Do all those businesses who send me shiny postcards know who I am?
:)
No. Not really. They would like to, but until you have an introduction the best that they can have is direct mail campaign. Keep the recipes though...sometimes they are really yummy!
What is Direct Mail?
Direct mail, in its simplest form, is a strategy of sending a "form letter" - often with accompanying information - to hundreds or thousands of people via the mail.
Direct mail is the written communication that you receive from groups, organizations, businesses or authorities that endeavors to get you to join a club, buy products or goods, vote in council elections (if done by post) or solicit for donations or funds.
The use of direct mail as a fundraiser dates back some decades. It was first used in the US in the 1964 presidential campaign - where Republican candidate Barry Goldwater harnessed "mass mail solicitations" to raise campaign funds.
As a method of fund raising and communication it continues to grow in popularity, and has been further enhanced by the use of databases, lists and other tools which can help groups better target the recipients of their direct mail-out.
This is where having some friends and contacts on the web can come in very handy for your group. Ask your contacts – maybe members, donors, fundraisers, board or committee members, supporters, etc. to host a link to your group's website. In fact, ask everyone you can think of – including peak associations for your area of interest, local State or Federal Government sites which feature links, local on-line portals and directories – and think about swapping links with other local community groups, or organisations similar to yourself. In preparation for this, your group could have a thumbnail-sized click box ready to send anyone who agrees to host a link. This requirement isn't compulsory, you can just use a normal written link, but setting up a click box can be one of the tasks your group can complete when working with a web programmer to develop your site. Another way you can make sure your website keeps working to attract people to your group is get your name to the top (or near the top) of search engine search results.
Cross-promoting your website through your other advertising and promotional tools is a must. Not only will it direct more traffic to your site, but using your own promotional tools to cross-reference will save you $.
This means that you need to include the website address on all items, just as you would the phone number or postal address.
For example, use your website address on:
All your electronic communications will also need to include the website address and feature on any email that is sent from your group's office.
The simplest way to get people to your site is to have a web address that is as close to your group or organisation's name as possible.
It is not always possible to get your exact name incorporated in a website address (another similarly named company or group may have already taken that domain name) but it is best to try to get as close as possible to your name, initials or at least some recognizable abbreviation.
You can cut the search time and eliminate a lot of frustration for people, particularly for those who know you are online but are unable to find your site, by buying your own domain name.
It isn't expensive to get your own domain name and you can arrange to have your current Internet Service Provider (ISP) handle the transfer of messages from the site into your existing account.
Saving the World from Ordinary Service™
At Friendship Based Real Estate ® we live outside the "Box"! We excell at professionally caring for your real estate needs while creating cutting edge marketing to give you the advantage as you sell in this tough environment.
The days of hiring an agent to simply hang a sign, wear a nametag, and wait for the phone to ring is over! We will create a fresh, new and memorable advertising plan that showcases the most marketable aspects of your home. Bad advertising costs you money! We promise to treat you with the respect and care you deserve while giving you a reason to smile!
Have you ever had a experience that only took a moment of time, but changed your life forever? I have....
Here is the story: My adopted grandfather, Ray Murphy, passed away last year in Spokane, WA and I was the one who ended up packing up his belongings and cleaning out his condo. My children were aged one and two and I was already tired to the bone. (With children only 19 months apart...I had not had a full nights sleep in several years.) The stress and grief of the situation combined with my chronic sleep deprivation to create a brittle and ugly layer over my mood and attitude.
So, here I am surrounded the natural chaos of small children packing and cleaning the home of a ailing loved one. They are running through the 50 years of accumulation and clutter while howling like two monkeys on steroids. To escape the noise, I closed myself in his bedroom and started cleaning out his dresser. Among the many bits of paper and mismatched buttons, I found a men's wedding band. I stared at it in the light of that autumn afternoon and time stood still....It took me a moment to realize what I was looking at. My grandfather had never married until he fell in love with the love of his life, Dorthea, in his late 30's. Dorthea had passed away in 2000 and I had forgotten that Ray had stopped wearing his wedding band.
As I stared at that ring, my life focused. I saw a flash of the future and envisioned my daughter holding my wedding band in her hand as she was organizing the final details of my life. In a moment, I knew mortality. I knew death with a finality that was stunning. I was forever changed.
I decided in that moment to live. To truly live. To stop focusing on the parts of life that are stressful, mundane, and unproductive, and to live a live of focused purpose. To laugh with my children and chase them around the living-room with their toothbrushes rather than stressing that they are past their bedtime. I decided to be brave and try a career I could love rather than one I worked 7 years going to college for. I made a determination with myself that I would find beauty and joy in the small moments of magic that everyday life creates. That I would sing and dance without being embarrassed, and cry when I wanted to.
Since then, I have always worn Ray's ring on the pointer finger of my right hand. There have been many times that I have been in the middle of the drama and chaos that is residential real estate that I have consciously looked down at my right hand and re-centered myself.
I know now that the moment that I am in now will be lost in the next. I choose to live.
Sarah Reinhart with Friendship Based Real Estate is one of the most energetic, pleasant and delightful REA's I have ever had the pleasure to work with. I have worked with several through the last few years and none has ever been this delightful and with it. She's efficient and quick she has a knack and what seems to be a God given ability and special talent to work with people as well as very smart and extremely creative. It seems even though one would need money to pay the bills she will most assuredly put the interests and special needs of her clients before hers. My husband & I had one of the most creative and difficult needs as far as combining a residence and a special commercial business property. We had to make sure it was presentable, complete and allowed for a reputable business to be ran from. I believe with the help of the almighty and Sarah who was given direction, grace and favor pulled this off. We found a much desired very peculiar piece of property and it had some extra extra special needs and requirements that had to be full filled in order to get a loan and get it acceptable and wow with her expertise we all did. So hats off to Sarah and her team. She would be an excellent Real Estate Agent for anyone needing or wanting any type of property and I believe she will accomplish it for you. Thanks again Sarah you are great!!!!!!!!! Sincerly, Brenda Liggett.
Sarah is outstanding! She has a unique combination of "caring" and "competence" that makes her shine. She sold my house in 3 hours at full price! -G
Sarah put my worries to rest. She talked me through my concerns and then held my hand through the process. We got full price on our home and sold it in less than a week! -CB
Sarah is a wonderful example of Christ in her business. She follows the golden rule and puts others before her self. She truly cares about my well being and goes the extra mile for my sake. Don't settle for just any agent. Choose wisely. Choose Sarah! - Pastor Mark Hamilton
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