Admin
Devon mann, Investing (KWBHG)

Spam prevention
Rainmaker
5,584,078
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

If past clients are happy with your service and the results of the transaction, they will refer business to you...keep in touch with them.... friend them on facebook.... be visible.... 

Oct 27, 2016 03:48 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

If these are your CLOSE people, those you know well you should:

Send your announcement letter (not post card)

Make a phone call to your CLOSE people who respond

Follow with a postcard to the silent, "Did you get my letter?"

When they respond, to your announcement that is when you ask  your close people to introduce you to their family, friends and co-workers.

The process is different if these are not close or never met people.

Oct 27, 2016 05:56 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,282
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Say something from the heart.

Oct 27, 2016 03:46 AM
Ambassador
3,405,895
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I am with Barbara Todaro here.  I feel asking for referrals, if done incorrectly, feels like begging. And as Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA suggests, it can be off-putting and people will start to avoid.

Oct 29, 2016 01:33 AM
Rainmaker
1,529,854
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

What Barbara said.  Be visible but not intrusive.  No one likes the guy who asks for a referral every three days or everytime you see them.  You start avoiding them and putting them on auto delete.

Oct 28, 2016 03:04 AM
Rainmaker
5,246,705
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

I don't. That's not a good way to ask for referrals. 

Oct 28, 2016 02:40 AM
Rainmaker
1,745,502
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

More direct contact is much better. A phone call or face-to-face.

Oct 27, 2016 10:19 PM
Rainmaker
4,321,670
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Devon mann - just be a postcard, asking for a referral is not that effective as much as you ask while providing some value to your sphere.

Oct 27, 2016 02:42 PM
Ambassador
3,762,439
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

I think you need to get a little more personal that a card if these are your close center of influence.

Oct 27, 2016 02:22 PM
Ambassador
5,137,418
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I think a handwritten note to a close database would be better than a postcard. It's more personal. And you could include something of value - a couple, gift certificate, interesting article, etc.

Oct 27, 2016 01:18 PM
Ambassador
3,067,665
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

Send a handwritten note. Those make a big impact on your sphere. Make sure to add value. 

Oct 27, 2016 07:32 AM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Good advice from Richard Weeks and Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 

Oct 27, 2016 06:04 AM
Rainmaker
5,060,546
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

"Are you looking to buy or sell, or if you know somone who is, please have them contact me".

Oct 27, 2016 03:45 AM
Rainer
55,585
James Call
RealtyCandy.com - Saint George, UT
RealtyCandy - IDX Broker for WIX, Wordpress & more

Devon, 

I like the response from Jeff.  

I think everyone in the United States knows that all real estate agents are looking for referrals.  The little "If my service to you is...." thing is almost overlooked like the "terms of acceptance" we all skip and say "Agree" to. :)

If you really want a reaction, put something contrarian and see what happens: "Though many of you may want to send me referrals of your friends and family, we are unable to accept any new clients at this time because of overwhelming demand for our services. "

I'll bet you would get more referrals from that than the "if you know of someone send them to me" thing you mentioned.

Just send a sincere thank you note, or a personal letter asking how people are doing.

I "home-schooled" my children one year, and as part of their schooling, I had them write letters in cursive to all of their uncles, aunts, and grandparents every couple of months.  Some of those are in frames on walls, because they were valued so much.  

People get so few REAL mail pieces that they are valued like gold now.

Good luck!!!

Oct 29, 2016 04:58 AM
Rainmaker
1,618,024
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

Make the postcard personal with a message and just ask for a referral.

Oct 29, 2016 01:57 AM
Rainer
2,890
Jeff Teach
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Pete REALTOR

Devon - If it is truly a contact from your close database ( ie you know them well) I would recommend calling them or better yet meeting for coffee to request and plan out anyreferral ideas with them.  If they are truly close, they will want to help!

Oct 28, 2016 06:44 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,227
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Good luck.

Oct 28, 2016 12:32 AM
Rainmaker
8,077,126
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

You have some good answers.

 

Oct 27, 2016 11:23 PM
Rainmaker
5,418,778
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Check with the marketing maven, Barbara Todero!

Oct 27, 2016 10:33 PM
Rainmaker
2,239,490
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Give shout outs to people who have sent you referrals (that all the others will see )

Oct 27, 2016 10:25 PM
Ambassador
6,617,246
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Spend some time reading Barbara Todaro 's blog, many good postcard ideas.

Oct 27, 2016 12:36 PM
Rainmaker
2,418,997
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Tell the database that you love to work by referral - Get a really good photo so that the graphics are simple and straight to the point

Oct 27, 2016 10:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,257,608
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

People put chocolate on people door with a card. Referral is earned becuase of exceptional service, not something entitled.

Oct 27, 2016 10:02 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,423
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I ask personally

Oct 27, 2016 06:02 AM
Rainmaker
2,826,763
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

if this came from you, it would be more effective. Speak from your heart

Oct 27, 2016 05:27 AM
Rainmaker
916,963
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Give some update or info to show you know your stuff and can be valuable, then ask for referrals.

Oct 27, 2016 04:19 AM