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It Is Better To Give... How you present yourself to a new prospective client will be the most influential factor in their decision whether or not to choose you as their Realtor. While it is true that first impressions are extremely important, lasting impressions are the ones that influence a client to choose you for future transactions. There are many factors that go into making a lasting impression; you will want to be sure to offer the best service to all of your clientele throughout your business relationship. However, the sale and/or purchase of a home is also a very personal experience for your clients and your thanks for their business should also be on a more personal level than a simple handshake and the exchange of signatures and keys. At the close of each transaction, it is common practice to thank your client with a ‘closing gift’. The key to a great closing gift is not how much money you spend; it is how much thought you put into it. Your client will be touched (and more likely to contact you in the future and send you referrals) if your gift is on a personal level. Here are some ways you can be sure you choose to do something for your client that will have greater meaning:
We have included a list of other specific gift ideas that have worked for fellow Realtors: A different kind of gift ‘basket’ – Your clients probably don’t want leftover pizza and fast food for every meal for the first couple of days after they move, but it is doubtful they will have time to shop. So go to the grocery store on the day of the move, grab a basket, and get some essentials for them. Some examples: snack foods (crackers, pretzels, etc), bottled water, toilet paper, paper towels, bread, fruit (grapes and apples are easy), etc. You can also include a small cooler with ice so that you can include lunch meat, mayo, maybe some sodas, etc. (Remember, their refrigerator may not be up and running right away, so stick with non-perishables or get the cooler). Remember, you can always shop for groceries online to save you time as well! Just remember to deliver the items yourself if you are able; it will mean much more that you looked like you went on a grocery trip for them. Movers Survival Kit – “Everything your clients need for the first 24 to 48 hours in their new homes!” thewinebag.com – picnic baskets, picnic backpacks, clink free totes for those breakable items; just add the picnic! Wine Country Gift Baskets – Gourmet food baskets, wine baskets, spa gift baskets, candle gift baskets, and much more. Gift Certificates – these are appropriate for just about any situation. There are almost an unlimited amount of possibilities with gift certificates. Also, many grocery stores now have a gift certificate section (usually by the checkout lanes) where you can find gift certificates to many restaurants, retail stores, etc all in one place to save you time. We have included a short list gift certificate ideas:
Gift Certificates.com (where you can purchase gift certificates
from thousands of companies) Thanks to Ken Smith of Arlington Heights Real Estate who inspired this tip with a couple ideas of his own: Return labels with picture of client in front of their new house. "It is really interesting how much people like these. Only give them 2 sheets and tell them to call you if they run out (big tip). This way you get them to call you shortly after moving in and you have an extra time to ask for an referral. Plus they feel like you are giving them something so they try to think of a name for you, it's great." Moving Day - Stop by and give a gift ($50) card to local restaurant 'Most people are completely worn out by the end of moving day and the last thing they want is to cook (as if they know where the dishes are). Stop by during the move and see if everything is ok. They will have something that has gone wrong to tell you about and that's when you say wait a minute. Go to your car and get them the gift card. Let them know you hope this makes the day a little better (however the wording works for you). Don't stay more than 10 minutes or you are an interruption and have defeated the point of being there. Most of the time people have friends and/or family there on moving day and they will see this and say 'my Realtor never did that'." |
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Read the following from real estate professionals who are using Advanced Access' Marketing Tips to their advantage: Tracy from Sam Lewin's Office says:
Advanced Access
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