Best giveaway at trade show
Ryland Homes gave out a Sudoku game and D.R. Horton gave out a zip drive.
A variety of marketing items were scarce this year at the Realtor Builder Tradeshow. Usually everyone is trying to outdo the other booths with unique or interesting marketing items like sunglasses, travel mugs and plants.
This year, there were a lot of candy, pens, beads (to go with the theme) and canvas bags.
So, with that said, I’ve come up with my top two giveaways. I’ve never seen them given away at this tradeshow before but are great ideas.
• A zip drive with a carrying case from D.R. Horton.
• A traveling Sudoku game from Ryland Homes (comes in handy if you have downtime in between appointments!)
Inexpensive gifts for clients
I know times are tough but the holidays just seem like the right time to remind your customers you are still there and to thank them for their business.
Good gifts don’t have to be expensive and here are some ideas:
• “I will be giving out my magnetic calendars again,” said Josie Deal of Coldwell Banker Jasinsky and Associates. “They are a present for the customer’s refrigerators. I’m also trying to do more personal visiting and having quality time with customers, friends and family!”
• Judy Hicks mails a calendar each holiday season. “I think it’s vital in this market to continue to market yourself and even increase your marketing,” said Hicks. “We have to let our clients and potential clients know that we are in the market and we are doing what we do - listing and selling homes.”
• Jacque Parrillo of People’s First Community Bank gave some great ideas that are all under $10. “Typically I do small calendars, cookbooks, candy, candles and bake cookies,” said Parrillo. “You can do something for under $10 and even under $5.”
• Entertainment discount books are $12 for Realtors. Cammie Thomas of Exit Realty takes advantage of this to give a great gift during the holidays. “They retail for $25,” said Thomas. “I purchase around 20 and my customers seem to love them. I also send out 200 Christmas cards and include my magnet calendar for the year.”
• Make a donation to a charity and then send your clients and friends a holiday card saying that a donation has been made in their name. “We then have the opportunity to give more to those who need it the most and acknowledge our clients at the same time,” said Mary Anne Hashem of Benchmark Homes Realty.
• Personalized note cards or memo pads for your clients are always appreciated. Just so happens that our own company can do that: call Amanda at 356-2466.
• Making use of online marketing companies can be another great way to find inexpensive gifts for your clients. “I have used a online marketing company, Vista Print, and they offer lots of free promotional things just about every other day or so,” said Juliana Miller of Prudential Chaplin Williams. “I have been ordering mailing address labels and rubber stamps with a customer’s new address, sticky notes, memo pads, and post cards with their new address for them to send out to family and friends. All for free and sometimes even with free shipping! Then, I can add a little something extra, such as a gift card at a local restaurant and help our local economy as well.”
Closing the gap
Realtors and site agents getting to know each other can only lead to one thing - more sales for both!
Rose Bock of St Joe talks about her “One on One” meeting with Yvonne Hove (back) with Prestige Realty as Judy Hicks of Re/Max Coastal Real Estate (far left) and Ross Fanti of Mercedes Homes (far right) look on.
Judy Hicks of Re/Max Coastal Real Estate, the co-chair of the Northeast Florida Sales and Marketing Council Realtor Relations Committee, is spearheading a new a program called “One on One” which gets Realtors and site agents to know each other better.
Franchesca Swierz of Homes and Land Magazine is the other co-chair and committee members are Ross Fanti of Mercedes Homes, Allen Dye of North Star Mortgage, Michael Morris of Re/Max Specialists and Cathy Timmons of At My Community.
“We are playing off of the idea that commission is now co-mission,” said Hicks. “We are letting them know it’s not just about the money. We are making it a co-mission where site agents and Realtors work together. Our premise behind it is that it takes time to build relationships and that SMC is the place for site agents and Realtors to get together.”
Their goal through the Realtor Relations committee is to get more Realtors to attend SMC breakfasts.
At each breakfast meeting, business cards from Realtors and site agents are collected. One card is chosen from each group and the two people are asked to meet for breakfast or lunch in the next 30 days and get to know each other. They are given a list of five questions that they have pre-written and their mission is to get together, talk to each other, answer the questions and then present it to the group.
“They are given a $25 gift card to a restaurant to hold the meeting,” said Hicks. “Any company that would like to donate a $25 gift card will be recognized during the meeting.”