Yes, it’s that time of year. The season of giving and sending Christmas and Holiday greeting cards, photos of your Real Estate Team (or yourself), and the other vestiges of self-promotion that permeate the real estate industry at this time of year. Who doesn’t want a photo of you in a Santa Claus hat with all of your team members and administrative staff dressed up like elves? “Oh, look, I love this photo of my Realtor with Christmas lights around her neck and a leopard print Santa hat”… said nobody, ever.
Let’s be real. You are a professional real estate salesperson, not an entertainer or celebrity. Sit back and watch your colleagues don reindeer ears and send out hundreds of photo cards featuring themselves. You, on the other hand will turn on the Hallmark Channel, watch Christmas movies, and get out your holiday card list to check it twice. Purge the “naughty” and just send cards to the “nice.”
Yes, I am talking about old-fashioned Christmas or Season’s Greetings cards that you will write, stuff, stamp, and send through the United States Postal Service.
What? Who has time for handwritten cards? Isn’t there a service for that? Can’t I leverage my time and have my assistant do it? Is this really my job?
Here are my 3 Do’s and Don’ts for your season’s greetings:
1. Do send out handwritten cards. Christmas cards, Season’s Greetings, or even New Year’s cards all have an impact on your clients, past clients, friends, colleagues, and prospects because no one is doing this. When was the last time you received a handwritten card?
2. Don’t “leverage” this task. Who knows your client list better than you do? Don’t you want to personalize your cards and send greetings and well-wishes to the whole family? Your assistant won’t know their dog’s name or your relationship. Doesn’t it sound more personal to say, “Wishing you and your family a joyous season – your puppy Scooter is adorable!”
3. Do take time to connect with your favorite people. Sometimes a personal visit, a home baked treat, or just a quick “hello,” may be better than a card at this time of year. Look through your list for opportunities to stop by to spread some cheer.
Remember, we make a living out of what we give, not what we get. Truly make this a “giving” season by sharing true sentiments rather than an airbrushed photo of yourself.
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