One of Our Favorite Real Estate Investor Postcards
Hey guys, I've got something pretty sweet I want to share with you today: It's one of our favorite real estate investor postcards, and you can officially swipe-and-deploy in your own real estate investing operations any time you want.
So here's the deal…
As any capable, card-carrying real estate investor who's actively doing deals will tell you, the only fuel that keeps your real estate money machine cranking is quality leads coming in like clockwork.
For wholesalers like me, that means a steady stream of motivated sellers with properties they sorely need to sell, plus ravenous cash buyers, hungry to devour the deals we serve up on a silver platter. For fix-and-flippers, it's distressed property leads and retail buyers. And landlords of course need solid investment properties and quality tenants.
The list goes on… but regardless of your real estate flavor of choice, it's pretty clear-cut: leads are the lifeblood of your business, and one way or another it all seems to start with the distressed seller.
In our wholesaling business we actually have a number of channels actively generating distressed seller leads for us, including referrals, signs, and JV partners. But hands down, the lion's share of our wholesale deals come to us through our direct systematic direct mail marketing efforts.
Which brings us to this:
Today I want to share with you a real estate investor postcard I’ve been using lately with great success as part of an experimental shift in our motivated seller marketing. Below you can see a full screenshot of our new seller postcard front and back. But to really understand what's under the hood and why, I recorded a short video for you walking through the postcard, and explaining the ‘how' and ‘why' behind our intentional shifts…
- From hype to unassuming in our message…
- From ‘corporate' to ‘mom and pop' in our framing…
- And ultimately from quantity to quality in the leads themselves.
Whether you agree or not with our little experiment here, I think you'll really find it interesting. And I'd really love to hear what you think about it with a quick comment below.
Feast Your Eyes: My favorite real estate investor postcard of all time (right now)…
Video Transcription:
Hey, what's up guys? JP here and today I want to drop a little resource on you.
It is the favorite postcard that I'm working with right now in our wholesaling business. It's the postcard that's been working well for us. We crafted this postcard specifically because we wanted to tweak our campaigns from generating a lot of leads that were very unqualified to generating fewer, better leads.
Now, let me give you a little background:
By the way, this image is just something fun to look at until I get to the real stuff. It's just a funny image that you've probably seen randomly on the internet. Interesting stools there that those nuns are sitting on.
Any who, prior to the postcard that I'm about to show you, we had been using a lot of letters. We have had great success with our letters.
Also in terms of other postcards we had been using, the very simple postcard that says and actually I'll pull it out here real quick. Just says basically: Hi, my name is James and I am writing you because I would like to buy your house at 1234 Sale Street. I can buy your house as is for a fair price and close on the day of your choice. You can reach me at and …”
We're getting a lot of calls, a lot of calls from that postcard, but we wanted to just qualify them a little bit better, have a little bit more on our postcard and see if we got a different type of results. Fewer, better leads is kind of our aim. So the postcard I'm about to show you does a little bit more in terms of the information that it shares.
And I just like it, you know, you may wonder why we have changed and why we're trying new things. That's a marketing practice that we believe in firmly; that is, constantly test and tweak what you do. You don't want to throw out a good campaign, but you should always be testing new things and seeing if it outperforms your tried and true.
So without further ado, let me show you this postcard…
Bam, that's right, it looks like a yellow letter does and it's kind of interesting, you know. Handwritten postcards are kind of the new thing lately. In fact there's whole courses centered around it from people that are friends of mine and I know, like, and respect. This postcard is based upon a template I got from one of the yellow letter vendors. I took their template and then kind of made it my own. I just basically edited it using their little online editor and, so I just want to take you through it now.
This is an actual proof of our postcard and this is one side of it. I'll show you the other side…
“Dear Terry Walls.” First of all, if you're not familiar with the, the yellow letter phenomenon, you know, for a long time in real estate investing arenas, people have had great success with yellow letters. Yellow letters aren't as effective as they used to be because so many people have been using them. But these postcards that look like handwritten yellow letters are kind of like the new yellow letter in a lot of markets. So, even though it looks like a legal pad size paper, turned on its side, this is a small postcard. Okay, I've just got it blown up giant for the video here.
So, first thing I love is this whole “houses wanted” on the left hand side. I just think that that really gets your attention in a very simple way. It immediately tells you what this is about.
“Dear Terry Wallace, my name is James.” By the way, James is my partner with The House Guys. So just so you know why it says that, he's the one who handles talking to sellers.
“My name is James and I'm interested in buying your house at”, and I blocked out the address “Polk Street. I'm looking for two to three houses in your area in the next few weeks. So if you're interested in selling, please call me at…. You'll see there's a local number here.
“You will not have to make any repairs or pay any realtor fees or closing costs. I can buy your property as is, for a fair price, pay all cash and close on the date of your choice. I just make it fair and easy for everyone. So if you need to sell, you can reach me at…”.
And by the way I realized there's a “m” in “me” left off here. So please, uh, grammar nazis, don't crucify me for that. Just a little mistake, but you know, I think people will be able to understand what it is, what it means.
“…you can reach me at, and the repeat the local number again and I'll be happy to talk with you if I'm out please leave a message and I'll call you shortly. Respectfully, James Alston.”
Again, there's our number underlined and then the three bullet points, no commissions, no costs, as is. Now, this is not a flashy hypey postcard. I find that I don't do as well when I use things that feel like hype to me. A lot of very successful marketers disagree with me, but personally I like something that has a very average joe, folksy feel. I want it to seem like it was written by a real person, so I very carefully reworded and crafted every piece of this to seem like it was.
I mean, I am a real person, so I did really write it, but I want it to seem like somebody literally, without putting too much thought into it, just wrote it out.
And you know, one of the things you'll notice is there's not a single exclamation point anywhere on this. My philosophy is more and more now, exclamation points are spears. They stab at you when you see them in marketing messages. I much prefer to end in periods or even question marks. I don't have any questions on this, but question marks are great. They draw you in and cause your mind to your subconscious mind to start trying to answer them. So remember that exclamation points are spheres, question marks are hooks that draw you in. Periods are just, I guess, neutral, but still a good thing to use.
I liked the little hand doodle of the little sold sign. I think that's kinda cute. And it's not too much, this is a simple, straightforward message on the postcard, but it's more than the message on the previous postcard. I also, I don't like that some of the messages on some of the yellow letters say, I want to buy your house. This says I am interested in buying your house, but it doesn't come out and make it seem like, hey, I just know I want to buy it. Like if you'll sell me your house, I'll buy it. That's the way some of the marketing comes across to me now that I see a lot of investors using.
And this one in no uncertain terms uses their address and highlights, “I'm interested in buying” and I don't know, that just has a little different vibe to me. It's not quite so hit me in the face with this, I want to buy your house. It just, it feels better and it's pretty clear that I'm looking for several houses in the next few weeks and then kind of puts the ball in their court in a very respectful way.
“If you're interested in selling, please call me.” So I like that. I just ending it: “respectfully, James”.
Also, I just feel like this has good vibes, this postcard. You'll notice the local number. I've already mentioned that, but just for what it's worth, I know I'll get this question. Currently, our local number goes through Vumber. We use Vumber for all of our local numbers, but we have it forwarded to a live answer, so we have somebody live answering those calls for us and inputting the information into Podio and then it shows up as a new seller lead in Podio account.
Now this is the one side of the postcard. Let me show you the other side. There it is. You'll see it's the exact same text. There's really nothing different about it at all except it's missing the little sold sign because that's where the stamp is going to go. First Class stamp, by the way. And there's this space for whoever is being mailed to, obviously here. So same message on the front and back. Okay.
In terms of where I am in deploying these postcards from, this is from yellowletters.com. And there's a link on the page here to take you directly to the postcard. It should lead you directly to the postcard.
Actually, if you scroll down, you'll see there's a section for yellow letters postcards. Go into that section and if you want to kind of use the same starting point as we did, I chose rather yellow postcard, the number four small postcard. And then once I click on that, it will open up and I can edit that postcard and decide what I want to put on it.
So, if you'd like to model my postcard, I would open up number four and then you can just use this image as your guide and of course. Feel free to test it and tweak it on your own. Try a different message, if this one doesn't quite represent you the way that you want to. But I will say there's a lot of ninjary, if that is a word, that's embedded in this postcard.
So, I think it's pretty swift. I'm pretty happy with it myself, and happy to pass it along, guys. Patrick and I love sharing with you what's going on in real time in our businesses. You are our insiders, that is your privilege. You get to know what's going on and you get to benefit from it and test it out yourself if you want to, whether it's a form or a checklist or a contract or a marketing piece or whatever it is.
So, there you go. Thanks guys for tuning in. JP out.
P.S.
The cost varies depending upon how many mail pieces you order. We ordered 4,944 of these postcards at $2,470, which includes the printing and the mailing with first-class postage, and that comes out to about .50 cents per piece. Totally worth it! This was, of course, a large-volume mailing, so the price per piece varies depending upon the amount in your mail campaign.
Show me…
Enjoy living on the edge? Want to give this here fancy postcard a try for yourself? Feel free.
Here's a headshot screenshot—bam!
Take me…
You could remake this postcard a number of ways, but the easiest would be to just use the same folks we do. Here's a direct link to the company we use if you want to have them print & mail the exact same postcard for you.
Now say it like you mean it…
Like I said, I'd love to hear what you think.
- Is this postcard the awesomest thing since sharp cheddar or the stinkiest thing whatever other cheese this here cat's smelling? —»
- Maybe you've tried an approach like this? Let's hear about it.
- Had success with another real estate investor postcard or yellow letter lately? Do tell.
Leave a comment below. And don't forget to be awesome.
this postcard we will try this asap Awesome
Thank you for the info
Thanks a bunch!
Very nice!
Love it, I will definitely be try this to get some leads. thanks for the advice
Love the crazy postcard design…lol
I love the idea of post cards
in the video, you stated that you would show the “Other Side” of the postcard.
I didn’t see it….
Great idea though…. i like it
Awesome post card JP Oll try it
I love these real world examples you provide.
Think I already have this post card but I swiped it again lol thank you JP yall are AWESOME!!!!
Thanks. JP This is Awesome!!
Very good idea!
The card is a great touch. it gets noticed. I like it a lot
This is an awesome postcard.
Post Cards – Great idea!!
Nice and eye catching post cards.
You always deliver the goods.
Sure appreciate your sharing your secrets and your commitment to helping others move forward. Thank you
one can never have too many marketing tools…thanks…God Bless you all IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS!!!
Just starting out I would not have thought to use a service for the postcards, but, it does seem to eliminate the potential for error on my part. Awesome!
If it helps get leads I’ll probably use it.
I know you like the baseball metaphor, another home run.
This is so much helpful. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, it’s noticeable in an informal way.
Love adding marketing ideas and collateral
Good stuff
Great stuff! I wasn’t sure if post cards would be something I would be interested in. However, this has peeked my interest a little and think I might try it. Thanks for the information.
Thanks for the material
Thank you, JP. I think I might try the post card. Do you also have the email swipes?
does mail even work anymore im sure it does thank you for everything your doing
great thanks
WOW!! Love this one. If you saw what I sent out you’d be ashamed. This should up my game tremendously. Thanks JP
I appreciate your attention to detail and giving us valuable tools for every type of situation for great results
Yes indeed you are Awesome
Killer
Can the postcards be mailed from my home office?
I really like the approach of making the postcards feel more like they are from a person and not mass produced. Even though they kind of are, lol.
Love the post card
Thank you for sharing
Thanks super excited
Great post cards in this program
Thank you for help and support
Appreciate your Help & support
Hope to get some success from the post card
Love postcards
Very cool pustcards I will try them
Awesome again!
AWESOME…I love POSTCARDS…and this one is perfect for interested sellers…especially with “distressed properties!”
This will be a great tool
Very noticeable postcard. Thanks for sharing.
Postcard is very eye catching and has all the information needed. Awesome!
You need a post card that will generate at least a 2% return.
This postcard is eye-catching. Thanks for sharing
I love the two postcards. Great idea.
Hey JP – The perfect postcard that has that helping feel to it = it feels real!
Wow !! Awesome post card.. Thank you so much
great letter for wholeselling
I think I’ll definitely want to use this! Thanks, JP
love the postcards. More tools for the tool belt.
I think I’ll definitely want to use this! Thanks JP for the wonderful output!!
I love the creative thought behind this. Thanks for sharing!
The Post card is just what any rei will need in the game of real estate trying to purchase, sell, help sell, help buy, and\or help retrieve their equity back. This is awesome baby awesome?
Cool marketing piece! I love the creativity! Thanks for sharing!
Great Tool. Should be quite useful
Hey this is great a wonderful tool for daily business use thanks a bunch!
This postcard is awesome, at first, I thought I could go to Microsoft and just find a font and templates canary yellow, and just duplicate this but was I wrong this is one of a kind. A gem in the ruff.
I like the handwritten touch! Looks more personal! Must give it a try! Thank you JP!!! Cheerz & best wishes all!!
Thank you so much for this good nugget. I will take advantage. It definitely lowers the guard of being sold or pressured which none of us want. It real and down to earth like i am and like i want people around me to be. I love it and thank you and thank you for being willing to allow me to be family!
The postcards and letters are a awesome and fantastic ideal. Loves that REI family is looking out for family. Thanks! I will give them a trial run.
GREAT IDEA!! I believe this is something that I can do and will work. Thank You!
Am giving this postcard a tryout.
EFFCTIVE ATTENTION GETTER.
Another good tool.
Awesome and more Awesome.
I like the postcard approach, doesn’t seem at all intimidating or arrogant……I’ll use it.
Thanks : )
Postcards are good tools when used properly
Thanks so much for sharing this tool for other Investors to have in their toolbox!
I like this post card. Was a little surprised that it was the same on both sides and I wonder if other colors would be successful….
I remember the yellow post card trends way back and saw several different ones but have never seen one that is simplify and natural looking. Thanks
Thank you for sharing. I love the postcard and am going to give it a try.
How often do you recommend sending out to the same addresses??
Also, do you recommend setting up a “fake” phone number so you are not using your personal number? And where is your “go to” for setting one up??
The postcard idea is great. I look forward to mailing them out to see how this technique will work for me.
I originally learned the yellow letters from the Godfather or real estate, Ron LeGrand. I have used them before but I did not have enough money to keep consistently mailing them. No matter what you do, you have to be consistent since most people are not moved to take action on the first touch. This postcard seems like a winner to me as long as you make a commitment to sent it out in a recurring manner.
Your a wise man! I will have to revisit this technique!
Very helpful
awesome postcard JP Thanks for sharing.
So Great! Love this can’t wait to use it! Appreciate you guys!
Love the mission statement. Brief but very impressive.
This is definantly the awesomest post card ever!
I do like the card . Not aggressive gives off a certain comfort to the reader all the while getting firmly to the point
Great card,looks likes something I would do.
JP you are awesome. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome yellow letter post card. It is simple and conver sincerity.
Wow, that is a really great card!
Totally awesome!
Awesome. Will use it soon.
Very helpful
Awesome looking postcard indeed! Would be cool if you shared the results of your 4944 mailing of the postcard… How many viable leads came in and of those- how many resulted in signed contracts? Thanks for sharing!
Any Rei working on selling house’s or finding a buyer will need the training and the Post Card to help find buyer’s, sellers or neglected asset’s.
oh wow, this is awesome
I love the idea that it has the same message in the front and the back.
Genius
Thanks for the information and materials you guys give daily. I really like the postcard idea.
I appreciate all that you do. Great instructions!! and Great Contracts!!
The Card is awesome in that it is not a typical Postcard
I’d definitely want to try it. I imagined myself as the seller and the card resonated completely.
I’m a complete newbie, haven’t done anything yet, but going over the lessons again, and I will soon start.
I hope this postcard works as well for us as it has for you. Thanks for being so awesome.
So, I like the readable part of the post card but I’m not a fan of having the same message on the other side. Could there be something a bit more creative. Maybe a picture of the house?
Ok am gonna keep trying this real estate stuff for a little while longer. am gonna try postcards because cold calling is not working Soo far just a few more months then am out.am 52 not getting any younger.
Looks like a winner!
Another tool for us to put in our belts. Postcards that are attractive and straight to the point.
Nice…. Great stuff , thanks a lot
Didn’t have success with my own…want to try this one!
great postcard everyone would notice it and would want to know what is says