Special offer

Branding Gift Cards

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Realty Executives Brio

I was reading Nima's post about thank you cards and it got me thinking. Jonathan Washburn and I were talking one day about effective ways to thank a customer and market to them at the same time. We started kicking around the idea of gift cards. Now someone let me know if someone is doing this, because we came to the conclusion it is a great idea and we would love to try it. 

Why wouldn't a company like Home Depot or Bed Bath and Beyond open up a promotion where those of us in the business of houses can co market with them. They are in the business of selling things to people who own houses and we are in the business of helping people own those houses. It would seem like a natural fit for big corporations like this to allow us to co-brand ourselves with them.

Giving a client a thank you card with a $100 (or maybe more for the big shots) gift certificate to Home Depot would be a decent enough idea. What if you could give them the card, for the same $100, but the card had your design or logo on it. So instead of  something with them on it, why not something with us on it. I know that I would be much more inclined to give a gift like that if the client could see Brio as they spent that $100.

It gets Home Depot exposure because the client usually ends up there spending more than $100 and it gets the agent exposure because the client gets to remember who helped them be able to spend all of their disposable income at Home Depot.

I just wish Eagle Hardware hadn't sold to Lowes or I would have them doing this for us today.  

Just a thought, and like I said, if you've seen this, please let me know.

Bob

 

Comments (9)

Ben Kakimoto
Keller Williams Greater Seattle - Seattle, WA
Seattle Condo Specialist

Lowes probably would be the likely candidate for the big boxes since they're already affiliated with NAR.

At least one local company is co-branding with Realtors, but it's a coffee company...Tully's.

I also started using the Passport cards which are co-branded. Card holders receive a second entree free with unlimited usage.

 

Aug 08, 2006 05:36 PM
Shannon Moore
Green Lion Realty - North Port, FL
Realtor, Sarasota & Charlotte
I know Wal-Mart already does this. We give out the Wal-Mart Gift cards that look like our business card. Clients seem to really think they're pretty cool!
Aug 08, 2006 11:23 PM
Ken & Mary Deshaies
SnowHome Properties - Breckenridge, CO
Bob, check out Lowes.  It's already doing this, but the offer is a 10% discount on their next purchase, and it costs you nothing.
Aug 09, 2006 03:01 AM
Ken Bell
Realty Executives Brio - Bellevue, WA
Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your feedback on this. ActiveRain is quickly becoming my go to place to bounce around ideas. It's nice that these brainiacs have given us an avenue to draw on each other's experiences. 
Aug 09, 2006 04:08 AM
Teri Isner
Keller Williams Realty at the Lakes - Orlando, FL
GRI, CRS, CIPS

Sams clubs also offer these gift cards. We personalize them with the envelope sticker.

Aug 09, 2006 10:04 AM
Justin Nickelsen
NICKELSEN HOME INSPECTIONS - Vancouver WA Home Inspector - Vancouver, WA
CMI - (p 360.907.9648), Vancouver/Portland/WA/OR Home Inspector

Where can I find out about the Wal-Mart Gift Cards that you can personalize?  I would be really interested in doing that!

Justin Nickelsen, www.nickelsenhomeinspections, Vancouver Washington

Aug 13, 2006 07:40 PM
Cynthia Mader
Long and Foster Real Estate inc. - Brunswick, MD
What a great concept.  I know Lowes offers discounts and benefits through for Realtor members, but I didn't know walmart would let you personalize.  I will have to follow up on this.
Apr 04, 2007 02:17 PM
Joseph Lopez
Brio Realty - Lynnwood, WA

Bob,

I'm just getting my feet wet with the whole commenting on blogs thing. Have a great day. I'll need to check into this type of branding for myself once I get the hang of things.

Joe 

Apr 05, 2007 06:26 AM