Referrals, Referrals, Referrals - Oh How Important They Are!

I am new to the online marketing scene. I had almost completely given up on my real estate career, even after all the money I had put into as well as made in the previous years. I actually had decided to go back to the unreliable Corporate America. I had basically given up on real estate the early part 2008. Then out of nowhere I receive an email from one of my clients from 2006 referring me to one of her friends who had already found the home of her choice as well as already been pre-approved. I thought to myself this can't be this easy. I believe this is the easiest transaction that I have had since I started my real estate career in 2004. Bad thing is that I had been so good at sending out birthday cards, anniversary cards, etc to my previous clients. I can't even remember what happened that threw me off track. As a result, I do believe now that my business did suffer. After I received that email and spoke with my new client, did my research on the home and eventually viewed the property and submitted an offer, which was accepted and set to close the end of January, I found a new respect for referrals. During my previous years, business was coming left and right without much effort. You know what they say "When the going gets tough the tough gets going"...that was me. I just gave it up. Crazy thing was that I was still paying office fees monthly....go figure. That referral was just what I needed to jumpstart me for 2009. I enrolled and completed many classes to get me up on what was going on in the market today. It's like a fire has been lit inside of me. I am like a sponge soaking up all the info that I can get. I said all that to say, if there are any agents out there like me, don't give up. Sit down, take the time to come up with a business plan that fits your budget and stick to it. Commitment and Perseverance are key! Take it from someone who has learned her lesson....referrals, referrals, referrals...one of the best marketing tools...one that will never change! Thanks for lending me your ear.