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3 Tips for Lazy Prospectors

By
Real Estate Agent with HomeSmart Real Estate AZ Broker BR030809000

3 Tips for Lazy Prospectors

 

Did you know that there are some real estate professionals that hate prospecting or just never seem3 Tips for Lazy Prospectors to get around to prospecting?  Yes it's true!  Every month while teaching CE courses I purposely bring up the subject of prospecting to see who's doing what and to share ideas with the class. Almost every month over half of the class either hates to prospect or does it sporadically if at all. I know, I get it. It's just seems hard to imagine, isn't it!!

 

One of my favorite lines is "Would you like 3 Tips for Lazy Prospectors"? That always seems to bring out quite a few laughs and chuckles along with a loud answer of YES WE WOULD!  Ok....let's get started with how YOU can build your real estate business the easy way.

 

#1 Calls.  Pick up the phone (yes the old fashioned way) and call at least 5 to 10 people a day.  Keep the calls short, 3 to 5 minutes at the most. Don't be one of those folks that people see your number and let it go to voice mail as they don't want to get hung up for 30 minutes!  Ask FORD questions.  Do you know what that means?  F = Family O = Occupation R = Recreation D = Dreams.  People like to talk about themselves and while they're sharing what's going on in their lives you will be listening carefully for any 'moving' needs. Perhaps a new baby is on the way, kids are of off to college....you get the idea.

 

#2 Cards.  I have been a big believe in hand writing short notes to people for years. One of my earliest mentors taught me about this and how good it makes people feel that you took the time to personalize it just for them. I sure appreciate the folks that send me peronal notes! And in today's fast paced world it means EVEN MORE.  Go out and buy a bunch of different kinds of notes cards so you've got them on hand.  Take one hour a week - that's right - only one hour a week - schedule in time to write out 5 to 10 hand written note cards.  Do this consistently and you'll be surprised how many people will call you just to say thanks for the card. It works if you do!

 

Prospecting Note Cards

#3 Coffee. Now this one is so easy because just about everyone has a coffee shop nearby they like to frequent.  Make 2 to 3 'coffee dates'  a week with your A list, sphere of influence or business associates. Again, remember to ask them FORD questions and get to know them better - don't make it all about you!  Business might come up or it might not but I can guarantee that if you follow up with a personal card afterwards you are on your way to creating a great relationship.

 

There you have it - 3 Tips for Lazy Prospectors.  If your business is needing a jump start and you want to have some fun with people these tips are guaranteed to stir up some interest and business. Be sure to  schedule in some time EVERY week for each of the 3 prospecting tips.  And as I always  say - stick with it, be consistent and have FUN. Because..... if you're not having fun the odds of you sticking with it is slim to none.  On your Mark, Get Set, PROSPECT!

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Comments(112)

Anna Hatridge
R Gilliam Real Estate LLC - Farmington, MO
Missouri Realtor with R Gilliam Real Estate LLC

Anna, thank you for this post. My favorite is the handwritten notes.  I learned how to do these during my previous career as an event planner and continue to do them as part of my weekly routine.  The calls I receive are proof that the time to write 2 or 3 lines on a card mean the world to some of the recipients.

Jul 12, 2014 11:59 AM
David Demangos
Keller Williams Realty Carmel Valley / Del Mar - San Diego, CA
REALTOR

Very effective, a great strategy and easy to do!

Jul 12, 2014 12:20 PM
Catherine Ulrey
Keller Williams Capital City - Salem, OR
Equestrian and Acreage Property Specialist

Those sound like great ideas to me!

Jul 12, 2014 05:18 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

I have yet to find many or even one person who says they like to make calls! Great ideas here though.

Jul 12, 2014 09:33 PM
Jeff Stevens
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Mexico Properties - Las Cruces, NM
Jeff Stevens, Associate Broker/REALTOR

Great tips that are not only good for the lazy prospector, but also the one stuck in "expired listing land."

Jul 12, 2014 11:23 PM
Jamie R. Bell
Bell Realty Group at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices NEP - Glastonbury, CT
Your Central CT Realtor

Such great & easy tips! Thanks for the reminder.

Jul 13, 2014 12:01 AM
Dianne Goode
Raleigh Cary Realty - Raleigh, NC
Realtor/Broker

To quote Brian Buffini, "So easy to do .. so easy not to do."   Thanks for the reminder!

Jul 13, 2014 01:15 AM
Ron Aguilar
Gateway Mortgage Group - Saint George, UT
Mortgage & Real Estate Advisor since 1995

Excellent list, thanks

Jul 13, 2014 01:34 AM
Virginia Youngblood
DO-STAGE! LLC - an ASPM® Home Staging Company - Charlotte, NC
DO-STAGE! LLC - Home Stager - ASPM®

Sounds good to me, Anna! Thanks for the terrific reminder to all of us.

 Great post and I certainly would be calling YOU if you were in my area to see if you would allow me to ASP stage your listings!!

Nothing wrong with the old fashioned way of "getting out there" in the market!

Jul 13, 2014 06:27 AM
Diana White-Pettis
Bennett Realty Solutions - Upper Marlboro, MD
GRI, CDPE, CNE, WHC Upper Marlboro Homes for Sale

These are great ideas and certain to enhance business.  Thanks for sharing.  Excellent post!

Jul 13, 2014 08:16 AM
Cat Zwicker, CRS
Desert Sky Real Estate, LLC - Redmond, OR
Down to Earth Service; Out of this World Results!

Good post! Easy to do prospecting, I have a few agents I am sharing this with! 

Jul 13, 2014 02:42 PM
Rose Mary Justice
Synergy Realty Pros - Dandridge, TN
Synergy Realty Pros

Great post.  Prospecting is the lifeline of our business.  Thanks for sharing

Jul 13, 2014 11:25 PM
Nathan Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Davenport, FL
Your Central Florida Real Estate Expert

So much to do and so little time to do it...LOL  Have to check all the bozes but at this rate I'll need some more vacation time.

Jul 14, 2014 11:32 AM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Anna,

I think this is 3 great tips. I personally love to send cards via snail mail. Thanks for sharing.

Jul 15, 2014 05:33 AM
Travis "the SOLD man" Parker; Broker/Owner
Travis Realty - Enterprise, AL
email: Travis@theSOLDman.me / cell: 334-494-7846

Good list!! I bought a box of cards a few days ago and hafta start using them now!

Jul 15, 2014 06:51 AM
Mark Neighbor
A O Home Solutions - Sell House Georgia - Buy House Georgia - McDonough, GA
Sell House Fast In Georgia

Simple but not easy. If more people actually do this , their sales would increase.

Jul 15, 2014 10:46 PM
Terrie Leighton
Ferrari-Lund Real Estate - Reno, NV
Reno Real Estate Agent ~ Selling Homes in Reno

I am a huge fan of sending thank you cards, mostly because I love when I receive them! They make my day. And honestly, I noticed the most successful people I work with are those that send them!! Great tips and adivce.

Jul 18, 2014 07:07 AM
John Whittinghill
Keller Williams Realty First Atlanta - Marietta, GA
Marietta, GA Real Estate Agent

Great reminder no matter what, Anna!  Thanks for the write up.

Aug 20, 2014 01:16 AM
Wayne B. Pruner
Oregon First - Tigard, OR
Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Realtor, GRI

The title of this post sums up my real estate prospecting activities! I need to do better.

Feb 04, 2015 11:23 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

It is a great list Anna, thanks for sharing this. We can all benefit from reviewing this often.

Feb 26, 2015 12:40 PM