MB 258: The Gifting System That Generates a 10X Return – With John Ruhlin

Without the high-net-worth individuals who put money in our deals, we wouldn’t have a syndication business. And yet, most of us are terrible at showing our appreciation to the passive investors we work with. When a deal goes through, we send them a mug or hat with our logo on it and call it a day. But does that reflect what the relationship is actually worth to us? Is there a better way to do gifting? John Ruhlin is the Cofounder of Giftology Group, a strategic gifting consultancy that helps sales leaders, business owners and executives unlock loyalty and turn clients into raving fans. He founded Giftology Group in college to market Cutco Cutlery as a high-end corporate gift to companies of all sizes, and today, John is the #1 distributor in Cutco’s 60-year history. John is also a sought-after keynote speaker and author of Giftology: The Art and Science of Using Gifts to Cut Through the Noise, Increase Referrals, and Strengthen Retention. On this episode of Apartment Building Investing, John joins cohost Garrett Lynch to explain how he came to dominate the Cutco leaderboard using gifting to build relationships. He introduces us to the giftology system, describing how he leverages generosity to turn his best clients into salespeople and raving fans. Listen in for John’s insight on how much to allocate for gift-giving and learn how YOU can get a 10X return by investing in the people who make your business profitable. Key Takeaways How John came to dominate the Cutco leaderboard Learned relationship-building from mentor Paul Sent gifts to land meetings with big-time CEOs John’s insight on the value of relationship-building Make decisions emotionally, justify with logic Gifting = mechanism for generating emotion John’s concept of a return on relationship Initial $7K investment in gift to Cameron Herold $25K over 10 years = 50X return on relationship The key ingredients of John’s giftology system Include handwritten note, name family members Personalize gift and be intentional about timing What makes John’s giftology system work Generates like, trust and keeps top-of-mind People crave human-to-human relationship How much a business should allocate toward gift-giving Reinvest 5% to 15% of net profits in relationships Invest in people already work with at some level Why giftology requires a long-term commitment Genuine generosity vs. manipulation tactic Turn best clients into salespeople John’s top examples of the benefits of giftology Invited to appear on Gary Vaynerchuk show 107% increase in referrals for John Bowen Connect with John Ruhlin Giftology Group Download the Giftology System Email [email protected] Resources Join the Nighthawk Equity Investor Club Learn More About Michael’s Mentoring Program Giftology: The Art and Science of Using Gifts to Cut Through the Noise, Increase Referrals, and Strengthen Retention by John Ruhlin Entrepreneurs’ Organization Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World by Gary Vaynerchuk John on Marketing for the Now with Gary Vaynerchuk Artifact Mug The 5 Love Languages Young Presidents’ Organization Vistage Books by Don Yaeger Podcast Show Notes  Michael’s Website Michael on Facebook Michael on Instagram Michael on YouTube Apartment Investor Network Facebook Group