A handwritten note is always a nice surprise and usually well received.  Perhaps tell them about a new restaurant that opened, or some news that may prompt a phone call to you?

I may be the worst at contacting anyone, most of mine are from running into them at professional gatherings or when they call me.

It depends on the client and their location, Larry. I contact my base more than once a month--monthly mailing, monthly email newsletter, monthly market snapshot on their neighborhood (although sometimes it's every other month for some clients), etc. I haven't found that I need to make a ton of calls or pop-by's because I'm always in touch with them in one form or another and that doesn't inclued birthday cards, home and wedding anniversary cards, etc.

phone - and not as often as I should. 

I'm not so good about the personal one on one time...I have sooooo many customers (and of course so little time).  I do, however, find that I run into some of them at Starbucks (and a few other places).  Someone made a suggestion last week to choose your Top 50 and try to do more w/ them.

Sometimes in the winter I have a bit more time to make phone calls.

Good morning Larry. I do not do it with any consistency with past clients, but on a regular basis with referral partners.

I email the last three years of clients at least once a month and stop by at least once a year.

Larry, I am a huge fan of mailing, but I'm even a bigger fan of the telephone.  Like any excuse.  Drop of the hat.

We do not consistently send postcards, but try to make a 'touch' in other ways; email, call, or stop by at least a few times per year.

This is definitely an area where I can improve as well - appreciate the reminder, will work on this.

Mixing it up works best for me between email, phone call, face to face or letter about three to four touches per year. 

I do not stay in touch either. I just mail out calendars once a year.

 Good Sunday morning Larry. I do my best to have either a member of the team are myself make personal contact with my mavens at least once a month.

Larry - I don't make personal contact nearly enough with my past clients. That is something I am working on for sure.

is there a hand written note on the postcard? something more than ..How are you? 

Should do it much more often than we do.

Larry Johnston actually this is your great opportunity to contact them - to ask if they received the post card and if they liked the message in the card (if it is something similar to Item of Value from Buffini & Company .)

Calling them, meeting face to face are the best way to generate business - as long as you use 'referral dialogue' with them.

I don't phone unless there's a reason and would never stop by. That seems intrusive to me.

Not often enough.  Friday I spent most of the day calling past clients just to touch base.

Itry for twice a year in a personal contact; generally Birthday's and just before Thanksgiving.

There are three levels of past clients.

1. The past clients who has been the source of three referrals a year

2. The past client who has been the source of one referral.

3. The past cleint who has not referred anyone....yet.

Group one get a call every month and a impromptu text to join me at a location near them

Group two gets newsletter, a call every quarter and direct mail.

Group three (after six months) gets the newsletter and annual call.

Making personal contact with your S.O.I. every 4 - 6 weeks is critical to keep your name/services fresh in their mind and to encourage referrals.  I like to use (and also share with my real estate clients) unique, fun, easy and extremely effective strategies that get me out in person, bring me face to face with existing as well as potential clients, and deliver that personal touch which is sadly missing in a lot of real estate businesses today.  If you aren't having fun growing your business, you are using the wrong approach!

Facebook is fast and easy. 

I think post cards are a great way to say hello and to keep the client engaged.  We will also follow up with an email drip program that highlights their particular market area.  Phone calls are key too catch up on special occasions, closing aniversaries, etc.

Those phone calls and face to face contacts are always much more effective than post cards. You make more personal contacts when you need more business.

I try to make at least one personal contact after a sale.  Usually by phone.