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The Art of the Thank You

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with SendOutCards

I would like to share a technique that is not new however it is effective with generating quality leads and awareness of your personal brand.  I was recently at a restaurant with a real estate agent friend of mine discussing the next 6 months of 2007 and what our goals and objectives were.  Our waitress was excellent and performed over and above our expectations to the point that we both commented her and thanked her for her service.  As usual at the end of the meal I signed the slip for the bill and left my business card.  Upon leaving the restaurant I picked up the business card for the manager and went on my way.  After departing my friend I sat in my car and pulled out three of my many thank you cards that I carry around and wrote my dinner guest, the waitress as well as the manager of the restaurant a thank you note and informed the manager of the exceptional service that i received and of course, I inserted my business card.  At that point I located a mail box and off the notes went.

About a week later I received a phone call from the manager of the restaurant who thanked me for the card and ask me about the type of mortgage that I specialized in.  After informing him he immediately gave me a number for a family member of his who was looking to buy a house that fit perfect for the Home Improvement 1st. Mortgage.  As of right now we are working with his aunt who will be closing on her home in less than 10 days.  The waitress sent me a thank you note for my thank you note and inserted her card as well.  She is a part time real estate agent.

Personalized thank you notes are incredible.  I attempt to send out five cards per day.  I send them to cashiers at the grocery store, gas station attendants and anyone who I may have had a conversation with to the point that  I have a name and mailing address to send it.  More importantly I send them the same day so that they receive it in the next day or two.

Although I receive quality referrals from my thank you notes I take pride in seeing people smile and feel appreciated.  Our business is an emotional one and people like to do business with people that can make them feel great.

Hope this helps

Michael Thomas
First SEO Consultants - Scottsdale, AZ
Real Estate Website Optimization
Absolutely - I advise all my clients to always write a note to every person that registers at their website - it is incredible what it does for their conversion rates
Jun 10, 2007 03:17 PM
Cheryl S. Miller
Long & Foster® Real Estate, Inc. - Fort Washington, MD
Maryland Real Estate, COS, Serving The National Harbor Area
The art of Thank You is truly a lost art and so important in our business.  Going as far as sending the manager a thank you was a plus and something I will incorporate in my businss.  Thanks. 
Jun 10, 2007 03:45 PM
Anonymous
Deb Hurt
You are so right about this. It never hurts to be nice to people and very few take the time anymore to say thank you, let alone send a handwritten note. The fact that you do set you apart in a positive way. I need to be more consistent about doing this every time.
Jun 10, 2007 03:50 PM
#4
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire
I'm off to the store for a box of note cards! great idea doing it on the spot. I always have good intentions but somehow I often forget!
Jun 10, 2007 04:24 PM
Tina Smith
Metro Brokers/GMAC Real Estate - Lawrenceville, GA
Great advice!  No one has ever mentioned this idea to me.  I will make it a part of my practice.
Jun 11, 2007 01:05 PM
Brian Doles
Colby Home Services - Marietta, GA
Thank You notes are extremely important. Every single client of mine receives one. A "thank you" of kind words can go along way. They show appreciation and don't make customers feel like they were just another number.
Jun 15, 2007 06:20 AM
Kathy Seger & Ben Staten
RE/MAX Around Atlanta - Woodstock, GA
Red Hot Atlanta Homes Group
Thank you Diego for reminding all of us it is the little things that make a difference. 
Jul 18, 2007 01:39 AM
Jared Hokanson
Hokanson Realty & Jared Realty Group - Medford, OR
Your Home Sold, GUARANTEED!*

Diego,

I totally agree.  I love the feeling I get writing notes, not to mention the verbal thank you I get from people almost in tears of how a note I wrote made their day and meant a lot to them.

Jul 18, 2007 09:15 AM
Melissa Schnieders
Melissa Schnieders Photography - Wichita, KS
Diego - Great idea to keep them in the car - that's where we spend so much of our time!!
Jul 20, 2007 12:27 PM
Kathy Nielsen
http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA
Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Diego -  It does help!  What an amazing testimonial to the value of hand written cards.  I especially liked how you got them off to the mailbox so quickly.  Great blog.  In fact, I've rated it a 5. 

Kathy

Jul 20, 2007 01:11 PM
Kristy Taylor
ERA CAM Realty Group - Commerce, GA

Wow! and I thought I was doing great by leaving my card at the table! I am going to take your great idea and start doing the same. I do thank you cards, but not at this level! Thanks for the post!!!

Have a successful day!

Kristy

Jul 25, 2007 05:49 AM