One of the smartest things a client ever told me is that they don't need another boring newsletter from me! So, I started to think outside the box and here are some of the ideas that have received comments from our client list: 1. 50 Things everyone should know how to do. This was laminated on a book mark. (Laminators are really fun to use. And, you can find sizes that fit in a #10 envelope!) 2. Color the house contest. $100 prize for the best colored house printed on a newsletter we sent out. 3. A picture of a large dog, wearing a suit and a flag pin- The caption said , "Wear your flag". And, I had attached a real flag pin. This was for the 4th of July. (The obvious implication was that this was related to the Presidential race.) 4. Senior Discounts- The list is quite extensive when you start to google this. 5. How to Be Irish- On St. Patrick's Day- It laid out a pub crawl with all the local venues. It also included famous Irish limericks and drinking songs. 6. On the anniversary of the buyer's close of escrow, I send out a market analysis of their home so they know what it is worth now. So, that is just a sample of what I send out. I guess the point is, that if you want to stand out in the minds of your clients, this might be a way to go. I know it has netted many many referrals for me! Let's face it. Everyone else is already sending out the other stuff and they already know you sell real estate, so don't you want to show them you are different? Good luck!
Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA
Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA
Kathy
Really good ideas. But what are the 50 things people should really know about?
And how big is your mailing list?
Really curious.
Oct 25, 2008 07:25 PM
Gibbs Realty and Auction Company - Columbia, SC
ost of what I send out is Real Estate news that is localized and specific to the market the client bought in or are looking at. I hope they are reading it. Great tips!
Oct 25, 2008 10:32 PM
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate
Kathy - These are all fantastic ideas! Like you have shown, the key is to engage the target audience and you will see a difference. Thanks for sharing your ideas!
Oct 25, 2008 11:30 PM
Abreu - Waterbury, CT
Kathy:
I like the ideas. What has been the rate of return on the yearly market analysis?
Joe
Oct 25, 2008 11:57 PM
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce
Good ideas....our sphere gets a mailing every month....one page is just for fun...the other page is more useful information...getting your house ready for the next season etc. We know that the letters to company bullletin boards, widows' groups....church meetings....rate of return ? How about knowing you are providing your past customers and clients with a service they appreciate...hard to measure but sure feels good !
Oct 26, 2008 12:17 AM
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists
Providence, RI
Very witty ideas. I like them. I do not sell houses but I would try the ideas here. I like doing research.
Oct 26, 2008 01:29 AM
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA
Kathy, these are some really good ideas. I especially like the one about sending a market analysis on the anniversary date of the closing. Thanks.
Oct 26, 2008 02:25 AM
RE/MAX Estate Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
EPRO Realtor
Since I started doing these different types of mailings I think it has gotten me closer to my clients and sphere of influence. Partly since they feel they know me because of the casual and often humorous tone of the stuff I mail. I mail to a group of 600 that includes my sphere of influence and past clients every month and hopefully, they want to open the envelope just to find out what I am sending them now. On the outside of the envelope I have my picture with a subject appropriate hat on. It 's very silly but I'm sure they get a giggle from it. I would say I get about 3 referrals a month from this group of people. They don't specifically say it's because of a mailing so I can't attribute the response just to them. It's only because I am keeping in touch constantly.
Oct 26, 2008 04:13 AM
Think Glink Media - Chicago, IL
Best-selling author, award-winning TV/radio host.
Kathy- Great ideas. Laminating machines are great and I can think of so many uses for them. Thanks for the post and the ideas!
Oct 26, 2008 06:11 AM
RE/MAX Estate Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
EPRO Realtor
One great use for the laminating machine is making a list of important phone numbers OR lists of restaurants that deliver to your home! Then you can put a magnet on the back so they can stick it on their fridge. I have seen these in lots of my client's homes! So, they work!
Oct 27, 2008 06:45 AM
Rainer
17,671
17,671
Kathy Tyndall
EPRO Realtor
Comments(11)