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How I generate some decent referrals in today's market without trying! Part II

By
Real Estate Agent with Juba Team Realty

Part II

How I generated some decent referrals in today's market without trying!

 

Today, while ordering lunch for delivery to my office, I had the great fortune of getting one of my usual delivery guys who had another lead for me. In conversation he had mentioned to me that he delivers a lot to Realtor homes and, at first I thought I was getting hammered for a larger tip.

This guy tells me that I am the first to ever ask for referrals out of any of them. When speaking about the subject further I asked him if they asked would he give them the referrals and he said he doubts it because none of them tip worth a damn!

I couldn't help to think that for just a mear $5.00-$10.00 tip we as Realtors would pass up on this great opportunity to have someone in the field everyday hunting down referrals for us.

Look at it this way, we all can't be in all place's at all times. These people are everyday. If we mailed to 100 people at regular rates .42 x 100 = $42.00 we might get one solid lead, might! Then we have to secure that lead and listing or sale. We have to eat everyday anyway, if we all took that hour to hour and a half off each day to pick up the food and eat it how much is that time worth? It has to be more than $10.00 or your in the wrong business! So, if you order out 3 times a week times your tip of 5-10 dollars or 15-30 dollars and all who deliver know you are a generous Realtor who tips well, than you are still stimulating the economy for less money than it would cost you to do a mailing that is most likely going to end up in the circular file anyway. Does any of this make sense to you?

For less time effort and money you can be getting the same amount of listing or selling leads or more, and you don't have to spend all the time doing it and one of the best parts about it is that you are not using your gas to do it.

The Pizza guy tells me that most people couldn't drive their car to the pizzeria and back for the cost of what they tip the delivery guy now that is sad.

Oh! the lead that this guy gave me not only does a Realtor live in the same neighborhood, but this guy also delivers to that Realtors home.

Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor

Gary,

This is great advice. a little tip can go a long way if we can just remember to do it!

Feb 25, 2009 09:39 AM
Walter Grewe III
Long and Foster Realtors - Roanoke, VA
Realtor, SFR, A-REO, Roanoke Homes and Real Estate

Gary,

Its great to see how treating someone as a human being and not a servant can pay off. Most of the other Realtors probably don't even recognize him as a person, but as a food delivery mechanism. It is amazing how a persons level of openmindedness and humility creates positive dividends in their life.

Feb 25, 2009 12:02 PM
Gary J. Rocks
Juba Team Realty - Jefferson Township, NJ

Mike

Easy not to forget, someone does you a favor like making a delivery to your home tip them like you would at a restaurant.

Feb 26, 2009 03:36 AM
Gary J. Rocks
Juba Team Realty - Jefferson Township, NJ

Walter

Thank you for commenting and putting things in proper prospective.

Feb 26, 2009 03:40 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

I use to own a pizza restaurant with delivery.  Those guys made at least $100 a night, and yes, they served the same customers over and over again.  I totally agree with your statement.  Treat the delivery guy right, tip him well and you will have him working for you!

Mar 01, 2009 10:51 PM
Gary J. Rocks
Juba Team Realty - Jefferson Township, NJ

Evelyn

Thanks for sharing that with us! I had no idea they made as much, but I tell you they are worth every penny of it.

Mar 03, 2009 07:05 AM
Kathy Sperl-Bell
Active Adults Realty - Lewes, DE

Gary,

Having grown up in your neck of the woods where delivery is a way of life, that is a great idea. Even here in the "other Sussex County" in Delaware, I also tip when I pick up my lunch in town. Patronizing your local restaurants and shops in general is a good way to let people know you are working every day. I also try to talk about how things are happening, the phones are ringing and our market is already on the rebound. Some Realtors forget that people are always listening and if you are bemoaning how bad business is, why would they want to do business with you?

Mar 03, 2009 10:46 PM
Gary J. Rocks
Juba Team Realty - Jefferson Township, NJ

Kathy

That is a good point to make. Maybe we should make sure if they are delivering to our office that the Mary negatives aren't working that day.

Mar 10, 2009 07:41 AM