Business Card Book

Because I am always asking for referrals, I decided to try to come up with an idea where I could GIVE referrals. Not really sure how the idea would play out, I began to share my thoughts with some of my favorite business owners and asked for 25 of their business cards. As realtors, we are often a great resource of referrals. We know plumbers, electricians, carpet cleaners, window cleaners, landscapers, lawyers, accountants...you name it! Right off the bat, I discovered it was a great way to network with area businesses and also to ask for their referrals. Here are all the business cards that I collected--25 cards from 26 different business owners plus my own. Yes, don't forget your own :) Well worth the time it took to collect them all!

I wanted to package these cards in such a way that they would not end up in the trash! I got my inspiration from the Etsy shop of Erin Zamrzla of Santa Monica, CA. See her idea here

My very talented friend, Nikki Morales, printed a front and back cover for the cards on regular card stock paper and then I took them to my local Postal Annex and had them laminated. Just print whatever design you want. These are a little bit larger than the business cards, but you could actually print right onto a blank business card and then laminate. When trimmed, they will end up a little bit larger than your cards. Here is what mine look like:

The front cover has a title: Business Card Book and the rest of it says "Here is a sampling of my top referrals! Add some of your own favorites and keep your collection of business cards all in one place!" Be sure and add your contact information.

The back cover says: "Oh, and by the way...I always love YOUR referrals! Taking care of your referrals is at the top of my business!" Again, add your contact information.

Punch a hole in all those cards (this was the time consuming part!) and package it all together with a binder ring. Since I collected 25 cards from each business, I have 25 booklets to give away!

To finish it off, I secured each booklet with a rubber band and tied a bow with a piece of string! Here is the finished product. Super easy. Hoping they will end up in a drawer and be an ongoing source of referrals!

Hope you get many referrals from your own pack of cards, and remember...I am never too busy for your San Diego referrals! Have a great day!

Father's Day Pop By

Now that Mother's Day is behind us, it's time to think about Father's Day! Know any special dads that you would like to drop in on? Here's my pop by idea for the dads in your client database. It's useful, quick and easy!

Stop by your local hardware store and pick up some small cans of WD-40...as many as you want. You can download my tag here: Father's Day Tag

The tag says: Hope your day goes SMOOTHLY. And if I can help you or your friends SLIDE EASILY thru their next real estate transaction, call me! I punched a hole in the card along with my business card and tied them both to the can with a ribbon. Here's the finished product. So easy!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! And remember, if you have any friends or clients moving to the San Diego area, I am never too busy for YOUR referrals!

Mother's Day Pop By

I don't know about you, but Mother's Day has crept up on me. Just a few days away and I'm thinking it'd be a great time to do a pop by! But what can we do that's quick and easy? Pinterest to the rescue! I found my inspiration from Better Homes and Gardens. Their idea was for a wedding centerpiece, and quite frankly, is much prettier (wedding centerpiece). But I liked the idea and had one of those "I can do that" moments, so I adapted it for my pop by.

I started out with just a plain brown paper lunch bag and trimmed about 2" off the top so it wouldn't be so tall.

I purchased some small 4" pots of Marigolds at Home Depot for $1.19ea. and a roll of ribbon.

Then just fold down the top of the paper bag, insert your little plant and tie it off with bow!  The card says "Your Referrals Make My Business Bloom. Happy Mother's Day!" You can include your business card, too. Just stick it behind the card, or put them both in the bag sticking out of the dirt.

Mother's Day Bloom - Tag

Here's the finished product...

Don't forget, if you have friends, family, or clients moving to the San Diego area, I'm never too busy for YOUR referrals!  Happy Mother's Day...to you or to yours :)

I'm Fishing for Your Referrals

I'm starting off with one of my favorites!  I saw a whole tub of these small 2oz. boxes of Goldfish crackers at my local pharmacy (also seen them at the grocery store).  They were $1 each so go grab as many as you'd like.  Then swing by the fabric store and get any kind of fabric that resembles fishnet.

My very creative friend made the tags for me that say "I'm fishing for your referrals!"  Just wrap the tag up in the netting and tie it off.  (I threw in my business card, too.)  You are now ready to go fishing for referrals!

Now here's the best part...you can download your own tag for free right here!  (I use SugarSync to share files.  Just download and print--use Avery template 8371)  I hope you enjoy handing them out to your clients as much as I did.  And remember, if you have clients moving to the San Diego area...I'm never too busy for YOUR referrals!

Pop By Tag - Fishing for Your Referrals