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Tooting Your Own Horn ... subtle and no cost one-on-one marketing

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. 13013

They say no one will do it for you.  If they do, it won't be heard much or amplified.  That's up to you.

Tooting implies advertising typically. Put up a billboard, send out mailers, shout it across the land.  That's one way to do it and it does make a big impact.

But there is an effective way of tooting subtly that involves zero money outlay.  And you can use this in email marketing and other social media.

 

Asking for a referral is a touchy proposition for several reasons.

 

Instead, remind someone for whom you've just done a great job that it was either: completed before the deadline, saved them money and time, that the client was pleased, that the client is now better positioned, etc.

And if after your work is used to promote or sell something quickly and a good profit realized, you should mention it back in an email at least or in your future conversations.

This type of reinforcement concerning your services tends to stay ingrained in your client's mind and if other professionals are competing for the same thing you do... well the next time they have to select someone to do the same task or service YOU have a better chance of a repeat deal.

All done without spending a dime.

Now, you take a success and broadcast that event in an email update to your client list and social media posts.

If appropriate, you could mention who you just satisfied.  This type of indirect referral is very effective.  Especially amongst clients who are competing amongst themselves.  This has to be carefully done as you can imagine.

Reminding those who've been satisfied with your services, even in followup emails, texts and conversations, is important to keep your name and business foremost in their minds so when the time comes to select a professional for a similar project YOU will be the first to be contacted.

 

 

Comments (17)

Dorte Engel
RE/MAX Leading Edge - Bowie, MD
ABC - Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton & rest of Maryland

Dear John,

It seems that is what we all strive for anyhow, so good to reinforce, when we are successful.

Sep 21, 2018 02:55 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Thank you Dörte Engel, we are service professionals with typically little or no staffs.  We cannot budget advertising like IBM or Apple.  So, we have to do it in the most effective way possible.

Sep 22, 2018 05:26 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Great advice...not always a comfortable thing to do, but with practice and good results it gets easier.

Sep 21, 2018 05:49 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Thanks for commenting, Sharon.  A little practice is the first step to a lot of good marketing.

Sep 22, 2018 05:27 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi John- many of us here don’t like tooting their own horn. Your suggestion is a good way to do it and we need to be reinforcing in our client’s minds the good service that we provided for them.

Sep 21, 2018 07:35 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Yes, referral is the best way, but you have to keep your name in your clients' minds.  Thanks Kathy

Sep 22, 2018 05:28 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Reviews, especially specific ones, can be a huge help in getting others to make that first contact with us.

Sep 22, 2018 03:11 AM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Reviews, especially unsolicited, seem to work very well.

Sep 22, 2018 05:28 AM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning John.

Congratulations on the feature.  Now, I've told all of our agents to shout from the mountain top about their accomplishments, because no-one else will.  

Sep 22, 2018 03:39 AM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

Hello James,

I have come up with a great tag line for your new marketing campaign:
James Dray, James Dray, blows the competition away!

Thanks for your great comments and posts!

Sep 22, 2018 05:29 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning John. I always found that doing a great job is not enough but must be coupled with continuing communication.

Sep 22, 2018 06:13 AM
John Henry, Florida Architect

EXACTLY EXACTLY!!!  Very important to keep in mind!!!  Thanks, Sheila!

Sep 22, 2018 06:59 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Let the "horn" be heard.....

Sep 22, 2018 07:35 AM
John Henry, Florida Architect

"When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city."

Sep 22, 2018 09:11 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Toot toot. Good advice again from you, John. This is an excellent way to stay in a client's mind - and in the most positive way. 

Sep 22, 2018 07:54 AM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Thanks Debb and Bernie, I thought it might not be just me....!

Sep 22, 2018 09:09 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

John Henry - I'm so happy you're here on ActiveRain. Your content is always motivating and educational. Plus, I love the cartoon you inserted into this blog post along with one of the most successful horn players in our American Culture. 

Sep 22, 2018 08:34 AM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

Hello Patricia Feager, great to hear from you!  I am running out of material...!  Thanks for support.  So many great ideas and personalities here that bubble through the digital facade!  

I used to play trumpet in high school.  Now I had a problem with the high notes.  I loved Doc Severinsen.  Do you know what is the French word that describes the position of the lips and teeth to the mouthpiece (for every horn: tuba, trombone, etc.)? 

 

Sep 22, 2018 08:43 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Asking for a refererral is the hardest thing to do but this is a clever way to get around that. 

Sep 22, 2018 05:27 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

Hello Jane, yes, this will work.  I've done it.  Thanks

Sep 23, 2018 04:28 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning John Henry,

Congratulations on a well deserved featured post! You are so right..you must keep your name in front of your clients to stay "top of mind" with them! Referrals are so important and are a huge part of my business.

Sep 23, 2018 04:54 AM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

Hello again Dorie,

Miles Davis used to play trumpet.  Now you can get really loud on that instrument.  But he preferred to put a mute on it and became famous for his subtle playing...

He stayed 'top of mind' in the jazz world for a long time.  People bragged about him.  He didn't need referrals.

BUT WE DO!!!

Sep 23, 2018 05:33 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Thanks for the suggestion, John, on how to make tooting our own horn a bit easier!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Jeff

Sep 23, 2018 08:14 AM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Thanks Jeff, I hope you go toot r rooting all over the place!

Sep 24, 2018 04:11 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

John, loved the message about subtle way of getting referrals and also your horn player illustrations in the comments. Just on a side note, when I am in the kitchen these horn players are on the counter in CD form to inspire my cooking:))Endre

Sep 23, 2018 05:34 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Hey Endre, glad you like the horn players.  I like jazz pianists too, like Oscar Peterson.  There are several other great ones.  Put on Tijuana Brass on Pandora and you will have a smile on your face all day long!

Sep 24, 2018 04:12 AM