Back in 2007, I wrote one of my most popular (and deservedly so, she says modestly) blogs ever. In fact, this one blog has brought more real estate agents to my website than any other, and continues to attract new souls to my midst on an almost daily basis.
I'm referring, of course, to the classic "Let's Do Away with the Dorky Announcement Letter." In this blog, I sternly advise new real estate agents to Think Before They Write to their spheres of influence, BEFORE 
they announce their venture into real estate as if it's the most exciting news since... oh, I don't know what.
I followed up that blog with the Dorky Series - The Dorky Active Rain Profile, The Dorky Business Card and The Dorky Blog (which NAR brilliantly paraphrased here). I even created a sweet little product called "Dorky Announcement Letters - DEDorked!" where I provide several editable examples of non-dorky letters that can be used to connect or reconnect with one's sphere of influence.
But, alas, the Dorky-ness continues. The other day, I got a nice email from a brand new agent asking if I had a sample of a form letter she could use to announce her new career to her friends and family (no, I don't). Today, I got an inquiry from an agent who apparently found that form letter the other new agent was looking for, sent it out to his SOI and is wondering why no one responded.
I get that a lot. Agents writing to me in frustration that they ARE communicating with their Spheres of Influence ("just like you told me to, Jennifer!") but nothing is happening. No one seems to care about them and their real estate business. But... when I ask for details on what they're sending out to their spheres, they proudly send over their Dorky letters, monthly recipe postcards and boilerplate newsletters.
Sigh.
My friends, I get it. I KNOW that you're busy; I know that it sounds overwhelming to create new material on a regular basis. And since you can easily buy pre-created material, what is wrong with just using that? It's better than nothing, isn't it?
Sending boring, boilerplate, templated stuff to your sphere of influence won't cut it. I'm really really sorry, but that's the truth. I wish it would - then I could just create my own line of Dorky Letters, Postcards and Newsletters and sell ‘em to you myself! (Hmmmmmm... if you can't beat ‘em join ‘em? Nah).
I'll be discussing this topic at the next freeee SWS Teleseminar entitled "Don't be Dorky, Be YOU!" on April 24th. Join us? Here are the details: www.sellwithsoul.com/dorky.
Hope to see you there!
REGISTER FOR DON'T BE DORKY, BE YOU!
Saturday morning, April 24th
(It's Free)
Sounds interesting. I need to wait until we get closer to April to determine my availability.
Good morning Jennifer,
I love the title of your seminar "Don't be Dorky, Be you!" Consumers want to know you and who you are, what do you believe in and can you be trusted. Actions speak louder than words..let them see and get to know you by the things you do and how you let them know what you are doing. Barking Marketing is not the way to go!
I remembered that blog. I subscribed to the comments and still get comments on it recently.
I do have mixed feelings about the "announcement" letter. For me, personally, I think an agent should just go down and dirty and start selling real estate. With facebook connections, it's hard not for others to notice the new career change, rather than specifically writing an announcement letter - unless it was near Thanksgiving/ Christmas time where many people update their friends and family about the year that had been.
I was a grade school dork. Taped glasses and all. Thanks for trying to de-dork me! I like you're logo with the flower -- it really suits you!
Thanks for the good post. As a dork myself, I would like to avoid over advertising my dorkyness with a dorky letter.
Loreena - I'm going to talk about that, actually. I'm not a fan of a formal announcement letter either...
Jay - I'd be happy to help!
Richard - You must be a late bloomer... speaking of... thanks for the nice comment on the flower!
Dorie - Barking Marketing!!! Love it!
Iris - Hope to see you there... unless of course... you're crazy busy with buyers or sellers.
Hi Jennifer, I went back to read some of your "Don't be dorky posts." The one about ActiveRain profiles really spoke to me. I think I need to revisit mine! Thanks for the reminder to just be me : ) -- Tanya in Montreal
Ahh... alas, the confusion of "what is marketing?" persists. I say it is creating an awareness and agree with you that boring crap is not interesting... and not interesting does not create awareness... just more for the wastebasket. Keep preaching it sister!
G
I love the dorky series! I think they are popular because they are real.. and we all want to be de-dorked
PLUS - they need to get what High Trust Sales are all about, and get over themselves! Alot of times, new sales folks tend to be all about THEMSELVES - and not GIVING to the prospect!
I love the title and so I read the post. I use a pre written newsletter and it is pretty good. I get feedback from it. But I have never announced !! IN the end who cares.
Jennifer think of the thousands of dollars that are spent to get Realtors to buy "Dorky Letters", that is why there are so many dorks, they are reproducing daily.LOL
Gosh - nothing seems worse than a form letter from a friend. There's got to be a better way. Don't think of your SOI as a thing, but as people.
April 24th seems like a long ways away now was that in 2010.
I would love to attend but I am not sure if i can afford the cost, of the free teleseminar.
I'm doing it for sure even though I'm not sending out any announcements right now. I've already done the dorky one last year ;-)
Looking forward to the "dorky" teleseminar!
I never sent out "announcements." When I do send out "just solds" whatever - I send them with web addresses (neighborhood web pages) and places to go for information about their area.
One day it is all the Rave and then it is Dorky, Right. Reminds me of Bell Bottom pants or Volkswagon beetles.