The top real estate greeting cards for agents and investors

Ever feel like your marketing efforts are drowning in a sea of digital noise? Enter the humble greeting card – your secret weapon for cutting through the clutter. As real estate pros ourselves, we've cracked the code on making first impressions that last. Our handwritten, expertly designed cards don't just introduce you; they open doors. Whether you're an investor hunting off-market deals or an agent building your brand, our "Greeting Letter" isn't just a card – it's a lead-generating powerhouse. Intrigued? You should be. Let's dive into why our greeting cards are the game-changer your real estate business needs.  

Realtor Greeting Letter 

Investor/Wholesaler Greeting Letter

How to find the right Greeting Card for your  real estate business 

1. Use a company that mails themselves When choosing a greeting card service, opt for one that handles the entire process. At Ballpoint Marketing, we take care of everything from design to delivery. Our 5"x7" blue handwritten "Birthday-invitation-style" letters are crafted and mailed with precision. This approach ensures your message consistently lands in the "Open pile" rather than the "Trash pile".

2. Use a company that is in the real estate industry It's crucial to work with a company that understands real estate. We're not just marketers; we're investors and brokers ourselves. Our insider knowledge means our cards are tailored to resonate with sellers. We've tested countless approaches in our "Laboratories" to ensure one thing: your message gets opened and read.

3. Handwritten Our sophisticated machines use real pens to create handwriting that's indistinguishable from human script. We even include tiny smear marks that look like real hand smudges. This personal touch makes your message stand out, increasing the chances of engagement. Remember, people respond to personal, thoughtful communication.

4. Beautifully designed card/letter Our cards exude warmth and beauty. We use premium #67 cardstock - a quality no other mail shop carries. Our team of professional artists has created 7 unique designs that are eye-catching and inviting. The high-quality feel makes recipients less likely to discard your message, keeping your brand top-of-mind.

5. Great envelope that invites the "open" Unlike standard white envelopes that often go straight to trash, our blue handwritten envelopes intrigue recipients. They're designed to look like personal invitations, piquing curiosity and encouraging opens. This crucial first impression sets the stage for your message to be received and acted upon.

6. Do they have reviews? Absolutely! Our client reviews speak volumes about our effectiveness. We're proud of our track record, with a national average cost per acquisition of $2,500 per deal. That's 2.3x cheaper than many alternatives. Our clients consistently report higher response rates and lower costs per deal. Don't just take our word for it - check out the testimonials from real estate professionals who've seen remarkable results with our greeting cards. Remember, while our handwritten letters might seem more "expensive" upfront, they deliver a significantly lower cost per deal. Would you rather spend $5,000 or $2,500 to grab a deal? With Ballpoint Marketing, you're not just sending mail; you're making meaningful connections that translate into real business results.

Here's a video from our founder on what's working for real estate Direct Mail...

 

What do you write in a real estate greeting card?

When it comes to real estate greeting cards, the key is simplicity and focus. At Ballpoint Marketing, we've honed our approach to be laser-focused on one thing: generating leads. Because let's face it, in the world of real estate, finding someone interested in selling is the golden ticket.

Keep it simple Now, you might be tempted to cram your card full of information about your services, your track record, or your sparkling personality. But here's the truth: the value is already in the well-thought-out, handwritten note itself. The recipient feels special just by receiving it. So, we keep our message simple and direct.

Clear CTA Our cards get straight to the point with a clear call-to-action (CTA). We're not beating around the bush – we're there to ask a simple question: are they selling their property? For investors, this might look like: "I'm reaching out because I have a hassle-free cash offer waiting for you. Are you considering selling your property?" For agents, it could be: "I have buyers interested in purchasing a house like yours. Have you thought about selling?" See what we did there? We're giving them a reason to contact us. It's not about us; it's about what we can do for them. This approach works because it aligns with the only thing that truly matters in lead generation: finding someone who's interested in selling. Everything else is just noise. By keeping the message focused, you're making it easy for potential sellers to take the next step. You're not overwhelming them with information or asking for a big commitment. You're simply opening the door to a conversation. Of course, the exact wording can vary depending on your specific niche, target market, and personal style. The key is to keep it simple, direct, and focused on the potential seller's needs.

Visit our product page to see the message that's helping real estate professionals across the country land more deals with less effort. It's time to turn your greeting cards into lead-generating machines.

What to measure - it's not response rates

When it comes to measuring the success of your real estate greeting card campaigns, there's really only one metric that matters: Cost per deal. It's tempting to get caught up in response rates or to measure success month-to-month, but that's missing the forest for the trees.

Here's why:

1. Cost per deal gives you the big picture. It tells you exactly how much you're investing to land each successful transaction.

2. Don't get hung up on monthly fluctuations. Real estate is a long game, and so is direct mail marketing. Look at your cost per deal over a longer period to get a true sense of your campaign's effectiveness.

3. Response rates can be misleading. Sure, it's nice to get a lot of calls, but if they're not leading to deals, what's the point? You could have a lower response rate but higher quality leads that actually convert.

4. We're after deals, not just responses. A campaign that generates fewer responses but more deals is far more valuable than one with high response rates but few closings.

5. Quality over quantity. Our cards at Ballpoint Marketing are designed to attract serious sellers, not tire-kickers. This means you might see fewer responses, but the ones you get are more likely to turn into deals. Remember, at the end of the day, you're in this business to close deals, not to collect phone calls. So while it's good to keep an eye on response rates, don't let them distract you from the ultimate goal. Measure your cost per deal over time, and you'll have a clear picture of how effective your greeting card campaign really is. It's this metric that will tell you whether you're spending $5,000 or $2,500 to land each deal – and in this business, that difference is huge.

What type of lists to send you real estate greeting letter?

What type of lists to send your greeting card? Let's cut through the noise and get straight to a winning strategy that works across all markets, for both investors and agents. It's refreshingly simple:

1. Set your budget

First things first, decide how much you're willing to invest in your mailing campaign. This will guide everything else.

2. Target niche lists

Start by pulling lists of high-potential prospects. These niche lists often include: - Bankruptcy filings - Foreclosures - MLS expired listings - Tax defaults - Seniors (potential downsizers) Pro tip: You can easily find these goldmines using tools like Deal Machine and Propstream. They're treasure troves of targeted data.

3. Fill in with absentee owners

After you've exhausted your niche lists, use the rest of your budget to target absentee owners. These are often landlords or inherited property owners who might be more open to selling. That's it. No complex algorithms, no overthinking. Just a straightforward approach that targets the most likely sellers. This strategy works because it combines the best of both worlds. You're hitting those high-probability niche lists first, then casting a wider net with absentee owners. It's a balanced approach that maximizes your chances of finding motivated sellers. Remember, the key is consistency. Stick to this simple formula, adjust based on your results, and watch as your real estate greeting cards start generating serious leads. Ready to put this strategy into action? Our greeting cards are designed to make the most of these targeted lists. They're the perfect tool to turn these potential leads into actual conversations - and eventually, deals.

What type of budget should I have?

(see our Marketing Cost guide here) Let's get real about mailing campaigns. If you're serious about generating leads through greeting cards, you need to commit to a meaningful volume. Here's the straight talk: Aim for at least 2,500 mailers per month. Why so many? Simple math and psychology. First, let's break down the numbers. Even with a solid response rate of 0.5% to 1% (which is typical, though our response quality tends to be higher), you're looking at: - With 2,500 mailers: 12-25 responses - With just 1,000 mailers: 5-10 responses See the difference? With only 1,000 mailers, you're not really testing - you're just dipping your toe in. And in real estate, toe-dipping rarely pays off. Here's the thing: mail doesn't work in small batches. You can't "test" with a tiny sample and expect meaningful results. It's like trying to judge a restaurant by licking the menu. You need to dive in to really taste success. Moreover, mailing is a dedicated game. It's not for dabblers or weekend warriors. It's for professionals who understand that consistent, voluminous outreach is the key to steady lead generation. Remember, every call is a potential deal. With 2,500 mailers, you're giving yourself a real shot at multiple leads, multiple conversations, and multiple potential deals. So, if you're serious about using greeting cards to boost your real estate business, commit to at least 2,500 per month. It's the bare minimum to see real results. And here's a pro tip: if you can push that number higher, do it. The more lines you cast, the more fish you'll catch. It's that simple. Ready to play the long game and see real results? Our greeting cards are designed for exactly this kind of volume mailing. They stand out in the stack, get opened, and most importantly, get responses. It's time to stop dabbling and start dominating your market.

What if I don't have a budget like that?

(See our article on budgets here) Don't worry, you can still make an impact with a smaller budget. Here's a streamlined plan for those starting out or working with limited funds:

$0-$500 a month budget:

1. Keep affordable handwritten door hangers in your car. Use them whenever you're out and about.

2. Implement 1-3 free marketing strategies. Think networking, social media outreach, or attending local real estate events.

3. Pull a very targeted niche list monthly. Focus on high-potential leads like motivated sellers or distressed properties.

4. Purchase 500 Comic Postcard series or "We'll buy your house" postcards. Send these to your niche list each month.

5. Work your leads consistently. Call them, book appointments, make offers, and follow up regularly.

6. Follow up on "Return to sender" mail. Find phone numbers and reach out.

7. Be patient. Expect to see traction around months 4-6, depending on your effort and strategies.

$500-$1,500 a month budget:

1. Choose a focused list: either absentee owners with equity (3 or fewer properties) or owner-occupants with liens.

2. Start with $1,500 worth of handwritten letters in the first month.

3. For the next 5-6 months, send $1,500 worth of comic card sequences to the same list (minus LLCs and corporations).

4. Implement 1-2 free or low-cost strategies weekly: cold calling, door knocking, networking.

5. Work your leads diligently, following up on all opportunities.

6. Again, be patient. You might see results in months 2-4, but it varies based on your efforts. Remember, consistency is key. Even with a smaller budget, persistent and targeted efforts can yield results. As your budget grows, you can scale up your efforts for even greater impact.

When you don't have any money for marketing

If you don't have any money for marketing, you're not out of the game. You'll just need to invest your time and hustle.

Here's a no-cost action plan to get in front of sellers:

1. Pull a niche list: Use free resources to compile a list of potential sellers in your area.

2. Cold call that list: It's not always fun, but it's free and can be effective.

3. Door knock that list: Get face-to-face with potential sellers. It's old-school, but it works.

4. Send your own handwritten cards: Craft personal messages to stand out.

5. Scour Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace daily: Look for FSBOs (For Sale By Owner) and make offers.

6. Mine the MLS for fixer-uppers: If you have access, look for properties that need work and make offers. Remember, the name of the game is offers. Your goal is to get as many offers out there as possible. Each offer is a potential deal, and it costs you nothing but time to make them. This approach requires grit and persistence. You're trading money for time and effort. But here's the upside: these methods can be just as effective as paid marketing when done consistently and with enthusiasm. The key is to stay motivated and keep pushing. Every "no" gets you closer to a "yes." And when you land that first deal without spending a dime on marketing, you'll have extra capital to reinvest in your business. So, no budget? No problem. Roll up your sleeves, hit the streets (and the phones), and start making those offers. Your hustle can absolutely make up for a lack of marketing dollars.

Summary

Ballpoint Marketing's real estate greeting cards are a game-changer for agents and investors looking to stand out in a crowded market. Our handwritten, beautifully designed 5"x7" blue "Birthday-invitation-style" letters are crafted to land in the "Open pile" rather than the trash. We use premium #67 cardstock, sophisticated handwriting technology, and eye-catching designs created by professional artists. Our approach is simple yet effective: a clear, direct message with a strong call-to-action, focused on finding interested sellers. With a national average cost per acquisition of $2,500 per deal, our cards offer a 2.3x cheaper solution than alternatives. We recommend mailing at least 2,500 cards monthly for optimal results, targeting niche lists like bankruptcies, foreclosures, and absentee owners. Even with smaller budgets, consistency and persistence in your mailing strategy can yield significant results, making our greeting cards an invaluable tool for real estate professionals serious about lead generation.