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Letters vs Postcards - Which is more effective?

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Letters vs Postcards - Which is more effective?

Created by:

Jackie14

Date: April 18, 2007, Number of Replies: 18

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Has anyone ever tracked or read an article on which is more effective Letters or Postcards? I'm putting together a system to stay in touch with past clients and to follow up with prospects.

I imagine it varies depending on the group you are targeting. I thought about mixing it up and sending letters and postcards, but Consistency is suppose to be Key.

My concern with consistency and letters is in time they will not get opened. Any advice on how to get the letters opened other than handwriting on the envelopes? Handwritten envelopes are effective initially, but after time, the effectiveness wears off if sending to the same prospects every month.

My concern for postcards is they are less personal than letters, but at least they are glanced over before hitting the trash and have some graphic on them . . . any insight would be appreciated.

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Rick Aguirre-Realtor www.realestatera.com, Orlando, FL

Date: April 18, 2007

I have yet to get any leads or even feedback from my newsletters or postcards. Once in a while someone may let me know that they are nice./informative.However as far as ROI. I have yet to see a single cent in 18 months of mail outs.
Nice idea to start this discussion.
Rick.

Jackie@JackieRomant.com said: Has anyone ever tracked or read an article on which is moreeffective Letters or Postcards? I'm putting together a system tostay in touch with past clients and to follow up withprospects. I imagine it varies depending on the group you are targeting. Ithought about mixing it up and sending letters and postcards, butConsistency is suppose to be Key. My concern with consistency and letters is in time they will notget opened. Any advice on how to get the letters opened other thanhandwriting on the envelopes? Handwritten envelopes are effectiveinitially, but after time, the effectiveness wears off if s endingt the same prospects every month. My concern for postcards is they are less personal than letters,but at least they are glanced over before hitting the trash andhave some graphic on them . . . any insight would be appreciated.

http://rickaguirre.localpitch.com/

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Christina Ethridge Licensed Real Estate Agent, Post Falls, ID

Date: April 18, 2007

Despite what some people will say or quote or whatever, there is not standard that is better than another.

The key is you have to test what works best with the targeted person and the market you are in. In our market, jumbo postcards, full color, are not as effective as bright colored paper, folded in half and mailed and this is only for our expired mailings and price range of the property does not matter. Other methods work better for other targets.

Test YOUR market, see what works best.

Christina Ethridge, Realtor®
Marketing Specialist
David Swarat's North Idaho Dream Team
208.769.9464 * christina.ethridge@nidt.com
All about North Idaho www.nidt.com
Search Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Homes www.homesforsalecoeurdalene.com
Property Management / Rentals www.dmmgmt.com

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Mary Cunningham Licensed Real Estate Agent, Fenton, MI

Date: April 19, 2007

I prefer post cards to farms and letters to past clients. At least you have
a shot at them reading the post card where as the letter they might just
pitch it. Post card are easy to hang on to also.

I had a lady hang on to a post card for a year because it had a free home
analysis on it.

Jackie@JackieRomant.com said:

Has anyone ever tracked or read an article on which is more effective Letters or Postcards? I'm putting together a system to stay in touch with past clients and to follow up with prospects. I imagine it varies depending on the group you are targeting. I thought about mixing it up and sending letters and postcards, but Consistency is supposed to be the Key. My concern with consistency and letters is in time they will not get opened. Any advice on how to get the letters opened other than handwriting on the envelopes? Handwritten envelopes are effective initially, but over time, the
effectiveness wears off if s endingt the same prospects every month. My concern for postcards is they are less personal than letters, but at least they are glanced over before hitting the trash and have some graphic on them . . . any insight would be appreciated.

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Christina Ethridge Licensed Real Estate Agent, Post Falls, ID

Date: April 19, 2007

WOW –

That’s very interesting. It’s the complete opposite for us. Every single day we get multiple phone calls from our monthly newsletter and our monthly postcard. People call and say, I got your postcard and it reminded me to call... Others call and say I’m reading your newsletter and I want to…

Our monthly newsletters and postcards are very valuable for us.

I have yet to get any leads or even feedback from my newsletters or postcards. Once in a while someone may let me know that they are nice./informative.However as far as ROI. I have yet to see a single cent in 18 months of mail outs.
Nice idea to start this discussion.
Rick.

Jackie@JackieRomant.com said: Has anyone ever tracked or read an article on which is more effective Letters or Postcards? I'm putting together a system tostay in touch with past clients and to follow up withprospects. I imagine it varies depending on the group you are targeting. Ithought about mixing it up and sending letters and postcards, butConsistency is suppose to be Key. My concern with consistency and letters is in time they will notget opened. Any advice on how to get the letters opened other thanhandwriting on the envelopes? Handwritten envelopes are effectiveinitially, but after time, the effectiveness wears off if s endingt the same prospects every month. My concern for postcards is they are less personal than letters,but at least they are glanced over before hitting the trash andhave some graphic on them . . . any insight would be appreciated.

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Kitty Jubran, Palm Harbor, FL

Date: April 19, 2007

I would respectfully suggest you tweak your postcards and/or newsletters. I was taught that any new marketing idea should be given 6 months to pay for itself, and then you should get consistent results.

Kitty C. Jubran P.A.
MOBILE 727-514-3519 or FAX 727-379-0713
Serving Clearwater to Homosassa Florida
RE/MAX Realtec Group
realestatera@yahoo.com said:

I have yet to get any leads or even feedback from my newsletters
or postcards. ...I have yet to see a single cent in 18 months of mail outs.

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Joli Martin Licensed Real Estate Agent, Merritt Island, FL

Date: April 19, 2007

I agree with the post cards to farms and something a little more personal to
past clients. I do not know how many past clients you have, but I think
even better than a letter might be a light-hearted greeting card.
Joli
Joli Martin
Cell: (321) 223-8857
ERA Showcase Prop. & Inv.
8400 Astronaut Blvd.
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Office: (321) 576-9312 Fax: (321) 576-9641
Joli@JoliMartin.com
www.JoliMartin.com

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Erika Marsh pitman Licensed Real Estate Broker, Charlotte, NC

Date: April 19, 2007

It is true that every area is different. I have not received any leads from my mail outs (both letters and postcards) in 13 months. However, my monthly newsletter has provided 3 leads in 4 month plus many thanks from others who just enjoy reading it. So that is working best for me in our area. Erika Marsh Pitman Coldwell Banker United, Realtors Charlotte, NC (704) 576-1671 Cell

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Karin Schwatlo

Date: April 19, 2007

Hi Jackie,

In my opinion it does not matter that much. If you send letters keep them short and to the point. If you can include a copy of an interesting real estate related article or any other article that you feel may be important. Then follow up with a brief phone call. The personal contact will be valued so much more than just a letter or post card.

All the best and lots of success in your endeavours,

Karin Schwatlo, Ph.D.
Associate Broker, e-Pro
First USAS Realty Professionals, Inc.
mailto:Karin@ArizonaHomesByKarin.com
http://ArizonaHomesByKarin.com

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Nancy Smeltzer

Date: April 19, 2007

I have been sending postcards for over 10 years and every time I send them I get some response. I recently got a listing because the seller had a recipe that I had sent to her a few years previous and she knew exactly where she could get my name and number. Consistency is the key.

(This is my first post so if I did anything wrong I apologize)

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