Database Work for the Holidays

Happy birthday to Alissa! This episode airs on her actual birthday — November 20 — and in honor of the holiday season, we're keeping it short, practical, and full of ideas you can actually implement this week.

We're in the thick of the Hustle Humbly community database challenge, and this episode is the quick hit version of everything we've been working through together. Whether you're sending a Christmas card, planning a pop by, or just trying to clean up your spreadsheet before the end of the year — this one's for you.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

- Why Christmas cards should be your personal family card — not a business card with a stuffy headshot in a blazer
- The card that said "Nothing is Calm, All is Bright" — what happened when Alissa used her terrible family photo disaster on purpose, and why it got the best response she's ever had
- Why the family Christmas card tells your database they're close enough to receive one
- How to clean your database this time of year: check addresses, confirm marriages and divorces, make sure people are still alive, verify social media connections, and comment or like their last post
- Why Christmas card season is the only time it's totally normal to ask someone for their home address — use your group texts, school sports groups, and friend groups to collect addresses naturally
- The mail-back rate test: if 20 out of 100 cards come back, your database is only 80% accurate
- The QR code Christmas card hack: Alissa put a QR code on the back of her card that linked to a family year-in-recap video — and collected email addresses in the process
- Pop bys: how to route by zip code if you can't do everyone, and why your referral clients deserve the visit most
- The reverse pop by — Katy's pie giveaway at the office: why you need a pie choice to get the RSVP, why Tuesday of Thanksgiving week works, and why you drive to the holdouts
- Santa photos at the office — pay a photographer, invite the database, let them use the photo for their cards
- Free coffee day: start a tab at your local coffee shop, invite your database list, have them tag you with their drink
- Gingerbread house contest: submit photos, Katy judges, award fun categories
- Coloring page contest, neighborhood decoration features in your newsletter, ugly sweater photo contest
- Coat drive and charitable partnerships: how to piggyback on an existing event instead of starting from scratch
- Why being the organizer of a neighborhood activity gets you known without saying a word about real estate
- The ornament idea for buyers from this year — "Established 2023" style
- Why now is a great time to start handwritten notes — even just one a day
- Social media local gift guide and supporting small businesses
- If you've dropped the ball — send a New Year's card
- The "done is better than perfect" reminder for the holidays

Referenced episodes and resources:

- Episode 15: Database for the Holidays (the original)
- All database episodes: hustlehumblypodcast.com/database
- Free coffee instructions: hustlehumblypodcast.com/coffee
- Community membership and database challenge: hustlehumblypodcast.com/membership

Toast of the week goes to Misha Raleigh, toasted by Carol Wick in Dover, Delaware. Misha introduced Carol to the podcast and changed her game. Short, sweet, and perfect. Cheers to Misha!

Want to toast someone on the show? Email team@hustlehumblypodcast.com.

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Music:
Straight A's by Connor Price → https://connorprice.shop/
The Good Life by Summer Kennedy → https://soundcloud.com/summerkennedy/the-good-life
Be The One by Matrika → https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/be-the-one