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Create singularity, give thanks, get noticed, set yourself apart.

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Concepts
Saying thank you is absolutely critical. So is the corollary, saying "You're welcome" Too often people say thank you and our knee jerk reaction is to say "Thank you" back (start listening for it) My unofficial average would be that about 15-20% say "you're welcome." other responses are "yeah" "sure" "take care" "unh hunh" and "have a good day" or "I'll see you at x o'clock".

I've instituted a new program. Handwritten thank yous for every appointment. I'm ordering the cards in bulk: http://www.thegallerycollection.com/prudent.nsf/CardWeb2?OpenForm&isection=a_thankyou&start=1

Since I started systematically several weeks prior, I've gotten every listing appointment I've been on. I'm sending five-ten a day. Here's a fun one, send one to a friend you see often, thanking them for their friendship, send one to the receptionist in your office(theres a tough job), send one to your escrow officer, send one to your broker, manager, owner. Send some to your Association staff and board members, city officials, people from the newspaper. The response is unbelievable.

I'll leave you with this: How many folks print out e-mails and pin them to the wall? How many people print out e-mails and stand them up on their desks? I sent a thank you to my broker when I joined the office. He had the note behind his desk for 2 years. Each time I went in I was reminded of how important it was. Trash the e-mail thank you, for the sake of humanity, and your business.

Create singularity, give thanks, get noticed, set yourself apart.

Comments(5)

Richard Parr
ADT Security Services - Slidell, LA
Home Security Specialist - Greater New Orleans, Louisiana
I love it when I get reminders like this.  I sent thank you for every appointment that I had, but recently I got away from it.  Thanks for the reminder of how important it really is to send a thank you.
Jan 16, 2008 03:46 PM
Tyler Osby
The Tyler Osby Team at Fairway Independent Mortgage - Urbandale, IA

Hey Matt -

You should consider subscribing to SendOutCards.com.  It's a super easy way to send out handwritten cards.. They stuff, stamp and send them for you.  Shoot me an e-mail if you'd be interested.. I can introduce you to the gal that set me up with it.  It's a great resource for keeping in touch with prospects, clients and referral partners.

Hope all is well!

Tyler Osby

Jan 17, 2008 03:54 AM
Ray Nellum
Envision Real Estate Group, LLC. - Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith Real Estate

Matt,

Great Post!  It is very important to set yourself apart from the crowd, and I think that is a great idea and greatly appreciate the link!

 

Jan 17, 2008 09:39 AM
Amanda Evans
DFW Living - Fort Worth, TX
Real Estate Broker - Fort Worth Texas

Excellent reminder.  I can count on one hand how many handwritten thank you's I've received in the last 5 years.  I remember who sent them and I remember how many of them were an honest statement of appreciation.  It IS a big deal and it IS effective. 

Jan 26, 2008 04:46 AM
Vicki Burton
Southport Realty-Southport, North Carolina - Southport, NC
A local Buyer's Agent - Southport NC Real Estate
Matt, You are SO right.  I am a firm believe in the handwritten note. Email is great but a letter is better for any kind of thank you. Also in regards to saying "your welcome," I remember another Active Rainer pointing out something a lot of us say in conversation when someone says, "thank you." It is....."No problem." His suggestion was the better response of, "It was my pleasure." I haven't said "no problem" since. Thanks for the reminder.
Jan 27, 2008 07:11 AM