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A Customer Technique To Make Them Smile

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

Snail MailA tip for everyone whether in Real Estate or any kind of business to set yourself apart in the world of customer followup. It is

A Customer Technique To Make Them Smile.

It is called boring old "snail mail."

In today's electronic age with emails whizzing back and forth, set yourself apart with an "occasional" thank you card, followup handwritten note, just thinking of you card. Hand write it. Insert a news clipping. If you are great with photos put that in there.

I prefer the great cards at the card store or a WalMart and have mastered picking out cards when I find the time. I purchase them ahead of time and store them for future use. I prefer their greater variety, wider texture and being able to insert things in them.

For those not as organized as that, there are companies like SendOutCards you can use that you can order them off the web and they'll even apply the postage, mail them out, and "look" like hand written cards.

The reason I know this technique works to build relationships and spread smiles is I LOVE getting something other than junk mail in the mail and others tell me they do too.

So don't think that mail truck going through your neighborhood is a dinosaur just yet. It may be showing others you come in contact with that YOU are the one work with, and just maybe you care A LOT more than the average person.

Comments(54)

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Mike Henderson
Your complete source for buying HUD homes - Littleton, CO
HUD Home Hub - 303-949-5848

Old school techniques like this still work wonders.  I'm excited to see that other people still do this as well.

Jan 26, 2009 03:54 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Gary,

Great advice. If I see an article in the paper or local community paper about a child of a client who got an Eagle Scout Award, or played in a sport or was in a school band etc. I clip out the article and send it to them congratulating them. A personal touch takes a little more time but shows them you care, Thats what our business is all about! Thanks for reminding us!!

Jan 26, 2009 07:32 PM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Gary,

Good advice.  I really need to start doing the same. 

When I buy cards it is a whole different process then when my wife does it.  Card shopping with her can be an all day process.

Jan 26, 2009 08:58 PM
Bo Kociuba
McGraw Realtors - Mustang, OK
Realtor - Mustang, Yukon & OKC Metro 405-812-1572

Gary, I love snail mail! I am definitely old fashioned in this department. Smell of the paper, colors, anticipation to open a hand addressed envelope...wow, such a good feeling. Makes me appreciate this person much, much more and I store 'the name' in my memory inventory ... lol... Lots of times when purchasing stamps I ask for the pretty ones...don't know why but the Postmaster looks at me funny! However, I have done it so many times that I guess he registered me in his memory inventory and just smiles and takes the whole book out to show me...lol. 'Pretty papers' ....I can go on, and on...

With smiles,

Bo

Jan 26, 2009 11:09 PM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hi Gary, So true. I try to send out 3-5 handwritten cards a day.  I think cards truly touch a person's heart. Great post!

Jan 27, 2009 02:05 AM
Mott Marvin Kornicki
Waterway Realtors® • Notary Public & Apostille - Sunny Isles, FL
Miami Notary & Apostille 786-229-7999

Gary~

I just received a piece of mail from Danmark with "unusual" postage stamps! It certainly did stand out from the rest of the mail in my box. I also got a piece of "institutional" mail in the ubiquitous window envelope that was a welcome site too.

Personalized, hand written mail is always a pleasant reminder that someone remembers and cares.

Mott Kornicki // Real Estate In Miami // Associate | Broker

Aventura-The Waterways // Bal Harbour // Sunny Isles Beach • Florida

Jan 27, 2009 03:31 AM
Barbara Birinyi
Quitman, TX
TX Real Estate Broker - Horse Property Specialist

Thank you Gary.  I'm a newer agent and am devouring the tried and true advice here on Active Rain.  With all the High Tech tools, it will be refreshing to use this "old school" customer service/appreciation method!  Barbara Scoggins (rural Texas Realtor)

Jan 27, 2009 03:38 AM
Pangaea Interior Design Kitchen & Bath Design, Remodeling
Portland Oregon - Portland, OR

I have been taught this so many times and have been thinking of sending out cards to my contacts lately. This is a great 'nudge' to just get myself going and do it.

Jan 27, 2009 03:46 AM
Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing and Online Advertising Consultant
Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision - Lake Geneva, WI

Gary,

I have this in my 2009 business plan.  Personal is important.  I love receiving personal mail.

Jan 27, 2009 04:45 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Gary!  I too use SendOutCards and love it!  My clients love them too!

Debe in Charlotte

Jan 27, 2009 05:56 AM
April Hayden-Munson
Brookfield, WI
Brookfield Wisconsin Real Estate

Hi Gary, I love sending hand written cards out.  People really appreciate them.  I won't subscribe to the automatic ones that put your signature on them, I personally don't care for them.  It's just not the same as taking the time to hand write and send out a few sentences.

Jan 27, 2009 07:50 AM
Lee & Pamela St. Peter
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty: (919) 645-2522 - Raleigh, NC
Making Connections to Success in Real Estate

Gary, as I recoup from my knee surgery I'm just getting back to the rain.  Of course I had to come and read through your pearls...  I've missed them.  But this one really hit a cord.  I can tell you that the get well cards I received meant so much to me.  We have them out and it's also amazing at how many visitors go and pick them up and read them too!  You are so right in that they really set the sender above the crowds.  Nothing so simple is so appreciated! 

Your Raleigh Realtors

Jan 27, 2009 09:49 AM
Sonya Loose
Modern Realty - Beaverton, MI
Helping Buyers & Sellers of Waterfront Property

What a tried and true way to stay in touch with past clients and even potential prospects.  I know that I love to receive cards in the mail!  Great post!

Jan 27, 2009 11:03 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Everyone appreciates being remembered.  And while we are working with our Clients we learn their personalities and likes and dislikes.  They love it when we get in touch just to say hi.

Jan 27, 2009 12:47 PM
Pamela Romney
Island Real Estate Ltd. - Charlotte Amalie, VI

What a wonderful idea.  My clients love emails and birthday cards I send to just keep in touch.  Hand written notes are definately

one step beyond average.  Thanks..

Jan 28, 2009 12:25 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Thanks for reminding me - I'm filling out a card now and getting it in the mail!

Jan 30, 2009 07:29 AM
Mike Hughes
Hughes Residential - Newton, MA
Services Newton, Brookline, Lexington, Waltham & W

Hi Gary,

I agree 100%, I believe that a personalized (and handwritten) note definitely helps to set me apart from the competition who routinely sends bulk mail.  It's a lost art and I know that people appreciate it.  Thanks for sharing the SendOutCards link ... great tips!

Best regards,
Mike

Jan 31, 2009 03:33 AM
Heather Goodwin
Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission - Shreveport, LA
Results That Move You

Gary, anything that I get in the mail that isn't junk makes my heart beat faster.  I don't mechanically send out XX number of cards a day trying to think of something to say.  I do use Send Out Cards' online system.  It works for me. 

I can send a card with a pre-printed sentiment, than add a personal note to it, send gifts, and yes, send them in bulk if I want to (like Christmas cards).  I find that I send way more cards out this way, because I can send a card right when I think about that client, friend, etc. 

Obviously, there are two camps concerning this based on the comments.  If any of the naysayers want to try it and see if the recipient appreciates it, I've got a link on my profile where they can go send a free card.  Don't want to post the link here and possibly hijack your post.

Feb 01, 2009 12:57 PM
Bill Blair
Coldwell Banker Realty - Covington, GA
Covington Georgia Realtor Covington Living Homes

Great idea Gary.  Snail mail has become the vehicle for bills and junk.  It would be nice to get something different occassionally!  Thanks for the idea!

Feb 02, 2009 12:32 AM
Jennifer Kipila
Van Dyk Group - Barnegat, NJ
The Muldowney Team - Ocean County Homes

Absolutely,  Even though the internet is so helpful and widely used, you still need to send the more personal snail mail every once in a while.

Mar 05, 2009 06:26 AM