About Handwritten Marketing for the Mortgage Industry

Handwritten marketing is essential in the mortgage loan officer marketing and it doesn’t matter if you’re on a team or an individual agent – handwritten notes for mortgage brokers just work!

Software programs facilitate the process of handwriting on paper to produce cost-effective, beautifully crafted cards. The takeaway here is that this form of advertising can be done by both teams and individuals alike.

As a mortgage broker, you are responsible for creating strong, lasting client relationships to build loyalty. Clients trust that brokers will help them buy their biggest assets and rely on this relationship even after the deal has gone through. In your competitive market, brokers must differentiate from other brokers in order to close deals so sending handwritten notes is one way of mortgage loan officer marketing.

Handwritten Notes for Mortgage Brokers: Build Your Fanbase

Handwritten notes for mortgage brokers are a great way to build your fan base and they are so easy to send. They show people you care about them and that they’re important in a way that makes it worth it for you to take the time to write them. When someone sees this note in their mailbox, it moves them into your “sphere of influence”, so the fanbase continues growing!

In a time when people are avoiding human contact, handwritten notes for mortgage brokers will stand out to them as one of the best marketing strategies for mortgage brokers. These letters can provide a real-life connection that is needed in this dystopia-like world we live in where the COVID-19 virus has left everyone feeling detached and dissociated or disconnected from their surroundings according to Mental Health America (MHA).

It is time to stop slamming people with emails. A handwritten note is more effective than an email because people open the notes nearly 99% of the time, as opposed to email open rates of around 20 percent, according to Small Business Trends. Sending an email has become so common that many view incoming messages as spam and junk mail; handwritten notes stand out from this stream of automatic communication in their ability to be noticed and read.

When you add these numbers up it becomes clear: developing relationships through personalization will help grow your sphere of influence exponentially faster than sending canned mass communications every day.

Handwritten notes for mortgage brokers are one of the best strategies for mortgage broker marketing because they allow you to craft and grow strong relationships on a personal level. It is no longer necessary to be associated with an established branded agency; instead, you can offer an extremely high-quality service as an individual.

Let’s move on to why handwritten notes work better.

A Broker’s Guide to Relationship Marketing

Mortgage servicing requires strong relationships with buyers. Customers and brands are intertwined in relationship marketing, which involves you as well!

Handwritten notes for mortgage brokers are not just used to go after leads. They can be a useful tool in relationship marketing as they help create and maintain long-term customer relationships. Gary Vaynerchuk said, “Karma outperforms short-term best sales tactics every day of the week in a 30-year window but people want sales now” which is why handwritten notes will always have their place!

Marketing to Build Relationships: What Types Are There?

Relationship building is one of the best strategies for mortgage brokers, but exactly what does that entail?

• Basic: Direct sales are the foundation of relationship marketing. Ultimately, it is up to the salesperson to close the sale. It is a very basic form of relationship marketing if you send handwritten notes to qualify a single mortgage client.
• Reactive: Your business might choose to request feedback after a sale. Reactive marketing is what you’re doing. With the help of a handwritten note, a mortgage broker can ask for a Yelp (or any other platform) review.
• Accountable: Customers are encouraged to contact you with complaints or questions while using accountable relationship marketing. Consider sending a handwritten note to a client who recently closed on their home to find out if they have any concerns.
• Proactive: Performance is assessed here with the assistance of your customers. The promotion of proactive relationships can be accomplished by gathering feedback and actively using it to improve future performance.

What options do mortgage brokers have to automate handwritten notes for mortgage loan officer marketing?

Handwritten Note Types

The best marketing strategies for mortgage brokers rely heavily on handwritten notes since they demonstrate commitment to the client. It’s always rewarding to make personal connections, whether you’re a new loan officer or Quicken Loans broker.

Mortgage loan officer marketing may use various options with handwritten notes and none are the same.

• Printed notes which appear to be handwritten. Choosing a handwriting style that looks like human writing can have benefits when you are typing up a printed note. You might prefer the fonts Art Typo, Autography, or Brown Bag Lunch for example. If only because they are written in cursive, it looks like they were written by hand. Despite that, all the characters and letters are exactly the same; with no variations in any way, making it impossible for an individual to write by hand. This note won’t fool someone into believing it was handwritten.
• Printed signature on a typed note. Rather than printing the standard closing, here we have typed remarks or letters “signed” with a font that resembles handwriting. It is even possible for companies to pass off digital versions of signatures as originals. But they won’t pass the smear test.
• Artificial intelligence-based handwritten notes use traditional pens and a handwriting style is chosen just for your campaign. A robot drives a pen that creates a note that appears as if it were written by hand in this form of handwritten marketing. The note appears 100% authentic due to variations and simple “errors.”

If you are wondering, “Should I type my notes or handwrite them?” then try out handwritten notes for mortgage loan officer marketing.

Do You Know Why Handwritten Notes Are So Effective?

A handwritten note can be one of the best marketing strategies for mortgage brokers for many reasons. Here are several reasons why this timeless marketing method has stood the test of time.

• Open and engagement rates are higher for handwritten notes. Postal mail signed by hand has a 99 percent open rate. Authentic mail attracts people because it looks like it was written by hand and stamped by a real person.

They’re also personalized, contain an address on the envelope along with a handwritten message. In a way, handwritten cards for mortgage brokers are almost nostalgic.

• It is the decision-makers who receive handwritten envelopes. In companies, the decision-makers typically see mail after it has been sorted several times. Mail that is sorted into the trash often includes printed advertising pieces. It’s a different thing when it’s handwritten.

In this case, it is sorted as personal mail because the sorters don’t know who sent the message. Handwritten notes for mortgage loan officer marketing are thus passed along to decision-makers, but junk mail is discarded without being read.

• People need human contact and mailboxes are empty. Back in the day, you used to detest the junk mail you received. In the past, local business flyers would be everywhere you turned; however, mailboxes are now empty. People become desirous of human contact as a result. Handwritten notes held in your hands will be etched into memory.

An analysis of Gallup poll results found that getting a postcard or mailed letter is very important to 94 percent of people. Handwritten notes are valued more by 87 percent of millennials than text messages, says the New York Post. Handwritten correspondence with prospects is the best way to build strong relationships.

• Handwritten notes for mortgage brokers are often saved. When you recognize that the recipient does this, handwritten notes are well worth the price. Displaying them publicly is a common practice. There is the possibility that several people will come in contact with your handwritten notes, thereby expanding your reach.

Give it some thought. Throughout the years, have you ever received handwritten notes from family and friends? Have you saved these notes? Someone might have given you a card and you left it lying around so that everyone would be able to read the amazing handwritten note as they walk by. This same point can be applied to your mortgage loan officer marketing campaign by using a personalized handwritten note.

• Create a culture of value and trust. Furthermore, you can establish authenticity, value and trust when handwritten notes are included in mortgage loan officer marketing. It’s the knowledge that they were actually thinking of you when they wrote the note that makes them truly special.

Handwritten notes for mortgage brokers invite clients to trust you because they demonstrate that you’re personally engaged and invested in their success. Personalized communications can create a more meaningful connection with clients, giving you a better basis for future relationships since they know how much you value them.

Handwritten notes for mortgage brokers are very relevant today for all of these reasons. Taking the benefit of a top-notch notes service is essential if you want to create a solid marketing campaign. You can establish strong, personal bonds with clients while setting yourself apart from the competition.

How to Find the Best Handwritten Notes Provider

For the best marketing strategies for mortgage brokers, you need to find the right handwritten notes service. Several important factors must be taken into consideration.

• Begin with some basics. Has the company delivered projects in a timely manner in the past? Is the equipment used the best? Are there options for customization? Are they communicating with you effectively about your project?
• Using top-notch materials. Ensure that quality materials are used by the service. A thick card and an envelope that has been hand-addressed are both elegant and luxurious. It sends the message that the postcard is fake if it is too flimsy or thin – especially with a printed envelope. Handwritten notes should include quality materials in their quoted price.
• Size options. View the sizes available through the service providing the handwritten notes. Sending small notes or larger cards may be appropriate at times. The ability to customize sizes is vital.
• Handwriting options. Are there any options for handwriting styles available through the service? You have the option of choosing from what number of styles? Even if this means creating a custom option from your handwriting, you want the flexibility to customize handwriting based on your requirements. 
• Personalization. Can the note be personalized? Is it possible to add drawings or doodles? Wouldn’t it be cool to add a QR code that directs the reader to a landing page that is customized for each client? Personalized notes for mortgage brokers have a greater impact on the recipient.
• Personal or printed postage. Are Forever stamps used in this service? Unlike printed postage, forever stamps do a great job of proving an actual person stamped the envelope.
• Turnaround time. Is there a timeframe for the turnaround of your notes? Your clients will benefit from faster service – but always prioritize quality over speed.
• Scaling options. Can your handwritten notes for mortgage brokers be scaled up or down according to your needs? Growing your company may require you to up the number of handwritten notes. It may be necessary to pull back your activities as the seasons change. Make sure the service is versatile enough to handle the varying needs you will encounter as you grow your mortgage business.
• Nix hidden fees. The handwritten note service should offer transparent pricing. There is nothing worse than being surprised by hidden costs, such as postage or processing. Keeping track of your budget is more difficult when this happens.
• Look for premium services. Could you upgrade to a premium service if you so desire? What are the premium services you are referring to? It is important that you know your options.
• Free app. Would it be possible to use a mobile application for free? The process may be more convenient this way. It will be easy to place an order for notes even while traveling.
• Capability of including collateral. Whether it’s a gift card, coupon, gift certificate, candle, or something else, you can make it unique and special with a handwritten note for mortgage brokers.
• Dedicated account manager. Have you been assigned an account manager dedicated to helping you with the process? With the help of a dedicated account manager, you can choose the size, font, color scheme, and more for the notes to be mailed along with shipping options that are right for you.

A trained professional will be happy to guide you in the creation of a tailored mortgage loan officer marketing campaign.

Handwritten Marketing Tips For Gaining Traction

Managing your handwritten notes for mortgage brokers properly will help you get the most out of your handwritten marketing. Here are some things you should keep in mind.

• Every note you send shouldn’t be about selling. You don’t need to try to close a sale on every note, even if you want every note to lead to a sale. Mortgage conversion cycles usually last longer than those of other types of loans. Thus, patience is required.

The notes you send should build relationships. It may eventually be the time to turn the reader into a client, but it’s not a wise idea to expect that with the first note. Engage with the client and express interest in their needs. Learn about them before trying to sell them.

• Always share a QR code. You can use QR codes to open websites by scanning them with a phone camera. Your URL won’t be hard to read, nor will you worry that your reader will make mistakes entering a URL into a phone or computer. 

A QR code can help with scheduling appointments, take users to a recently published article, or direct them to a landing page.

• Do your research on your audience before you send them handwritten notes. If you put the time into it, mortgage farming can be incredibly effective. The worst thing is sending a handwritten note that looks amazing, only to have people around you who could have come under your sphere toss it in the trash because it sounds like it came from someone just looking to sell.

Taking care of your personal farm is like taking care of your family.

Handwritten Notes For Mortgage Broker Triggers

With handwritten notes for mortgage loan officer marketing, what kinds of triggers can be set? These letters can be used for:

• Attract leads and build relationships. As you develop a real connection with your prospects, these personalized notes can attract leads. Likely building relationships along the way. You might consider sending a thank-you note to a broker specializing in listing – beginning a relationship that will be of benefit to both of you in the future.
• Prospecting for future clients. If there is a popping market where your mortgage services are needed, you may think about sending handwritten notes to people there. You can stand out by sending handwritten notes instead of canned emails.
• Handwritten notes of appreciation and thanks. Please send a handwritten thank-you note after meeting with a prospective client to let them know how important their time is. It’s easy for them to get to know you by visiting your website or following you on social media, so share those links. 
• Buying a home. Using handwritten notes for mortgage brokers to demonstrate your previous success can provide evidence to someone considering a purchase. You should always include a link to impressive results. Having a QR code linking to some testimonials would be a great idea. 
• Being encouraging to clients. Purchasing a home will come with bumps along the way. You should send encouragement to your client when something unexpected happens. If you want to close the deal, you need them to stay with you.
• Opening an account for escrow. In the process of buying a home, escrow is a critical moment. The client should be congratulated and advised of the steps to be completed prior to closing.
• Closing time. The process of going from acceptance to closing can take some time. Send your clients a handwritten, personalized note when you’re ready to close the deal. The writing of a handwritten note can demonstrate your appreciation for your clients’ patience and business.
• The deal that doesn’t close. Clients grow frustrated when a deal fails. Let them know you’re sorry the deal fell through. Make a list of the next steps for them to take and schedule an appointment to chat.
• At the close of a sale. Upon closure of the sale, you can thank the clients with a handwritten note of congratulations. Let them know you will always be available for questions, complaints, or concerns they may have in the future. Encourage your clients to refer others who might be looking for mortgages and have them leave you a review somewhere like Yelp or BBB.
• Happy Anniversary. Your client has been in their new home for a year now, send them a handwritten note. Your company’s logo on your card can help the buyer remember you if you belong to a well-known company.
• Year 10: ready to upgrade. In ten years, you can send the client a handwritten note suggesting their family may need an upgrade if they are growing. You might earn another home loan with your handwritten marketing campaign.

The above are just some examples of when to handwrite a note for a client or prospective client.

Mortgage Coaches

Let’s say you’re interested in mortgage loan officer marketing and looking for basic information. As a result, coaches who have been in the industry for decades have some impressive industry knowledge.

After years in banking or real estate, some move into mortgages, while others work as a broker for years before figuring out that they are more passionate about teaching. All of them come from different backgrounds, but they have unique strengths making them mortgage specialists.

Dale Vermillion. Dale is one of the most acclaimed consultants, trainers and speakers in the mortgage industry. Having trained more than one million loan originators representing more than 500 lenders, he is a recognized expert. In addition to managing LendingTree University’s training programs, Bryan has developed Mortgage Champions, the industry-standard sales training.

Rick Ruby. The mortgage business has been Rick Ruby’s profession for 37 years. A total of 35 loan officers work for him at three branches of his mortgage company. A total of 3200 loans were closed in 2020 and 73% of them were purchases. In the years 1984-2009, Rick originated personally.

His company operates The CORE Training, which has 500 top producers and 44 coaches. His lessons are all about making more money, saving more money and giving more money. Twenty years have passed since the Core opened. Furthermore, Rick provides consulting services for many large mortgage banks.

Todd Duncan. Duncan is a well-known author and speaker from the United States. CNN proclaimed Todd Duncan to be the “Tony Robbins of the mortgage industry.” Duncan has authored 17 books, including Conversational Productivity: Talk Less… Sell More Playbook and Future Trust! What You Must Know to Connect and Convert!

Daniel Harkavy. He has trained thousands of business leaders to operate at peak performance levels, enhance effectiveness and fulfill their potential. As CEO and Executive Coach of Building Champions Inc., he combines his passion for coaching teams and leaders. There are currently almost fifty employees at the company and twenty executive and leadership coaches offer guidance to thousands of clients and businesses.

Tim Braheem. In addition to his professional experience in the mortgage industry, Tim also has extensive teaching experience. A total of two companies (First Rate Financial and Loantoolbox.com) were founded, built and sold by him. The University of Santa Monica graduate has a Master’s Degree in Spiritual Psychology and is now passionate about helping individuals and companies achieve excellence as performance coaches.

Christine Beckwith. With 15 years of experience in the housing and mortgage industry, Christine is a sought-after speaker. She has broken glass ceilings and set a high standard for women in the mortgage industry for generations to come. Her economic publications and guidance to mortgage industry professionals place her in high regard with MBA’s mPower Community.

The best-selling co-authored book, Clear Boundaries: Every Business Woman’s Essential Safety Guide, has been hailed by colleagues, including an interview by Marcia Davies in a mPower Moment for 2018. She has also written Wise Eyes: See Your Way to Success, which offers a roadmap to success in life and work.

Doren Aldana. Aldana is widely regarded as the nation’s leading Mortgage Marketing Coach, the creator of several well-known programs, including Autopilot Referral Systems, Client Acceleration Formula and the 7-Figure Lender Academy. His work appears in Mortgage Professional America, CMP Magazine, The Mortgage Journal and other publications. Aside from that, he founded the #1 mortgage loan officer marketing group on Facebook, The Art of Mortgage Marketing.

Dan Trinidad. The company was founded in 1988 on the guiding principle “Everyone matters.” As president and CEO, Mr. Trinidad provides the same attention and care to customers, referral partners and communities. Every partner matters, everyone matters, every participant contributes and everyone benefits from a partnership.

Today, Partners Mortgage has been recognized as one of the most respected companies in the mortgage industry under Dan’s leadership. In addition, Dan’s philosophy of interrelationship and equality motivates him and his team to provide outstanding service through the entire mortgage process.

Casey Cunningham. As one of the most influential and trusted leaders in the retail mortgage industry, Casey has over 30 years of experience in mortgage banking. Her expertise in leading and transforming organizations has earned her the respect of prominent executives across the country. Professional standards, education, sales productivity and accountability are Cunningham’s passions. Her efforts have made a positive impact nationwide on the careers of professionals across the country.

Casey has worked for a $4 billion mortgage company as Executive Vice President, earning her recognition as one of the industry’s most senior executives. In 2002, Casey founded XINNIX. Since then, she has recruited and led talented individuals from a variety of industries to help XINNIX become one of the most recognizable and successful training schools in the mortgage industry.

Reeta Casey. She received a degree in Education from the University of Tennessee and resides in Windermere, Florida. One of the founding partners of The Core Training, she has 27 years of experience in the Orlando real estate market. Through the implementation of the Core principles, Reeta created a profitable business and sold it in 2005. She then started Stockworth Realty Group, a company that caters to the luxury market of Central Florida.

Since then, she has focused on training real estate agents on how to maximize their sales profits, build corporate accounts and build relationships with influential people. Through her monthly webinars, Reeta helps the Core’s Level 3 students make progress toward their goals using systems and structure. Breast cancer survivor Reeta wants to help others achieve their dreams by helping them learn, train and inspire them.

Kendra Cooke. In 1988, Kendra Cooke, a native of southern Illinois, moved to middle Tennessee to pursue a career in law, but soon changed careers and plunged into real estate. Kendra has been active in the real estate industry for over 28 years, providing outstanding service to more than 100 families each year while working less than 40 hours a week.

A new responsibility, taken on by Kendra in August 2017, is providing leadership and mentoring to the sales team at CORE headquarters and integrating Realtor coaching into the team’s weekly activities.

Kenneth Travis. In his role as a real estate advisor for consumers and professionals, Kenneth Travis is called one of the nation’s top advisors. The real estate financing and marketing expert has built an extensive list of clients, real estate agents, financial planners and bankers who seek his services.

You can develop, grow and evolve your mortgage business by taking advantage of these coaches and handwritten business letters.

Mortgage Marketing Tip: Wherever Possible, Automate

It’s obvious that when learning about your target market, you’ll want to automate as many steps as possible. Some incredible tools out there are Floify, Ricochet360, Lending Pad, BNTouch Mortgage CRM, and Snapdocs to name a few. These sources all provide you with valuable information to help you get to know a market and target the right audience.

Floify. In addition to providing a secure communication and document portal between lenders, borrowers, and other mortgage stakeholders, Floify is the industry’s leading point-of-sale solution for loan originators and mortgage professionals. In addition to collecting and verifying borrower paperwork, Floify helps loan originators track loan progress, communicate with borrowers and real estate agents, and close loans faster.

Ricochet360. With Ricochet360, you can automate 95% of your daily sales workflow by having the ability to call a new lead quickly. Remember to engage and nurture prospects for the life of the sales process. It also helps you manage lists, contacts, and leads all in one place.

LendingPad. Innovative residential mortgage professionals built LendingPad’s innovative loan origination system in 2015 to enhance individual mortgage originators’ success, enhance the quality of the user experience and make better lending decisions. With features like same-file multiuser file editing and real-time pushed updates, LendingPad is an innovative LOS app using a cloud-based infrastructure.

A lending marketplace such as LendingPad connects borrowers and lenders with lenders and brokers. Through LendingPad’s solutions, brokers, lenders, and depository institutions can increase efficiency, comply with regulations and keep their information secure.

As a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the Mortgage Independent Mortgage Experts Association (AIME), and a proud winner of HousingWire’s Tech100 Award, LendingPad is endorsed by the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB).

BNTouch Mortgage CRM. A full-featured digital mortgage system, CRM, marketing, and POS tool, BNTouch Mortgage CRM offers a comprehensive mortgage business growth platform for loan officers and mortgage lenders. The BNTouch Mortgage CRM includes a comprehensive set of marketing automation features, including email and SMS automation, lead distribution, lead management, 35+ proprietary mortgage tools, the digital 1003 application, pre-built marketing content, and customized video marketing and curated content for social media.

Integrations with external systems are possible with this solution including LOS, Outlook, Zapier, and many more.

Snapdocs. Snapdocs’ offerings are geared towards lending firms, title companies, and notaries who require workflow automation tools. In addition, the company maintains a directory of over 80,000 notaries and attorneys, who are ranked and rated by their credentials and user reviews.

This system facilitates the transmission of loan documents and closing details, in addition to providing scheduling tools. Using Snapdocs, lenders, title companies and escrow companies can also automate vendor compensation. Over 100,000 closings are conducted by Snapdocs every month.

Okay, now that you know what handwritten marketing is and how to use it, what steps should you take?

Sample Templates – Handwritten Notes for Mortgage Brokers

Every once in a while, writers hit a roadblock. A high-quality service includes a sample template with handwritten notes for mortgage brokers in each client package. If you’d prefer, you can ask these firms to create one-of-a-kind templates for your broker campaign.

Mortgage Template – After the Initial Meeting

Dear [First Name],

I appreciate you contacting me to inquire about us possibly working together as you buy a new property or refinance your existing home. If you have any questions at all about this process, please do not hesitate to contact me.

You have a lot of options with whom you can work, but I would like to be the loan officer you choose.

A few recent clients have provided me with testimonials. My words should help convince you to proceed with me as a wise choice.

[Testimonials]

Hopefully, you will contact me soon.

[Your Name]

Mortgage Template – After the Sale Closes

Congratulations, [First Name],

Your new home is beautiful and I enjoyed being part of the purchase. Now that you’re getting settled in, let me thank you for partnering with me. Thank you for being such an invaluable client: I’m personally grateful we crossed paths.

Enjoy that amazing home, it will be a wonderful place to make memories with your family.

Best, [Your name]

P.S. Please let your family members and friends know about my services if they are looking to buy or refinance their homes!

Mortgage Template – One Year After the Close

Hi, [First Name],

A year has passed since you moved into your new home. As an anniversary greeting, let me wish you the best and let you know that I hope you are settling in well at your new home and making memories that will last a lifetime.

We had so much fun working with you during the home-buying process and I would love to keep in touch. Hit me up if you or a member of your family or friend is thinking of buying or refinancing a home in the future.

Here to help, [Your name]

Brokers often use handwritten notes for mortgages in order to reach out to potential clients or ensure they are receiving calls, but they can also prove very useful in reaching out to a listing broker or buyer’s agent.

Handwritten Notes for Mortgage Brokers: What You Need to Know

Handwritten notes for mortgage brokers is an effective way of standing out from the crowd when competing in the mortgage industry. Handwritten notes simply hold more value than emails or texts. Learn a different way to communicate to help you quickly realize that the handwritten investment is one that will pay dividends no matter if you’re working with a group or starting your own company.

Personalized handwritten services built on artificial intelligence for mass production, especially at scale, can significantly reduce the time and money it takes for brokers to write notes to prospects and clients while also creating strong, personal connections with prospects, clients, listing brokers and of course, buyers. It is essential that mortgage brokers maintain open, honest and transparent communications with their clients in today’s mortgage market.