Monday, April 09, 2007

Get your Envelopes Opened

I got a call the other day from a lady who owns a house I targeted with my "Harpoon Marketing" approach. In my Wholesaling System, I explain how to set up your marketing with a low cost approach.

This lady called me after receiving one of my hand written letters stuck inside of a hand written envelope. We went on to have a most unusual type of conversation. One you might not expect under the circumstances, read on.....

First of all she introduced herself as the Mrs. of her home, then immediately wanted to know how I'd found them? Why I targeted their house? She had so many questions for me in her energetic, straight to the point manner of speaking, I could only respond.

As she put it, she was stunned! Stunned by how I'd found her house tucked away at the end of a quiet street, and why? This was different, I thought to myself, since I'm supposed to be the one asking the questions.

Now, I realize my marketing is much different from what's being taught by most gurus as the norm, but "stunning the recipient" was a new way of describing it. This lady, let's call her Mrs. C. wanted to know "what" about her house caught my eye? "Careful now Ken," I thought to myself.

I almost said well, "I look for unkempt houses," but knew that would make a short version of our conversation. Instead I told her with tact and a ton of charm, that I lived in the neighborhood and during my morning walks, I make note of houses which catch my attention.

I notice houses because of their fine detail of architecture and potential. (That's only part of it. Between me and you I look for houses which need a little or a lot of TLC)

I further explained that I restore properties for a living. I bring them up to a standard of stunning beauty (I used her language to connect with her). You can use this same explanation even if you don't do rehabs, just by saying you work with a team of investors who restores properties.

"Why are you still interested in real estate?" She asked innocently enough. She went on to say, "I thought real estate was pass? as an investment. I've been in my house since 1984 and everyone else I know wants to stay put for now."

I continued to talk to this lady sensing a possible bird dog. (you know, a scout for more properties). I explained how I didn't care what the rest of the world did, as long as there was one person looking for real estate I would have something for them to buy.

I added that I also pay a referral fee to those who put me in touch with an owner who sells to me. I worked her again, asking if she was sure she didn't know a single person who wanted to sell their property. She couldn't think of anyone at the moment but agreed to keep my name and number in just case.

Finally, I had to ask her a burning question. I asked Mrs. C, "what about my letter caused her to call me?" She said first of all inside the envelope she heard a jingle sound. The fact the envelope was hand written caused her to believe it was someone whom she was acquainted. Once she opened the letter she was overcome or "stunned" by curiosity.

"Curiosity" will get more of your mail pieces opened and read. With regard to envelopes, the recipient has to be compelled to open the darn thing before they read what's inside.

That's why I hand address my envelopes and place something inside to make noise. My favorite stuffers are coins. That's right I place pennies and nickels inside to feel lumpy and jingle. I usually mix things up with the envelopes themselves, using colorful party style envelopes. In this case Mrs.C. received my white No. 10 envelope which I hand addressed with "Neighbor" followed by her address.

This technique is just one of the many I use to get to my property leads to respond. I mailed only four (4) envelopes along with the one I sent to Mrs. C. and received one call in a matter of two days. That's a 25% response ratio.

In case you didn't' know even the best direct marketers hope for a 1 or 2% response ratio. I can expect another call in a few days or weeks from that small batch as is usually the case with my marketing. Why? Because I approach things in reverse of the norm.

I first spot the property, research it, or scrub it as my students are taught, then I send out a letter or post card to a laser beam focused list. I've been using this same approach for over 12 years now. I've never mailed out more than 100 marketing pieces at a time for houses - ever. It's usually more like 10 to 15 at a time, and my deals are more lucrative than most wholesalers.
I believe in spending time doing a bit more research to ensure a better success rate. It was Abraham Lincoln who said "given eight hours to cut down a tree, it's best to spend seven hours sharpening your saw." I love that quote.

This is only a snippet of what's in my wholesale system which is still on sale with only a few sets remaining. Also inside the pages of my awesome system are phone scripts for you to use. If you're strictly a Wholesaler, I tell you what to say, and how to say it, you can't go wrong.

If you want to know more about my "outside of the box" strategies to real estate wholesaling, you must take action now to order my system while it's at half price.

Go to or paste this link in your web browser: www.thewholesalewizard.com/basementsale.html

This SALE price is good only as long as supplies last, and they're going fast. I expect my basement to be clear of books very soon, then it's back to full price again.

Save this tip for yourself, then forward it to a friend and remember to.....

Take Action,

Ken Williams aka, The Wholesale........

PS. To get my Wholesale System at Half Price and discover more "outside of the box" money making strategies like the one above. Be sure to hustle over to:

www.thewholesalewizard.com/basementsale.html

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