Implementing a Pie Party that Makes an Impact: Tips and Tricks

This year, I've gotten several questions about our Annual Pie Party. We've been doing this event for nearly 15 years and this year, cumulatively with agents in our offices, we will have a pie party with over 700 pies and 1,000 people. It's gonna be a fun time!

Here are a few of the best tips we have learned over the years of hosting this event:

1. INVITATION BRANDING MATTERS: We want our guests, especially first-time guests, to look at the invite and get a feel for the atmosphere and what to expect. Check out this year's design at www.thankyoupie.com.

2. MULTIPLE TOUCHPOINTS ARE NECESSARY: We start with an initial invite, then an invite with a video, and then engage through calls, texts, etc. We want our guests to have the details and to be on their radar with plenty of notice.

3. THE INVITE CREATES THE OPPORTUNITY. Inviting our clients to receive a free pie starts in motion the principle of reciprocity. (See Robert Cialdini's book below). And the invite has a question about real estate - we routinely will get referrals before the event even begins.

4. UTILIZE TECHNOLOGY FOR FOLLOW-UP: For team outreach, group texts are essential, enabling me to chime in and maintain a personal touch. Solo agents might find tools like Reach helpful.

5. VIDEO EMAILS have been a hit (we use BombBomb).

6. MORE THAN JUST A PIE: One of our last touch points is, "Oh, we almost forgot - we're partnering with a charity". This gives us another opportunity to reach out to clients as a touch point - and creates an even better bond between us and our clients.

7. DAY OF EVENT REMINDERS: People are busy and sometimes forgetful. We've found that a final text reminder ensures maximum attendance.

8. HAVE CONVERSATIONS THAT MATTER: At the event, here are some of our favorite conversation ideas.

   1. Create a space for gratitude: "I know it's been a crazy year, but as you look back, what are a few things you are really grateful for?" This question, when asked sincerely of a client, is a gift to the world and humanity. We have the opportunity to lift the consciousness of our clients and our community through the questions we ask.

   2. Don't be afraid to tell them the truth: "It means the world to me that you stopped by. I know it wasn’t just for the pie. It was for a chance to say hello. And I just want you to know that your support of our business, now more than ever, means the world to us. We wouldn’t have the success we have if it weren’t for great people like you, supporting our business and connecting us with other great people.”

   3. Remind them how you can add value: "The market is challenging right now. Buyers and sellers have more questions than answers, and now more than ever, the right guide makes a huge impact on the success of their journey. If they are a friend of yours, they are a friend of mine, and I’m always available to help anyone you know with their real estate-related questions and goals."

9. IT'S NOT ABOUT THE PIE. We aren't in the bakery business, and neither are you. This means if someone texts you on the day of the event saying they can't pick up the pie because their family just made a surprise trip into town, don't just cross them off the list and move on. Make a phone call! Use it as an opportunity to connect. Go out of your way to reach out to anyone who didn't make it. As Seth Godin says, “A tribe member wants to be missed.” Let them know that their presence — and absence — makes a difference.

10. POST EVENT FOLLOW-UP: After the event, we'll post and email out photos taken from the event. It's another opportunity to get in touch with our clients and this is often when they will suddenly have an epiphany of a friend who is thinking of making a move.