This one goes beyond just referrals. While it's a wonderful thing to have a former client refer somebody to you, it's even better when prospective clients can read or hear experiences from those folks ... and then talk to that person who has already done business with you. Then, they reach out. Then, it's a bit more comfortable to know they know a person who can and will look out for their best interests.
At the end of the day, that's what matters to any consumer or person. (Consumers, aren't we all:-)
I've delivered more 'Bad' news than I care to share recently. That's reality though. I'm sorry, on paper you can't afford that house or mortgage. I'm sorry, your Credit Scores don't fall in line with the Lending Parameters. I'm sorry, your Credit History is such that we have some work to do. Guess what, you can probably bank on having a phone call from me sporadically until you get to the point where I can help. You're not on speed dial, but you're on my mind. I really hate failing you if you came to me during a time when you couldn't qualify for anything. My mission is to be there when you do.
Back to the title of this particular prose.
It's been said but is worth repeating; we (lending institutions) get our money from the same place. Banks are the same (that's another conversation). Many of us have different angles, avenues, and knowledge of how to make things work ... yet it's all conversation until your loan closes. You can damn sure bet that when it does ... I'll be following up with you to make sure things are OK. That's just me, I want to ensure there's a human element behind your transaction. Therein lies, the title of this post.
Awhile back, I closed a transaction for a Teacher in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I followed up with him regularly but didn't think twice about what is going on. Turns out, he sent an email to fellow staff about his experience with me and the next thing I knew, I was being bombarded with scenarios from that man's sphere of influence. Some of those scenarios, I could and did close. Some of those scenarios were a shot in the dark. The bottom line was simple though, his sphere of influence suddenly became mine.
When I entered this business back in 1984 2001, I was advised to contact my family and friends in the State of Pennsylvania to jumpstart my business. Afterall, that seems to be the easiest 'target' of trust there is. There was a slight problemo though, I had little family here and my friends at the time were probably more inclined to pay the bar tab than the closing costs on a home purchase. I had to do it the old-fashioned way, "Hi, I'm Jason Sardi and this is what I do for a living."
Marketing is an interesting beast, I am a firm believer in Chameleon Marketing. Adapt, Survive, and roll with the punches. Yet, sometimes 'Old Rules' are the truest form of navigation. As I grew, my business grew, my client list grew longer, testimonials started coming in. Most of which were not solicited by yours truly. They took a moment of their precious time to write about their experience with little old me. That means something.
It reminded me that my next marketing campaign won't be overflowing with charts, graphs, rates, wonders, or niche-product info ... this time, I'll let the client speak for me.
On another note, some folks miss that I include links to songs in my posts. For that, I apologize. Here ya go ...
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