Archive for October 1st, 2008

How to Build Your Referral Business

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

If the thought of cold calling gives you hives, then you are not alone. Cold calling is often the task that many real estate agents dread. But you can cut down on the need to cold call by building your referral business.

Building your referral business eliminates the need to make cold calls, and also eliminate the need to spend time initiating relationships, as your referrals already trust you more than a complete stranger.

The best way to build your referral business is to develop long-term relationships with past clients. Easy ways to accomplish this include:

  • Sending personal cards. Let your clients know that you are still thinking of them even after your business transaction has come to an end.
  • Giving personalized stationery or gifts. A note pad with your name and contact number will keep you fresh in the mind of past clients.
  • Mailing out comparative market analysis request letters to your past customers. This may prompt them to investigate the equity in their home and possibly purchase a larger one.
  • Let your past customers know when you list or sell a property. Once again, keeping your name and contact information fresh in your past customer’s minds will often result in a healthy number of referrals.

You can obtain new client relationships, through referrals, by:

  • Contacting customers who have bought or sold real estate in the past, but their real estate agent does not work for your company any longer, is an easy way to develop new relationships with past customers.
  • Develop an endorsement letter agreement with a local attorney, accountant or insurance agent. This means that they will endorse your services to their clients and you will do the same for them.
  • Ask your customers, right before closing, to write a short testimonial letter for you. You can then use this when marketing yourself to new clients.
  • Provide change of address cards for your clients who are moving. Simply offer to send change of address cards (with your name and contact information, of course) to their friends and family, announcing their new address.

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Musicarte de Fort Worth: A Celebration of Food, Wine, Fine Art and Music

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

Sundance Square is set to come alive with the arts of the Americans – South, Central and North – on October 3rd and 4th during Musicarte de Fort Worth.

Musicarte, which is produced by the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with downtown Fort Worth’s business and cultural community and is coordinated by the same team that produces the MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival, is a celebration of food, wine, fine art and music.

Thousands will flock to downtown Fort Worth to enjoy the Latin beat and flavor. All benefits from this event will benefit the Scholarship Fund of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Musicarte showcases more than 100 fine artists and craftsman, as well as fine food and wine, and live music and dance, all in the central business district.

Expect some of the finest ceramics, painting, photography, woodcarving, glassworks and jewelry, as well as multi-media compositions in three Pavilions de las Americas, each devoted to the arts and flavor of a featured region. Live music and dance will be featured on the Sundance Square main stage.

The music of Tito Puente, Jr. and Grupo Fantasma will be featured during this two-day event, as well.

Learn Latin Music!

Latin music can be salsa, jazz, rock and folk, just to name a few. Fort Worth’s Latin Express will be the guides for all the variations on the theme of Latin music.

Learn Latin dance!

Learn Latin classics like the tango and the meringue at Musicarte de Fort Worth through the dance instruction of popular Latin dancers.

Learn Latin art!

Find out more about the Artists Gallery at www.musicartefw.com.

The Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to creating, promoting and enhancing economic opportunity and prosperity for the Fort Worth Hispanic business community.

Sponsors of Musicarte include Sundance Square, Coors Distributing Company, State Farm Insurance, American Airlines, the Star-Telegram, D Magazine, Univision and TeleFutura, Coca Cola Bottling Company of North Texas, The T, Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc., Devon Energy, Green Mountain Energy, General Motors, and DFW Professional Musicians Association. The hotel sponsor is Courtyard by Marriott/Blackstone Hotel.

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