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Successful Marketing Tip - "Happy Birthday to your floors" (via Sendout Cards)

By Debbie Gartner

Home Builder with The Flooring Girl

September 17, 2011 09:41 AM

One of our key strategies for the past 2 years has been to improve repeat and referral business. There are many tactics that we are employing to achieve that end (including good customer service, good workmanship, small thank you gifts, etc).

But, one of the more creative and unique ways we've found to stay top of mind..later...is to send our customers a card at their one year anniversary. The card says, "Happy Birthday to your floors." It's a nice way to stay in touch with our customers - one year later - and it's unexpected and cute/funny, so it seems to grab people's attention. The card thanks them for their business and has our contact info, but it is a soft sell, so there is no "please call us when you are ready for your next project" or "please refer us to your friends" However, that is often what they end up doing.

Right now, I have a generic card..but soon I hope to insert pictures of their actual floors so that it is more customized for them.

My assistant, Lisa, takes care of this on a monthly basis. We have all our customers listed by month. So, at 3 months, they get a call to see if they have any q's about their floors; at month 6 they get an email (via constant contact) telling them about our "refer a friend program" and at 12 months they get the "Happy Birthday to your floor." I think it takes her 15 minutes or so each month.

I suppose for real estate agents or mortgage brokers, you could do a "Happy Anniversary in your new home" and include a picture of their new home...or even better, a picture of them in front of their new home with a just bought sign or something.

If you are interested, here is the website for SendOutCards.com. I do not sell send out cards, but one of my friends who just joined Active Rain does. His name is Kyle McMurry. He is a really good guy and super creative. (Oh, and he has nice floors..because The Flooring Girl installed them 3 yrs ago.).

Send out cards - Kyle McMurry - Tarrytown NY

The cards are only costing me about $1 a piece (including postage) and I can automate them and schedule when they will be delivered. The cost is miniscule vs. the return I have and it has definitely helped increase more repeat and referral business

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Tammy Emineth

Personal SEO - Website SEO and Real Estate Marketing - Frenchtown, MT

Content Marketer, SEO Teacher, Website Fixer

That is a great way to stay connected!! What a cute idea and it certianly makes people remember you in a new and different way. I love it! All the best of luck to you and your business with that!! :) Have a great weekend, Debbie.

Sep 17, 2011 10:59 AM

Debbie Gartner

The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY

The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Tammy - Thx so much. Glad you like it too, and I hope you have a great weekend.

Luz - That is smart, and hopefully, this will take it up a notch.

Sep 17, 2011 11:53 AM

Chris Smith

Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON

South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

I love sendout cards, and use them as just moved cards for buyers with pictures of their new and old homes...

Sep 17, 2011 02:10 PM

Chris -Yes, there is so much you can do with them. I've used for carpet cleaning coupons and other promotions. And, we often use as a thank you after the first appt.

Sep 17, 2011 02:47 PM

Jamie Dumaine-Russell

RE/MAX Alliance - Branford, CT

Debbie - I have a Sendout cards account and have not yet used it. I love this idea too and have will definitely have to work on making good use of these cards in my marketing.

Sep 17, 2011 03:22 PM

Christine Smith

Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com - Canton, MA

Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA

You have mentioned this before and I have been meaning to check them out. Thanks for the reminder.

Sep 17, 2011 04:12 PM

Karen Baker

Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty - Sunset Beach, NC

Professional Help with Rapid Responses...

Debbie, this is a nice way to stay in touch with your clients and their floors! Great marketing tool! Do you have to do it thru someone or can you just set it up on your own?

Larry Bettag

Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL

Vice-President of National Production

Debbie....we do the same thing....on the one year anniversary, but we're not nearly as creative as you. No "Happy Birthday" to your floors. Nor do we use send out cards. Good info!

Sep 17, 2011 05:11 PM

Ginny Gorman

RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI

Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Debbie, sending them out on the anniversary of the floor installation is very cute & many do it here on homes too...good share.

Sep 17, 2011 11:37 PM

Jay Markanich

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA

Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

I've said this before to you. Keep in front of them. Keep in front of them.

Nice card too!

My floors had their second birthday this summer. I didn't get a card...

Donna - Thank you and good for you. Glad this provides a good way to try out the system.

Christine - You are welcome.

Frank & Karen - Thx. I believe you can just get it on your own. I was just saying I'm not trying to promote their service for my benefit.

Laryy - Yes, it does not need to be via SendoutCards. There are many ways to achieve this idea.

Ginny - Thx. I appreciate that.

Jay 0 Yes, you have. On your floors, send a card to yourself Aren't there people that send Valentine's day gifts to themsleves/ Same idea.

Sep 18, 2011 12:37 AM

Laura Giannotta

Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ

Your Realtor Down the Shore!

Debbie that is a very cute idea! It also gives the client a chance to reflect on a pleasant experience and how much they've enjoyed the purchase.

Sep 19, 2011 01:12 AM

Laura - Thx a bunch. It seems to be working pretty well for us.

Sep 19, 2011 03:13 AM

Elva Branson-Lee

Best Atlanta - Atlanta, GA

Marketing Specialist, Atlanta Short Sale Pr

Cards! So simple, so easy, so... basic! Yet so many of us neglect to send them as we should. I'm guilty. Thanks for the reminder, Debbie.

Sep 23, 2011 07:40 AM

Elva - You are so welcome.

Sep 23, 2011 10:22 AM

Successful Marketing Tip - "Happy Birthday to your floors" (via Sendout Cards)

Comments(16)

Cards! So simple, so easy, so... basic! Yet so many of us neglect to send them as we should. I'm guilty. Thanks for the reminder, Debbie.

Debbie Gartner

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