Welcome to our web log of articles and ideas for creating a successful relationship marketing strategy to build repeat business and referrals. We use this area to educate our customers on the latest ideas and to communicate important information about From Your Friends.
Posted 1/17/12
NOT ALL CUSTOMERS ARE CREATED EQUAL
Did you know that a "referred" customer is 35% more valuable than one obtained by other means? While it's very important to have a marketing plan to find new customers, the key to success in real estate is building referrals and repeat business. Why are referred customers so much better?
Click here to read the entire article.
Posted 12/19/11
11 TIPS FOR CREATING TRUST
Creating trust with your sphere is the surest way to remove the referral risk. Like most important things, trust is built over time, but this article gives you 11 great ideas to build trust and generate frequent referrals.
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Posted 12/13/11
WE CONSIDER YOU A PART OF OUR FAMILY!
We consider our customers to be a part of our family! And like any good family, we've written a long and rambling holiday letter telling you about every little thing that's happened to us this year. Happy Holidays!
Click here to learn more than you ever wanted to know about our family.
Posted 11/28/11
HOW MUCH CLIENT CONTACT IS TOO MUCH?
A recent study in the Journal of Marketing shows that past customer respond positively to up to 5 phone calls, 4 emails or 9 direct mail pieces per quarter. With each contact, purchasing increased. It’s only when customer contact exceeds those numbers that your customers begin to respond negatively. When was the last time you called someone in your sphere 5 times in a quarter? How often do you send 9 direct mail pieces in 3 months? Real estate agents who want to generate referrals and repeat business need to understand that a monthly e-mail newsletter just isn’t enough, and need to begin thinking about "and" instead of "or" when it comes to customer contact options.
Click here to download this complete article by Chad Rueffert, President of Braintree Marketing, Inc.
Posted 10/17/11
TOP PRODUCER BETH MCKINNEY SHARES UNIQUE IDEAS FOR USING FROM YOUR FRIENDS POSTCARDS
Beth and Bud McKinney have been top producing real estate agents in North Carolina for 18 years. As part of their unique marketing efforts, Bud & Beth send From Your Friends postcards to their sphere each month. But Beth has also found unique ways to use the postcards to generate NEW customers. "I like to get extra postcards each month in addition to the ones I send in the mail," says Beth. "I order an extra 100 each month and challenge myself to find new ways to hand them out in person or mail them to people not yet in my sphere."
Click here to download this complete article with 9 great tips from RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Beth McKinney.
Posted 9/16/11
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR MESSAGE - USING OUR ONLINE DESIGN TOOL TO CREATE A CUSTOMER COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN
Most of our subscribers personalize their postcards utilizing a standard format of photo, contact information and a relatively generic marketing message. But with our free, powerful and easy-to-use online designer, you can truly make the most out of your direct mail investment by creating new and memorable marketin messages throughout the year. This article comes complete with a dozen examples of messages and layouts you can use to personalize your From Your Friends postcards.
Click here to download this complete article by Chad Rueffert and Creative Director Bill Lesniewski in PDF format.
Posted 8/19/11
GETTING PEOPLE TO LIKE YOU...THE HARDEST PART OF THE REFERRAL CYCLE
You can generate referrals from people who know and trust you. But people who "like" you will go out of their way to help you succeed. Someone who likes you will actually receive personal enjoyment and satisfaction from sending you a referral, making them more likely to do it. So what's the trick to being likeable?
Click here to download this complete article by Chad Rueffert in PDF format.
Posted 7/19/11
REMOVE THE "REFERRAL RISK"
Referring a family member, co-worker or friend to a real estate agent requires risk on the part of the referrer, especially in a high-dollar business like residential real estate. They may be risking their reputation or relationship by referring someone to an agent who doesn't deliver on their promises. Overcoming that risk is the first step to generating referrals. To remove the risk and become more "referral-worthy" you need to accomplish several things...
Click here to download this complete article in PDF format.
Posted 6/22/11
MAKE DIRECT MAIL MORE EFFECTIVE - QR Codes and Direct Mail Combine for More Interactive Mobile Marketing
Smartphone usage is estimated to double in the next year. That means the majority of the home-buying public will be walking around with a device in their pocket, purse or briefcase that allows them instant access to a world of information. Savvy real estate agents are working now to maximize their presence in the mobile world...
Click here to download this complete article in PDF format.
Posted 5/22/11
THINK OUTSIDE THE MAILBOX - How From Your Friends Can Enhance Your Social Media, E-Mail & Phone Calls
A direct mail program that helps you stay in constant contact with your sphere is a powerful tool. But From Your Friends takes it a step further, allowing you to “think outside the mailbox” and use the items of value you send each month to create a personal connection with your sphere.
Click here to download this complete article in PDF format.
