I just responded to a post and it prompted me to share this as a post (Thanks Kathy from Delaware). I started something back ten years ago when I first left RE/MAX and opened my own Mom and Pop realty shop. I wanted to differentiate myself from what all the other Realtors did. I wanted to show my clients that I really cared so what I did was I gave my clients an annual party. Not just any party but a BIG BLOWOUT.

    In the past I have rented out a summer camp (for boating and swimming) for my clients, had a pig roast on the spacious grounds of my church, rented out the community center and pool at a condo development where I had a lot of sales, and so on and so forth. We had activities for both children and adults alike (giant buble blowing for kids is a big hit!)

  To make the party a huge success I would keep track of all the jobs and professions of my clients and try to use their services to benefit the rest of my clients. One of my clients was a professional photographer so every year each of my clients get a free 8 x 10 photo of their family (it is a warm glow I get when the Christmas card I get from my client is a copy of the picture that was taken at my party that they got for free from me!).

     Another of my clients was (she has moved to North Carolina) was a massage therapist and I would hire her whole staff to give free massages to everyone who wanted a free massage. Another of my clients was a caterer and I have her help with the food. Still another was a DJ and he is also now my best friend (isn't this a great job - we get to meet people and make great friends in the process). Any way he supplies music for the event and also helps me call the BINGO - Yes we play BINGO for great prizes, prizes my wife helps me pick up all year long usually form the end clearance racks at Target store and we give awesome gifts that cost us little to nothing. The best gifts we give away (on a cover all) is to two different clients and it is a certificate for 30% off my listing fee when they decide to sell their home.

    Anyway this is the best thing I have ever done. It is fun, it is talked about throughout the town, and my clients love me for it and look forward to it every year. In truth I no longer do them because 3 years ago I bought a Help-U-Sell franchise and with the current market I can't afford to have the party anymore, but my clients still call me, still ask about the party, and want to know when I will start them up again.