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Personal Touch-Handwritten Notes to SOI

By
Real Estate Agent with Realogics Sotheby's International Realty-Sequim

I am wondering if anyone else out there has had success with writing notes to their sphere? I mean real hand written notes that let them know I am thinking about them. Not the kind that you farm out to others to do or the type like send-out-cards where they copy your handwriting into a font. I mean the good old fashioned notes that have real stamps and real writing.  I think I might be on to something. In this day and age of email and IM and the like, we are losing touch with the tactile things that make us feel special.  I am hoping that by taking the time to send a pretty card with a few heartfelt sentences, when the opportunity arises for a member of my sphere to think about the services of a Realtor, they will automatically think of me.   I just went to Ross, Marshalls and TJ Max and bought up all the cards I could find. For a small investment in time and money, I am hoping it will pay off in the long run. I have a huge sphere of very important community leaders in my world. My husband is a local city councilman. I have culled my list down to 200 people and I have a separate list of about 150 people I have met at open houses. If I write 10-15 notes a day, I can get to them all fairly quickly.  I am going to take my lunch to work, go to a park at lunch hour and write the notes. Or on days where that's not possible, I will do it right before I go to sleep.  We shall see how long I can keep it up. I would love to know if anyone else does this and what the feedback has been. comments?? suggestions??

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Comments (15)

Pat Tasker
Shorewest Realtors - Germantown, WI
Your Milwaukee Metro Area Agent (WI)

Who doesn't like getting a hand written note?  I love getting them, and sending them!  It really is a lost art!

Jan 06, 2009 03:47 PM
Tom Giansante
The Title Company of Jersey - Wildwood, NJ

Sue,  In an era of distribution lists and spam, etc......  It is always nice to send or receive a personal hand written note.  I agree with you 100%.  

Jan 06, 2009 03:52 PM
Anita S. Crum
Rose and Womble Realty Company - Newport News, VA
Hampton Roads Real Estate (757) 692-6438

Sue, There's nothing quite like the personal touch.  Hand written notes are a big part of the Brian Buffini system (www.BuffiniandCompany.com).  My SOI love them.  BTW, the Dollar Store or DollarTree often carry some very nice notecards.  I hope you get a great response. 

Jan 06, 2009 03:53 PM
Sue Eller
Realogics Sotheby's International Realty-Sequim - Sequim, WA

Wow, that was the fastest response I have gotten from a post! Thanks to all of you. I am on to something I think. You try it too!

Jan 06, 2009 04:18 PM
Trey Affolter
Keller Williams Realty - Tacoma, WA
Brings HOME Results!

Hand written notes have been a basic of my business for 10 years....works wonders.

Trey Affolter

www.treysellshouses.com

Jan 06, 2009 05:09 PM
Patti Ann Kasper
EXIT REALTY NEXUS - Blaine, MN
Blaine & North Metro Minneapolis St Paul Real Esta

Hand written is the best!  I don't have a very good SOI, so I send handwritten notes to expired listings and include fliers with my information on them.  But basically, I think a hand written note gets opened quicker, especially if they are not in the standard business size envelope.  If the envelopes are colorful that will help too.

I have to say, I do use Send-Out-Cards and it was a lifesaver for sending out my Christmas cards.  But I mix in with completely hand written cards from time to time as well.

Good luck, I hope you can keep it up!

Jan 06, 2009 07:05 PM
Margaret Oscilia
Creative Concepts-Home Staging and Contracting, Salem Oregon - Salem, OR
Home Stager, Salem Oregon

As a part of my routine, I send a thank you per day - handwritten and to someone that I don't HAVE to thank.  What got me started in handwritten notes was one I received from a realtor.  We get many verbal thank yous, thank yous my email - but the handwritten one brought tears to my eyes!

Jan 06, 2009 11:43 PM
Chuck Fry
Picket Fences Realty, LLC - Fairmont, WV
GRI, Realtor

I send out hand written cards when I can (although my writing is terrible).  I think they make a difference.  I recently starting sending out typewritten letters to expireds and having (yet) gotten any responses. 

Jan 07, 2009 11:33 AM
Lisa Hendricks
Bear Realty - Paddock Lake, WI
Bear Realty

Hand written notes are a wonderful way of saying " I genuinely appreciate you." It is something I have picked up along the way from my mentor and will make it a habit in my career.

Jan 07, 2009 11:51 AM
Erby Crofutt
B4 U Close Home Inspections&Radon Testing (www.b4uclose.com) - Lexington, KY
The Central Kentucky Home Inspector, Lexington KY

Hand written notes are fine if you're handwriting can be read.  But what do you do when you flunked penmanship class in grade schoo, high school AND College!

That's my problem!

Jan 07, 2009 12:01 PM
Rhonda Hay Rawlins
Glastonbury Home Staging - Glastonbury, CT

Sue, I plan to do the same to write notes consistently this year. I have only done it occasionally in the past. I know that everyone appreciates the personal touch. Thanks for the reminder.

Jan 07, 2009 02:33 PM
AMBER NOBLE GARLAND - Top Real Estate Expert, Property Tax Appeal Specialist & Author
Strategic Marketing Expert & Relocation Specialist Serving New Jersey and nationwide! - Marlboro, NJ
- The Agent You Can Trust To Deliver REAL Results!

Sincere hand-written notes are a priceless gesture, and the BEST investment you could ever make in your business.

Jan 10, 2009 04:25 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

I started out my real estate career sending congratulations on your marriage cards, all handwritten.  I ended up with a 2000 mailing list in one year.  I also spent time in the courthouse looking at the application for marriage liscence and got their birthdays.  Now I have at least two occassions to send them a note each year, their birthday and anniversary.

Jan 10, 2009 05:50 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

I love the idea about marriage cards. Thanks for the thought. I might try that too!  I have a huge SOI so it would be to just add to that. Great idea though.

 

Jan 11, 2009 01:11 PM
#14
Lee & Carol Barbour, REALTORS
Murphy and Hayesville, NC; Hiawassee, Blairsville, Blue Ridge GA - Murphy, NC
Mountain Living Team in Murphy NC and North GA

I also have planned to write more personal hand written notes this year. We have a lot of people from Florida that come up to our area and spend a couple days looking at properties and I want to have a card in their mailbox waiting for them when they get back home. We have gotten away from the personal touch and gone so hi-tech, faster is better that I think it's time to get back to the basics.

Feb 17, 2009 10:46 PM