You don't get paid to host events.
You get paid when they turn into closings.
That's the honest question behind every client event: "How does this give me closings?" This playbook answers it, step by step, with the scripts, templates, and checklists you need to run your event this season.
How to use this playbook
- Pick one event (see Choose your event). Pie Day is our anchor example all the way through.
- Work the 8-week timeline (see 8-week timeline). Short on time? Use the 4-week fast track on the same page.
- Copy the scripts. Swap in anything in [brackets], like [Your Name] or [Your Website], and make the words sound like you.
- Fill in the worksheets. The budget, event brief, and scorecard pages are meant to be printed and written on.
Three ways an event pays you
Repeat business. Past clients who see you every year use you again.
Referrals. A warm, in-person moment is when people think of a friend who's moving.
Early opportunity. Registration on your own website shows you who's quietly looking at homes, so you reach them first.
What's inside
Why client events lead to closings
The conversations are the business.
A free pie, a photo with Santa, or a morning of free shredding gives you a friendly, no-pressure reason to get back in touch with the people who already know and trust you. The event itself doesn't make money. What happens around it does: the invite, the registration, the conversations, and the follow-up.
Thread 1
Repeat business
Past clients who see you every year remember you when it's time to buy or sell again. A yearly tradition keeps you their agent.
Thread 2
Referrals
Face to face, with a pie in hand, people naturally think of the neighbor or coworker who's talking about moving. You just have to make it easy to mention.
Thread 3
Early opportunity
When clients register on your website, your CRM can see when they come back to look at homes. You find out who's quietly looking and reach them first.
One event, three layers of results
Even if turnout is lower than you hoped, the event can still be a win. Measure all three layers:
| Layer | What it is | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Face-to-face conversations at the event or your office. | Where most referrals and "we're thinking about moving" moments happen. |
| Secondary | RSVPs. Everyone who registers, even people who don't show up, gives you a current email and cell number and gets your website cookie. | Cleaner database and website activity you can track for months. |
| Tertiary | Staying top of mind: the invites, postcards, emails, social posts, and event photos. | Your whole database sees you doing something generous, even if they never came. |
Pick an event you'll repeat every year
The best event is the one you'll actually do again next year. Choose based on your database size, your budget, and what feels like you.
| Event | Cost type | Best for | Why it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pie Day Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving | Per person | Past clients and your closest sphere. Our anchor example. | A gift people actually want, a natural deadline, and a pickup that gets everyone face to face. |
| Photos with Santa Early to mid December | Per person (time slots) | Families with kids and grandkids. | Families come back year after year, and the photo email gets opened. |
| Client coffee Any time | Per person, low | New agents or small databases. | Easy to host at your office or a local coffee shop. Small is fine. |
| Shred day Spring (tax season) or fall | Fixed | Your whole database, the neighborhood, and the public. | One flat cost, no limit on attendance, and built to be shared. |
| Dump-and-donate day Spring cleaning season | Fixed | Your whole database, the neighborhood, and the public. | Solves a real chore, and every carload is a conversation. |
Per-person vs. fixed-cost events
Per-person events (Pie Day, Santa) cost more with every client. Cap your list and use them to deepen your best relationships.
Fixed-cost events (shred day, dump-and-donate) cost the same whether 50 or 500 people come. You pay once for the truck or the dumpster, so invite everyone: your database, the neighborhood, and the public.
Built to spread: on a public event, the "you're registered" screen should say "Use this link to send to your friends" or "Post this." Every share brings a new person to your website.
Many agents run one of each: a per-person event for the inner circle and a fixed-cost event for reach.
Your one-page event brief
Budget and offsetting your costs
Cost is the number one reason agents skip events. Plan it, then share it, discount it, or just ask.
Budget worksheet
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pies / gift / service | $ | |
| Venue (often free: your office) | $ | |
| Signage and printing | $ | |
| Table, décor, bags, labels | $ | |
| Door prize | $ | |
| Postcards and postage | $ | |
| Photographer or Santa | $ | |
| Contingency (about 10%) | $ | |
| Total cost | $ | |
| Less: sponsor contributions | – $ | |
| Less: discounts | – $ | |
| Net cost to you | $ |
The money math
Commission from one closing ÷ net event cost = your return on investment
Illustration only: a $1,200 event and a $9,000 average commission is a 7.5x return on investment if it leads to just one closing. Two closings make it 15x.
Three ways to offset the cost
Vendor sponsorship (the big one). Lenders, title companies, and other partners compete for your business. Invite one or two to co-sponsor and co-brand the event. Thank them on signage or in a quick welcome, or have them on-site answering questions during pie pickup. They get face time with homeowners, and you share the bill.
Local bakery volume discount. For smaller events, ask a local bakery for a bulk price in exchange for visibility: a sign that says "Special thanks to [Bakery Name]" and a mention in your posts.
Just ask. Many businesses build in discounts that people never ask for. Ask every vendor: "Is there a better price for a bulk order or a community event?"
Pie Day sourcing tips
- Order by household, not headcount. One pie per household keeps costs predictable.
- Get quotes from two or three bakeries plus a warehouse club or grocery chain as a backup.
- Confirm the pickup or delivery time, how the pies will be boxed, and allergen labels.
- Order 5 to 10% extra for walk-ins and "we saved you a pie" deliveries.
Sponsorship has rules. Read "The fine print" (see Charity tie-in and the fine print) before you sign up a lender or title partner.
Sponsor and bakery scripts
Sponsors are partners, not just logos. Choose businesses you'd happily recommend to your own clients, and make sure they'll add to the event instead of pitching your clients.
"Hi [Partner Name], it's [Your Name]. Every year I host [Pie Day] to thank my past clients and friends, and this year we're expecting about [#] households on [Date]. I'm inviting one or two partners I trust to co-sponsor.
For a [$ amount] contribution toward [the pies], you'd be co-branded on the invitation and signage, thanked at the event, and welcome to be on-site during pickup to meet clients and answer questions. Would you like to be part of it?"
If yes: "Great. I'll send a short recap of what's included and the deadline. And after the event I'll send you photos and the turnout."
Subject: You're in! [Event Name] co-sponsorship details
Hi [Partner Name], thanks for joining us for [Event Name] on [Date], [Time window], at [Location]. Here's what's included:
- Your logo on the invitation, registration page, and event signage
- A thank-you during the event and in our follow-up posts
- A spot on-site during pickup to meet clients (please, no hard selling)
Your contribution of [$ amount] is due by [Date]. We won't share client contact information. If a client asks to be introduced, I'll connect you directly. Thanks for being part of it! [Your Name]
Subject: Bulk pie order for a community thank-you event
Hi [Bakery Name] team, I'm [Your Name], a local real estate agent. I'm hosting a Thanksgiving Pie Day for my clients and neighbors and expect to order about [#] pies for pickup on [Date]. I'd love to feature a local bakery. Would you offer a volume price? In return, I'll display a "Special thanks to [Bakery Name]" sign at the event and tag you in my posts and emails. Could you send pricing, flavors, and your order-by date? Thank you! [Your Name] · [Your Phone]
Good sponsor fits
- Lenders and title or escrow companies
- Home inspectors, insurance agents, contractors
- Local services homeowners need: HVAC, landscaping, cleaning, movers
Quick screening checklist
- I'd recommend them to my own clients
- They'll greet clients, not pitch them
- Their contribution and benefits are in writing
- No client data is shared without permission
- My broker has approved the arrangement
Your 8-week Pie Day timeline
Work backward from pickup day. For Thanksgiving 2026 (Thursday, November 26), the best pickup day is Tuesday the 24th or Wednesday the 25th, so clients have their pies for the holiday or can bring them to the family dinner.
| When | Do this | Done |
|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks out | Pick the event, date, and pickup window. Pull your list of past clients and top sphere, and tag them in your CRM. Set a cap on how many households you'll invite. | |
| 7 weeks | Get pie quotes (bakery plus backup). Confirm the location, parking, and a charity partner. Draft your budget. | |
| 6 weeks | Ask one or two sponsors. Ask for discounts. Line up your helpers: greeter, check-in, pie runner, photographer. | |
| 5 weeks | Build the registration page on your website (see Registration page copy). Set up the email plan and text reminders. Test the form yourself. Dakno clients: create the form in a few clicks in DaknoAdmin, or ask your account coordinator to set it up. | |
| 4 weeks | Launch: send Email 1. Start personal calls and texts to your top 25, closest relationships first. Post on social. | |
| 3 weeks | Email 2 goes to anyone who hasn't registered. Call or text non-responders personally. Mail a postcard if you use them. | |
| 2 weeks | Email 3 ("deadline's tomorrow"). Close registration. Place your final pie order by flavor. Print signage and door-prize cards. | |
| Event week | Reminder text 24 hours before. Confirm the bakery, sponsors, and helpers. Prep the check-in list and QR code. Do a walk-through of the space. | |
| Event day | Greet every client. Have the conversations. Take photos. Jot notes on cards (see Event day). | |
| Days 1–7 after | Thank referral sources the same day. Call warm referrals within one business day. Thank-you email and survey. Book home evaluations. Thank sponsors. | |
| Day 30 | Fill in your scorecard (see Results scorecard). Note what to change next year, and save the date. |
Short on time? The 4-week fast track
Week 1: tag your list, order the pies, and build the registration page. Week 2: Email 1 plus personal calls and texts. Week 3: Emails 2 and 3, then close registration and finalize the order. Week 4: reminders, event day, and follow-up. Keep it small your first year. A tight, well-run event beats a big, stressful one.
The invite is how you capture data
Your invitation does two jobs: it gets people to the event, and it brings them to your website, where every registration makes your database smarter.
Skip Evite. Send them to your website.
Many people now link third-party e-invites with scams. Spoofed invite emails have been used to hack accounts, so a lot of people simply won't click. An invite from you that links to your own website is familiar and trustworthy, and it does something Evite can't: it connects the client to your CRM.
What one registration gives you
A website cookie. Your site recognizes them on later visits.
Home-search activity in your CRM. Homes viewed, searches, and how often they come back. Picture getting an alert like "John Smith is back on the site looking at million-dollar properties." That's an early opportunity.
A real cell number. Ask for it "for event updates and text reminders." People give a real number because they want the reminder. Now you have a number you can actually reach them on, even for a contact who's been in your database for years with only a name and email.
If you use DaknoAdmin as your CRM: registrations update the contact automatically. If someone you only had a name and email for registers with a phone number, that number is added to their record. If they give a different number, like a cell when you only had a home phone, it's added alongside the one you have. It's an automated way to keep your CRM and contact list up to date, with no more cleaning up your database by hand.
A hand-raiser list. The checkbox "Please also contact me about an updated home evaluation" tells you exactly who wants to talk about their home's value.
The outreach order
The digital invite opens the door. The personal touch gets people to show up.
| Step | Who | How |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Top 25 relationships | Personal call first, then a text with the link |
| 2 | Everyone on the list | Email 1 with the registration link |
| 3 | Missed calls | Voicemail plus a personal text |
| 4 | Not yet registered | Email 2, then a personal text |
| 5 | Still no answer | Email 3 ("deadline's tomorrow") and one last call |
| 6 | Registered clients | Reminder text 24 hours before |
Who to invite to Pie Day
- Past clients (buyers and sellers)
- People who've sent you referrals
- Close sphere: friends, neighbors, family
- Warm leads you've had real conversations with
- Your sponsors and the bakery (they'll appreciate it)
Send individual texts, not a group text. A personal message gets a personal reply.
Call, text, and voicemail scripts
Read these once, then say them your way. The goal is a warm, two-minute catch-up, not a pitch.
"Hi [First Name], it's [Your Name]! Quick, fun call. Every year I give a free Thanksgiving pie to the clients and friends who've been so good to me, and I set one aside for you. Can I text you the link so you can pick your flavor?"
Wait for the yes, then catch up:
"How's the house treating you? Anything new with [kids / the yard / work]?"
"And if you have a friend or neighbor who'd enjoy a pie, feel free to invite them too. I'd love to meet them!"
"Great catching up, [First Name]! Here's the link to pick your pie: [Registration Link]. Pickup is [Date], [Time window] at [Location]. 🥧"
"Hi [First Name], it's [Your Name]. Just left you a voicemail. I've set aside a free Thanksgiving pie for you! Pick your flavor here: [Registration Link]."
"Hi [First Name]! Pie reservations close tomorrow. Want me to save you an apple, pumpkin, or pecan? Just reply with your pick and I'll take care of it."
If they reply, register them yourself so they still land in your CRM.
"Hi [First Name], it's [Your Name]. I'm giving free Thanksgiving pies to my favorite clients and friends this year, and you're on the list! I'll text you the link so you can pick your flavor. Talk soon!"
"See you tomorrow, [First Name]! Pie pickup is [Time window] at [Location]. Parking is easiest at [Parking Note]. If you'd like, bring [a canned good] for [Charity Name]."
"Totally understand! Want me to drop yours off on [Day], or save it for someone in your family?"
A drop-off is another face-to-face moment. Take it when you can.
"It's Pie Day season! 🥧 To thank the clients and friends who make my business possible, I'm giving away free Thanksgiving pies. Reserve yours: [Registration Link]"
The Pie Day email plan
Dakno marketing clients: your account coordinator can load and schedule this sequence for you.
People decide in two seconds whether to open, and most read only the subject line and the P.S. So every email is short, leads with the pie, and has one clear button. Five invitations go out about a week apart, and anyone who reserves is automatically dropped from the rest. Then three short emails take care of the people who said yes.
Subject: May we reserve a Thanksgiving pie for you? 🥧
Hi [First Name],
Pie Day is back, and I've set one aside with your name on it. Pick apple or pumpkin, and it's yours, free, ready for your Thanksgiving table.
Reserve my pie [Registration Link]
Pickup: [Date] · [Time window] · [Location]
It's my way of saying thank you. You're a big part of why I get to do what I love.
[Your Name] · [Your Phone]
P.S. Pies are limited and go fast every year. Grab yours now so I can count you in.
Subject: It's pie time, [First Name]! 🎉
Apple or pumpkin? That's the only decision you need to make. Takes 30 seconds: [Registration Link]. Pickup is [Date] at [Location].
P.S. Bringing it to someone else's dinner? Perfect. You'll be the hero of the dessert table.
Subject: Your Thanksgiving pie is waiting
Hi [First Name], your pie is still on the shelf with your name on it. Reserve it here before they're gone: [Registration Link].
P.S. Reservations close [Deadline Date] so we can place our bakery order.
Subject: Did you forget your Thanksgiving pie? 🥧
Quick one, [First Name]. I'd hate for you to miss out. One click and it's yours: [Registration Link].
P.S. Can't make pickup? Reserve anyway and reply to this email. We'll work it out.
Subject: Last call: reserve your free pie by tonight
Hi [First Name], today's the last day to reserve, because tomorrow we place our order. [Registration Link]
P.S. After tonight, I can't promise a pie. Don't let your neighbors get the last one!
After they say yes
These three go only to people who reserved. They cut no-shows, and every one is another friendly touch with your name on it.
Subject: Your pie is reserved! 🎉
You're all set, [First Name]. [Pie choice] pie, [Date], [Time window], [Location]. Add it to your calendar.
P.S. Know someone who'd love one? Forward this, and I'll save them a pie too.
Subject: See you tomorrow, [First Name]!
Your pie is ready. [Time window] at [Location]. [Parking Note]
P.S. Can't make it? Reply and we'll donate your pie or set it aside.
Subject: 🥧 Today's the day!
Your pie is waiting from [Time window] at [Location]. I can't wait to see you.
P.S. Stop for a quick photo with us on your way out!
What gets clicked
In real Pie Day campaigns, personal subject lines won. "May we reserve a Thanksgiving pie for you?" opened at 56% and got clicked by about 1 in 5 readers, and "It's pie time!" did about the same. Calendar-style subjects ("Mark your calendar") and event-speak ("Our 17th Annual Pie Day") got only a third as many clicks. Talk about their pie, not your event.
Every email
One button. A P.S. line. Your name and phone. Your brokerage info and a working unsubscribe link. Skip the warm-up lines like "I hope this finds you well." Get straight to the pie.
Registration page copy
Put this page on your own website so every registration plants the cookie and updates your CRM. Copy it as-is, or adapt it for any event.
Dakno marketing clients: you can build this form yourself in DaknoAdmin, or your account coordinator can set it up for you.
As a thank-you to our clients and friends, pick up a free pie for your Thanksgiving table.
[Date] · [Time window] · [Location]
Please also contact me about an updated home evaluation.
Reserve my pie[Your Name] · [Brokerage] · [Your Phone]. We'll only use your info to send event updates and stay in touch. Reply STOP to opt out of texts.
After they register
You're all set!
Pie Day version: Have a neighbor who'd enjoy a pie too? Send them this link so they can reserve one.
Copy link ShareYou're all set!
Public-event version (shred day, dump-and-donate): Know someone who'd enjoy this? Send them this link or share it on Facebook.
Copy link ShareWhy each field matters
- Email: matches them to their CRM record and your follow-up.
- Cell: adds a number you can actually reach them on to their contact record.
- Pies and choice: your order builds itself.
- Checkbox: your home-evaluation call list.
For a per-person event like Pie Day, the "bring a neighbor" share keeps growth to one extra household at a time, so your pie count stays manageable.
Event day: run of show and check-in
Your only job on event day is to talk to people. Hand everything else to your helpers.
Run of show: 3-hour pickup window
| Time | What happens | Who |
|---|---|---|
| 90 min before | Set up the pickup table, signs, sponsor spot, donation bin, and photo spot. Sort pies by flavor and name. | Helpers |
| 30 min before | Team huddle: roles, the door-prize card, the referral line, and the photo plan. Test the QR check-in. | You |
| Doors open | Greeter welcomes clients. Check-in, optional donation drop-off, a hello from you, door-prize card, pie. | Everyone |
| Throughout | Talk to every client. Introduce sponsors when it helps. Snap photos (with permission). | You and sponsors |
| Last 15 min | Count leftover pies and note who didn't make it, for "we saved you a pie" drop-offs. | Pie runner |
| That night | Enter conversation notes in your CRM while they're fresh. | You |
The client's path
Put yourself between check-in and the pie table so you get a moment with every household, even a quick one.
QR check-in at the door
Clients scan a code at the door to check in, so you know exactly who came. Keep a printed list as a backup for anyone without a phone.
Helper roles
- Greeter: welcomes people and points them to check-in.
- Check-in: QR scans, the printed list, door-prize cards.
- Pie runner: finds each household's order.
- Photographer: event shots for your thank-you and social posts.
- You: conversations. That's it.
Supply checklist
- Table and tablecloth
- Welcome sign
- Sponsor thank-you sign
- "Special thanks to [Bakery]" sign
- QR check-in sign
- Printed RSVP list
- Door-prize cards and pens
- Donation bin
- Pie labels or bags
- Business cards
- Phone charger
- Napkins and water
Door-prize card and conversation notes
Print these. The door-prize card gives clients an easy, optional way to mention someone. The notes card makes sure nothing you hear gets lost.
Fill this out and drop it in the bowl. We'll text the winner, so you don't need to be present to win.
[Brokerage]
Optional: Have a friend or neighbor with real estate questions? I'd be happy to help, even if they're not ready to buy or sell. You're welcome to introduce us!
I'll introduce you myself They know you'll be reaching out
The referral question is optional and not required to enter. No purchase necessary. See the official rules at [Rules Link].
| Client | What they said | Hot? | Next step and date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | |||
| Yes | |||
| Yes | |||
| Yes | |||
| Yes |
Listen for life changes: a new baby, a new job, kids leaving for college, an aging parent, "we've outgrown the house," or "the neighbors are thinking of selling."
How to actually ask
Most agents feel awkward asking for referrals, so they don't. These four moments make asking a natural part of the event, not a sales pitch.
At the invite
"And if you have a friend or neighbor who'd enjoy a pie, feel free to invite them too. I'd love to meet them!"
At check-in
The door-prize card has an optional line: "Have a friend or neighbor with real estate questions? I'd be happy to help, even if they're not ready to buy or sell. You're welcome to introduce us!" It's never required to enter.
Face to face at pickup
Greet every client, then ask:
"How's the house treating you? Any projects you're working on or anything you need a good contractor for?"
If the conversation turns toward real estate:
"By the way, who have you heard talking about moving lately? Even if they're just exploring their options, I'm always happy to answer questions."
Then listen. This is the conversation the pie was the excuse for.
After the event
Your thank-you email includes a two-question survey. The second question is: "Who do you know who might have questions about buying, selling, or what their home is worth? I'm always happy to be a resource, even if they're not ready to make a move."
When a referral comes in
Thank the source the same day. A call or handwritten note is best. Then ask:
"Thank you so much for thinking of me. What did you tell them about me, so I know where to pick up?"
You'll learn how you were introduced and what the person needs, and your referrer feels appreciated. That makes the next referral more likely.
"Hi [Name], this is [Your Name]. [Referrer] thought we should connect and mentioned you had some questions about [topic]. I'd be happy to help. What's on your mind?"
Start small
You don't need all four moments your first year. Pick one to start, then add one more each year.
Keep it comfortable
- Ask clients to introduce you. Don't ask them to hand over someone's number.
- Never tie the pie or the prize to giving a referral.
- Every answer is a good answer, including "not right now."
Be the real estate resource, not just the salesperson. Home values, renovations, a good contractor: be the person they think of whenever a real estate question comes up, not just when they're ready to move.
Follow-up is where the money is
The biggest mistake is collecting names and never calling. Every referral, checked box, and returning website visitor is only worth something if you follow up.
| When | Who | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Same day | Referral sources | Thank them personally and ask what they told the person. |
| Within 1 business day | Warm referrals | Call. Interest fades fast. Use the script (see How to ask for referrals). |
| Within 2 days | Everyone who attended | Thank-you email with a photo and the two-question survey (below). |
| Within 3 days | No-shows | "We saved you a pie!" drop-off or text. No guilt, just warmth. |
| Within 1 week | Home-evaluation checkboxes | Call and book appointments. These homeowners raised their hand. |
| Within 1 week | Sponsors and bakery | Thank them with photos and turnout numbers, and invite them back next year. |
| Ongoing | Registrants active on your site | Watch your CRM. When someone starts browsing homes, that's your early opportunity, so reach out. |
| Day 30 | You | Fill in the scorecard. Set next year's date and add the next referral moment. |
Subject: Thank you for coming to Pie Day!
Hi [First Name], thank you for stopping by! It was so good to see you. [Photo] We collected [#] items for [Charity Name] together. Two quick questions:
1. How did we do? Anything we should add next year?
2. Who do you know who might have questions about buying, selling, or what their home is worth? I'm always happy to be a resource, even if they're not ready to make a move.
Happy Thanksgiving! [Your Name]
"Hi [First Name], it's [Your Name]. Thanks for checking the box for an updated home evaluation when you reserved your pie! I'd love to put that together for you. Is [day] or [day] better for a quick visit, or would you like me to email it?"
"Hi [First Name]! Sorry we missed you at Pie Day. We saved you one! Can I drop it by tomorrow so you have it for Thanksgiving?"
Your results scorecard
Track all three layers. A name on a card, an appointment, and a closing are different results, so count them separately. Fill this in at Day 30 and again at Day 90.
| Measure | Goal | Day 30 | Day 90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary · face to face | |||
| Households attended | |||
| Real conversations (you talked, they shared) | |||
| Referrals or introductions offered | |||
| Secondary · data captured | |||
| Invited | |||
| Registered (including no-shows) | |||
| New or corrected cell numbers | |||
| Home-evaluation requests | |||
| Registrants back on your site browsing homes | |||
| Tertiary · top of mind | |||
| Email open rate (invite, thank-you) | |||
| Social shares and comments | |||
| Business results | |||
| Appointments booked | |||
| Listings or buyers signed | |||
| Closings and commission earned | |||
| Money | |||
| Total cost / sponsor contributions / net cost | |||
| Break-even (net cost ÷ average commission) | |||
Next year, I'll…
Photos with Santa: the recipe
Families plan around Santa photos and come back year after year. Two simple twists turn a sweet event into a business tool: a QR-code game and delayed photo delivery.
What you need
- A Santa (hire one or ask a jolly volunteer) and a simple backdrop
- A photographer, or a good phone and a steady helper
- A registration page on your website with time slots (a per-person event, so cap the slots)
- The Santa game, its landing page, and a QR-code flyer (below)
- Cocoa, cookies, and a charity bin (toys or coats work well)
Twist 1: the QR-code game
The game. A simple, fun kids' game, like "Santa Runner," that plays right in a phone's web browser. Nothing to download.
The landing page. A basic page on your website that says "Play our new game!" and links to the game.
Dakno marketing clients: make this page in DaknoAdmin, or ask your account coordinator.
The QR code. Point it to the landing page, not straight to the game, so every scan lands on your site first and places your website cookie.
The flyer. Put it up around the office and the line.
Why it works: kids stay busy while families wait, and parents' phones land on your site, so your CRM can recognize those visitors when they come back later to browse homes.
Scan this code to play our Santa Runner game!
Brought to you by [Your Name] · [Your Website]
Twist 2: deliver the photos a week later
Instead of handing out prints, tell families: "Your photos will arrive by email next week." Families watch their inbox for that email and open it, so it becomes one of the most-opened emails you send all year.
Subject: Your photos with Santa are here!
Hi [First Name], thank you for visiting Santa with us! Your photos are ready: [Photo Link]. Happy holidays from all of us! [Your Name]
Host the photo gallery on your website when you can. Every visit is another tracked return.
Getting the game built: a simple browser game like this can be built quickly with AI tools and hosted online for little or no cost. Dakno can build and set it up for you (see How Dakno can run it for you).
Shred day and dump-and-donate: the quick version
These are fixed-cost events. You pay once for the truck or the dumpster, then invite your whole database, the neighborhood, and the public. More people don't cost more. They just mean more conversations and more new contacts on your website.
Shred day
- Book a mobile shredding company for a set window (usually a flat or hourly rate).
- Choose a visible parking lot with easy in-and-out traffic flow.
- Set a limit per car, such as "up to 3 boxes."
- Ask a sponsor (lender, insurance agent, CPA) to cover the truck.
- Best timing: spring tax season or a fall clean-out.
Dump-and-donate day
- Rent a roll-off dumpster and partner with a charity's donation truck, so people can toss and give.
- Post a clear "what we can and can't take" list (no paint, chemicals, or tires).
- Recruit a few helpers to unload cars.
- Best timing: spring cleaning or right before moving season.
Day-of flow
Greet every car. Offer coffee or water. Hand each driver a thank-you card with a QR code to your website. Ask, "How's the house treating you?"
Free Community Shred Day!
Clear out old tax files and paperwork safely, for free. [Date] · [Time window] · [Location]. Hosted by [Your Name] with [Sponsor Name].
Reserve your spot: [Registration Link]
"You're all set! Know someone who'd enjoy this? Send them this link or share it on Facebook." Copy link Share
Where to promote
- Your full database (email and text)
- Facebook, Instagram, and neighborhood groups
- Nextdoor and community calendars
- Flyers at local coffee shops and gyms
- Your sponsor's customer list (they promote too)
Why register at all?
Registration on your website turns strangers into contacts with a cookie, a real email, and a cell number. Every public registrant is a new person whose home-search activity you can see later. That's early opportunity, at scale.
The charity tie-in
Ask clients to bring an item for a local cause. It gives people another reason to come, gives the event a story worth sharing, and builds real goodwill in your community.
- Pick a local nonprofit and ask what they actually need right now.
- Match the item to the season: canned goods at Thanksgiving, toys or coats in December, school supplies in August.
- Keep it optional. The pie is free either way.
- Share the result: "Together we collected [#] items for [Charity Name]!"
"While you're here, bring a canned good for [Charity Name] if you'd like. We'll deliver everything the week of Thanksgiving."
Stay on the right side of the rules
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules vary by state and brokerage. Check with your managing broker (and their attorney if needed) before you launch.
Sponsors and RESPA
Lenders, title companies, and other settlement-service providers can't pay you, or give you anything of value, in exchange for referring business to them. Co-sponsoring an event is generally fine when each sponsor pays its fair share of the event marketing it actually receives and the arrangement has nothing to do with referrals. Put it in writing, keep receipts, and get broker approval.
Referral thank-yous
Some states restrict giving gifts or rewards for real estate referrals to people who aren't licensed. Thank people sincerely, but don't promise a prize, gift, or "extra pie" in exchange for a referral unless you've confirmed it's allowed where you work.
Giveaways and door prizes
- No purchase, donation, or referral required to enter or to receive the gift.
- Post simple official rules: eligibility, how the winner is chosen, and when.
- Check your state's sweepstakes and raffle rules. Selling raffle tickets is often restricted.
Email, texts, and privacy
- Include your business info and a working unsubscribe link in every email.
- Only text people who gave you their number, and honor "STOP."
- Don't share client info with sponsors without permission.
- Get permission before posting client photos, especially of kids.
Food
Use a licensed bakery or store, keep allergen labels on, and follow any venue rules.
This is easier than you think.
Dakno can run it for you.
A great client event takes some planning, and it's worth it. Dakno does the heavy lifting, so you can focus on the conversations that lead to closings.
You do
- Tag who's invited
- Show up and have the conversations
- Make the follow-up calls
Dakno does
- Builds the registration page on your website
- Sets up and runs the invites, reminders, and follow-ups
- Keeps your CRM up to date along the way
Before the event
TagsCRM tags trigger the invites. Tag your top clients and the outreach starts on its own.
SequenceThe Pie Day email plan sends on schedule: five invitations, then a confirmation and two reminders for everyone who said yes.
SmartRegistrants drop out automatically, so nobody gets a reminder after they've said yes.
Built inForm-fill auto-capture. When a client registers with info their contact record was missing, like a cell number, DaknoAdmin adds it to the record automatically. Existing numbers stay, and new ones are added alongside them.
Getting ready
ListYour RSVP list and headcount build themselves as people register.
TallyPie choices tally automatically, so you know exactly what to order.
ChecklistPrep reminders ping you as the order-by date gets close.
At the event and after
Check-inQR check-in at the door records who came.
Follow-upThe thank-you and survey email sends automatically, with the referral question built in.
InsightWebsite activity in your CRM shows which clients are back browsing homes. That's your early opportunity list.
Plus
SantaThe QR-code kids' game and landing page, built and set up for you.
Where we're heading [Available now / Coming soon]
An AI assistant that handles the errands for you, like starting the pie order with a warehouse club or emailing five local bakers to compare pricing and availability.
Let Dakno run your next client event
Webinar attendee offer: [Offer details]. Book by [Deadline].
dakno.com · [Dakno phone]