What Marketing strategy gets 100% open rates
The Secret Marketing Weapon with a 100% Open Rate? Amanda Furman Swears By It
Forget open rates and email funnels—Amanda Furman has a simpler, more powerful strategy. And it’s working.
Handwritten notes.
Not fancy. Not automated. But deeply personal—and wildly effective.
“The only requirement to be on my team is to come to our team meetings and to write five handwritten note cards every week, and they can't be anything business related.”
That’s not just a policy—it’s a philosophy. And it’s helped Amanda build a thriving 98% referral-based real estate business in the Fox Cities area of Wisconsin.
Amanda’s Handwritten Note Strategy
Amanda’s system is deceptively simple:
1. Look for “Pain, Pleasure, and Celebration”
“If I’m struggling to find five [people to write], I go to social media and I look for pain, pleasure, and celebration and I just write people.”
2. Keep it Personal, Not Promotional
No logos. No listings. Just connection.
“I have cards for losing a pet, celebratory cards, welcoming a new baby cards… We do have branded cards, but those are usually for referrals or open house follow-ups.”
3. Let the Impact Speak for Itself
“I would say nine, 9.9 out of 10 times, whoever I send a card to, no matter what, reaches back out to me and lets me know how much that meant to them.”
Why Realtors Should Rethink Their Marketing Touchpoints
Most Realtors think marketing means postcards, drip campaigns, or social ads. Amanda flips that idea on its head.
“Nobody uses snail mail anymore. It’s all texts and emails. And we do that too. But those handwritten cards have been a big part of our business.”
She’s not chasing attention. She’s earning trust. And it pays off. Amanda’s clients remember her—and they refer others who are just like them.
A Simple, Low-Cost, High-Return System
You don’t need a massive budget or a fancy CRM to do what Amanda does. You just need stamps, notecards, and a commitment to paying attention.
Want to build repeat and referral business?
Start writing notes. Just five a week. Not about real estate. About life.
Small Touch. Big Impression.
Realtor marketing doesn’t have to feel like marketing. Sometimes, the most memorable gesture is the simplest.
“People love getting mail. It’s fun.”
Events like Amanda’s annual pumpkin porch drops and thoughtful pop-bys help too—but it’s the handwritten note that gets opened. And remembered.
Want More Ideas Like This?
Amanda’s approach is packed with insights that can reshape how you market your business.
Listen to the full episode of Outside the Box with Amanda Furman
And when it comes time to follow up with clients after the sale, remember this: thoughtful gifts and branded touchpoints go a long way.
That’s why top Realtors are turning to options like branded moving boxes, custom closing gifts, and creative follow-up kits to stay top of mind—long after the transaction.
