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Touching Your Sphere-Use Common Sense- Think Outside The Box!

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Talk 2 Midori, LLC BK645709

Most people send generic greetings for various holidays or a generic personalized news letter that really isn't personalized...a form letter with a name hand written at the top.  Often times in this generic personalized newsletter..the words sending you a personal note seems to be part of the language and if you are thinking you are fooling people you are not!

One thing I found is most will mail at the time when the rest of the world does the same Christmas.. Thanksgiving and the New Year...and often times...their sphere doesn't hear from them until next year..and you want them to think of you when it comes to real estate right? ...why not think outside the box...and think about the what, the when and how you like to receive correspondence or personal contact..from a friend..a co-worker or even a service provider.

A couple of things to think about....

1.  Since your newsletter is typed already..why not place a generic greeting at the top..that way no hand written names...simply...place...  From my home to yours....just touching base...Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours....Hope this finds you well!  I think you get the message a hand written name is not necessary at all!  And when everything is typed and looks smashing you just cheezed up your newsletter by adding a name...which looks like an after thought or merely a solicitation.

2.  While most send a newsletter during the biggest holidays of the year...think about this...how about Valentine's Day when you know your customer lost a loved one...or 4th of July when a customer is alone...I think these things are important to think about...each holiday means different things to different people and sometimes...those holidays that are filled with family...friends and loved ones can be very lonely..and you can make a difference and possibly a friend for life.

3.  Often times we expect people to automatically use us just because we are friends...because we know each other..because we think they should but the fact of the matter...they have to think of us more than just friends..more like their real estate professional for life..and just like those you don't know...you have to earn their business... and build their trust as a real estate professional!

4.  Some of the most popular mail outs I have ever sent...were for off holidays..a typed poem and a small update of what's going on in my life with a little dash of me asking for business..to be their REALTOR for life.  All typed..with a generic intro so someone doesn't feel like an after thought or part of a mass production line!  These things matter and are remembered and observed!

5.  I hear many trainers state how frequently you should contact your sphere but my thoughts might be a little different..some say 6 or 12 times a year but I think very differently..its much more than that...just think about the relationships you have with your best friend or your family...how frequently do you talk to them on the phone?  Email them?  and write..let's not forget the visit...wrap it all together and what do you got..its about 32 times touching base with them.  While some might view as excessive or the thought they don't have time...in truth..you already established the friendship now work on business end!

Write-Call-Email-Visit X 8

Engaging Your Friends..Family...and Loved Ones!

When I think about it today...32 times a year is not that difficult with all the tools available... facebook...blog posts..twitter..get the picture..there are so many ways and this year is more important than ever to get your sphere working with you and for you!

If you are not finding success in your prospecting..its a good idea to look at tools you are using and methods that you chose.... take a look at what you put out as if you are the receiver..think about people first...your business will follow...think about the content and conversations...so people will actually read and listen...otherwise the feeling might not be mutual and better yet...if you really want to hit a home run...follow up any interaction with a phone call...email or a visit!  I can tell you...if you won't do it someone else will!

Doesn't Everyone know a REALTOR?

Midori Miller is a licensed real estate associate with CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty, Real Estate Trainer and Manager. If you are interested in a career in real estate please contact me!  All calls and inquiries are confidential.  CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty is located in Volusia County with 3 office locations to better serve the public.  Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach and Ormond by the Sea.   midorimiller@yahoo.com (386) 453-3236

Comments (20)

Colleen Fischesser Northwest Property Shop
NextHome Experience - Chelan, WA
A Tradition of Trust in the Pacific NW since 1990!

Midori, you're absolutely right! With all the technology available we can add many more "touches" to our clients. Of course assuming they are folks we want to continue doing business with :-)

I've recently started adding clients as Facebook friends so we can stay in touch more easily

Feb 01, 2009 07:03 AM
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

Midori -  I oouldn't agree more. My clients get a kick out of my Ground Hog's Day notes and cards.  Mine went out on Thursday so they will be received tomorrow.

Feb 01, 2009 07:10 AM
Steven Nickens
Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers - Wailea, HI
R(S)GRI ABR, Maui Real Estate Hawaii

Very cool article.  Over Christmas on my newsletter I gave my sweet potato recipe.  Thanks for all the tips.

Feb 01, 2009 07:15 AM
Jen Olson
First Weber Group Realtors - Marshfield, WI

Midori,

Thank you for sharing such great tips!  I agree with finding times outside of the usual holidays to get in touch.

Feb 01, 2009 07:32 AM
Mott Marvin Kornicki
Waterway Realtors® • Notary Public & Apostille - Sunny Isles, FL
Miami Notary & Apostille 786-229-7999

Midori~

You have made some excellent points here. It is far better to send a hand written card when it would be least expected. Thanks for sharing!

Mott Marvin Kornicki // Real Estate In Miami // Associate | Broker

Aventura // The Waterways // Bal Harbour // Sunny Isles Beach • Florida

Feb 01, 2009 07:33 AM
Mott Marvin Kornicki
Waterway Realtors® • Notary Public & Apostille - Sunny Isles, FL
Miami Notary & Apostille 786-229-7999

Midori~

You have made some excellent points here. It is far better to send a hand written card when it would be least expected. Thanks for sharing!

Mott Marvin Kornicki // Real Estate In Miami // Associate | Broker

Aventura // The Waterways // Bal Harbour // Sunny Isles Beach • Florida

Feb 01, 2009 07:33 AM
Wanda Thomas
Montana Homestead Brokers, Broker, CRS, GRI, SFR, RN - Billings, MT
Billings Montana Real Estate

I keep working on the touches, I know it works.  I hand address all of my cards, even Christmas cards!  I start those in November.  Facebook has been really fun as well!

Feb 01, 2009 07:38 AM
Monica Bourgeau
Portland, OR
Business Coaching

Midori -great tips! We love "out of the box" ideas, thanks for sharing some new ones!

Feb 01, 2009 07:55 AM
Zilkia Olmeda-Martins
RE/MAX North - San Antonio - San Antonio, TX
GRI, Realtor, San Antonio Texas Luxury Homes

Thank you for the great post Midori.  This is something that I need to improve and have commited to change this year.

Feb 01, 2009 07:55 AM
Marilyn Katz
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - Westport, CT
ABR, e-PRO - WestportCTProperties.com

If you don't have time to write handwritten notes to everyone, at least hand address and hand sign your letters.

Feb 01, 2009 09:43 AM
Connie Goodrich
Keller Williams Realty - McKinney, TX
CRS ABR (McKinney Realtor)Texas

Thank you for the tips on being a little different and how to thoughtfully drip at meaningful times, not just the standard holidays. 

Feb 01, 2009 11:38 AM
Leslie Stewart
Oregon Licensed Broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Real Estate Professionals - Stayton, OR
Realtor, ABR, CRS, Oregon Licensed Broker

 Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas.  I love 'out of the box' ideas. 

Feb 01, 2009 11:43 AM
Liz Carter
Liz Carter & Team Realty-Your Real Estate Resource For Life! - Katy, TX
Broker/Owner of Liz Carter & Team Realty, Katy TX (Houston)

Hi Midori...

Great points, especially the "STAY IN TOUCH"....when you do they will remember you when ready to sell, buy and referral friend.  I might add using your data base and starting at A-Z with a goal to make X # of calls a day at a specific time, it a good way to keep you doing what brings in the most business.  Satisfied past clients are your most valuable asset, so keep it simple and stay in touch.

Thanks for the reminder, a good way to start out 2009.  Liz

Feb 01, 2009 01:26 PM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

It looks like I need to call my friends more...  I have really good friends I don't get to communicate with that much, or at least it seems. 

Feb 01, 2009 03:56 PM
Melissa Grant
A Serendipity World - Greenbackville, VA
The Law of Attraction In Life & Business

This is GREAT , sound advice Midori and an excellent reminder that no matter how busy we are... we are never to busy for " friends" !

Feb 01, 2009 10:09 PM
Barb Szabo, CRS
RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH
E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

Midore,, Excellent as usual and thank you. You always post ideas that make me think and want to change up what I do on a daily basis. Have a great day.

Feb 01, 2009 10:28 PM
Julie Neerings~Lifting Hearts ♥ Building Dreams~
Agent Referral - Salt Lake City, UT

Good Morning Midori~The information you provide is always so uplifting and puts an extra push in my thoughts and actions to reach out to my clients, SOI and prospects.  Thank you for keeping us all so motivated.

Feb 02, 2009 12:25 AM
Sheldon Neal
Bergen County, NJ - RE/MAX Real Estate Limited - Maywood, NJ
That British Agent Bergen County NJ

Hi Midori ! - Very nice points to keep in mind here - and the power of 'real' personal touches, is immense.

Great post as always :o)

Cheers !

Sheldon

Feb 02, 2009 03:36 PM
Lisa Hill
Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Real Estate

I'd love to be doing mailings the way I used to. But mailings were one of the first things to be cut when the money started drying up =(

Feb 02, 2009 05:27 PM
Jeff R. Geoghan
Coldwell Banker Realty - Lancaster, PA
REALTOR, Marketing Manager

I agree that we focus too much on the holidays to touch the sphere.  Coldwell Banker offers a free "ecard" application that we've set up to touch key sphere contacts twice a year.  I like the idea of a valentine's day initiatve - just in time!

Feb 03, 2009 01:17 PM