Commonly known in the industry as the lifeblood of real estate, referrals are essential in growing your business to its fullest potential. A whopping 82% of real estate transactions result from referrals. Harnessing their power is what will, ultimately, set you apart from top competitors. This is best done by expanding and solidifying your pool of connections out of which you will draw referrals. Once mastered, the art of asking for referrals will come naturally and generate concrete, positive outcomes for you and your agency.

BLENDING THE PERSONAL AND THE PROFESSIONAL

The very nature of real estate transactions demands getting to know your clients on a highly personal level, while also maintaining a professional disposition. This isn’t easy. But with IgnitePOST, this harmony can quickly be achieved in order to help you acquire those necessary referrals. Playing to the personal side of client-agent relationships, handwritten notes highlight your human qualities rather than your business-seeking motives. Moreover, direct mail is more likely to elicit a positive reaction of appreciation than would an email sent to the masses. On the other hand, the note upholds your professional values and interests by allowing you to communicate your request effectively. If the first part of this two-fold method -- the personal element -- is received well, the recipient is likely to strongly consider your request. The rest will be referral history.

SHORT AND SWEET

Your request getting lost in a sea of emails is a likely outcome when you go the electronic route. However, a handwritten note is incredibly likely to be opened. Email open rates typically range from 15-25%, a metric that pales in comparison to direct mail’s open rate of 99%. If an email is even opened, it typically is characterized by far-too-formal, impersonal, and wordy sentences. Contrastingly, a handwritten card possesses the qualities opposite to these -- professionally informal, personal, and concise. The note can include a personalized referral code to make matters even simpler for the client. The brevity of the card prohibits the requestor from layering on or soliciting too much information in one attempt. Short and sweet, clear and concise -- that is the intended design of an IgnitePOST-generated note.

AIM TO GROW

Utilizing IgnitePOST will help ease you into the sometimes nerve-racking, awkward task of asking for referrals. But, as previously discussed, it is a skill that you must perfect to expand your business. Real estate is a career of networking, and what better way to grow your network than by enlisting a service that is cost-effective, simple, and proven to enhance business outcomes?

LEARN MORE

IF YOU’RE STILL CURIOUS ON HOW TO USE IGNITEPOST, LOOK AT OUR OTHER USE CASES!

• Using IgnitePost to Thank Customers
• Using IgnitePost to Ask for Reviews
• Using IgnitePost in the Relationship Centric Era
• Using IgnitePost for Prospecting

REFERENCES

• https://www.refermeiq.com/resources/real-estate-statistics-you-must-know/
• https://simplynoted.com/blogs/news/handwritten-vs-direct-mail-vs-email-marketing
• https://www.campaignmonitor.com/resources/knowledge-base/what-are-the-average-click-and-read-rates-for-email-campaigns/#:~:text=Your%20average%20email%20open%20rate,be%20between%2020%2D30%25.

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