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This is one of the best tools I have found for marketing!

My fellow REALTORS always come to me and say how do you generate so much business? Well...the honest answer is....I WORK. I work a lot. I have learned in the last year to work less...however, I spend a lot of time generating the business and then if I don't want to work, I refer. The work I focus on is constant marketing. I use the web mostly. I don't do cold calling, telemarketing and rarely do I knock on a door.

So, what do I do? I send a lot of cards...even that is easy! For the last year I have used Send Out Cards. I resisted it for several years because I felt it wasn't personal enough. Then I realized every time I ran out of stamps or didn't mail something on time...that wasn't very personal either. A lot of times by the time I got the stamps...the persons birthday was already over...sheese. Not a great impression.

So finally, I gave in. I am glad I did. Not only did I create some really cool marketing pieces, I have really got a nice little side business going. I don't write this to sell you...of course I am in sales so if you want another stream of income...I am a good one to have in your upline. Either way....send a flipping card. Just do it. It is fun. You can be creative and it is much less expensive. I like that best!

How does it work?

I bought into the entrapareurrrrrrrrrr - okay, spelling isn't my gig. You get the point. I bought the best package. It was like $400 bucks or something. I got a little kit, filled out a handwriting thingy so my handwriting would be....well...MY handwriting on the cards and then I started to send them. I am on an auto program and pay $31 bucks a month. I have created some really cool marketing pieces that really work. One of them was a just listed....only it had a photo of my clients home and it had a balloony thing that looked like the house was talking. It said, "Your neighbors at 11223 N whatever street in Scottsdale, got exactly what they deserved last night!" Then when you turn it over, it said, A CONTRACT TO PURCHASE THEIR HOME!

That one worked. Got some listings off of it...yup. People like funny stuff. It catches their attention. You could do it too if you were a distributor. Oh....you aren't? That's okay, I can hook you up with this cool chick in Arizona.

As a matter of fact, you can go to her website right now and send a FREE card...that is how cool she is!

www.sendoutcards.com/60625

It is so easy. 100 points costs $31 bucks or something like that. It costs 1 point for a postcard or about .33 cents and 2 points for a AWESOME greeting card...or .66 points. The cards are high quality. They take a minute to send and you can even add a gift like, brownies, gift cards, books and more. That stuff costs extra of course! There is postage and they don't charge extra for that...it is 42 cents just like the post office wants it. AND....talk about easy! It sends me a reminder for all the dates I want and it has a great way to import your database. I love it and would not be without it.

So go ahead...don't be afraid...after all....we are REALTORS, we are not afraid of anything!

Just DO IT!

Michelle Shelton

Send Out Cards ROCK!

Michelle Shelton, REALTOR, Coach, Author, Trainer

Solutions Real Estate
Arizona Real Estate
480-577-8272

We don't see things the way THEY are, we see things the way WE are. - Thumond

Posted by Michelle Shelton, REALTOR, Coach on 11/17/2008 07:43 PM

Comments (58)

Sendoutcards in the Online Marketing Channel

sendoutcards, michelle shelton, real estate marketing, marketing tips, ideas

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58 Comments on This is one of the best tools I have found for marketing!

NOV

2008

Michelle,

Thanks for your input.

I tried this last week. Sent out a few cards.

Waiting to hear feedback from them.

So, thanks.

Michelle - I too, have been resisting. But we are starting Send out cards next month. Susan Hilton in Texas has been a big help to me with lots of questions. I am excited about automating this part of our business.

I got one of these. It was signed in a printed font. I wonder if there is a way to have the signature more personalized.

We have these things here calle Super (stuper) Mailboxes, glorified community roadside mailboxes.

They tend to have a large garbage can next to them where all the people dump their flyers and ad-cards, I have found the return rate for CUTE stuff has dropped off significantly. I now find that people want information, and they want to know that you are an expert in their area. So I give them real neighbourhood news, original and informative, almost a mini-newspaper.

I have gone highend, double sided, full colour Real Estate Information to a farm of 3000.

The results are spectacular!

Thanks for the tip. I never heard of this website, I will have to check it out.

I agree that marketing is everything. Sounds like you found a great tool. I'll have to check it out.

Thanks for sharing,

Thanks Michelle. We had a little presentation at our office on these cards. The whole concept is great and definitely makes things easier for us, keeping in touch with clients/customers. I also saw them at the NAR conv last week - word is getting out!

Hi Michelle! I have received several of them in my mailbox and thought there were great! I wondered how the personal handwriting was done...now I know!! They look very professional and personal at the same time. Regards-Kathleen G

Great comments! The nice thing about these cards Scott is the personalized touch! Anyone that is into Buffini will LOVE them because there are tons of awesome motivational cards to select. Honestly, there are thousands of cards for every occassion and you can even create your own and have the design team create exactly what you want.

Send a FREE one on me....you will see for yourself.

www.sendoutcards.com/60625

https://www.sendoutcards.com/cgi-bin/trnuser.pl?socwalkthrough_start:::60625

This link will take you directly to the send page....complete with audio that will walk you through. Listen to the guy walk you through and you will have a card sent in less than five minutes. You can send a card as each gift account has 2points....or you can send 2 postcards.

There is no obligation to do anything...it is my account and I am sharing it with you with the hopes of you seeing the value. The opportunity to earn your business is highly valued!

Warm Regards,

Michelle Shelton

www.sendoutcards.com/60625

www.boldtalent.com

thanks for sharing.

good luck and have an awesome 2009.

jim

Marlene,

When you become a distributor, you get a handwriting kit that allows you to put your own handwriting in...also, there are different fonts. Give it a try. You will see how it works. The database is awesome too!

Let me know how I can support you on sending your first card.

Michelle

I have received several of these cards from other Realtors who are using them and say that they work. The ones that I have received didn't feel or look too personal until one of them came with a photo of me on the front. That one caught my attention. I think personalizing them is key. It is a easy way to send them out for sure.

Whoever thought of them is rich and laying back now that they have caught on Most network marketing works this way with the person at the top making most of the money.

Kelly

Thank you for sharing! I am lazy most of the time and don't mail enough cards.....sounds like a great way to do it.

I've been using Send Out Cards for about 4 months now and I love it. I created several campaigns. My favorite is one I send to clients after a closing. For one price I send them something twelve times. I've had great feedback on it so far.

How much do you spend a year in send out cards? I am going to start after the first of the year. But I am wondering what to budget.

Michelle I use it for my birthday club to. I use to use it for other campaigns but, they didn't ever pain out.

I have been looking to change some things around in 09 andthis looks like a good place to start. Thanks for the info.

I use this also....

I was laughing at your post, because I was saying the same things....I got tired of sending out "happy belated"....oops...! Too late doesn't get a chance!

Thanks for sharing with everyone...like how you used it for the other marketing ideas....

Michelle - You go girl! I have resisted monthly cards for a long time but have so many referrals and internet leads that I hesitate to get on the band wagon!

I like your marketing idea. I think in this day of electronic communication, many people enjoy getting cards in the mail, and the creativity of what you're sending doesn't hurt.

Kelly - You are so right about personalizing. One of my friends sent me one saying will you get out of my way and let me fly...if you go to my site www.askmichelleshelton.com there is a cartoon photo of me in a plane and she put that on the front. It was very creative and like you...it caught my attention.

Linda - I totally get you....I would beat myself up for not sending enough cards. I had searched for a company where I could send the onesy twosy cards and not some huge amount that are all the same. Give it a shot on the gift account....it sure is easy and fun!

Krystin - Thank you for sharing your great tesimony. I know exactly what you mean and how you feel. I feel the same way.

Russ- It depends on how many cards you send. I have saved a lot of money using sendout cards because I used to BUY greeting cards and personalize them....some of them can be up to $350 each! I would buy boxes of thank you cards. My assistant can give you those numbers....I don't know...I know I have saved a lot of money because my time is worth more than anything. I don't like stress and this is one way to eleviate stress. I jump on the pc and login and send a card. I can also set them up to go out and be delivered on the day I want and I do it when I have the time....I don't have to remember to get it in the mail ahead of time. If you join on the entraprenure, (crud...there is that word again), plan, you get 100 points a month and that is about 100 postcards a month. It depends on how you use them.

Larry - Do you create your own marketing? I think that is the key...it has to look different. For previous clients I use the cards...for farming, I use postcards. Reasoning is....if they know me and see my name they know who it is...it gets opened 100% of the time...if they don't and I am farming cold....a postcard is something they will see without having to open the envelope.

Hey Charles- The opportunity to earn your business would be highly valued. I am excited to work with REALTORS as it is what I know....I LOVE marketing...sold 6 homes my first month in real estate...before the crazy market. Good marketing can make or break a business in my opinion. Send one on me and get your account rolling now so you will be ready to go in '09. I am sending out Thanksgiving and Christmas cards this way this year...I am excited to not have to fight the lines and buy rolls of stamps and have cards floating around in my car....also, I can type much more legible and faster than I can write!

Sheila - I think it is the nature of the promoter real estate agent...we are busy doing everything else....good intentions...well, you know the drill!.

Give it a shot and see if you like it. My niece recently had a baby and I took the baby's photo and put a border around it and made a custom card and threw in some of the gourmet brownies and you would have thought I sent her a box of GOLD! I had to buy an easy button from Staples...ha ha.

Hey George....you can always refer them out...it is a good "problem" to have, right?

I am amazed at how my network has opened up since I started sending these cards. It is a lot of fun...I work with some cool people, still sell real estate

of course and created a passive income on the side with these cards, simply by doing what I do in real estate...serving at a very high level.

Christine - It is so much fun to create my own cards. I have used people's homes on the front and I even sent our Office Manager one of the cards with the top producer in our offices' photo on it and said...screw this market, I am joining AZ Mastermind Group, LLC (The name of my team). They have lots of uses and the sky is the limit with creativity!

I hope I didn't miss anyone!

Michelle

Hello Michelle.... Thanks for the tip here... Has been awhile since I last heard from you.

Hi Roland! Yes...I was doing some intense personal growth work. I just finished a 90 day "game" that was amazing. It was a leadership exercise with 19 other people. We did all kinds of leadership exercises and our leadership styles rolled to the top. There was no real guidance it was about integrity and common goals. I accomplished more in 90 days that I normally do and I created balance in my life....as you can see from my photos...that is something that doesn't come easy for me! ;)

Anyway, the game is over...my awesome team voted me BEST TEAM LEADER. It was a wonderful honor and an amazing experience all the way around. I found that it really took my life and magnified what I already do. Some worked and some didn't and now I get to do something different.

Thanks for stopping by!

Michelle

Michelle, I have an account too. I don't use it for the business, actually I have the package and have never sent it my handwriting thing. I need to do that. However, I got a call from one of my past clients who I love to tell me that they just had a baby. I went right over to the computer sent a personal message and a gift card and done. Saved me time and totally see the usefulness of this tool for marketing.

Good for you.

NOV

2008

WORK????? Oh that was not what I wanted to hear.

Michelle-Very entertaning post on Send out Cards. We've tried them before and also received these cards...the "personal handwriting" still looks computerized...doesn't compare to a truly handwritten note or card. Our contact management system shows the list of birthdays, anniversaries,etc for the next week and as part of our timeblocked activities, we hand write personal cards for the next week. The stamp issue is easily solved by purchasing large qtys at a time and when its time to refill there are so many places to purchase stamps...post office, grocery stores (5 within 1 mile), Costco, UPS Store, kinkos, etc. Again, thanks for writing a great article and good luck

good info. Thanks.

Ive used this service to send out cards when my daughter was born. was quick & easy!

Thank you for the information, I think that this can be a very useful tool for me. will definetely look into it .

Hi Michelle,

I send out a personalized newsletter every month to my database.

And I put an emphasis on personalized - which is also the reason I do my blog here on Active Rain.

I have found the best results when the people I market to get to know ME, not just "makret conditions" or a recipe. Anybody can provide that type of information, but nobody can be YOU. :)

thanks for the info -- i am going to take a look as soon as I can break away from AR ;) JE

These may be great if you upgrade and have the personalized signatures -- I received one the other day and could tell it was from a "service", the card was not high quality and thought -- guess they didn't have enough time to send me a PERSONAL card and tossed it! Yes -- it was nicer than nothing -- but make sure you are sending something great! Just my humble opinion!

Thanks for the information...will have to check it out. It looks like a great way to keep in touch!

I went to the website and checked it out. Nice resource.

We do something very similar and it does work. Every time we send out cards, we get calls! Great information and the key is to work smart -- thanks for the heads up.

Michelle, when I get back from this appointment I'm headed to I'm going to look at them. I do monthly postcards to my farm. I'm a HUGE fan of keeping in touch. Thanks for the link.

Thanks for the tip, it looks like a great site. We will bookmark it so we can check it out further.

Thanks for the input. A lady just transferred into ny BNI group and she is withy Send Out Cards. I'll bet I will try her out the first of the year. I'm glad it's working for you. Have a great day!

Sonja - You will love it...go ahead and take it for a test drive and send a free card. That is the best way to see what you think!

Margaret - You are exactly in the place I was. I crocheted a baby blanket for my home warranty girl when she was pregnant...it took me weeks to finish it....it was in my car and I worked on it constantly. She sent me a sendoutcard saying thank you...and I didn't like it at all. I think that was why I was resistant for so long. I think the key here is always use judgement in what you send.....one of the ideas I had came from Buffini...take a photo in front of your clients new home (with them in it of course) and then get their friends and family members names and numbers and send out a card saying they have moved with their new mailing address. You know where that one will go...on the fridge of their friends and family! I haven't done this one yet....although I know for a fact that it would work. You can create a campaign and send the same card to many people and you can import databases too!

Great Jason!

Wow...so many of you have sent FREE cards....thank you for the opportunity to serve you with sendoutcards. You will have access to my marketing brain when you become part of sendoutcards through me....I like to have fun and I am a top producer in our tiny office. I did 8 Million in a down market last year. I don't tell you this to brag....it is simply I enjoy marketing the best. I have some other fun things I can share and I am always open to your ideas too!

-Michelle

Hi Michelle,

I have used a card service in the past but then kinda just stopped doing it. Perhaps it was the cost. I will look into this one. Thank you,

I think the automated part of this is great. I too would not be getting the cards out on time with such a hectic schedule.

I have another realtor friend who just loves it the tool. That's for another vote -- I may just get me off the fence!

MIchelle,

I have been mailing postcards for some time now to past clients and I too think it is very effective. I am definitley going to check out the site but can you tell me if there is a minimum number of cards you are required to send out?

Thanks!

Michelle - thanks for the information - I am going to check it out!

Hi Barb - There is no minimum number of cards...as a matter of fact, I have been a little sporadic until recently. The cool thing is, I joined for the best package they had because the points are cheaper...everything is done on a point system. With the better package, the handwriting (your handwriting) kit is included and the cards are cheaper. I pay $31 a month plus I put money in my postage account. For $31 I get 100 points. There are different ways I can spend the points...post cards (1pt), regular greeting card (2pts). I liked the aspect of paying a dollar a day and then having the money be there when I want to send a bigger campagne. I have started to send many more cards so I am going to have to spend more on the personal side. I loaded my friends and family in so this year, I will write my Christmas letter on a family photo card and click send and save myself hours of stuffing envelopes, etc.

It seems the business side of this is a pretty good opportunity....I am really passionate about these cards and once I started to use them, people were asking me how I did it so it was a no-brainer to start working the business side of it...that is new for me though. I know some people here that were in one of my networking groups that are making $50 to $60K a month with sendout cards....I have done that in real estate of course....my family never saw me so that side of the business is attractive to me.

It is easy to join....for $400 bucks you have a side business and a lot of great tools for real estate! To join...just go to the site I gave you

www.sendoutcards.com/60625 and click join now. Expect a call from me to follow-up and make sure you have everything you need.

Thanks for taking time to post your comments...all of them are highly valued!

Michelle

I love your answer. you work and you work hard. It is amazing how a lot of hard work makes a little luck

James! Yes....you know what they say, "The harder you work, the luckier you get!"

Your website is awesome...did you do it yourself? It almost has the feel of a blog yet I bet you create a lot of leads with the feeds, etc.

Do you mind telling me who you host / create it through? Did you do it yourself?

Thanks for taking time to post. Wanna have lunch sometime? Something healthy though! ;)

Michelle

Hi Michele, I just sent out my free card. This is a pretty nifty site. I'm still not sure if I will pay the $298 up front or just go with the 49 cents per point, but I'm definitely going to use the tool again.

I first heard about Send Out Cards at a networking group I attend. I have been thinking about trying it and now that I have read this I am even more convinced. I am a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant as well and I think my business would benefit from this...Thanks for letting us in on the marketing tool that works for you...

Happy Tuesday!!

Lori

Hey Michele,

Here in Knoxville, TN, sendoutcards is making a big push. I have used them. My fellow Realtors use them.

It's a great system. It's very creative and quality.

Best wishes.

Michelle

I love the site and will definately try some cards...

I have been using sendoutcards off and on for about a year now. cannot attribute anything to it but the cards are high quality.

Jim

Michelle,

Thanks again for more details on the program and for being willing to share what you know.

JAN

April is good at coaching and showing you how to get it all set up with the campaigns, the handwriting form and the pictures.

you can work with them at www.SendOutCards.com/35720

They also give training and a lot of support. I really enjoyed their help. I'm grateful for them.

Angela Sams

Bedford, PA

JAN

To be honest, when i get a "send out cards" card it gets the circular file as they all look the same and fake to boot, i would never use them at all for that reason

Hi Andrew....of course I can certainly understand how you feel....I used to feel the same way and then I found that it

was a trade off. In an ideal world everyone I know would get a "real" hallmark card in my own handwriting. The point

being...that wasn't happening so this is the best tool I have found to accomplish what I need to accomplish and make

something happen vs nothing. I have learned that it doesn't have to be perfect...if I operate at 80% in my life...I can

attain balance and still be really GREAT at a lot of stuff instead of dropping everything else in my life to be 100%

at one thing.

To each his own.....

Michelle

JAN

Michelle, great point, i may have been a littel to direct.

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