SMILE Stops™: Your Secret to More Referrals
SMILE Stops™ make prospecting fun, not forced—build trust, spark referrals, and reconnect with clients through small, joyful, memory-making moments.
Let’s be real: Prospecting can feel intimidating. Picking up the phone to call past clients, your sphere, or your farm? Cue the sweaty palms and mental rehearsals.
But what if there was a better way to connect—one that felt fun instead of forced? One that made you feel good and made them feel seen, appreciated, and remembered?
That’s exactly what SMILE Stops™ are for.
Related reading: Real Estate Coaching: Prospecting With Purpose
What Is a SMILE Stop™?
A SMILE Stop™ is a small, thoughtful, and creative drop-by gift paired with a positive message or note, usually using a cute and clever play on words to make it more memorable and fun.
They’re designed to do three things:
- Spark joy for the recipient
- Strengthen relationships with your clients, sphere, and farm
- Simplify prospecting for YOU
It’s prospecting with a purpose—and a personality. No cold calls. No awkward scripts. Just meaningful, memorable moments that lead to referrals, repeat business, and reputation-building. It doesn’t take long, and it’s a great excuse to catch up with past clients or attract new ones.
Whether you’re trying to:
✔ Overcome fear of reaching out
✔ Generate leads in a warm, non-salesy way
✔ Stay top-of-mind without being pushy
✔ Reconnect after a long silence
✔ Get out of a rut or break through loneliness
SMILE Stops™ are your new go-to.
Related reading: The Close – 20 Clever Real Estate Pop-by Ideas to Get More Referrals
Why SMILE Stops™ Work
SMILE Stops™ are more than cute gifts—they’re emotionally intelligent marketing.
They:
- Tap into the science of reciprocity
- Create positive emotional anchors tied to YOU
- Make people feel valued and thought of
- Turn a simple interaction into a lasting memory
And best of all? They’re fun. For you and them.
When you lead with generosity, creativity, and authenticity—you stand out. And in a noisy, competitive industry like real estate, that’s everything.
Related reading: Embrace Home Loans – What Are Pop-Bys? (And Why They’re An Effective Marketing Tool)
SMILE Stops™: A Full Year of Ideas
Here’s a full year of plug-and-play SMILE Stops™ with suggested messages and gift ideas. These can be adapted anytime—swap months, mix and match, or repeat your favorites.
January – “New Year, New Cheers”
Message: “Wishing you a fresh start, new adventures, and a year filled with joyful moments. Cheers to new chapters—I’m here if you need anything home-related!”
Gift: Mini champagne or sparkling cider bottles with a festive ribbon.
February – “We LOVE Helping You Move!”
Message: “Just popping by to share a little love and remind you how much I appreciate you. You make my work feel like a heart-led mission!”
Gift: Heart-shaped cookies, chocolate, or a small bag of Valentine candy.
March – “You’re the Pot of Gold!”
Message: “It’s clients like you that make my business shine. Just a little thank-you for being part of my journey. Lucky to know you!”
Gift: Gold-wrapped chocolate coins, rainbow candy, or mini shamrock plant.
April – “Springing by to Say Thanks!”
Message: “Spring is all about fresh starts and blooming relationships—and I’m so grateful for ours!”
Gift: Seed packets, mini flowerpots, or pastel-colored candy jars.
May – “You Help Us Bloom!”
Message: “I’m grateful every day for people like you who help my business grow. If you or someone you know needs real estate help—I’m here.”
Gift: Flower-shaped cookies, mini bouquet, or herb starter kits.
June – “Summer Starts with a Smile”
Message: “Kicking off summer with a smile and a simple reminder: I’m here whenever you need real estate help or advice!”
Gift: Sunscreen, flip-flops, or popsicles with fun tags.
July – “Spark Some Joy!”
Message: “Wishing you a joyful, safe, and smile-filled summer! If a move is on your radar, let’s spark that conversation.”
Gift: Sparklers, patriotic treats, or red-white-blue goodie bags.
August – “Back-to-School, Back to YOU!”
Message: “While the kids head back to school, I’m here to help you stay on track with your real estate goals. Let’s reconnect!”
Gift: School-themed treats like apple cookies, mini notebooks, or pencils in a cute jar.
September – “Falling for Our Favorite People”
Message: “Autumn’s the season of gratitude—and I’m so thankful for the trust and friendship you’ve shown me over the years.”
Gift: Apple pie kits, mini pumpkins, or fall-scented candles.
October – “No Tricks, Just Treats!”
Message: “Real estate doesn’t have to be scary! I’m here to guide you every step of the way—and deliver treats, not tricks.”
Gift: Halloween goodie bags, caramel apples, or ghost-themed cookies.
November – “Gratitude is Our Favorite Season”
Message: “This season is all about giving thanks, and I just want to say—I’m so grateful for you and your continued support.”
Gift: Pumpkin bread, mini pies, or gratitude journals.
December – “Wrapped in Joy”
Message: “Wishing you and your family peace, joy, and comfort this season. You’ve brought joy to my business this year—thank you.”
Gift: Hot cocoa kits, cozy socks, or mini ornaments.
A Caring Break From Cold Calls
If you’re an agent who struggles with fear, burnout, or the idea of “selling,” start here. Start with kindness. A small gift. A handwritten note. A heartfelt message. That’s how relationships are built. That’s how trust is nurtured.
Even better, that’s also how referrals happen.
Related reading: How to Overcome the Fear of Phone Prospecting
What’s Next?
If you’re new to SMILE Stops™, try committing to just one per week. Pick your favorites. Add your flair. And watch what happens.
We’re building a business of joy, generosity, and impact—one SMILE Stop™ at a time.
Want to find more SMILE STOP™ ideas?
Head to the POWER AGENT® Classroom and put SMILE Stop™ in the search bar – we have something for every month to help fuel your client connections with more joy.
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