Real Estate Postcards

[Las Vegas Homes]

One of the best sources I have found for generating business for real estate listings is through using recipe postcards. The one problem that most of us have when sending out bulk mail like that is not knowing whther or not the consumer will hang on to what we send them. I have personally found that consumers even if they are not looking to buy or sell a home will keep this postcard because of the recipe and always think of you or your company when they use it.

I have even had people on my mailing list contact me when they dont get these recipe cards. There are other ways to insure that consumers will hang on to items you send through the mail but this is one of the ebst I have found. In order to keep your message on a consumers mind for future real estate business, you must always find new marketing ideas and items that they will want to keep.

[HMiller]

Thanks for that post. I Have been considering the recipe cards and had wondered if they were the type if item that the recipients will hold onto. Which company are you using for your cards? I've seen them on sellsmart.com for .25 each on orders over 1000.

[Las Vegas Homes]

Contact CCI cards. They have very good pricing and the recipes are nice as well. Tell Beth that Wayne referred you over. I dont get anything from it but I always like to let people know that I do business with that as long as they take care of me, I will take care of them.

[afm1]

Great idea gang. I hope you are sending a "good recipe" and not something that they will never make...lol :)

I also wanted to add another idea that you may or may not have tried. I send out something for every occassion. I am not sure how may old customers you have ie. hundreds vs thousands, but it may be well worth the postage.

Ie. Here are some things I have sent out....


Birthday Card one for him and then another for her

Spring Cleaning reminder with tips on what to remember

Winter reminder...close bibs, remove screens from windows, use cat litter instead of salt etc. I guess it depends where you live (seasonal states)

Seasons Greetings, remembering to keep it "holiday" as not to offend any religon.

I would also send something out around "tax time". Remind them that the points they paid (if any) and any pre-paid interest they paid is tax deductible. I would not give tax advice, but remind them to bring this up to his/her accountant.

Any reason to stay in an old customers face is well worth the .23 cents to send the post card.

You'll be surprised how many people will forget about you after they close, but the items mentioned above will jog the memory. It works! :D

[Las Vegas Homes]

The tax idea is very good, I am thinking next year I am going to have to send out coupons for like a $50 discount to a tax preparer for all my real estate clients. We all can use all the tax breaks we can get and homes offer some of the best.

[San Diego Real Estate]

Those are great idea's guys! Has anyone ever used www. bizprt.com?

[afm1]

;)
Yes. LVH, it is actually the best tax benefit we get! Everyone know about the interest on the mortgage payments, but they sometimes forget the other fees.

That $50 is a great idea.

SDR, what is your experience with that website?


P.S. If anyone is giving coffee in a gift basket or otherwise, let me know I have an idea for you.

I agree that you have to give something to someone that lasts and doesn't get thrown away or lost in the mix.

[San Diego Real Estate]

afm1,

I have never used them! However, I have gotten a lot of mail from them over the past couple of years! Have you ever used them? ;)

[HHI Golf Guy]

We have an agent in our area that has huge, designer flower pots made that include the last name of the homebuyer. The agent will then add flowers or a plant and leave it at the new home so when the new owners move in they already have a housewarming gift.

[afm1]

:)
Another great idea.

San D, I have not used them but I will look into it.

Golf Guy,

I am not sure if you checked out my other thread regarding closing ideas. Here is the idea....send the flowers or any other gift to the place of work. If the wife works that is all the better. They will get the gift delivered at work. Everyone that passes by the desk will ask "who sent you that?" They reply, "my agent". You will get a lot of free advertising. Perhaps someone passing by is looking or thinking about buying. It could be a great way to jump start a referral. People in general love making a fuss over gifts sent to the work place. Sending it to the home is a great idea too, but no one will be there to "hear" about what a nice gesture it was and what a "great job my agent did" Catch my drift?

Imagine showering someone who works in a huge office building with balloons and flowers etc. Curiousity gets the best of the human race ;) and the referrals start pooring in.

Just my 3 cents.

[Las Vegas Homes]

:)
Another great idea.

San D, I have not used them but I will look into it.

Golf Guy,

I am not sure if you checked out my other thread regarding closing ideas. Here is the idea....send the flowers or any other gift to the place of work. If the wife works that is all the better. They will get the gift delivered at work. Everyone that passes by the desk will ask "who sent you that?" They reply, "my agent". You will get a lot of free advertising. Perhaps someone passing by is looking or thinking about buying. It could be a great way to jump start a referral. People in general love making a fuss over gifts sent to the work place. Sending it to the home is a great idea too, but no one will be there to "hear" about what a nice gesture it was and what a "great job my agent did" Catch my drift?

Imagine showering someone who works in a huge office building with balloons and flowers etc. Curiousity gets the best of the human race ;) and the referrals start pooring in.

Just my 3 cents.

That is a fantastic idea afm1. I am mad I didnt think of that..lol. This is why I believe those who continue to use this forum will benefit from all the ideas and knowledge we all have. This is why this real estate forum will be or should be number 1. There is enough real estate business for all of us and even our competitors are welcome. The better service we all offer the better the real estate industry will be for home buyers and sellers.

[afm1]

Well what can I say lol :)

I am sure you have helped a plethora of people on here in one way or another during your tenure.

I have a ton of ideas. That is just one that doesn't cost anymore money. Timing is everything in marketing. I love "Out of the box" thinking. I once had a dream that I sent a gift like this to someone at Pfizer, Lucent, or Microsoft and got 15 referrals out of it lol.

I agree that we can all share a ton of ideas here. ACTUALLY, we could probably have a whole new section for "ideas". Marketing strategies, marketing tips such as this one, what others have done in the past, what works and what doesn't, free ways to advertise vs expensive etc. We could even have a section for success stories. Allowing others to know about great things that they have done for the real estate community. Success for the week, the month or even the year. Wacky scenarios, toughest deal to get done etc.

I know we share these ideas here but I have a ton more and it seems to be all over the board. I love reading about what others do.

I already gave my post card idea to San Diego, I also recommended my ink stamp idea. Hey if you have the bucks, an engraved door knocker is always a hit.

As you know I am on the mortgage side of things, but I can still help :D

[San Diego Real Estate]

afm1...that is a great idea! Having a plant sent to the homeowner at work is a great plan! Lots of advertising benifits! ;) Thanks for sharing! I think I'm going to use that with the post cards! ;)

[afm1]

That's what I am here for. I can give you some really cool ideas moving forward.

Anything that attracts attention. I once had a mentor that said the following: "Do what ever sales techniques it takes to get the business. Camp out in the parking lot, send balloons, hire a DJ!!!" He was exagerating, but the premise is there.

Send anything that will attract attention. Balloons, flowers, postcards, monkeys !!! What ever it will take to get the word out.

[San Diego Real Estate]

afm1,

That is great! In todays business you have to think outside of the box! The plant and all the other ideas to go along with it are great! Also I had another 100% MH client today! ;)

[Las Vegas Real Estate]

I really like the "flowers to work" idea, afm1 - that's a good one, thanks!

[Paso Dog]

I like the idea of balloons attached to a plant and then the plant can be around the house to remind them of you.

[CoastalJacksonville]

I'm new in the real estate business and getting ready to have my first closing. How has the post cards being sent to the neighborhood(s) success been for anyone?:confused:

[Paso Dog]

No matter what you do be consistant that will be one of your keys. Knocking on doors also works and does not cost a lot just time.

[CoastalJacksonville]

Thanks "PASO DOG" will do and looking forward to the chanllenge. Being consistent is the one key I keep hearing from everyone. :)

[Paso Dog]

It sounds like you are on your way.

[gjtrafl]

On my monthly mailing... (Must happen monthly) I include pictures of my latest listings. This helps my clients know that I am active and service a wide variety of areas and types of homes.

It has also generated phone calls. I received 2 calls from my client list where they were interested in looking at what they saw on the card. Ultimately it did not sell the listing but it did generate another buyer for the future.