I have been in some great training classes in the past year. I am amazed at the difference of opinion that most of the "experts" have about what works best to market to your database. Some say that direct mailers are a waste of money, while others tout that if you are consistent, you will get name and brand recognition and eventually the business will come. Others are all for the handwritten notes....to past clients, for birthday cards, for communicating with the other agent or any of your affiliates as well. I see many agents cringe at the thought of handwriting anything.
Penmanship is not nearly as important in school. And let's face it, when I write in cursive, my teenage kids need me to decipher it for them to understand. They think that it is some weird secret language. So it is not surprising that thank you notes and other handwritten items have gone by the wayside, especially for younger agents that did not grow up valuing their handwriting skills. Many people only know how to sign their name in cursive, beyond that, it is all printing.
I have received contracts from other agents that are illegible. So much so, that I am required to request that they re-send their offer typed instead. And we cannot blame it on the method that the contract was sent, because there is no fax machine line or other issue that affects the writing.
I get so excited to get something other than bills and junk mail anymore. I remember a personal note or card. Many people feel the same way. On the other hand, I don't even look at the jumbo postcards for political elections or furniture stores or even real estate agents...they go directly into the recycling bin without a cursory glance. So there is no name or brand recoginition from me.
Anyway, I think that I have an advantage with my pretty handwriting, so I am going to focus on sending personal notes and cards to my sphere and to everyone that I work with. How about you?
Keep smiling!
Karen
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