All Forum Posts by: Chris Gawlik

I was about to start the process of building a web site to generate some seller leads. I was thinking of outsourcing this process via elance or a similar company. 

Could any one give me any tips? Have you ever outsourced tasks or work to help build or systematize your business? Thanks.

I just had my wife make her own font because she has way nicer hand writing than me. I dialed every thing in and it works perfect now. I have my own print factory at home. 2 printers going, one printing envelopes, and one printing letters. I was so focused on learning how to make my own letters for the last couple of weeks I forgot the reason I am doing all this TO SCORE A DEAL LOL !!!!

Thanks for the tips guys. I like that stamp idea @Phil B. I also like your logo @Scott Costello. I think I'm going to give them both a try. Good luck with your investing guys. I still have not scored a deal yet but have only been trying for a couple months. I know that getting the letters out will be a big step in the rite direction.   

 Yes very smart @Michael Quarles, that is exactly what I did. I changed the copy that's always going to be there so there are no letters next to each other, or that look the same. I just wish there was a way to randomize, or a selected random result with mail merge. Yes I want the letter to be perfect and I understand there's no way to make it perfect.

One more question, I am using the bulk mail system and I have to put a bar code in a certain spot on the envelope. While testing my marking I am going to be trying hand written envelopes. Some times things get unorganized and a letter gets in the wrong spot in the pile, or the pile of envelopes gets a bit disorganized by one or two spots. Is there a way to scan that bar code on the envelope with something so who ever is hand writing the letters knows that its a match, letter to envelope. Thanks, you guys are the best. Pros in my book.  

Thanks for the words of encouragement @Jerry Puckett. Actually @Michael Quarles hit it dead on. What I am referring to is the same letter. 

I believe you want them to think its hand written so when you print out your letter or envelope you don't want to have the same letters next to each other. For instance an address of 34555 Which is why I made 3 fonts with my own hand writing. When you use mail merge there's only 1 font to choose from you can't change fonts letter by letter like you can in the copy or writing that's always going to be the same. It just won't let you. What would also be cool is a script for MS word that would let you change the font letter by letter in the mail merge. 

I get what you guys are saying though, I am way over thinking this and just taking action and getting the letters out will get results. If you hit one of the motivated sellers that needs to sell, there not going to care if the letter was written with a crayon. There going to be interested and call you lol. 

Another part of this marketing is that my wife is a Realtor and I give the dead leads to her to try and pick up listings.     

I have dialed in every thing I need just about to print my own yellow letters. It took a while but this should save me quit a bit of money on my marketing costs. I'm new to trying to find sellers direct so not having any deals can be very costly getting started. So I wanted to find a way to cut my yellow letter mail marketing costs down so I could send out more letters with my marketing budget. 

I'm now testing my marketing to see what works best. Printed envelopes vs hand written. I have hired a girl from where I work to hand address my envelopes for $100 per 1000. This includes stuffing the letter, putting a bulk mail stamp on them, hand writing my return address and the sellers address, and sealing the envelope. 

I have also created my own hand writing font, I made 2 different fonts out of my own hand writing to make the letter look as hand written ( random letters just like hand writing ) as  possible. I use mail merge to change the address on every letter or envelope ( just the printed envelopes ) and it works great. The only problem is, is that when mail merge puts the addresses on the letter or envelope from the excel file sometimes there's 2 or 3 of the same letter or number rite next to each other in some addresses. This looks very fake especially on the envelope. I can't have the envelope looking like it was printed, it has to look as hand written as possible. Because then people will just throw it in the trash. I would prefer the same with my letter that's inside the envelope. 

Is there any random font generator or a way to have mail merge or any other program make my own font random? Like it wouldn't put 2 letters or numbers from my font rite next to each other it would in a way randomize or choose a letter from my other font of the same handwriting. 

Sorry for the long post. This post will be very specific to people that are printing there own letters. It is possible though and actually very easy to do. @Jerry Puckett , @Michael Quarles any suggestions. I remember Michael talking about this in a previous post. Thanks.      

I was going to start networking with Realtor's and wanted to know if it is acceptable or more frowned upon to buy a deal through a Realtor with a hard money loan? I do have cash available but mite want to leverage some of it to do more than one deal at a time. 

I understand everybody wants cash to close a transaction quickly but I was just curious about what others are doing out there with financing, and what some Realtor's think about hard money.  

@Tom Reynolds that site will not load ?? Thanks for trying though.

I have heard of a couple of investors using a more simplified purchase contract when working directly with sellers.

Does any one have any suggestions for a more simplified version than the Ca Association of Realtor purchase agreement. Its like 15 and can be up to 60 pages long at times depending on what addendum's you have in there.

I'm looking for something that's 1 page preferably maybe 3 tops that won't look so complicated or over bearing to a seller. Thanks.

Wow that's really horrible, sorry to hear about your friend. My father in law lost a thumb in a machine while working for a glass company. Losing a couple of fingers is life changing. Learning to use your hand all over again can take a long time.

I'm no expert but in my opinion a personal injury attorney would be my first call. Were are you located A friend of mine is a very good personal injury lawyer.