Real Estate Forums

bonvivant · 02-16-2008, 06:24 PM

Hello,
I have a gift basket business, and I’m thinking about marketing it to local real estate agents. I want to make sure I address their needs. I also know how busy they (you all) are. Can you please give me an advice on how to approach you, real estate agents, with my product?

I believe real estate business depends on word-of-mouth and referrals. So, how do you keep your business going? Do you give gifts to your clients? If so, how often? After the closing? On holidays? Do you keep in touch with your clients after they bought a house?

If you do give gifts to your clients, what kind of gifts?
If you decided to give a gift basket, what would you like to see in it? Should the basket be filled with gourmet products or should it include products and coupons from local retailers? What is the price range that you would spend on the basket? Would it depend on the client and the price of the house they purchased/sold?

Your feedback is invaluable to me.

With best regards,
Lana

NealRM · 02-16-2008, 08:41 PM

You might try dropping off samples at the area offices.

bonvivant · 02-16-2008, 10:22 PM

Thank you for your response, Neal.
So, if it was you, would you prefer that someone called you in advance to schedule a meeting, or is it ok to just show up for a few minutes with products in hand?

teamaguilar · 02-17-2008, 05:45 AM

distribute some flyers.

NealRM · 02-17-2008, 08:27 AM

I don't have an office so I'm not really typical. However, we have used baskets to thank our Realtor customers many times. I have never had anyone unhappy with us for showing up with food. I will suggest that you stay away from junk foods. Go with coffee, teas and fruits.

bonvivant · 02-17-2008, 04:50 PM

You are right, no one should be upset if I show up with basket full of goodies. I'll try that. And yes, definitely no junk food. I specialize in gourmet and organic.

I was thinking about fliers, but wonder how effective they might be. I want to do more of a personal approach, find out what specific needs each agent has...

teamaguilar · 02-18-2008, 05:51 AM

flyers or surveys to see what agents wants

KandyC · 02-18-2008, 06:40 PM

Dear Lana.

I would call the Brokers of Real Estate offices and ask if you could attend one of their sales meetings to present their agents with a wonderful closing and thank you gift that would generate lots of referrals from their clients. I have given gift baskets in the past but have chosen to go with more personal items in the last few years.

Some things that I really liked for my baskets were a complete pasta basket (ready to make dinner), bar-b-que baskets, baskets with candles and other things that are very usable and have staying value.

Another option may be to hit up the title companies in the area and ask if they would help you grow your business by displaying a gift basket in their offices to show to realtors as they come in and out of the office with some of your brochures or fliers as well. Word of mouth will work wonders.

With the real estate offices, when you get in front of them for a sales meeting or any other opportunity, have a raffle or some sort of give away for either the basket you display or samples of the items you include. If you have several things to give away, people will share and everyone will get to experience the quality of your offerings.

I hope that helps. The best of luck to you!

Kandy Clayton
Broker/Owner
Clayton & Associates Real Estate

bonvivant · 02-19-2008, 08:59 PM

Kandy,
thank you so much for your wonderful advice! Attending a sales meeting is a great idea. And I would definitely leave some samples behind.
I agree about gift baskets being practical. I should come up with a whole line of baskets that would be useful to new homeowners.

Thank you so much for your response!

Lana
BonVivantBaskets.com

Jared · 02-20-2008, 07:33 AM

I know someone that did the same method with smoked meats and such around the holidays. They sold quite a few and their method was to provide Realtors with a gift they could have drop shipped to their clients affordably.