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Good Old Fashioned Business Advice

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team

Ok everyone.  I know we all do crazy things in order to find new business.  I've been reading about a lot of them over the past couple of days.  I thought I would share mine.  It's a crazy concept, but IT WORKS!  I write handwritten note cards to agents & clients all the time.  If there is a reason to send a card (with business card enclosed of course) I send one.  I probably send about 10-20 out a week.  As a result of this and a once a month newsletter, I have NEVER had to cold call. 

I will get calls months after sending one to an agent and hear, how they loved the card and kept my business card until they needed it.  I've even gone into offices and found the cards on top of the shelves in their cubicles.  In the days of emails, mass mailing, etc the personal service I offer shows through when their first meeting of me is directed specifically towards them. 

When to send note cards:

  • You see their name on a sign outside the office naming them as top producer, etc
  • You see their name in the newspaper for any award
  • They called or emailed you for the first time
  • You met with them for a consultation or walk through for the first time
  • They referred a client or agent to you (EVERY TIME!)
  • Birthdays, anniversarys, etc

Another advantage of the note card is a reason to give them additional business cards.  On average each of my clients receives 3 business cards from me one at a time.  (Upon meeting, note card, client comment card)  This means they always have one to give away when they talk to another agent about my awesome service!

Posted by

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 Author Bio: Melissa Marro, Home Staging Industry leader, Realtor, and entrepreneur offers a unique perspective on New Home Construction, Resale Residential Real Estate, and Home Staging

For more information on buying or selling in the Fleming Island, Orange Park, or Jacksonville, area, visit StageListSellNEFL.com or call Melissa Marro (marro.melissa at gmail.com), Keller Williams First Coast Realty, for more information (904-466-2093).

 

Comments(14)

Beth Bastian
Rosemont Financial Inc - Simi Valley, CA
Simi Valley Real Estate
I do the same thing.  I look for any reason to send a note, and it works for me. 
Mar 10, 2007 03:00 PM
Kathy Nielsen
http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA
Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Melissa - you are so right.  It's a great way to communicate.

FYI - I'm now making home-made cards and placing on the back "Decorated by GIS."  I'll have to take a pic and post it. 

Thanks for sharing the mulitple reasons for sending notes!

Kathy

Mar 10, 2007 11:55 PM
Kimberly Uksik
Independent - Pickering, ON
Home Stager - Durham, Toronto, On.

I love this idea!  Thanks for the tips on when to send

~Kimberly~

Mar 11, 2007 05:33 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals
People do like personal attention and anything that you can do that will hit them with an emotional response may get you brownie points.  Good advice. Kathleen Lordbock   Re$ale Design
Mar 11, 2007 07:20 AM
Teri B. Clark
http://www.teribclark.com - Sanford, NC
The written note is a dying art. When people get one instead of an email, they feel special. What a great way to build rapport and set yourself apart!
Mar 11, 2007 07:27 AM
Tina Parker
EXP Realty Canada Inc. - Halifax, NS
Managing Associate Broker

I really love this idea.  I haven't applied it yet but can certainly appreciate its effectiveness. 

I was once advised to pre-stamp envelopes with the note cards and keep them in my car so that immediately after a visit, I write a note and mail. This will work for someone like me because I procrastinate to the point where it's no longer appropriate to send the note.  Not an effective technique.

Mar 11, 2007 02:02 PM
Tammie Osborne
IMAGE Staging and Redesign - Vernon, NJ
I have a friend who sends handwritten cards out almost every day. It's amazing the types of responses she gets from people who know her and remember her. Great idea!
Mar 12, 2007 02:28 AM
Sandi Gregory
details (Redesign and Staging) - Puyallup, WA
details (Redesign and Staging) in the greater Puyallup area

Hi Melissa,

When writing your notes do you keep it strictly to the congratulations with your biz card enclosed or do you also write a quick sentence at the end of your note about your staging services--something along the lines of, if you ever have a listing in need of staging assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me.   ??? 

Thanks for the idea!

 

Mar 12, 2007 09:16 AM
Maureen Maureen
Orangeburg, NY
Melissa - This really is a great idea.  In the beginning I was sending out hand written notes but I've gotten lazy.  Thanks for the reminder. 
Mar 12, 2007 10:47 AM
Melissa Marro
Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL
Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging

Sandi,

I make sure that this card is about THEM!  I feel that is really important.  They know deep down that this is a marketing technique so there is no reason for the plug.  What you can do is follow up with another card or email a few weeks later (at least 2 weeks) with an email about any current listings they may have, or add them to your email list if you do monthly newsletters.  Chances are once you've made personal contact - even if only by handwritten note - they won't consider your newsletter spam.

To everyone else who posted:

Thanks for the kind words, I cannot tell you how strongly I feel that awesome client service is the cornerstone of my business.  This is one of the best tools I have to set me apart.

Melissa

Mar 12, 2007 11:22 AM
Val Allocco
Staged 2 Sell New York & Long Island - Northport, NY
HSE; ASHSR - Home Stager, for Manhattan, Brooklyn & Long Island

Melissa,

You are absolutely correct about the impression that the written word makes - especially in this day and age when so few of us have, or take the time to acknowledge one another!

Thanks for the reminder of the effectiveness of the hand-written note!

VAL

Mar 12, 2007 12:58 PM
Toronto's 2 Hounds Design: Decorating + Staging
2 Hounds Design + Home Staging - Toronto, ON

Thank you so much for the advice! I was thinking about this, but it wasn't till I read your post that I realized the potential.

Dane Caldwell

2 Hounds Design

Apr 02, 2007 06:34 AM
Edith Wharton
Cottage and Loft Realty - Midlothian, VA
Realtor - Chesterfield VA
Great idea , Tina! I never thought about that. Think I'll use that tip soon.
May 22, 2007 07:02 AM
Toronto's 2 Hounds Design: Decorating + Staging
2 Hounds Design + Home Staging - Toronto, ON
I've got these great cards from a local boutique that I use to write personal notes for agents. You're right, a note written by hand and dropped in the mail is so rare these days, it stands out.
May 25, 2007 08:04 AM