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My RainCamp Aha Moment: How Best to Touch Your Database

By Tammie White, Broker

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Franklin Homes Realty LLC

December 11, 2012 01:03 PM

My RainCamp Aha Moment: How Best to Touch Your Database

I finally got a chance to sit down and listen to the RainCamp recordings today. I was at an ActiverRain Meet-up and missed the actual event. I never tire of the education that is presented to us. There are always many things to take away from these events. This RainCamp was no exception. I'm almost embarrassed to share my aha moment because it was so simple I don't know why I hadn't thought of it myself.

I have long struggled with a good way to keep in touch with my database. Over the last six months, I have been using Happy Grasshopper. It seemed like a good way to touch these clients without getting in their face for the hard sell. Unfortunately, the only problem is that the emails don't have anything to do with real estate.

So when Greg Harrelson presented his idea of sending emails twice a month updating my database to the current state of my local market, I was dumbfounded. Why hadn't I thought of that myself?

I'm already preparing many market reports for Franklin Tennessee every month. It would take me no time at all to send that information to my database twice a month. But the learning didn't stop there.

As Greg showed the list of people he sends emails to, I realized he includes his vendors in his database. Silly me, why hadn't I thought of that? I use the same vendors for all my clients which includes a lender, title attorney, home inspector and termite inspector, as well as, a variety of contractors.

I know these vendors do business with so many real estate agents that I've never really tried to solicit business from them. I thought they would prefer to work with someone who has been an agent a lot longer than I have. But if I start sending them local market updates two times a month, it just may show them that I really know my stuff.

Who knows what could happen then?

I am so excited about the possibilities. I know the Franklin TN market very well and it's time that my database got a chance to learn what I know.

Thanks go out to Greg Harrelson and the ActiveRain staff for putting on another awesome RainCamp event.

Look out database, here I come.

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Toni Weidman

Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL

20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Congrats on the feature, Tammy. I try to attend whenever I can even if it's something I've heard before; I always hear something new or understand something I didn't catch the first time.

Dec 12, 2012 10:19 PM

Barbara Murphy

Tartan Properties, Pensacola~Pace~Milton~Gulf Breeze~FL - Pace, FL

GRI, e-PRO, GREEN, FMS, MRP

Thanks for Sharing, Tammie! And Thanks to Norma (#24), Sussie (#29) and Mike (#30) for the additional helpful suggestions!

I have really struggled in the area of deciding how to stay in touch with former (and prospective) clients without being "spammy". (Since I deal with so much spam myself, I have a true "Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You" approach to this subject) but these ideas sound helpful, doable and beneficial to my clients and prospects! :)

Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Prosperous New Year!

Dec 12, 2012 11:13 PM

Nan Jester

Exit Real Estate Gallery Jacksonville Beach, FL - Jacksonville Beach, FL

Realtor, Exit Real Estate Gallery

Thanks Tammie for sneding this information our way for those of us who were not priviledged to be there. This is a GREAT idea.

Dec 13, 2012 01:06 AM

Pat & Wayne Harriman

Harriman Real Estate, LLC (203) 672-4499 - Wallingford, CT

Broker/Owners, Wallingford CT Real Estate

We use Happy Grasshopper and have had good results with it, precisely because it's not real estate related. Many folks don't want to be bombarded with real estate stuff all the time, preferring a more casual, chatty approach. But, even if you don't like their content, you can always edit it to your liking or create your own content from scratch. I'll admit, some of their stuff is rather cheesy, but with a little creative editing it can be made to work quite effectively, IMHO!

Dec 13, 2012 01:47 AM

Travis "the SOLD man" Parker; Broker/Owner

Travis Realty - Enterprise, AL

email: Travis@theSOLDman.me / cell: 334-494-7846

I'm JUST starting to do Market Reports and hadn't thought about the Vendors. So thank you for the excellent suggestion!

Dec 13, 2012 02:49 AM

Sharon Sanchez

Ace Home Realty - Carson, CA

Your Number "1" Source For Real Estate.

Hi Tammie. Greg's presentation was AWESOME! Just like you, I thought that was a great idea. So don't be embarrassed....just incorporate this wonderful idea into your business and close more deals in 2013. Have a wonderful holiday season!!!

Dec 13, 2012 03:54 AM

Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

Twice a month seems like a lot of contact JMHO.

Dec 13, 2012 04:22 AM

Anonymous

Rita Phillips

Well, you certainly gave me some "ah-ha" moments of my own. Always amazes me how some of the most simple things turn out to be the best. Really appreciate your sharing!

Dec 13, 2012 04:27 AM

#43

Becky Garcia

Essential Properties, Inc - Goodyear, AZ

Great Suggestion!! Norma has a good idea too. Thanks for sharing!

Dec 13, 2012 04:32 AM

Tammie White, Broker

Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN

Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Toni - I agree. There is so much to learn at these events.

Barbara - I also like the ideas put forth by others. I'm anxious to see what the results will be.

Nan - Make sure you listen to the recordings. There's lots more where this came from.

Pat & Wayne - I had a good response intially but I guess the lustre has worn off.

Travis - Thank Greg Harrelson.

Sharon - Thanks I will.

Lyn- Happy Grasshopper touches every three weeks. I like the idea of 2 times a month and Greg was very emphatic about that. He also said a phone call every 90 days is a must. Whenever I first prepare a new recipe, I use the ingredients spelled out on the card. After time, I usually tweak the recipe to suit my taste. I'm going to do the same here. Do it exactly as Greg spelled it out and tweak it later if need be.

Rita - Gook luck.

Becky - She sure does.

Dec 13, 2012 05:29 AM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

HI Tammie ~ Thanks for sharing your "aha" moment -- you've inspired me to contant my current, past, and potential clients too with updates on the Portland market and how staging is helping reduce market time.

Dec 13, 2012 09:05 AM

Karen Baker

Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty - Sunset Beach, NC

Professional Help with Rapid Responses...

Tammie~> great info on your moment with the rain camp webinar. Keeping in contact with our clients at least monthly is a must!

Dec 13, 2012 10:32 AM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

My best way is to be authentic in geral and shake lots of hands while doing it lol. :)

Dec 13, 2012 12:53 PM

Ken's Home Team LLC. | 360.609.0226 | Portland, OR & Vancouver, WA Real Estate Team

Ken's Home Team LLC. - Vancouver, WA

- SOLD IS OUR FAVORITE 4 LETTER WORD -

Thank you, I am going back to listen to rain camp, and see what else I can get out of the class

Dec 13, 2012 10:18 PM

Bob Miller

Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL

The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Tammie we use a 33 touch consisting of 7 holiday emails, 4 annual calls, and misc update re: market in between.

Dec 14, 2012 12:22 AM

Tammie White, Broker

Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN

Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Maureen - Great idea.

Franklin & Karen - Agreed.

Laura - A must.

Ken - I'm going to listen to it a second time because I always hear something new.

Bob - It sounds like you've got this under control.

Dec 14, 2012 02:11 AM

Rob Renk

Center Street Lending - McKinney, TX

AE | Fast Fix/Flip Loans for Residential Investors

I have missed the Raincamps as well and I should listen to the recordings to learn more about marketing myself correctly.

Dec 14, 2012 04:04 AM

Debbie Laity

Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO

Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Now you got me going. I had to miss this event, because I got a call from an out of state buyer that wanted more information about one of my listing she saw on the internet. We chatted for over an hour about the neighborhoods and the market. I might just get her business. Because of your A Ha moment, I'm going to make it a priority to listen to the recording.

Dec 14, 2012 07:59 AM

Tammie White, Broker

Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN

Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Rob - Not a bad idea.

Debbie - You won't be disappointed.

Dec 14, 2012 11:54 AM

Jairo Arreola #SOLDBYVETERAN

PRG Real Estate - San Jose, CA

VA Home Loan Specialist - SF Bay Area

I am also contemplating what to send my database. I need to start making monthly reports and backlinking them to my website asap!

Dec 31, 2012 09:13 AM