As a real estate agent, you know how important it is to build strong relationships with your clients. And while providing exceptional service and expertise is a key component of your success, you’re no doubt aware of another tool in your arsenal that can help you stand out from the competition: gift-giving.
Offering beautifully presented gift hampers to your clients can leave a lasting impression and generate more business. But it has to be done right. The last thing you want is to offer a gift that feels generic and is swiftly forgotten. Instead, you need high-quality gifts that speak to the specific client and the relationship you’ve built with them.
In this blog, we'll explore the various ways that gift-giving can help you create strong relationships with your clients, build your reputation as a thoughtful and caring agent, and ultimately increase your business.
So, if you're a real estate agent looking to up your game and take your business to the next level, read on to discover the power of gifts in real estate.
I don’t have to tell you that a property sale has two sides to the transaction. The seller has engaged you, so they are your client and are likely to have a strong network of local friends to pass on the good news about you. Meanwhile the buyers are the people who have moved into your area and will be there for the long-term. There are good reasons to send gifts to both parties … to party.
Remember also there are third parties to the transactions such as buyer agents, property dressers property stylists and conveyancers. Sending a little something their way is a lovely show of gratitude and acknowledgement, and one of the best ways to generate repeat business.
Timing is a critical component of gift-giving in real estate. It's important to strike a balance between giving a gift at the right time and not making it seem like a transactional gesture. One way to do this is to give a gift to celebrate the purchase of a new home, but also follow up with another gift on the one-year anniversary of the client moving in.
This not only shows that you care and are thinking about them, but it also keeps you top of mind for future business. As people in the market for a new home often know others in similar situations, if your clients enjoyed working with you and appreciate the thoughtfulness of your gifts, they may pass your name on to others who are looking to buy or sell.
Ultimately, timing your gifts strategically can help you build a network of satisfied clients who are willing to refer you to others, which can lead to more business in the future.
Branded gifts can be particularly powerful; they promote your business and increase brand recognition. While it’s a fantastic idea when gifting to another business, they can come across as a little promotional in some cases. It all depends on the context. Tasteful branding on the box ribbon is one way to achieve both brand awareness and quality at the same time without being seen as promotional.
Think about your relationship with the recipient. If you’re trying to celebrate what you feel was a personal and warm friendship, then maybe non-branded is the way to go. At Creative Hampers, we offer a range of branding options. If you’re unsure of which way to go, give us a call and lean on our experience. We know how to achieve the reaction you’re looking for.
While both options are viable, personally delivering a gift to your clients as a real estate agent can have several advantages over having it couriered. It allows you to reinforce the personal connection you've established with your clients, shows that you care about their business and are willing to go the extra mile to make sure they feel valued. It provides an opportunity to thank your clients in person. This can help strengthen the relationship and increase the likelihood of repeat business or referrals.
However, there are situations where delivering it personally just isn’t an option. In these cases, make sure to include a personalised note or message with the gift to show that you put thought and effort into the gift.
Choosing a gift that your clients will love is a critical aspect of building a lasting relationship with them. As a real estate agent, you work closely with them over time, and this gives you an opportunity to get to know more about them their interests. When choosing a gift, it's important to use this information and select something that's personalised and tailored to their individual tastes.
Did you help them move into a house with a big kitchen? Was a decent backyard important to them because they have green thumbs? Did they insist on a wine cellar? Tidbits like this are important because they’ll help you nail the right gift and get the response you’re after.
Pop over to our Real Estate Hampers page; we know you’ll find just the thing for the clients you have in mind within our range. And if you’re still unsure, just give us a call – we love it when people lean on our experience and we can guide them through the gift-giving process and curate something special for you and your clients.
