Hi! I'm a new agent and am putting together an SOI letter and want to make sure I don't throw myself under the bus by focusing on the new-ness of my my career in Real Estate. I plan on attaching a great article I found on real estate recently as well.

Would anyone mind posting their SOI letters to provide some guidance to the newbies?

I have my first open house this weekend and the threads below are so helpful. Thank you, everyone for your great advice.

just let your soi know that you are holding an open house and if they know anybody who wants to buy a house to stop by even if they are not in that price range or area. let them know that you can help them with any property. offer fliers for them to give to friends who are buying or selling(put that in your soi letter. kind of like a pass it on flier. that way they know you are an agent but you are not saying hey i am new, or saying hey use me. you are just saying hey if you know somebody who is buying or selling give me a call. very non invasive and you are not saying--you must use me---. just that, hey i have a house to sell and i can help you with yours too!

Nothing wrong with saying you are new to your SOI or anyone else for that matter.

Try something like:
"I'm new to the industry. I have a lot of energy and I'm fired up and ready to go. I have time available for you. I am one phone call away from hundreds of years of experience from people in my office. I'll get the answers you need."

I can't remember if I wrote this or borrowed it, but there are some good lines to work with in this letter. Tailor it to your situation. Hope it helps.

"I am writing to inform you that I have begun a new career in real estate. I have had a burning desire to go into business for myself for some time. The entrepreneurial embers have been burning inside and it is high time for me to fan the flames. Having thought long and hard about this and after much study and preparation I finally earned my license and have joined XYZ Realty, Inc.

Should you have a need for my services or just want to pick my brain, I would be delighted to assist you in any way possible. I want you to know, however, that I am not writing to beg you to work with me the next time you buy or sell property. I simply want you to be aware of what I am doing now in the event that you do want my help or if you have opportunity to refer some business my way.

I want you to know that I am entering this business with a strong plan. I have a vision for how I will set myself apart from other real estate agents. This "announcement" is just one of the early steps I am taking to "get the word out" about my new business.

Any input or constructive advice you may have for me would be greatly appreciated. I hope to hear from you soon. Oh, and rest assured, while I am passionate about my new career I will not be one of those people who hits you up for business every time I see you. Your friendship means far too much to me to risk losing it by being obnoxious."

I am not sure announcing that you are new to the industry is a good idea. If you were a Seller (or Buyer), would you choose a high-octane agent who has bought/ sold properties many many times before you do?

Please dont get me wrong. I am not trying to rain on your parade. You could mention it to some of your SOI (who loves you) and want you to succeed in your new endevours. But I wouldnt tell everyone about it.

You could gracefully work that into your conversation.

Instead of writing a letter, why dont you just pick up the phone and start building rapport? Find out how your friend is doing? What his/her hot buttons are recently, etc. and to reciprocate, they usually ask you back on what you have been doing.... Then tell them (in your own style) about what you are up to. Just skip the announcement step.

I think a phone call (working this in) sounds more natural... But again, you know your SOI best.

I hear ya Fat Max. Thanks for the info you guys - VERY HELPFUL!!!!