HOW TO THROW A

How to Throw a Client Appreciation Event No One Will Forget

Clients are the foundation of any flourishing enterprise, and this is particularly true in real estate—an industry where relationships are central. Demonstrating your gratitude to former and current clientele is a winning way to cultivate your network, while upping your potential referrals and creating face-to-face time with the individuals that make your business tick. Keep in mind a few of the tips below as you stage a client event that will positively impact your brand, while conveying your appreciation to those who have driven your business all year. Supersize Your Guest List Inviting former clients to your client appreciation bash is only the first step in crafting your guest list. To really expand your sphere of influence, invite neighbors, local business owners and staff, old friends, family, associates, fellow alumni from your alma mater, and the like. Think of your client appreciation event as a celebration of business bringing people together. Expand your guest list and you’ll create a coveted, in-person opportunity to forge relationships and broaden your reach.

An appreciation event may be geared toward your clients, but if done correctly it can also provide a fun-filled venue for your employees to enjoy a morale boost.

Consider A Sponsor Client appreciation events shouldn’t skimp on the details, but you don’t want to break the bank, either. To defray the cost of a client appreciation event, consider enlisting local businesses as co-sponsors. Not only does this approach ease the price tag of throwing a party, but it also creates an easy partnership between you and other entrepreneurs—widening your database and making for a memorable and generous event.

Don’t Forget To Reward Your Employees An appreciation event may be geared toward your clients, but if done correctly it can also provide a fun-filled venue for your employees to enjoy a morale boost, as well. By encouraging your employees to cut loose at this celebratory event—instead of having them run interference all night—your team will feel appreciated and validated, too.

Theme Your Event Whether the area’s high school sports team has made it to the state championship, or the Super Bowl is coming up quick, tailoring client appreciation events to already-established happenings can create an organic tie-in and boost your attendance numbers in the process. Throw a gingerbread house decorating party during the holiday season, or throw a barbeque during the Fourth of July. Capitalizing on a naturally occurring theme creates the opportunity for comradery between you and your guests.

Apply A Personal Touch Invitations may seem like a small detail, but they shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all. Consider handwriting some of your invitations for the clients you remember well, or for business associates who you regularly partner with. Personalizing invitations to key players is the surest way to a confirmed RSVP.

Cultivating your network of professional connections is an essential part of driving business, and client appreciation events not only create memories between you and your clientele, but also inspire your to step back, reflect, and give thanks to those who keep your business booming.

DAVID DIAZ

At first, when David Diaz entered the work force, he hadn’t planned on being a Realtor®. He had begun a stint as an investor, until one day he elected to try something new. He walked out of his corporate job without a plan for the future. After watching the flip shows on HGTV, David became enamored with the autonomy offered by a career in real estate, and he decided to give it a shot.

He never looked back. David has been serving the Atlanta area for 8 years now, garnering a great deal of success through his own unique style of conducting real estate business. David does zero advertising, using Facebook as his only method of marketing himself to potential and past clients. This provides an insulated and innate community of people who can get in contact with David at a moment’s notice, without the awkwardness of meetings and cold calls. “I run my business a little differently from most agents,” David explains. “My whole database is my Facebook page. I interact with my clients in a natural way, every day.” People like David’s less artificial approach; 80% of his business comes from repeats and referrals. His constant, easy communication is what keeps them coming back. According to David, he is a “no BS” agent who cuts to the chase. Honesty is his first prerogative when conducting business with his clients, and he leaves no stone unturned. “I know their time is valuable as much as mine is. I don’t sugarcoat anything. I don’t promise anything I can’t give them,” he states with confidence. No breath is wasted with David. He speaks candidly and works day in and day out to ensure his clients receive the service they need to accomplish their real estate goals. He even works when he’s camping in his RV! “I never take a break,” David admits. “I work seven days a week, and I love what I do. Some days I work two hours, some days twenty, but work is always foremost on my mind.” David’s love for his career is what keeps him motivated, toiling around the clock to provide the best possible service to home buyers and sellers in Atlanta.

In his free time, David loves to explore the outdoors: camping, hiking, riding four wheelers, you name it. He doesn’t have a whole lot of free time, though; he keeps himself busy, planning to have closed 28-33 transactions by the end of 2020. For the future, David hopes to elevate his marketing strategy, as well as bring on a buyer’s agent to his business and start a team.

To learn more about David Diaz call (404) 273-0402, email dinodiaz8@gmail.com, or visit his Zillow profile at zillow.com/profile/user22752726.

TREY FORBES

Trey Forbes is in his ninth year in real estate, having worked on the appraisal side of things out of college before earning his real estate license. His business grew quickly, and early this year Trey started his own team; he now has nine other agents working with him. Clients value Trey’s deep knowledge of the industry, his trustworthiness, and his easygoing demeanor that helps build that trust.

Trey is based in Kendallville, Indiana and serves the surrounding area, including some of Fort Wayne. Close to 90% of his business comes from repeat and referral clients, an impressive feat that speaks to the loyalty and trust he inspires. “I’m a pretty laid-back guy, and I try not to be pushy,” he says. “I’d rather talk you out of a house that’s not right for you than talk you into it. That leads to trust, and you have to gain people’s trust in order to work with them properly.”

Staying in touch with clients is important to such a referral-based business, and it comes naturally to Trey. “Most of my clients turn into friends,” he says. “This is a pretty tight-knit community, so I often see them socially, or at local high school athletic events, and we’ll stop and chat.” Trey makes sure to touch base with clients regularly via quarterly emails, but more often, he says, “I just stop over to say hi, or I see them out and about, or I shoot them a text or give them a call to see how the family is doing. It’s a broad connection-based business.”

When it comes to marketing his listings, Trey is able to draw upon a large social media following to ensure a listing reaches as many potential buyers as possible. His team’s Facebook page has about 2,500 followers, so new listings are quickly shared with them. He also tailors his approach depending on the listing, and draws on his extensive personal connections to find the right buyer. “I’m always networking, because I like to talk to people,” he says. “If I’m out and about, I’m always talking to people. So networking goes a very long way.”

The results speak for themselves: Trey’s business is growing every year. Last year he did just over $8 million in volume, and this year he is on pace to reach $10 million.

Community involvement is very important to Trey. A former high school athlete, he regularly sponsors local sports teams. He and his team also participate in holiday food drives for the needy, and they do an annual golf outing to support Riley Children’s Hospital, which is always a huge success. When he’s not working or giving back, Trey loves to spend as much time as possible with his family, especially his 3 young kids.

In the future, Trey plans to continue growing his team and expanding his business. “I want to make certain that we’re doing business right and that we’re fun to work with,” he says. “My favorite part of real estate is talking to people, getting to know them and their families. The most enjoyable thing I do is being able to communicate with people and create relationships with them.”

To find out more about Trey Forbes, you can reach him by cell at 260-318-0929, or by email at trey.forbes@live.com. You can also find him online at www.zillow.com/profile/treyforbes