Ahhhhhhh... flickering jack-o-lanterns... the changing o'the leaves... the first snowfall... chestnuts roasting on an open fire... and time to order your end-of-year Doo-Dads!
Every year 'round this time, real estate agents open their checkbooks (or, better said, key in their credit card numbers) and spend millions of dollars on calendars and other Doo-Dads designed to be distributed to anyone and everyone who crosses their paths. The goal? Why, to ensure that every human being on the planet knows who they are, what they do and how to reach them, of course!
A worthy goal, indeed.
Even I, staunch opponent of the typical Doo-Dad, am sorely tempted this time of year to spend my few remaining marketing dollars on something of value to throw at my sphere of influence in hopes of drumming up some last minute fourth-quarter business or filling up my pipeline for the spring season.
But sheesh, most Doo-Dads are really silly. C'mon - personalized fly-swatters? Ice-scrapers? Lip balm? Oh, I'm not sayin' that I won't use a free fly-swatter, ice-scraper or lip balm, but I can pretty much promise you that such Doo-Dads are NOT going to make me feel obligated to use the person or company whose name graces said Doo-Dad!
That said... I like magnets. Always have. Not just any old magnet, mind you; it has to be cool if it's gonna go on my fridge. Even more important, it has to be cool if it's gonna get sent out to my precious sphere of influence.
What do I mean by "cool?" Glad you asked.
A "cool" magnet is one that is 1) extremely clever or attractive, and/or 2) contains truly useful information that the recipient will appreciate and 3) reflects my personality or interests.
What are some examples of UNcool magnets? Oh, how about a plain-jane, vanilla business card magnet? Or a list of kitchen measurements? Or, from someone like me, the sports schedule of the local hockey team? (But if you LOOOOOOOVE hockey, this would be totally cool for you).
If you're going to spend your hard-earned dollars on Doo-Dads, put your money where your heart is. If something seems a bit silly to you, it probably is. As with every other prospecting method you evaluate, be willing to listen to what your gut has to say on the matter. If your gut seems to be saying "Eh... we can do better," trust me, you can.
Here's a link to what I consider to be the ULTIMATE in Doo-Dad-Coolness. Yeah, I had a hand in creating it, so of course I think it's cool, but I'd love your thoughts as well. And please share your own experiences with Doo-Dads - d'good, d'bad and d'ugly!
Hi Jennifer, I love your top 10 list. I have been loth to spend money on do dads and gee gogs but I am tempted every year to do so.
I like to do magnets, too. I have diligently provided Baseball magnets in the Spring and Football magnets in the Fall. There are some years where no one seems to care what these teams are doing (I am in the Washington area where the Nationals and the Redskins are having lousy years), but I almost always find my magnets on people's refrigerators when I visit. Does it help? I am pretty sure it does--at least they remember what I do for a living!
House of Magnets is my vendor of choice, too. Good luck with your efforts.
Good post Jennifer and I liked the top 10 list...
The 2 best I ever got and still use today are a paper weight , which we use in the kitchen for bills etc, and a small box which holds paper clips a couple of pencils and scotch tape. They get used all the time and have the name of the giver on them and every time I look at them I remember them
Hi Jennifer. Thanks for writing.
I don't send out "doo-dads" to obligate people to use me. I send them out to remind them I am in business. The choice is theirs...
Ken
Ken - I know you don't - but I can't tell you how many times I've heard agents complain that "they've been sending calendars to so-and-so for years and then they used someone else!"
Charlie - Oooh, I like those ideas! Although mailing a paperweight sounds a bit cumbersome. That won't get missed in the pile!
Pat - the agents who have done the Top Ten magnets so far are really getting a kick out of the response they're getting.
Holly - I'm glad they're working for you!
June - ever since my very first day, I knew I didn't want to do stupid doo-dads. I drove the local magnet company crazy trying to create something totally unique. That's why I was so excited that the House of Magnets was willing to try this approach - I was surprised, actually.
Just noticed I'm close to 200k AR points... who will put me over???!!!
I just clicked on your link and love your ideas! I agree about a sports team calender though come to think of it I have another agent's Redskins schedule on my fridge. You idea of a top ten list or preferred contractor list is one way to differentiate from the hurd of agents in my area that are already sending them out. I have never done do-dads but you just might have inspired me. Hope this helps to get you to 200k+
Cara - that's how I felt about the Top Ten idea - that it's not at all dorky and certainly unique. I'd hate to be dorky and ordinary ;-o
One thing I should mention... in my post (and in the link) I make fun of certain types of magnets, such as kitchen measurements and ingredient substitutions lists and such. I must apologize to the agent friends who have sent me such things (you know who you are) and I actually DO keep them. But not because I think they're so clever - no, I keep them because I really do care about the people who sent them, so, even though I think they're kinda silly, I shall stick them on the fridge.
However, the vast majority of people who will receive your Doo-Dad WON'T care all that much about you, so make sure your Doo-Dad IS something they'll be inspired to keep - even if you aren't their bestest friend...
Hi Jennifer,
Just wanted to take an opportunity to thank you here for all the great, free advice you give to so many of us, and yes, your magnet IS cool and it is on MY fridge. I will send you one of my magnetic doo dads as soon as they come off the press. I have high hopes.
Always the best for ya...
I strive for extraordinary dorkiness...LOL!
Seriously, I love the top ten idea...clever, useful and (most importantly) different! I scored a great deal on some blank magnetic notepads that you attach your business card to. Not very original, but also not limited to seasons. I've gotten good feedback on them...great for shopping lists, messages, etc. I give them to listing clients so they can jot down any questions they may have for me and 99% of the time I end up seeing it prominently displayed on the fridge. Has it brought me business? Probably not...but folks like them and it keeps my contact info handy for them.
Maybe I can come up with a top ten list...like, Top Ten Ways to (Soulfully) Terminate Telemarketing Calls ;-)
Kim - If you can come up with that list, I will make you a rich woman! Or at least, get you some free magnets. I LOVE IT!!!! PLEASE DO IT!
Bill - My magnet? Hmmmm... wasn't sure what you were referring to and then DUH. I only have, like, 5,000 of them. That's my compensation from the House of Magnets, BTW - free cool magnets to distribute to all my friends! Which, if anyone would like some of my cool magnets to give away to other agents, just let me know...
I went to your other site as well. I'm not a doo-dad trinkety kinda guy. I'd rather have an experience with someone than give them a "thing." Even a "pop-by" for $5.00 to starbucks for the client is better than a doo-dad. You get the one on one experience as well as....they think of you when they're cashing in for their cafe mocha cappucino frapucino whatevercino. Just my .02 cents.
Larry - See, I agree ... and disagree. I don't think you should give gift certificates to Starbucks - you should buy them a cup of coffee face2face! That will go a lot further than simply dropping by to deliver a bribe gift card... Even if you can't physically have coffee with nearly as many people as you can toss a gift card at, each person you spend time with will be far more inclined to think highly of you than the ones who briefly think of you as they cash in their card...
Very cool idea Jennifer.
They are neither bribes nor obligations... and the agent that complains about how many calendars...well they just don't get it and probably never will...
YES............. COOL magnets are something that will attract the persons eye
and make them think of YOU... every time they go into the fridge.....
I am going to click on the link you gave and take a look around, Jen............
Thanks for the tip, fellow real estate professional!!!
=-)
I've ordered some magnetic calendars, but they're not very big. Maybe I'll try House of Magnets.
Have a great week.
Do we get a prize if this comment puts you over 200,000? lol
Linda - I've never really understood the appeal of calendar magnets - I rarely am standing in my kitchen wondering what day it is and they're so small that I can't read them anyway. But I'm told they're huge sellers, so what do I know?
Alex(ander;-]) - let me know whatcha' think!
Perrin - Please 'splain- who is complaining about so many calendars? ;-]
Jody - thank you.
I do like the mag's ... I have one of yours in my office! Pens are always welcome, I am not sure there is a perfect thing a ma jig... something with shelf life is important.. the use it and toss it things .. i dont care for them.
Jennifer, Jennifer...I'm SHOCKED..you don't like the big house shaped magnet with a 20-year-old photo of an agent's mug plasterd on it? Why on earth would anyone NOT want such a stunning (and useful) work of art in on their refirgerator door? I'm with you on the do-dads. In fact, I never send them. I think that sending out useful information that is actually real-estate related. For the Holiday's I add holiday photos of the area and write about things to do and see during the season.
I'm in the middle on this. .
Just recently I listed a home because they had my magnet calendar from two years ago in their refrigerator door. . and also just recently I listed a home with a competitor beautiful framed calendar magnet in the refrigerator door. . ??
Hi Jennifer = I liked the VIP magnet of yours on the site. That is a really great idea. Well at least in my opinion. And I hate doo dads. So much that I just about never buy them.
Hi Jen, still on the look out for my Doo-Dad, actually I migh order some hand bag hooks for my female clients and still searching for some my male clients.
As I write this, there are exactly 164,000 Active Rain members...
Barbara - handbag hooks! That's original! Are they personalized?
Bob - I love my VIP magnet, but I must confess - putting together a Referral Directory is a big project. Worth it, but a bit of a commitment.
Fernando - So many agents think that their Doo-Dad campaign IS enough to win and retain clients. As we all see (when we see other magnets on "our" fridges... it's not.
Ruthmarie - For me, the main reason for a Doo-Dad is to give me an excuse to be in contact. I do something Doo-Dad-ish once a year or so, but if I can't think of anything clever enough, it doesn't get done. Cripes - I gotta get on this...
Rob - Do I have one of your pens? I think I do... I like pens, too...
Jennifer... your comment about agents that complain someone went with another agent and I sent them calendars every year for x years... or words to that effect... so my point was the agent that puts it in those terms probably doesn't get it...
Jennifer, we just ordered new ones. I will send you a few when they come in! (I think you may have one of my calculators?)
Rob - No, I don't think I have a calculator!!!
Email me your address, and I will send you one. RRauf@remn.com
Calculates P&I and everything! (I still thought I gave you one when you were in NJ???)
Jennifer,
Great Post. I agree with you 100%, a cool and useful magnet has value than a fly swatter.
Thanks for sharing,
Matt Naumann
OK, Officially picked out this years DoDads. Back packs, Pens, and Key chain flash lights....
My intentions are to do a referral directory magnet, but you are right, it is a lot of work.
I have gotten an amazingly positive response to the Top 10 Dessert Spots calendar, though!
Jennifer,
I agree that stuff is a waste of time. I have gone on listing appointments where another agents magnet or calander or even business card was laying around. But when I first got into real estate, I was taking an online interactive training class and another agent had a "cool" idea.
When she sent out a magnet, she wrote on the envelope "Refrigerate after opening."
Hey Jennifer,
Great stuff here! But, I did just do my doo-dads purchase, and am sending a letter today. Its on my blog, and I wrote it AFTER reading your post (but I'm a new-ish blogger, and not sure how to give you the link for it http://activerain.com/blogsview/1330534/this-year-s-doo-dad-letter)... I think I implemented the "heart" of your message, too. Anyway, enjoyed reading your post.