How Often Do You Need to "Remind" Your Sphere of Influence that You Sell Real Estate?

Wow crazy.. seems like lost business.. I always try to do something at least once a year if not quarterly.

Thanks for the great post!

Past clients and referrals are gold mines and should be treated accordingly. For me with my gold mine, in a year are 9 newsletters, 1 anniversary card{handwritten note) and 2 phone calls.

Ty

You're so right!  Everyone seems to be preaching what you've been saying forever........work your sphere of influence and you won't need to knock on doors, call expireds or cold call. 

Once a month plus holidays and special occasions.

Arrgh. I should be reminded daily. It seems so simple and yet it gets put off frequently. I am so guilty. But I am trying to improve, thanks to the frequent nudges from AR posts like this one.

Jennifer, thanks for the reminder.  At remax we're drilled to maintain contact once a month or so, devising a system and just following it is so important.  With a system in place it's hard to forget these things, whether email or mail campaigns, once the system is in place it's hard to fall off the wagon.  Also, one less thing to think about when you know you're gonna do it consistently.  Cheers for now and good luck with business.  Jark.

Well 85 comments was a lot to get through, but I just have to add my thoughts.  I am a 33 Touch groupee and from the comments I'm not the norm.  I have a strategic methodology to my program that uses email, gifts, events, popbys (of the Buffini school), and calls.  Social Media helps too.  It probably isn't really 33, but it is way more than 4 or 5 times a year.  This Saturday we are hosting a hayride and bonfire at one of the municipal parks here in Indy.  We have over 60 clients coming; we actually send out a Save the Date postcard in January with all the dates of our events for the coming year.

Honestly I'd rather work with a referral from someone I know than a website and giving good service is job one, but having them remember you (your original post) is also important. 

I spend my time on referrals and I also spend time with internet lead conversion, I think you need both.

Cindy in Indy

I have been told that once a month is the thing to do.  I try to send some kind of update in post card form to my SOI that often.

I think by doing that people know in a "soft sell" way that I am still actively in business.

The people also like getting my market updates, I hope.

Once a month seems a bit much, but once a quarter seemed to few, so right now I've opted for a newletter about every 6 weeks.  I'm also trying hard to call or visit once a year, and I follow that call/visit up with a market update on their neighborhood.

Great post, and I enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts!

I too follow the Buffini method. Monthly mailers to my database and calls are based on the quality of the relationship. The better the relationship, the more often I call to "check in" with them.

Also try to Pop By every quarter with a little something. Talk a little real estate, but try to keep the focus on them. People like to talk about themselves and people appreciate you taking the time to think about them.

Hi Jennifer,

A lot of comments!

 So, not too little, not too much

A quarterly postcard, just to keep in touch!

Phil

I never thought that a quick email monthly would be too much contact with a past client. I guess I should pare that down to quarterly contact?

I do birthday cards for the clients and their minor children so that in of itself is maybe 3-5 "touches" (Keller Williams talk), I also do holiday cards. For Christmas I do custom handmade cards. I also do "thinking of you" notes. I don't ever mention real estate in these "touches."

I am working on getting some more face-to-face time by having coffee dates.

Over 90% of my business has been referral.

I sincerely hope once a month is not to often because I just started sending out newsletters...so far I have gotten good feedback...

~ always ~ I talk Real Estate to anyone; I wear name tags, hand out business cards everywhere I go, I keep in contact with my past clients every year with a nice calendar ... maybe a postcard or two through out the year ... I even send Business cards every month with my local monthly bills! they don't have a chance!

Jennifer,

Obviously a hot topic! I think it's important to send something of value rather than constantly soliciting business. The solicitation is where the annoyance comes in, but gifts, surprises, and relevant information are always appreciated.

I'm really bad about keeping in touch. I need to change my behavior.

EVen my own family (out of state) asks me if I am still selling real estate- sad!