Prospect with Soul for Real Estate Agents by Allan Hagedorn Jennifer

Author:Allan Hagedorn, Jennifer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: real estate training, real estate agent, real estate prospecting, selling with soul, selling real estate, realtor training
Publisher: BookBaby

Nah, seriously, I like doo-dads in moderation. While I disagree with the philosophy that a steady stream of doo-dads qualifies as “relationship-building,” I think a well-designed, well-timed and well-placed doo-dad functions quite nicely as a reminder of an agent’s existence and professionalism.

Of course, the opposite is true as well. Doo-dads that are poorly designed, poorly executed or poorly chosen function quite nicely as, yes, a reminder of an agent’s existence but certainly not of his or her professionalism.

Frankly, I’d rather someone forget me than think me unprofessional, and some of the doo-dads promoted by doo-dad distributors are, well, eye-rolling ridiculously unprofessional.

Cool Doo-Dads versus Not-Cool Doo-Dads

So, what makes a doo-dad “cool” as opposed to “not-cool”?

Well, in my opinion, there are three categories of doo-dads:

1. Cheesy, silly doo-dads,

2. Ho-hum, predictable doo-dads, and

3. Soulful doo-dads.

Category One—the Cheesy, Silly Doo-Dad

Fly-swatters and pot-holders come to mind in this category. I’d also put a lot of other promotional items in here—doo-dads that aren’t at all related to real estate and/or don’t represent you as a professional. I almost hate to give any more examples because I’ll likely offend many of my readers who have purchased and sent out these doo-dads in the past (or are planning to next week)! But this category includes your basic junk that makes the recipient roll his eyes and think the doo-dad-giver is an idiot.

Category Two—the Ho-hum, Predictable Doo-Dad

The second category is where most real estate agents’ efforts lie. Promotional trinkets that are harmless but not memorable. They aren’t cheesy or silly, but neither are they any different from what every other real estate agent (and financial planner, insurance agent and hair-stylist) does. We’ve all done them, myself included, and it’s not likely they’ve damaged our reputations or credibility.

I consider generic calendars, sports schedules, pens, scratch pads—anything boilerplate or familiar—to fall into this category, although you can make these items soulful with a little effort.

Again, there’s nothing wrong with doo-dads in this category.

Category Three—the Soulful Doo-Dad

But the third category—the soulful doo-dad—that’s a whole different story. A soulful doo-dad is a trinket that, well, that you put some thought into. And because you put some thought into it, the people who receive it are much more likely to smile, think of you fondly and hold onto your doo-dad. In other words… it’s special. And it makes the person who receives it feel a little special.

Is creating a soulful doo-dad more work than a non-soulful one? Yep. Absolutely. And it might even cost a little more! But again, if you’re going to spend the money and time creating and sending out a doo-dad, doesn’t it make sense to make it special, even if that takes a little extra work and a few more dollars?

Gimme an Example of a Soulful Doo-Dad, Please

Well, anything you created yourself probably qualifies. As we discussed earlier in this chapter, the more YOU that goes into a promotional piece, the more effective it’s likely to be. Now don’t fret, when I say you created it yourself, I don’t mean

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