What Do You Do?

Great idea about sending edibles to their work, have to put that on our list!

I try to get to know people before giving a gift.  For instance, a couple of folks I know are struggling with finances, so a gas card or local grocery store gift card is what I give.  Some folks like home made items -- I may make a pie or pull out fabric in my sewing room for something personal. Some may have particular likes or dislikes in coffees, teas or chocolates -- I'll put together a basket that reflects that.  Whatever I give, I want it to be well thought out and personal. ~ Evelyn

Giving a gift is always a good idea. I've created some really nice friendships by staying connected after the closing.

Rich

Charlotte NC

David, thanks for the post and the commenters, we haven't been real good at given the unexpected gifts, so it was good for me to read this for some ideas!

I'm a big believer in gift giving. I love receiving so I know it feels just as good to the person receiving my gift as well. Looking for ways to "pop" in on people is sometimes challenging. I listen for tell-tell signs of individual interest and go from there.

 I generally give a gift at closing- something personal  My last closing gift  was 2 housekeepers for 2 hours.  We had a delayed closing & the buyer had no choice but to move into a  home he wasn't able to clean first - He was delighted when I told him at the closing. I had a basket arranged but the housecleaners was the right thing to do.

Week number one after a closing is a phone call to make sure all is OK. 

 I always send return address labels with their new address on week number 2. They hang around are usefull & have my contact info on the back of the sheet.  I print them myself. A thank you card & subtle request for referrals complete the mailing. 

Then I stay in touch for ever with a quarterly newsletter ( snail mail)  and monthly email newsletter  & calendar at Christmas

David,

We do a handful of different ideas.  Usually on the pop by's and make them seasonal.  Just last week we dropped off a big cake that had out new logo on it (we now have a moving van) as a way to introduce the truck to some people that we market to at a certain credit union.

But you got some other great ideas!

David, I use to do the Buffini pop-by but found that it really didn't serve the amount of time and effort that I put in. I hope you have better luck with it. My past clients actually prefer that I send them information on their neighborhoods and chat with them rather than do the gift thing. Different strokes for different folks...

We really try to make sure that the gift fits the client and we usually spend so much time with our clients that it is pretty easy to get them something of value.  On-line gift baskets or hand picked gift baskets with homemade goodies are a hit. 

As a small gift at the beginning of summer, we sent frisbees out to our past clients.  No need to box them up, we simply added labels and stamps and took them to the post office.  I am not sure that the mail carriers thought it was such a great idea. :)

David,  We remember them at their birthday time with a highly personalized birthday card plus other mailings throughout the year

Great Post. I always shoot for the unexpected. After a phone call I try to pick up a tit-bit that I can work with. Recently I took a single guy a cook book after his kitchen laments. He was thrilled.

David, I came up with another little item the other day while at Costco.  You can order custom stamps with whatever picture you want on them.  Possibly a picture of your client's favorite pet, or their recently purchased home?

David, I love all the ideas.  When I give gifts it is something just for that particular client so it's got a "personal" feel but I don't send out mass amounts.  One thing I always leave is a magnet--everyone keeps them :)