5 Reasons Get Face-to-Face with Your Clients

By
Education & Training with Referral Maker Real Estate CRM

Although technology makes it easier for us to get in touch with our clients, it’s also made the process much less personal. Sure, there are times when an email or text trumps a letter in terms of efficiency; however, if you want to build relationships, personal contact is essential. That means getting face-to-face and voice-to-voice with your clients and adding that personal touch. Here are five reasons to get personal with your clients.

1. You’ll build a deeper connection. We’ve become so used to communicating via technology that we often reserve the more ‘old school’ methods for people we have a personal connection with, like family and friends. When you start out on that note, you’re able to set the foundation for a long-lasting and strong relationship.

2. You’ll build trust. Personal contact builds trust; however, it’s contingent upon consistency. By consistently sending your monthly marketing items in the mail, consistently following your mailing with a phone call and consistently following that with a personal note, your clients will begin to rely on you to provide value and great service. You’ll become their trusted advisor for all things real estate.

3. You’ll stand out from the competition. While many agents are thirsty for the next marketing and social media gimmick, your tried and true approach is a breath of fresh air. After all, people today see through obvious sales pitches and are skeptical of all things that scream “sales!” However, by focusing on service and building relationships, you’ll build strong relationships with clients that you love to work with.

4. You’ll be able to serve your clients better. People are more likely to let their guards down when communicating voice-to-voice and face-to-face. With email and texting, you’re able to plan what you’re going to say; personal communication is more off-the-cuff. This gives you the opportunity to listen for potential needs that you can meet and serve your clients even better.

5. Who doesn’t love a personal note? Many of us don’t get very much personal mail these days. Instead our boxes are full of junk mail and bills. However, when we receive a personal note in the mail, we’re instantly happier. We think, “someone took the time to write a note to me?” and we instantly feel special. That’s how your clients feel when they open a personal note from you. Don’t stress out if your handwriting is horrible; it’s the sentiment that counts. Not sure what to say? Referral Maker™ real estate CRM can get you started with a few writing prompts, as well as proven dialogues for phone calls.

Show your clients that you care by giving them the personal communication that they deserve. Get more time-tested tips for serving your clients at Brian Buffini’s Success Tour when it makes its way around the United States and Canada this year. Get the scoop on real estate with industry leader Brian Buffini, learn the tools to help you serve your clients better with America’s best listing agent Joe Niego and enjoy a healthy dose of inspiration from a variety of special guests. Visit BrianBuffini.com to reserve your spot in the live audience or for the pay-per-view broadcast today!

 

Comments (21)

Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Laura,  The better I am at getting in front of clients the better I do at getting a job done.

Jan 27, 2015 12:27 AM
Kathy Streib
Room Service Home Staging - Delray Beach, FL
Home Stager - Palm Beach County,FL -561-914-6224

Laura- well said!  Social media makes it easy for us to reach out to consumers, but we have to remember how important that face to face, or phone call or letter can be. 

Jan 27, 2015 02:30 AM
Kathy Streib
Room Service Home Staging - Delray Beach, FL
Home Stager - Palm Beach County,FL -561-914-6224

What I learned

Jan 31, 2015 08:52 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Kathy, the personal handwritten note has great impact and is rapidly disappearing. Enjoy your day!

Jan 31, 2015 08:51 PM
Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

I always believe that until you meet the client and go out with them they are not a real client no matter how many times you email them.

Jan 31, 2015 08:56 PM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Realty Center - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

I enjoyed your post and I was glad Kathy put it on her weekly summary page this week!

Jan 31, 2015 11:02 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Great reminders, Laura. I'm glad Kathy's post sent me over for a read.

Feb 01, 2015 02:27 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Laura - I love to do face to face and phone is second choice.  You can get the best two way communication with those media.

Feb 01, 2015 04:19 AM
Cindy Edwards
RE/MAX Checkmate - Johnson City, TN
CRS, GRI, PMN - Northeast Tennessee - 423-677-6677

I work very hard at personal relationships with my clients.  Hand written notes are right up there at the top of the list.

Feb 01, 2015 04:56 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster REALTORS®, Gainesville, VA - Bristow, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Wise words.  I  was expressing the idea of mailing a handwritten note to prospects you've just met with a new agent the other day.  Personal contact like that really helps solidify the relationship.

Feb 01, 2015 06:36 AM
Roy Kelley
Realty Group Referrals - Gaithersburg, MD

This is excellent advice. I will schedule your post for a March re-blog.

Feb 01, 2015 08:40 PM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Hi there Laura, Kathy Streib was right to feature you this week - there is nothing like face to face contact in this world of twits and tweets and texts - there is so much to read and learn when we see our clients up close!

Feb 01, 2015 10:27 PM
Laura Foreman
Referral Maker Real Estate CRM - Carlsbad, CA
Copywriter, Buffini & Company

Thanks for the comments everyone!

Feb 01, 2015 11:27 PM
Beth and Richard Witt
Long Island Cash Home Buyer - Center Moriches, NY
Long Island Cash Home Buyer 516-330-6940

Such important tips... thanks to Kathy I got to come over and enjoy  your post.. 

Feb 02, 2015 01:23 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Laura Foreman oh the power of those personal notes  - leaned from my coach and dear Mr. Brian Buffini....

Feb 02, 2015 09:54 AM
Laura Foreman
Referral Maker Real Estate CRM - Carlsbad, CA
Copywriter, Buffini & Company

Haha! :-)

Feb 03, 2015 12:20 AM
Claude Labbe
Real Living | At Home - Washington, DC
Realty for Your Busy Life

face to face...priceless.

not all the time (sometimes a call or a note is fine).

but face to face is needed.

Feb 03, 2015 12:22 PM
Donald Hester
NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA
NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Laura, Very good blog. Taking that little extra time to make it a bit more personal is very important.

Mar 16, 2015 12:06 AM
Catherine Marcy
HomeSmart Professionals - Palm Springs, CA
CA Desert Home Specialist

Laura Foreman, I like to send personal notes, and I like to receive them.  I think it is important to mix things up and using a little tried and true old school marketing that works is a good thing.

Mar 16, 2015 07:17 AM
David Shamansky
US Mortgages - David Shamansky - Highlands Ranch, CO
Creative, Aggressive & 560 FICO - OK, Colorado Mtg

Hi Laura, caught thiss from Roy Kelleys reblog. Love the topic and agree with you whole heartedly but honestly if I met with all clients I would drop appx 20+ closings / mo so for me technology allows me to help many more that otherwise I could not

Mar 16, 2015 01:14 PM

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