REMAX Mainstreet just posted a blog about keeping in contact with past customers/clients. One REMAX agent, Jaqui Robbins offered this tip:
The day after Christmas she hits all the department and discount stores and purchases all the holiday dormats she can located. She said she spends about $100 and generally picks up about 150 doormats and adds them to her existing inventory.
The following year on the weekend following Thanksgiving she staples a Holiday/Christmas card to each doormat and drives to ALL of her local client/customers, leaving a doormat with the attached card on the front porch.
She said her phone rings off the hook with people saying "Thank You" and invariably will get a referral from a past client that has family visiting from out of town for the holidays.
The agent went on to say that her past clients/customers have become so accustomed to receiving the doormats that if she is late in delivering she always gets calls asking if she has stopped delivering the doormats.
Now that is thinking outside the box!
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Posted By: George Tallabas - Boise Idaho Real Estate Agent - Associate Broker
with RE/MAX Advantage, Canyon Counties #1 Brokerage in sales and listings
specializing in Boise Idaho Real Estate and Southwest Idaho Real Estate.
Good idea! During the holidays I have always bought a fresh wreath for my current seller's door or clients that bought from me that year. Apparently I wasn't looking far enough into the future or should I say, "past clients". Thanks for the tip.
Brilliant Idea! Sooo much better than the usual Realtor calendar every December.
Here's one I do: Every early-mid october, I pick up a load of pumpkins and attach a card to the stem and drop one off on the doorstep of every past/current client/customer.
Great idea and very inexpensive way to brand yourself.
Cool idea!
Cheron Lange
Chris - Way to go
Sheree - Thanks for sharing!
Bryan - So true my friend
Michael - Amen my friend...it rocks!
Thank you for posting this George. It is another great idea - from a man who is full of great ideas.
Michelle - LOL thank you and I hope you are doing well.
George, I love that idea! I, like Sheree, buy pumpkins and deliver each one. I like this idea much better than the pumpkins. Last year, they were close to $5 each and they weigh SO much. The door mat idea would be much easier and still leave a great impression. Thanks for sharing this idea!
Elizabeth - You are very welcome and have a great day!
Now that is a reall great idea. We hand deliver cards every year witha calendar, but I love the idea that they can't miss the doormat if we don't actually get to see them.
Now that is a great idea -- I just would be worried that someone didn't celebrate x-mas though -- I guess I can stick to season's greetings or winter type doormats -- I LOVE this idea -- the dollar stores may be another resource.
Great way to stand out. Where does she live that she gets doormats under $1! That's a great deal
Marketing real estate - You are welcome and I hope it works out great for you.
Joan - Yes, I just used that door matt example but I am with you that a general "Seasons Greatings" would be more appropriate and cover all bases. Good luck my friend.
A little different but if it works it works. it's these little things that keeps them coming back.
Matt - Jaqui lives in Oregon but I would suggest dollar and discount stores.
Robert - Very true
George, that is an excellent idea!!! Thanks for sharing.
Erika - You are welcome...go for it!
Excellent tip! Thanks for sharing!
Word of caution however - Those that wish us to think outside the box, are usually the folks that created the darned box in the first place!
Myrl Jeffcoat
GreatWest GMAC
http://www.myrljeffcoat.com
Myrl - No one is forced to think outside the box...it is a choice. The ones that are thinking outside the box are the ones that are thriving in this challenging market.
Interesting idea! I noticed that we have Christmas decorations in the stores here already so you could get an early start. Strange since Houston is a place where it will probably be in the 80's on Christmas Day...Go figure. I always try to think out of the box, and have since I started this. I guess that's why I'm working on a 20 story commercial high-rise building right now...it's been crazy!!
Cindy - I am so glad you are doing so well...You rock! You would not believe the year I have had and I will email you directly to tell you the miracle that happened today. Take good care and God bless my friend!
George said: "Myrl - No one is forced to think outside the box...it is a choice. The ones that are thinking outside the box are the ones that are thriving in this challenging market."
George - You are absolutely correct! I was reminded of a particular boss I had in the computer industry a decade ago, who would micromanage his employees to the point they couldn't get outside the box! Many creative ideas were contained!
Then one day, corporate sent out someone from the head office, and a brainstorming meeting insued. Everyone was coaxed into thinking outside the box! It was difficult at first because everyone had been contained within the box so long!
That's what I was referencing in my comment! I meant it as humor - not criticism!
Myrl Jeffcoat
http://www.myrljeffcoat.com
Myrl - I did not take it as criticism at all...simply a comment. Have a great evening and thanks for stopping by.
Hi George...It is great to see how people share their marketing ideas. Even if someone doesn't do the same thing it may give them an idea that will work for them.
Kathleen
What a clever idea! Thanks for being so willing to share your good ideas with others.
Kathleen - Very true..have a great day.
Pam - You are welcome my friend.
George that is a very creative idea, thanks for sharing. I've been out of town and have missed a lot of your recent blogs! Hope you're doing well!
WOW! I love the idea. Sometiems you stop and think...why didn't I think of that? Thanks for the post George!
Patricia - Welcome back my friend
Casey - You are welcome
What a wonderful idea. It is alway good to be a little creative when it comes to marketing...
Christina - Very true, I just love it when people think outside the box and are creative.
This is an excellent tip! Definitely worth giving it a try. Thanks George.
Amber - You are very welcome. I love "Thinking outside the box"
REALTOR's(r) are the most creative people! Thanks for the post, I hadn't even begun to think about what to do for NEXT year!
Evelyn - Yup, we have to be creative and keep thinking outside the box. Good luck to you.