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Are Hand Written Notes Old Fashioned?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Jared James Enterprises

So many of you know that I own a real estate coaching company that serves Realtors all over North America. One of the keys to our success has always been my forward thinking but also my willingness to hold onto those practices from the past that I still believe to be effective and in some cases essential.

This brings me to my point. Part of our system at Jared James Enterprises (JJE) is a 4 step process that starts with:

STEP 1

Based on the premise that it takes 41 real estate related conversations to create 1 transaction we have our students create somewhere between (depending on the student) 4-8 real estate related conversations per work day.

STEP 2

You carry a little 3 x 5 notepad with you wherever you go and look for ways to create conversations at the grocery store, bank, library, park, with people you know, past clients, other businesses, etc and after every conversation you make a note of their name and briefly describe in a few words what you spoke about. (There is more detail than this but for the sake of this blog I will keep it short)

STEP 3

At the end of each day you go back to your office/computer and look for that person on facebook or other social media outlet so that you can better keep the connection with them by engaging them and commenting on their status' from now on.

STEP 4

Drumroll...... You write each and every person on your notepad a personal note relating to what you spoke about and how much you enjoyed talking with them.

 

 

I am leaving out a lot of our program but this 4 step process is part of the basics and has created tremendous results. Lately I have been reading from so many of the "experts" how outdated personal notes are and ineffective they can be in today's technological world. Now I just got a report from one of our students that picked up 4 market analysis' over the weekend that he says came directly from this process but I want to hear your thoughts. Are personal notes outdated? Let me hear you!

 

 

Jared James

www.jaredjamestoday.com

facebook.com/jaredjamestoday

Show All Comments Sort:
Robert Rauf
CMG Home Loans - Toms River, NJ

I think everyone opens the hand written note before anything else.. So I believe they are a home run because most people just dont take the time to do it.

Nov 11, 2010 06:47 AM
Jared James
Jared James Enterprises - Milford, CT

Robert, I couldn't agree more. It is the old addage that if you want to experience success do what others are not willing to do. Jerry Rice put it best when he said, "Today I will do what others won't so that tomorrow I can do what others can't".

Nov 11, 2010 06:53 AM
Stephanie Williams, Realtor Murrells Inlet
Seaside Properties - Murrells Inlet, SC

I'm all for it.  I think most people will take the time to see what's in an envelope if it has a handwritten address and I think they would have more reason to hold on to a handwritten note.  Yes, it requires more time and effort, but then it means more because of that.

Nov 11, 2010 06:57 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

I can't remeber my last hand written note. This is something to consider!

Nov 11, 2010 07:00 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

A brilliant "script"...can only lead to success.    Personal and proactive.

Nov 11, 2010 07:06 AM
Mike Jaquish
Realty Arts - Cary, NC
919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

Are hand-written notes "Old-fashioned?"

Heck, yes!  So what?  "Old-Fashioned" is NOT necessarily a bad thing.  It isn't like someone is trying to cure gout with leeches, or something...

Gotta love a nice note, and I don't write enough of them myself.

Nov 11, 2010 07:09 AM
Rebecca Nystrom
RE/MAX Renaissance - Phoenix, AZ

I personally think hand written notes are so much more personal than an email or printed letter.  I still hand address and personally sign each and every Christmas card to my clients.  It's a month long chore, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

Nov 11, 2010 07:37 AM
Karen Baker
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty - Sunset Beach, NC
Professional Help with Rapid Responses...

Great to get back to the basics...snail mail and all!!

Thanks for the "friendly" reminder for that "personal touch"

Nov 11, 2010 07:37 AM
Jared James
Jared James Enterprises - Milford, CT

Stephanie: Agreed

Gary: Do more than consider it... take action! Best of luck to you!

Mike: LOL and way to be honest. We could all write more of them.

Rebecca: Couldn't agree more. I have our coaching clients spend a day or more every year doing nothing but personally contacting, by phone or letter, each and every one of the people in their database. There is no more productive activity you can do.

Frank and Karen: The basics is where it is at. If a pro basketball team with millionaire players have to begin each game in layup lines practicing the fundamentals, then who are we?!?

Nov 11, 2010 07:42 AM
Maggie Dokic | Indialantic
Magdalena Dokic - Indialantic, FL
Selling the beach in Florida's space coast

Jared, I was thrilled to find your Active Rain blog.  You've a new subscriber. 

Love Mike's answer.  Yes, they certainly are, and that's exactly what makes them so wonderful.  The fact that one takes the time to handwrite a note, when others do not, makes them stand out that much more. 

I actually enjoy the time when I sit down to write my notes and think, genuinely, about the recipient and what to write about.  It's a win-win.  Not only do they appreciate the note when they get it, I am enjoying myself when I write it, and fostering a relationship that keeps me top of mind when they need an agent.

Happy New Year!

Dec 30, 2010 01:59 AM
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Hi Jared James 

Handwritten notes give the receiver will be surprised by a handwritten note. I've been practicing my cursive penmanship lately.

Jan 23, 2017 02:34 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Jared James I just saw this post on a reblog.... there is no such term in marketing as "old fashion".... and the personal touch trumps all....

Jan 23, 2017 03:46 AM
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

Hi Jared, I came here via a reblog.  If we ask ourselves if we enjoy receiving a handwritten note, what is our answer?  I can't imagine many saying that they don't like it, right?  Here is what I posted over on the reblog too - I don't think a good old fashion handwritten note every goes out of style.  It may be old fashion, but that doesn't make it obsolete. -Kasey

Jan 23, 2017 08:08 PM
Peter Mohylsky,
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Great ideas for everyone to implement in their business.  

Feb 03, 2017 12:38 AM