absentee letter correct verbage?

Question

Good afternoon all,

I've got several lists I'm trying to develop letters for. 1. Absentees 2. Expireds 3. Pre-foreclosures

I've found my deals on my own thus far, and have since saved up some marketing money for hand written letters/ bandit signs. I'm willing to share my brainstorming/ideas for what the letter should consist of, but if anyone can help me out it would be much appreciated.

If you've got experience in writing letters for any of the 3 lists above, I'd appreciate it if you could PM me or shoot me an email to discuss, or just reply.

Thanks!

ps. I don't mind addressing each envelope and stamping, just need a good source/website that can duplicate my original letter better than my scanner can do, possibly in red or blue ink.

Paul B. · Answer

It's been a while since I used these letters. You're right that postcards are cheaper, but I have never tested postcards against letters in the pre-foreclosure market. I am not sure why that is!

I know that these people are getting a TON of mail, most of it bad. So, I try to make my letters stand out. I fold the letter in half only once and use a small catalog envelope that is pink or green or otherwise not very "official" looking.

Also, I think one of the reasons I don't use postcards is that while this information is public knowledge, I would not want to send a postcard to a house with kids living there, and the postcard says, "You're going to lose your house." In fact, I seem to recall doing postcards years ago and got a couple very upset phone calls as a result.

You know what works great at getting your envelope opened, although it's expensive? Use three-part check stock to write your letter. Use the two blank sections to write your note, and then actually fill out the check payable to the recipient (not drawn on any bank, of course -- all that stuff is blank). Use a window envelope so that it looks like an actual check is inside and watch how fast that sucker gets opened!

Here in Georgia, things move pretty fast. You find out about the sales in the legal notices with only a month to go, so you don't have a lot of time. Georgia is one of the more lender-friendly states -- at least that's how it used to be.

Matthew Mucker · Answer

Paul, thanks for sharing your sample documents.

I'm curious about your letter to preforeclosures. Letters are significantly more expensive than postcards; do you find the added expense is worth it? Also, what's the time period for foreclosures in your state?

Paul B. · Answer

It's been a couple years since I used these direct-mail pieces. I recall that the pre-foreclosure mailing yielded a TON of calls, but usually from people who had a 2nd mortgage, too. They were all upside down. At the time, I was interested only in straight deals with equity.

The postcards to landlords worked pretty well. I got a decent amount of inquiries and enough deals to make that successful. The trick there is the list. (Actually, the list is 51% responsible for ANY direct-response effort...)

My primary source of deals in the past has been Google AdWords, though. I'd do PPC ads and drive the traffic to my site, and the leads would come in. My average cost to secure one deal was about $2,000 using that method. My guess is these days it would be cheaper since I presume there is less competition.

Jason K. · Answer

Any other examples anyone else would like to post? I think the ideas would help out alot of us with writer's block!

Jason K. · Answer

Paul,

How successful are those mailouts? How often do you send them out, how many, and what is your % of a call back/email/website form?

Would be curious to know. Thanks!

Jason K. · Answer

I'm interested in a customized handwriting. How do I do this?

Does anyone else recommend postcards instead of letters? I just thought a letter would be more personal. People get tons of junk postcards.

Paul B. · Answer

I almost forgot...what do you mean about a Web site or other source for your letters? Why can't you just print them from your desk? Or are you sending a LOT of letters?

Have you ever looked into buying a customized handwriting font for your computer? You can actually get a font that uses YOUR handwriting. It's pretty cool!

Then you can write very authentic looking "handwritten" letters VERY quickly...

Paul B. · Answer

You might consider postcards instead of letters. You should at least test them side by side.

Here are some of my marketing materials that I've used:
http://paulpayscash.com/marketing/

Good luck!