a very powerful tool in my arsenal and yes I can get 8 of them for $1. They are not hard to find, they can be located at just about every turn in the road.

What is this magical tool that I have that I get 8 of for $1, you ask?

A simple thank you card.

In today's world of fast paced impersonal contact we often do not take the time to do the little things that make a difference.

Sure, you can send out an email to 100 people at the time telling them thank you for something they did or said but it takes time and personal commitment to ACTUALLY send someone a thank you card.

I know that when I receive a small envelope that it is not the usual "junk" mail that arrives in my mailbox everyday and you can bet that I am going to open it quickly.

This is a simple way to help you stand out among all the other real estate professionals out there that are mailing the junk letters and the recipes. People will at least take the time to open the small envelopes and read what is inside. By writing a short message and affixing your business card to the inside you are much more likely to be remembered than the recipe card people...how do I know this? I get recipe cards from real estate people and if it doesn't catch my eye it goes in the trash.

But, a thank you card, well thought out and tastefully done, can be a memorable impression.

It doesn't have to be for something huge, it can be for a small gesture, the parking attendant, the guy at the grocery store, the friend who helped you in your time of need, etc.

Just open your mind's eye and you will see many possibilities to use this "secret weapon" and maybe even gain from it's use.

Posted by "JT" Prevatte, REALTOR, ABR, ASR ~Fayetteville, NC Real Estate on 11/27/2007 01:57 PM

Comments (26)

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26 Comments on One of the most powerful tools in my arsenal...and I get 8 for $1

Jeffrey,

You are absolutely correct. Everyone who walks through a model home I have listed gets a thank you note.....everyone wants to be appreciated

11/27/2007 02:04 PM

by Julie Chapman Realty Homes Brunswick Georgia

Jeffery,

I have to agree with your way of thinking, the personal touch always means so much. It is a fast paced world we live in, but I can't figure out why? It seems no one takes time to truly enjoy life anymore. Thank you for the refreshing blog.

11/27/2007 02:05 PM

by Debbie VanLeuvan (ERA Team IV Homes)

8 for a buck! WHERE! =)

Thank you cards are great! I don't send out as many as I should but I know they work wonders. Thanks for the reminder to go to the store and buy somemore.

Best wishes,

Scott Cowan
Rainier Real Estate
www.scottcowan.com

11/27/2007 02:53 PM

by Scott Cowan -Tacoma & Pierce County Area (Terry Wise & Associates)

great tip. I know of noone who will not read and appreciate it.

Ron

11/27/2007 09:19 PM

by Ronald Stead (Remax Leaders - Sherry Wilson & co.)

Jeff: This is a great idea, and I use it ALWAYS! Anytime I meet new people/contacts at a networking event, my next contact (unless it's something urgent that requires a follow up call or e-mail) is a hand-written note saying "thank you" for the time we spent. We had note cards from my office, but they no longer offer them, so I will be having my own made. They had the cuts for my business card, and I included my personal brochure with them as well. I've gotted lots of positive comments about that personal touch.

11/27/2007 10:23 PM

by The Thom And Ray Team

Great tip! Also, you left a comment on my blog about the importance of databases yesterday. Out of curiosity, which do you use? I'm always on the lookout for new and better products!

11/28/2007 09:26 AM

by Take 5 Team (Take 5 Team, Illustrated Properties)

Don't forget other agents, loan officers, attorneys, home inspectors, etc. Everyone who helps us get that final paycheck deserves a thank you as well (and are a great source of referrals!)

11/28/2007 09:59 AM

by Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long & Foster Oceanfront - Virginia Tech Hokie)

The world has lost the personal touch, great post

11/28/2007 10:27 AM

by Steve Saunders (e2 Property)

Jeff, and I thought you were talking about bullets...

I couldn't agree with you more, "thank you" cards, or any kind of greeting cards will go a long way and have a positive effect.

Sandy

11/28/2007 10:51 AM

by Sandy Nelson Realtor - Olympia, WA (Riley Jackson Real Estate Inc.)

Hi Jeffery,

I love thank you cards, they do stand out from the crowd especially if they are handwritten. :)

11/29/2007 06:49 PM

by Suzanne Sands-Somerset, MA Real Estate (Century 21 Associates Realty)

Good reminder Jeff, I make my own thank you cards being an avid card maker. I have gotten calls from my handmade thank you cards, its a great touch. I realize everyone doesnt have the wantto to make their own cards and this sets me apart. I premake Thank You cards and have them with me at Open Houses and fill them out in the extra time there. That way I dont forget and can add a detail about the persons visit to the Open House, then the next open house in that neighborhood I send out Invitations to those people. Its a great circle and brings back repeat visitors. Yes I am working with a couple of buyers I generated from this method.

11/29/2007 07:01 PM

by Gail Tassey (Keller Williams Realty)

Just imagine, writing 5 notes a day, 5 days a week. Our Buffini systems encourage us to do this. It is a large part of my continued success. You have taken your time to write it, short and handwritten, yet, a very valuable tool:) You can write them to anyone you know, or who you have met that day. My family especially appreciates them:) They know how busy I am, yet, I write each of them notes. It is equally nice, to receive a handwritten note.

11/29/2007 07:14 PM

by Frances C. Rokicki, Broker~Mentor (Fran Rokicki Realty, LLC)

Thank you so much for the reminder that simple, old fashioned things, like godd manners and please, and thank you are still so important, even in today's fast paced world.

12/09/2007 01:41 PM

by Mary Ellen Harvley (No Worries Notary Services)

Thank you cards really do make a difference. I know when I receive one, it brightens my spirits for quite some time. I received one for a little presentation that I gave recently and it makes me eager to help this person out whenever I can.

Ken Tharp, Iowa Equity Exchange

12/09/2007 03:24 PM

by Ken Tharp - Section 1031 Exchanges, Iowa/U.S. (Iowa Equity Exchange)

Excellent point - low cost, high pay off.

12/09/2007 04:24 PM

by Nancy Moeller (Altera Real Estate)

Handwritten "thank you's" are the best way to keep you in a potential clients mind. I always write them out before I leave an open house or just as I get home so I have them postmarked by the next day. I have also used them for expired's and fsbo's. It's better than Spam!!!

12/09/2007 05:31 PM

by Ginny Warsaw, e-Certified (Prudential Rand Realty)

Nice to be reminded of this and I agrre 100% with you. thanks for the post

12/09/2007 07:09 PM

by Lewis Poretz - Open Mortgage - Maryland Mortgage Expert

Great reminder, thanks for the post.

02/05/2008 08:58 PM

by Kevin & Monica Ray, Missoula, Superior & Western Montana Real Estate Specialists (Streamside Realty )

Sometime a phone call out of the blue just to say thanks,, works well also.

02/05/2008 09:04 PM

by Trey Thurmond, College Station , Texas Homes (Classic Realty Inc./GMAC Real Estate)

I agree, and thanks for the reminder! I sent an agent friend a card once to thank her for something, and she said she felt special all day because she got a card...needless to say, she sent cards to people that evening! I really like Gail's idea of handmade cards....I had a friend in college who made cards for special occassions and she still comes to mind when I see a handmade card. Art isn't my strong suit, though, so I will stick with regular cards. Cheers, Harley

02/05/2008 09:49 PM

by Harley Ramsey Chatsworth, CA Real Estate (Keller Williams)

I agree. A great idea. I have been sending thank you cards to my co-broke's for the past couple years, now I guess I need to expand that a little more!

02/06/2008 10:01 AM

by Bill Somerset, Realtor, Your Dover NH Real estate agent (Century21 Central Falls Realty)

Like Fran stated above, I also took the Buffini course where we were taught to send out 5 personal handwritten notes a day. The people receiving the card, knowing you took the time to write it out, deeply appreciates receiving your thoughts- knowing you didn't "mass mail the card to everybody in your database.

02/06/2008 12:46 PM

by Rick Tourgee - Provincetown and Cape Cod (Century 21 Shoreland)

Hey Jeff, You're right. No doubt. As busy as we all are these days we tend to overlook the "little" things. This should be considered a "mandatory" thing. Thanks for the reminder. Deb

02/06/2008 06:42 PM

by Deb at Brooks Prime Properties

Jeff you are right. Personal notes do work and I need to take sometime today to write some.

02/07/2008 09:55 AM

by Carolyn Gjerde-Tu Davis Real Estate (Lyon Real Estate)

Jeff,

I think it is harder for a guy to remember to send these notes. My wife is really good at it and sounds like these ladies commenting are as well.

02/08/2008 06:27 AM

by Mike Frazier, Dyersburg Tn Real Estate (Carousel Realty of Dyer County)

Good job Jeff! Although may "know" that writing a simple note is powerful & useful...few ACTUALLY take the time to make it happen. Keep up the good work & those cards will pay off!

02/08/2008 08:50 PM

by Josh Perrington (1st Metropolitan Mortgage)

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