Michael,

I think getting a client survey is a good idea. Another question you might ask is "Would you use my services again on a future transaction?"

Sandy

Hey Michael, I like it. Bookmarked it. Very good idea indeed. Merry Christmas

I use a survey for every transaction and I have it appear as if my Broker receives the responses, so their is a degree of distance...it's fairly obvious that I'll see the comments, but it helps some people be more open.

Merry Christmas!

www.mattcrow.com

Michael,

I have never used one, but I think this is a great idea. I think I need to incorporate it into my 2008 plan. Thanks for sharing.

I hope it helps you when you create your own John and Todd!  A survey is simply a must have!

The best time to ask your clients to rate your performance is at the closing table. I always ask them for a report and whether they would feel comfortable referring me to their friends, family and coworkers. I ask if I could have improved my service to them. Everybody is different, but feedback is important.

I don't use a formal report but I ask pretty much these same questions at the end of the transaction. Thanks for sharing.

The first company I worked for actually did that for us.  Except for one time, I got rave reviews.  Then one couple I really liked had all this stuff about how annoying I was!   OK, so I have enough who love me and send me their friends. 

I think a survey is great! I learned a lot about myself that I didn't know and it made me a better agent.

Excellent idea.  I would love to implement this as I get my testimonials.

Thanks to all who have shared with their comments so far.  Just to add a little bit that I didn't think about until I read Elizabeth's comment; I actually mail this survey to them with a THANK YOU letter about a month after the transaction has closed and they have settled into their home.  I have found that they take a lot more time and I get more honest feedback from them rather than asking them to fill out ANOTHER form at the closing table!  This way it is also after the get their closing gift/present from both me and my loan officer (if they used him too)!

Thanks again for your comments and I just realized this one got FEATURED!  THANKS AR!!!

Here at Century 21, we enter our Client data into our system, when the property closes- the system automatically sends out a survey via e-mail or snail mail.  Once the survey is completed by the Client, a copy of survey is online in our Century 21 Agent site to view and save to our personal files for future use.  A survey is a wonderful tool!

When I left L&F I started surveying my clients on my own.  So far I have a 100% satisfaction rating.  What is even better is the referrals that I am getting from my past clients.  That is the real test of how we have done.  A number of my military clients who have left the area recommend me when they get to their new bases to folks coming to DC!  

Great post survey. I usually ask a client over a meal, following the closing. I ask what i could impporve on, and what I did that they felt was novel or different. I also take the time to ask for referrals.

Before I take a listing or siogn a buyer agency, I like to ask what their expectations are,

I have had people say that my approach is not mechanical, and doesn't seem rehearsed, but sincere. I am glad to know that ehat I always hope my servie is at the least is sinceere. I am, and when poeple percieve me this way, it is something that really makes my day.

All the best for the holidays,

 Lou

Rick, your system at Century 21 seems great, but make sure it is personalized and customized.  People like the more personable approach

Cindy, congrats on your 100% rating, I hope you keep it in the coming year as the market gets ever more challenging

Lou, you have a great personal approach, but try to get it in writing so you can use the remarks for testimonials!

Survey is very important for future self imrovement

The majority of my clients would write a nice recommendation letter a few weeks after the closing so I guess this would be my form of a survey.   

Consider yourself bookmarked. I loved your survey. What a great idea. Thanks

Michael, thanks for linking to my post.  I really like your survey I think I will give my survey a makeover.  Thanks again and congratulations on the GOLD star!

Good idea if some are not already doing this. All the best for this holiday season.

Great survey to use which would help you to modify your services.  I no longer sell real estate but it could help in any business such as construction---or any business that works with customers. Thanks

Nicely done survey!

But my company automatically mails out a similar survey to clients once a transaction has closed.  We agents rarely see these returned surveys, if the surveys are returned at all.

I am tempted to institute my own survey mailing, to have more control over the process.  Do you think the clients would be more likely to respond to my personal survey, vs. the company's survey?  In fact, how honest are the clients likely to be in a survey that goes back directly to the agent??

Your experience with this question would be really helpful.  ????

I also have a survey and find it very useful.  People are very honest and a lot can be learned hearing what they have to say about their experience.  I don't really understand why some companies (above) would send out a survey and not even let the agent see the results....  I would think they would let you see what the consumers had to say...good post.

Getting people to fill out a survey is an art in itself.  I used to design surveys for researchers.  If the survey goes back to the agent instead of to a third-party then the results will be biased in a positive direction, like Susan says.  My company sends out a survey after each transaction is completed, but I don't know what percent actually fill out the form as my company doesn't release that data. 

I received a survey from a contractor that did some work on my home. It got me thinking that I should do the same in the New Year. It could be a great way to capture references/testimonials that otherwise I may not get. 

I have surveyed my clients for years.  If you look at my profile I have pasted quite a number of testimonials all from these surveys.

Susan, my office also mails out their own survey which I rarely see the results of.  That is exactly why I instituted my own survey so I would get my own results that I could in turn use to my benefit since they are my clients not my brokers!

Thanks for the continued comments, I'll be sure to reciprocate when I get a chance to visit all of your blogs!

I think this is a great idea.  It was on my "things to implement" for 2007 - but never happened.  I think I need to add this to '08.

Cheers & Happy Holidays!

Wishing You HAPPY HOLIDAYS and Best Wishes for A GREAT YEAR 2008.

This is a wonderful idea and a great way to get feedback.  I've found it very awkward to ask clients for this sort of information because I feel silly asking and don't want to put the client on the spot.  But it's good information to know.  Thank you for sharing your survey form.

Cool idea. i will book mark this and try it this year. thank You

I always survey clients. It helps to find the areas you can improve on.

GREAT Post, thanks for sharing your survey, we were just getting ready to implement a survey so this helps a lot!

Great post!  I have will definetely take some ideas from here!

I'm glad to see that this post is continuing to help you all out here on AR!

Is there a pretty good response rate on the surverys sent out? 

I have gotten every single one back so far!!!

Thanks for the post.  I've been begging for letters from my clients, but maybe if I pop by and bring the survey they can fill it out while I'm sitting right there.  This way they won't say anything really bad about me.  LOL.  Survey sounds like a good idea.