It's Girl Scout Cookie Time!

I don't know ANYONE who doesn't love Girl Scout cookies! And if you're like me, you know a dozen adorable little girl scouts. I know you have the same dilemma...how do I buy from ALL of them and not gain 10 lbs as a result?

Well here's an idea that your clients will love you for! Go ahead and buy a couple of boxes from all those scouts that hit you up and use them to pop by and say hello to some of your favorite clients. Happy Girl Scouts, happy clients, happy scales. It's a win-win-win!

This pop-by is designed to deliver after the cookie buying season is over. Who doesn't always want cookies, even after you can't buy them anymore! Buy now. Deliver later. (Don't eat them!)

The tag reads:

HAPPINESS IS...
When you realize girl scout cookie season is over
and your Realtor drops off a box of cookies!

Just tie a ribbon around the box and attach the tag along with your business card.

Download the tag: Happiness Is...

And by the way...If you're "scouting" for a real estate agent to assist your clients moving to beautiful San Diego, I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Sweet Referrals...and Chocolate!

I'm planning a brunch with some sweet friends and decided to make a small take home gift. Once it was done, it occurred to me that it would make a great pop-by gift that you can use AFTER Halloween to get rid of all that extra candy! (If you're looking for a cute Halloween pop-by, be sure and check out my "Trick or Treat Halloween Booty Bag".)

All you will need are some mason jars, assorted candy to put inside, and some craft paper to decorate. Choose your craft paper based on the holiday or season.

Avery.com is a GREAT place to make labels. I purchased the scalloped labels at my nearby office supply and used the related Avery template. Think of a "SWEET" tagline and you're done!

Here's one..."Your Referrals are SWEET!" or "I'm grateful for the SWEETEST clients!"

And by the way...If you need a SWEET referral in the San Diego area, I'm never too busy for your SWEET clients, friends & family!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

July is all about the kids! School is out...summer is here...and it's HOT! Yes, even here in San Diego, we're having a hot spell. So what's better than ice cream on a hot day?

This month, in honor of National Ice Cream Month, why not mail a $5 ice cream gift card to the kids of your clients and friends? That of course means that you must know the names of said kids. (If you don't, why not?) Ice cream, however, is a favorite ANY time of the year, so if you missed your opportunity in July, no worries! Just do it--your clients and friends will love it!

Here's what I did:
I have branded note cards that I use whenever I send out personal notes. You can use any note card that's blank inside. I made this insert which was quick and easy and just stuck it inside along with the gift card to mail. I addressed each envelope individually to each child so each received their own piece of mail.

Bonus tip: I used Dairy Queen gift cards from the local store, but if you have a client that has moved away, do a little research and find out what ice cream store is in their new neighborhood and request that the gift cards be mailed to you. Then you can mail them personally to the kids.

Here are some happy faces enjoying their ice cream! Create your own collage and share it on social media. 

And look at these sweet thank you notes...PRICELESS!

Enjoy your summer with some ice cream! And don't forget...I'm never too busy for any of your San Diego referrals. We'll enjoy some ice cream together!

Donuts for National Donut Day...or any other day!

National Donut Day has come and gone, but your clients will love donuts all year round! This is what I did on National Donut Day for my neighbors. 

I purchased 200 donut holes to make 50 small packets with 4 donut holes in each package. A whopping $30 marketing investment! I put the 4 donut holes in a ziplock bag (which I already had) and put it in the paper lunch sack (which I already had!) I cut about 5 inches off of the top of the paper sack so it would fold over just once. Tie it up with a bow and slide in a business card or print out a tagline.

For National Donut Day I put these on top of the community mailbox in my cul-de-sac with a sign that said "Please Take One. Happy National Donut Day from your neighbor...", and included my contact information. On the front of the sack, I included my business card, and on the back of the sack, a sticker that says "I'm never too busy for your referrals!"

Donuts, however can be enjoyed any time of the year. Who doesn't love donut holes! If you choose to just drop by a client and say hello and leave a small gift, this one is so easy! You can use printable business cards to print up a tag line and the possibilities are endless...

"Donut know how to thank you for your referrals!"
"Donut know what to think about the current real estate market? I can help!"
"Donut know if the time is right to buy or sell? Call me!"

"Donut know an agent in the San Diego market? I'm never too busy for you or your referrals!"

Modifying a Pinterest Idea

I love Pinterest! As a real estate agent who is always looking for ideas for a small gift, I regularly look to Pinterest for inspiration. Often, with just a slight change to the tag line, you can create something very unique. Here's an example (from WeddingWire):

Wedding favor ideas are often unique and creative. This one contains homemade cookies for the bride and groom's "sweet beginning". Are you a new agent looking for a way of introducing your new career to family and friends? Just modify this with a new tagline. Maybe something like, "Thanks for being part of my sweet new beginning. Your referrals will bring sweet success." Or for the agent who's been around for awhile...."Your referrals are SWEET! Thank you!" Or for the vendors who have been part of your successful closing, just simply, "Sweet Success! Thank you for all your hard work!"

Don't let it deter you that this one has the words stamped on the brown bag. Just purchase business cards to print on from your local office supply and attach the card with the closepin or ribbon. Keep it simple and easy.

Now here's another one for you to modify and create your own tagline! Your local craft store will often have the small notebooks for cheap, cheap, cheap! (From Skip to My Lou)

Happy pinning!

And don't forget...if you have a friend or client moving to the San Diego area, I am never too busy for YOUR referrals!

PJ's Pies & Pics

A client appreciation event is a great way to say thank you to your clients. Here's a peek at my annual event.

           

Home Sweet Homes - a survival guide for your client's next move!

Whether you have a buyer or a seller, you know that a move is in their future and the move itself--packing, loading, moving, and adjusting to a new home in a new city can be daunting. Author Diane Laney Fitzpatrick has written a book about how she survived nine moves! Why not pop by your clients and leave them with a survival guide?

Here's a quote from her website: dianelaneyfitzpatrick.com

A little laughter goes a long, long way.

If you need a reminder that humor can get you through the curveballs that life throws at you, Diane Laney Fitzpatrick is here to keep you laughing - at her, with her, and maybe a little bit at yourself.

Her book Home Sweet Homes: How Bundt Cakes, Bubble Wrap, and My Accent Helped Me Survive Nine Moves is a laugh-out-loud survival guide to moving and adapting to a new home, one of life's toughest challenges.


Purchase directly from her website for better pricing and low cost shipping. She even offers a discount to Realtors who purchase 5 or more books!

Purchase here

Look how cute they come packaged! Individually wrapped in bubble wrap and tied with a moving tape bow...all you have to do is hop in your car and deliver. And don't forget to ask for their referrals!

Do you have a client moving to sunny San Diego? I'm never too busy for YOUR referrals!

I LOVE Referrals! A valentine pop-by.

I received this cute little favor at a women's brunch today and thought it would be perfect to adapt for a pop by. It's just a simple, small clear plastic bag filled with heart shaped candy. Cut out a heart to attach to the bag. This special bag has a scripture verse tucked inside which was perfect for the event, and I have to give credit to my women's Bible Study group for the idea. But for a pop by, how about "Oh, by the way...I'm never too busy for your referrals", or "Oh by the way...I LOVE referrals!".

It's the perfect little gift to let your clients know that you appreciate them and their referrals!

I Know Just the Trick!

Halloween is a great time to plan to drop by your clients to say hello. We can get really crafty and creative around the holidays, but sometimes we just need something simple and easy. It just so happens that I have a friend who makes these delicious cookies for every event you can imagine. Look at these great Halloween cookies from Sunshine & Sugar Sweets!

They will package them individually and tie on my tag! The tag reads, "I know just the TRICK...refer your friends & clients to me and I will TREAT them with the highest level of service!"

Now if you're not lucky enough to have such a talented friend, do not dismay! You can use any Halloween treat. Use a clear wrap of some kind and attach your tag and you're ready to go! If you're local, Sunshine & Sugar Sweets has a cookie for any event. You can LIKE their facebook page for some great ideas and don't forget to let them know I sent you! Sunshine & Sugar Sweets

And remember...If you have family, friends or clients relocating to our beautiful and sunny San Diego, I KNOW JUST THE TRICK! Refer them to me and I will TREAT them with the highest level of service! Thank you for your referrals! Have a safe & happy halloween!

The Giving Plate

I recently read the book "The Go-Giver" by Bob Burg. It's an easy read and I highly recommend it! This pop by idea was a result of brainstorming some ideas on how I could be a better "giver". It's called a "giving plate" and the idea is to pay it forward. The message that is hand printed on the plate says:

This plate shall have no owner

for its journey never ends...

it travels in the circle of

our family and our friends.

It carries love from home to home

for everyone to share...

the food that's placed upon it

is filled with love and care.

So please enjoy what's on this

plate

then fill it up again

and pass along the

love it holds

to family and your

friends!

I purchased 5 of these plates and had them customized on the back with my contact information. I am loading them up with goodies and giving them to 5 friends...who will in turn give it to a friend...who will give it to another friend...and another...and another...It's the pop by gift that keeps on giving! 

You can purchase your own customized plate from the shop I found on Etsy, CelebrateFun. Be sure and mention that Mary referred you!

And if you have family or clients that are moving to beautiful San Diego, I am never too busy for YOUR referrals!

Celebrating Moms with a Client Appreciation Event

I decided to celebrate moms with a client appreciation Mother's Day event. Teaming up with another agent in my office, we discreetly went through our databases and invited all the dads to come by and pick up a free spring bouquet for the moms in their life.

Working with a local florist, we assembled small bouquets of flowers and had them ready for pick up on the Saturday prior to Mother's Day. We set up tables in the office parking lot and provided some refreshments and some easy crafts for the kids to make for mom. It was a fun afternoon and the dads loved being able to bring the kids to participate!   

Here's just a sampling of the feedback I received:

"I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for all of the Mother's Day treats. You are always so creative and thoughtful. Lily was SO proud of her card, mug, and flowers. It all was beyond adorable. Thank you for helping the husbands out!!!  Andrea

I've heard of another agent who used this way of appreciating her clients by giving away pies at Thanksgiving. She was my inspiration! It got me thinking ...it doesn't have to be limited to Thanksgiving, or any holiday for that matter. Finding a way to say thank you to your clients for their business and their referrals works any time of the year!

I'll take this opportunity to say thank you for YOUR business! If you have clients coming to beautiful San Diego, I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Orange Picking!

It's orange picking time in southern California and I was invited to an orange picking party at the home of one of the landscapers in my business to business network. I could pick all the oranges that I wanted, so I picked enough to put together some pop by gifts and do some cross marketing. You can do the same thing just by picking up some oranges from the grocery store!

I purchased some brown gift bags from a bag wholesale company at 62 cents each. Then I made a pop by tag that read:

"Orange you glad to see the housing market making a comeback? Call me if you would like a housing market update on your neighborhood."

On the back: From the grove of...and attached my clients business card.

Easy and inexpensive! Hope you enjoy dropping off some bags of oranges to your own clients. And don't forget...If you have any family or friends moving to San Diego, I'm never to busy for YOUR referrals!

My Idea of a SUPER BOWL!

Ready to call on your clients and give them something to remember you by? Here's an idea that capitalizes on the Super Bowl theme. A Maxine cartoon was my inspiration.

The cartoon said, "My idea of a Super Bowl is a toilet that cleans itself." Don't you just love her humor! I went down to my local dollar store and found some blue toilet bowl cleaners. You know the kind--cleans with every flush--just drop in the disc and it goes to work! Wa-lah!

I clipped a picture of the Maxine cartoon off of the internet and created a tag on card stock to fit the back of the packaging (6x6). "Now every time you flush you'll think of me...Ha!"

Here's the finished pop by gift:

Hopefully this is something for you to remember ME by :) If you have any clients moving to beautiful, sunny San Diego, I'm never too busy for your referrals!

We're having a Christmas party!

I've teamed up with another agent in my office to throw a party. What better time than Christmas! I would love to share our idea with you.

Since Christmas is more about giving than receiving we decided to make it a pajama drive to benefit children in need. Leez PJ's 4 Kids is a local organization that distributes the pajamas to various organizations that assist the homeless. They also distribute to military moms. We like that too, because San Diego has a huge military presence! Choose an organization that is near and dear to your heart. It doesn't even need to be Christmas time.

We created a music video invitation on Animoto.com. Very easy! You just select your template design, choose your music, insert the text, and add any pictures that you want. Here is our invitation:

You're Invited! 

In addition to the music video, we created a flyer to share. (flyer) It would have been great if we had taken the time to pass them out to the local businesses around our office...maybe next year :)

You can create an event on Facebook, tweet, and email to all! Leez PJ's for Kids provided us with a drop off box at our office and everyone has been coming by to drop off pajamas and say hello! It's been a great way to connect. We are excited and hoping for a great turnout for the Saturday brunch and pictures with Santa!

Here is the goody bag that we created to give to the children. Each little bag has 8 whoppers & 1 cherry sour tied up with a ribbon--Reindeer Noses!!

                           
Once again...it was pinterest to the rescue for inspiration! Here is my pinterest board that I use to clip inspiration for future pop by ideas. Maybe you will see some of these in the future adapted for a pop by. Maybe it will inspire you, too!

My pinterest marketing board

I hope that you all have a very Merry Christmas! And oh by the way!...If you have any clients moving to beautiful, sunny San Diego, I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Halloween Booty Bag!

The holidays are always a great time to drop in on your clients and say hello. Beginning with Halloween, I have a couple of fun things that you can try! I was at my local craft store today and picked up a Martha Stewart book on holiday craft ideas. I will be the first to admit that I am no Martha Stewart...not even close, but I did get a little inspiration from the book which I decided to adapt for a pop by.

Back to the brown paper lunch bag...I love this because it's so cheap :) You can decorate your bags any way you want to, but since I'm not the most creative when it comes to decorating, I needed a little help. I found some black "caution tape" with a pirate head that I thought would be super easy. $4 for the roll and I was ready to get started. My first challenge was what to put IN the paper bag. Naturally, since it's for Halloween, candy is the first thing to come to mind. But I was thinking more along the lines of popcorn just in case I had to leave it on the front porch, so that's what I went in search for. What I found were these cute individual bags of white cheddar rice & corn puffs. They were in Halloween pirate wrapping and for just a little over $5 for a package of 6. I bought 3 bags, so for approximately $19, I could make 18 pop bys!

Here is what I did: I took the lunch sack and turned down the top about 2 inches. Then I wrote Trick or Treat? I stuffed the pirate bag of white cheddar rice & corn puffs inside the paper bag and turned down the top. I attached the pop by tag to the back of the bag like this:

It says: I know just the TRICK. Refer your friends & clients to me and I will TREAT them with the highest level of service! Be sure and add your name & number. Then I just wrapped a piece of the caution tape around the bag and here's the finished product!

This cute little pumpkin was my pop by idea last year. Same tag, just printed in color and stuck in the pumpkin with a toothpick. Be creative and decorate your pumpkin any way that inspires you!

Have a safe and happy Halloween! And remember, if any of your friends or clients are moving to San Diego, I'm never too busy for YOUR referrals!

Here's another idea to put those business cards that you collected to good use. If you capitalize on the tools available to you under the coaching program through Brian Buffini, you have access to your very own online Business Directory! Log in to your members area and then click on Business Directory. You can choose a template, input all the information from your business cards, and customize your link. Don't forget to set up your profile and a link to your website. Now you are ready to send it out to your client database as an item of value! Try facebook, twitter, an email blast, etc. And let those businesses know that you are working for them. They will do the same for you!

Here's what mine looks like:

My Business Directory

And don't forget...if you have clients moving to the San Diego area, I'm never too busy for YOUR referrals! Have a wonderful weekend!

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