Snail Mail is Back!

It is becoming more and more popular to send out hand written cards to customers and clients. The twist is that they are sent with beautiful hand lettering done on the envelope. You can try hand lettering if you think that you may have a talent for it or you can easily purchase a stamp. Stamps are rubber so they will last longer and are easier to use. These can be found on Etsy which is a great site for hand made products. So give your clients and customers something to get excited about when opening their mailbox. Happy to see a beautiful and thoughtful card and not just bills!

Mobile Services for your Residents

There are many mobile services out there that would be of use to your residents. This is great for senior communities and multifamily communities. Everyone can benefit from these services. Here are a few that may interest your residents:
1. Post office

2. Library

3. Housekeeping

4. Pet grooming

5. Hair salon

6. Manicurist

7. Fitness trainers

8. Flu Shots

9. Car Wash

10. Shredding

You can schedule these mobile vendors weekly or monthly so that the residents can look forward to these events or they can plan their schedules around your calendar. There are so many companies that will come to your communities and set up or that will pick up your residents for a small fee or sometimes for free!

Three Bedrooms Getting you Down?

In this economy three bedroom apartment homes can be a challenge to lease. The current competition is no longer your closest sister community but the homes for rent in your area. Renters are not only looking at the size of the apartment but the yard and garage offered by the homes on the market for rent. Here are some ways to market your three bedrooms and attract the traffic you need.

1. Create mini models with a theme and great free gifts inside. Accent walls are also a low cost way to make an apartment look more like a house.

2. Remind your current residents of your referral program and let them know that you have three bedroom units available. They know first hand how great it is to live at your community so they will refer their friends or family members.

3. Create a list of amenities and brag about them. Large floor plans, prime location, friendly staff etc. Whatever sets your community aside from the rest.

4. Focus on the Family- Create a flier with a list of the top family friendly reasons to live at your community such as near schools, gated community, fun activities for the kids, pool and tot lot. Etc. Hand these out or post them at rec centers.

5. Focus on the College Student- Hang a banner at UNLV or CSN in the student center. Advertise in the college newspaper or program. Create a flier explaining the benefits of room-mating. Keep in touch with the student housing department.

6. Focus on the Senior Citizen- Drop off fliers at the senior center talking about the benefits of room-mating such as companionship, finances and safety.

7. Offer a Realtor a referral fee for referring clients that don't yet qualify to buy a house.

8. Do a raffle or giveaway instead of a special. Offer to pay for the movers or give away a gas card when they move into a three bedroom. Advertise this with a direct mailer. 

9. Pet Friendly?- Advertise your three bedrooms in Petscene Magazine a low cost free to the public magazine. Offer a free pet gift at move in!

10. Host an Open House/3 Bedroom Blow out Party- Invite locators, area business owners, vendors and residents. Encourage your residents to bring a friend. Have a BBQ and make sure to offer refreshments in a vacant three bedroom mini model. Maybe have a photo booth set up in the vacant unit to make it interactive and the party goers will share the photos on their personal Facebook pages!

Have fun and happy marketing!

Fun Classes for your Community!

Education can be fun! Bring classes to your community so that your residents don’t have to leave to take that class they always wanted to. Speak to your local businesses. Many of them are willing to take an hour out of their day once a month to give a class or you can charge per person and plan something like a painting party/class. They may even offer their services free to benefit their business and get their name out there! Here are a few suggestions:

1. Basic Computer

2. Ball Room Dancing and Line Dancing

3. Music – Piano or Guitar

4. Floral Design

5. Ceramics and pottery

6. Cooking or Cake Decorating

7. Painting

8. Foreign Language

9. Fitness and Yoga

10. Photography

Get to know your local business owners, find the best deals but always make it fun! 

New Hire Packets

I have been interested in weddings lately. Every detail of a wedding is beautiful. It's that one special day! The bride and groom pay attention to each and everything that goes into their wedding. It makes me wonder why we don't do this with every aspect of our lives? Make each day special and pay attention to each and every detail of what we do. We can go that extra mile and add that special touch. So when you are putting together packets for your new clients, new move ins, or new employees think about how impressed they will be when you hand them something special. Take a lesson from a wedding photographer and give them something that will put a smile on their face. Anything new is scary and most people are nervous to start a new job or move into a new home. Make it a little less scary by walking them through their process and giving them a packet full of information that will be helpful to them. Add a DVD disk talking about the new company and what it means to be a part of this great team! Maybe add a flier with photos of your employee get together's such as the last company picnic or the involvement with charity events. The same goes for new move in packets or new client packets. Add coupons to area theaters or fliers with upcoming events in the area. Make the folder it's self pretty. Something friendly that they will want to keep and not just a corporate folder that may find it's way to the trash can. Think about weddings and how beautiful everything is down to and especially the stationary. Maybe you can make your packets just a little extra special.