If you have been  following this blog for any length of time, or if you have ever taken a class from me, then you are already aware of how much I value prospecting for business!

My belief is that if you don’t have someone lined up ready to do business with you, then all of the gadgets, training and excuses are meaningless!

There are many ways to prospect for business and I’m often asked asked ”Which one is the best one?”

The answer is very simple…the one that you will do every day!

In more practical terms, there are three main methods that I like, and they are:

1. Face to face.  This means door knocking, open houses, coffee meetings, group activities, client parties and so on.  These are effective because when you are face to face with someone you can quickly gauge what they might need, what you can offer them and more importantly, do you want to work with them!  Face to face meetings are also the ultimate goal of all other forms of prospecting.  They are all designed to get you to a meeting!  So, if you can, why not start at the goal?
2. Phone Calls.  This is second best, but is also effective and more efficient in terms of time usage.  You can cold call people in a neighborhood, or you can call your sphere of influence.  The calls to your sphere can be as simple as regular check in calls to see how they are doing, or to share market info. If you are cold calling, pay attention to the the next method because what I outline there can also be used on the phone!
3. Mail.  You can write personal notes.  You can write newsletters,  You can write postcards.  You can write birthday cards, holiday cards, graduation cards, sympathy cards and more.  You can also write prospecting letters. And, you can even email or text the same messages.

One of the issues many of us face is what to say!  Since this is such a universal problem there are a lot of resources available to help you.  And one of my favorite is https://theclose.com.  These folks are nothing short of fantastic.  They are constantly coming up with content to help you grow your business and I think that you should be subscribed to their emails!

Here is an article that they recently posted titled “17 Best Real Estate Prospecting Letter Templates for 2021”.  They actually give you the actual letters that have proven to be successful for other agents.  All you have to do is to copy and paste them into your word processor (or email program) customize them with your name and info, and then send them.  They can also be used as scripts for cold calling.  

Here is the list of the 17 letters.  At the end, I’ll give you the link to go download them for free!

1. 1. Divorce Prospecting Letter
   2. Expired Listing Letter
   3. New Agent Sphere Prospecting Letter
   4. Expired Listing Farming Letter Template
   5. Pre-Foreclosure Home Prospecting Letter
   6. FSBO Solicitation Prospecting letter
   7. Buyer’s Prospecting Letter
   8. Expired Listing Letter for Luxury Markets
   9. Listing Solicitation—Out of Town Owner
   10. Corporate Relocation Specialist Referral Letter Template
   11. Low Inventory Alert: Sellers, Your Real Estate Market Has Arrived Letter
   12. Expired Listing Prospecting Letter
   13. Open House Follow-up Prospecting Letter
   14. FRBO Prospecting Letter
   15. Local Business Prospecting Letter
   16. Probate Prospecting Letter
   17. Experienced Agent Divorce Prospecting Letter

Surely, there is something here that will help you find your next buyer or seller!  You can get them here: https://theclose.com/real-estate-prospecting-letter-templates/

So here is the question that I have for you, what are YOU doing TODAY to increase your business?