Real Estate Forums

rjones · 06-16-2008, 09:46 AM

Lana -

You have a wonderful idea and I hope you do well! Many of the other posters had some wonderful ideas (I might use some of them for my business too!) and I encourage you to try them. I really like the idea of having a "raffle" during an Agent tour. I knew someone with a very similar business who got a lot of "word-of-mouth" advertising by dropping off the gift basket at her client's office. The other agents who came in to the office that day saw the gift basket and usually asked us "Who's that for? Where can I get one?" etc.

Good luck!

Rebekah

luckyrock · 06-24-2008, 06:04 AM

Lana,

Other folks have posted truly great ideas. Another one might be, if you can afford it, to target several high-profile agents at large realties, and give them their first basket free and special pricing thereafter. Make sure the baskets you give out have a real WOW factor. Other agents are sure to take notice, more than making up for whatever you lose on the giveaways.

Of course, you'll want to drop it off personally and introduce yourself. You wouldn't ask somebody out on a first date over the phone, would you?

bonvivant · 09-20-2008, 06:43 PM

Thank you so much to everyone who responded to this thread. I think there are so many great ideas for my business and for other agents as well.
All the advise is so encouraging, I have been applying it to get business from local companies.Stopping by someone's office with a little gift always feels great, even if it does not lead to an order.
However, even though I started this topic having specifically real estate agents in mind, I feel hesitant approaching Realtors because real estate market has been slow this past year and the agents might not want to spend extra on closing or holiday gifts.
What are your thoughts on that? Even in this slow economy, do you still do something special for your customers? Does it pay off?

Lana
BonVivantBaskets.com

realtorgal · 09-20-2008, 08:06 PM

Lana, perhaps you can make small...affordable baskets and gift arrangements to establish initial relationships with realtors in this trying time.

youbetcha1018 · 09-26-2008, 09:36 AM

Ask your realtor to give you a net proceeds sheet. This will calculate what you owe, commissions, your closing costs, etc., and get you the bottom dollar you can accept to get out without contributing.

Be honest with your realtor about the urgency to sell.

mrbrian · 09-26-2008, 12:28 PM

Many REALTORS give gift baskets as a closing gift. I have given a Silver Coin as a closing gift in the past since the name of my company is Silver Star. I would also suggest finding out birthdays and other special dates to send cards to past clients. Gift baskets are really nice though and probably cheaper than silver now.