Starting out I bought recipe postcards that had been discontinued, paid the extra to slap my pic on it. 6 packs or 100 cost me less than than 60 dollars. I figure 1 post card/month see how it goes. I sent them out on the same day every month.

I never did get a call from the postcards, so I did not order anymore. On the 7th month, I got 8 calls from people asking where their recipe was. Of the 8 that called I was able to shake out 1 referal that closed.

My wife (also a licensed Realtor)sends out "Home Anniversary" card to all of our past clients on their purchase anniversary. This is a HUGE hit with the wives and our clients really seem to appreciate that we remember. My wife makes the cards herself and the personal touch is really appreciated by our past clients.

Wow! I used to do the recipe cards. My first year I got one listing presentation. Silly me SHOULD have had the hubby there too (HER hubby, not mine!), plus I was miserably inexperienced.

I'm glad REODayton got a response like that - no one's ever called to say, where's my recipe, where's my calendar, where's my newsletter. Perhaps I live in a tightly-wrapped area where people keep to themselves...oh, yes, I DO live in a tightly-wrapped area where people keep to themselves.

I highly recommend not using e-mail as a newsletter.

amen to that//

and recipe cards?

how does that establish any of us a s the local real estate expert? the trusted advisor?
if my finacial planner or cpa started sending me recipe cards..I would kinda be alarmed..
why are they not sending me market updates..
whats going on in the market
best practices stuff?

I dosnt. Its an opportunity to put your name out there again without begging for business. The majority of the people don't want a market update every month? They only want it when they are ready to cashout.

thats cool then if its about branding..

im not into branding..though..
im into lead generation..and stuff like that..
so i guess for branding its cool..
but why not
market reports
foreclosure reports
local events
local good deals..in case they know anyone

i just think it doesnt serve our profession..
or move us forward as respected professionals..

like my
dentist, doctor, cpa, they send me stuff
but not recipe cards...

but hey if it works..then by all means.. carry on..

Thanks for the wonderful tips guys.Toying the idea of email newsletter from some time.

An e-Newsletter is a great way to ensure you're keeping in touch and staying "top of mind" with your sphere of influence! IXACT Contact's real estate CRM system lets you send a professionally written and designed monthly e-Newsletter every month. All the work is done for you! You can check out their website and sign up for a free trial at www.ixactcontact.com

how about a google image search?

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I was on a list of a local realtor and even though I didn't need his services at the time I didn't unsubscribe from his list because he would put interesting info in his emails. So besides just selling, or talking about his listings he would mention cool facts about the city, or local info/news. I thought that was a great way to keep me on his list even though I wasn't in need of a realtor. Now, when I am looking for an agent I will probably give him a call because I am already familiar with him.

Email lists are not always about selling. They are about build a relationship. Once the relationship is established then the sell is 10 times easier.