Comments on: But I Don’t Wanna

By: Put One Foot in Front of the Other | national real estate opinion column - agentgenius.com

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:48:12 +0000

[...] don’t want my clients to think: Oh man, it’s her calling again. I want to bring value to their lives. You know: Give, ask, [...]

By: Glenn fm Naples

Glenn fm Naples — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:48:05 +0000

Vicki – keeping in contact with your SOI is critical to the referral business. You wrote earlier about your blog – could this be a reason for calling someone about an article about trusts and for them to read?

Are you using an e-mail campaign or newsletter that you write (I hate the canned newsletters and I hate writing a newsletter) with a snippet to your blog post with a link to the blog post or website page?

Would be curious to hear other thoughts on this.

By: Vicki Moore

Vicki Moore — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:22:30 +0000

Larry – Starbucks is the new office. I shouldn’t be but I’m always surprised how many business meetings are going on in there.

Eric – An agent in my office was bemoaning calling because he hadn’t in “so long.” How long is that? People are living their lives; they’re not thinking about how long it’s been since we called.

Jeremy – I heard somewhere that life is like steering a boat – you’re constantly pulling/pushing the steering wheel back on course.

Sometimes we make it easier to guilt ourselves than it is to just make the calls or write the notes.

By: Jeremy Hart

Jeremy Hart — Sun, 18 May 2008 21:40:43 +0000

Vicki -

thanks for the reminder. I did something similar to this with Andy Kaufman when I *attempted* to write handwritten notes for 30 days. I wasn’t always consistent, butt I know it made a difference to those that received a note. A phone call is even better – I’ll join you in making phone calls this week. Thanks for the prodding …

Scott, I agree with Larry, I’m not sure anything beats a phone call and a handshake. I’m looking forward to testing this out.

By: Eric Blackwell

Eric Blackwell — Sun, 18 May 2008 18:35:27 +0000

Vicki- Great post.

Below is the money quote IMO…amazing that we end up guilting ourselves when there is no need.

Well said.

“The other thing I’ve realized is that they don’t know I’m supposed to be calling them on a regular basis. So if I miss a month – which, of course, happens – they don’t feel bad about it. They don’t even realize it. So I don’t feel bad about it anymore either.”

By: Larry Yatkowsky

Larry Yatkowsky — Sun, 18 May 2008 05:36:14 +0000

A great way to get addicted to coffee is to invite 3 or 4 clients a day. Nothing tops pressing flesh with a handshake.
Reasons to call: birthday, anniversary of house sold or bought, new kid, new girlfriend, new dog not necessarily in that order – but I’m sure there are more reasons to call then not. It’s all in the doing.

By: Vicki Moore

Vicki Moore — Sun, 18 May 2008 03:54:07 +0000

My input is that nothing can replace the phone calls. Mailing and emailing should be used in conjuction but not as the only method. I send a monthly item as well as birthday and anniversary cards.

I’m looking forward to hearing what others have to say.

By: Scott P. Rogers

Scott P. Rogers — Sun, 18 May 2008 03:45:28 +0000

>> One of the fundamentals of staying in business is referrals. How do you get referrals? You have to ask.

Does anyone have any thoughts on whether contact methods other than phone can be effective in accomplishing the “asking”?

By: Vicki Moore

Vicki Moore — Sun, 18 May 2008 03:05:36 +0000

That’s it Ricardo – finding the things that are important to them.

By: Ricardo Bueno

Ricardo Bueno — Sun, 18 May 2008 02:13:49 +0000

Granted living trusts aren’t always pleasant to talk about but I’m sure the conversation(s) garnered a greater deal of respect for you and your insights (especially for not showing up empty handed and only asking for a referral).

Following up on the important holidays is nice and ok…but like you said, it would get kinda boring if that’s all you did. A nice pleasant follow up call always hits the spot and it says “hey, this person cares.”

I saw on LinkedIn that one of my clients got promoted to a new job…that made for some great conversation!

By: Vicki Moore

Vicki Moore — Sun, 18 May 2008 01:53:38 +0000

Matthew – It gets rid of the I’m bothering them feeling.

Monika – Value of what you say…I like that. Thanks for sharing it.

By: monika

monika — Sun, 18 May 2008 00:57:25 +0000

I can’t remember where I heard this, but…the value of what you say has to be worth the silence you break. So yeah…you need something of value when you call. That is the great thing about the RE Net world…The ideas are everywhere.

By: Matthew Rathbun

Matthew Rathbun — Sun, 18 May 2008 00:54:07 +0000

Vicki,

What great advice. Calling with purpose is always a good way of adding value to your relationship. Thanks for always being willing to share. As always, I enjoy reading your ideas!

By: Vicki Moore

Vicki Moore — Sun, 18 May 2008 00:45:26 +0000

Mack – I’d get bored with myself.

By: Mack in Atlanta

Mack in Atlanta — Sun, 18 May 2008 00:42:40 +0000

Vicki, you could always use the contact of the month: January-Happy New Year, February-Happy Valentines Day, March/April-Happy Easter and so on. That will get you through a year.

By: Vicki Moore

Vicki Moore — Sun, 18 May 2008 00:35:31 +0000

Thanks Bill. I try to make things simple – not very good at it though.

By: Bill Lublin

Bill Lublin — Sun, 18 May 2008 00:31:47 +0000

Vicki- Nice post – great point about having something to say when you call – Almost too simple when you see it in print- but one we all miss sometimes