Many of you know that I am a big fan of phone calls. I make A LOT of phone calls and hand out a lot of business cards Is there marketing 101 overkill? This lady seems to think so I make a lot of calls to current and past clients and my sphere of influence. I do not send out post cards or newsletters. If you believe in those fine, I just have never felt comfortable sending out canned post cards and newsletters.
I had a reaffirmation of my phone calls recently. A sold some land for past clients and have always called them at least every 2-3 months after closing. The husband has cancer that is in remission and the wife is a wonderful woman any are both as real and humble as can me.
Around the first of February of 2007 I called them again just to see how they were both doing. The husband picked up the phone and said "I just told my wife I bet it is George calling". He became very emotional and told me he could not believe I called them so regular and it meant a lot to both of them that I cared enough to call them even though the land I sold for them had closed 3 years prior.
The husband went on to say that even though their daughter-in-law had become a Realtor a year earlier they would continue to send every referral to me. I told them "thank you but I don't expect that and that is not why I call you". He responded by saying "I know you didn't call for referrals George but my wife and I have decided long ago that your caring attitude towards us is the reason you will get all of our referrals".
It wasn't two weeks after that phone call that some buyers called me and told me they were referred to me by this past seller and his wife. These new buyers said I came highly recommended and were told not to work with anyone else.
This is the 5th referral I have received from these past sellers since we closed the sale of their land. I will continue to hand out business cards and make all the calls I usually do.
I truly believe people want to know we care and what better way than to pickup the phone and tell them? Call someone today, It just may make their day.
That is a great idea. I have written down the birthday of the people that I have closed deals with. I go thru them at the beginning of the month and try to call each customer and wish them a Happy Birthday. I do a quarterly letter to all of my customers to give them useful tips.
Touch your customers with a phone call or a letter. You will be amazed at the response you will get.
George
You are so right! I love making phone calls it shows you truly care about them. Post cards are for lead generation to new farm area's, but once you have the contact phone calls work the best.
I am in this business over 20 years and have always made sure I call.
George,
I have tried the phone call in the past and is great when you reach someone. I deal a lot with first time buyers and usually both husband and wife work and I wind up getting an answering machine whatever time I call. Question: do you leave a message on the machine or do you hang up and try another time?
George, what a nice post. I'm not great with phone calls after the transaction but keep in touch in other ways. After hearing your story, I think it has great merit. Thank you for sharing
George, I couldn't agree more. I use to spend money on those postcards and newsletters but when you think about it logically, you need to focus on your past clients. They are the ones that know you and there is nothing better than a past client's referral. Sounds like our business is quite similar.
George,
This is such a great idea. Cyndee and I will definitely take your advice and start calling our list of contacts regularly.
Jack
Susan - Thank you for stopping by
Monika - Very true my friend
Shaun - Good work my friend
Joan - Thanks for your support
Susie - Thanks for cheering me on!
Maureen - Feel free to follow my lead my dear friend
Joe - Yes, a phone call is very powerful
Rey - Thank you and very true
Gary - Keep the calls coming my friend
James - I will leave a message if no one answers and will always call back another time
Teri - You are very welcome and good luck to you
Chris - I do care and "Thanks"
John - They are inexpensive but pay big dividends
Carole - Calls work in any profession and in our personal lives my friend
Gena - I will take calls over postcards any day my friend
Jack - Thank you and give my best to Cyndee
Paula - Thank you so much my friend....have a wonderful day
Desiree - You are very welcome....good luck to you
George,
I do both..I make a lot of follow up calls. I also send out newsletters and greeting cards on the major holidays...but that is about it. I do the newsletters because it has and still is a successful part of my business.Rock on George!
The Real Deal
Ana - Congratulations my friend. I hope all is well
Bradley - Thank you and take care
Great story and follow-up taken to the next level!
David N. Slavin www.SellMyHouseDave.com
David - Thanks and have a great weekend
Rhonda - Thank you so much...I appreciate your kind comments
Todd - You are very welcome
Kaye - Thank you very much
Randy - Thanks my friend, I hope all is well.
I-N-S-P-I-R-A-T-I-O-N-A-L
George, you rock.