networking
A Great Way to Respond to a Common Question
March 19, 2010 by jwhite · 5 Comments
How to Answer: “So How’s the Market?”
Turn regular small talkers into interested prospect…
How many times a month are you asked, “So, how’s the market doing?” Grocery stores, coffee shops, filling up gas, walking in the neighborhood… happens a lot, right?
What if you could turn most of those conversations into future clients? You can, by using this simple technique. The next time you’re asked, try this out:
“On the whole, the market is doing better than most expect.
I’m curious: Would you be specifically interested in how much homes are selling for in your neighborhood, including how long they’re taking to sell?
I send friends and family a quick email from time to time that gives a free analysis of local markets. Would you like me to send one to you?”
When they say “yes,” get their name and email address. Next step: Follow-up as you promised!
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networking
Real Estate Think Tank
How to Start a Real Estate Think Tank
Share ideas and prosper…
One of the most effective ways to solve common problems and identify new business strategies is to become part of an industry “think tank.” A think tank consists of a group of individuals from diverse backgrounds who all have a common interest in a similar area of focus. Think tanks brainstorm new ideas, challenge old ideas, and voraciously consume new information which may or may not help inform topics of interest to the group.
Here’s how to start your own think tank:
1. Brainstorm names individuals you have met, either in person or online, whose opinions and ideas you respect when it comes to real estate. These may be bloggers, other members of your office, or even past clients who face marketing and client relationship challenges on a monthly basis.
2. Reach out to the people you respect and propose a lunch meeting. Inform them that you’d like to discuss with them the possibility of forming a “think tank” to mutually support one another’s professional interests. Let them know that you’ve also invited a handful of other people you respect, and think they might like to meet.
3. At your lunch meeting, ask attendees what they think of creating an informal group that meets regularly (once a month to as frequently as once per week) to discuss topics such as:
- New business books
- Recent professional challenges
- “What’s working lately”
- Challenging situations / group opinions on tough topics
- Possible presentations at industry trade shows
If those you contact are receptive to the idea, establish the time and place for the first official meeting. A location conducive to frank conversation (i.e. semi-private) without undue distractions (think: no television) is advisable.
4. Consider forming a free Yahoo! Group or Facebook fan page which members can contribute to / discuss topics between meetings. This virtual meeting ground will be a fertile place to let ideas mature leading up to in-person meetings.
5. Be sure to set the next meeting time and location before the end of the current meeting. You may also propose a list of future topics.
Sometimes it can be a challenge to find the right “fit” when recruiting members, but once the group is established, you’ll find it can be a tremendous resource for advancing your career, developing new ideas, and solving problems. Plus, there’s nothing quite like saying, “Last night we talked about that in my real estate think tank…”
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networking
At the Pump Networking
March 8, 2010 by jwhite · Leave a Comment
A Tactic to Maximize Vehicle Advertising
Network a few gallons at a time…
Whether you’re using magnetic signs or a full car wrap, here’s a trick you can use to maximize your vehicle’s advertising potential.
You may have noticed that most of the conversations you have related to your vehicle advertising happen at gas stations. It makes sense– you stop to fill up, and as you’re waiting for the pump to top off the tank, you strike up a conversation with the person across the way. Before you know it, you’re handing out a business card.
In order to increase the number of these “meet and greet” opportunities, try filling your tank at two or three different gas stations. Rather than fill it up at your usual stop, find gas stations along the main roads of your local market, and put a few gallons in at a time. Choose relatively busy gas stations, but avoid hitting them at peak hours (when people are in a rush to get to work, for example). A late lunch hour isn’t a bad time to try it out. Also consider cruising gas stations on weekends (provided you’re not at an open house).
One of the easiest ways to get a conversation going at the pump is simply to ask, “How have you liked your [MAKE/MODEL]?” Some car owners are enthusiastic fans of their brands, and they like to talk about their vehicles. Subarus, Mini Coopers, and Prius drivers are especially open to sharing their opinion.
Keep your cards handy and be positive. Happy “accidents” happen. (By the way: rear ending a prospect’s car is never a good idea!)
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networking
Using Meetup.com for Local Networking
February 12, 2010 by jwhite · Leave a Comment
Networking Tip: Meetup.com
Meet new people with similar interests…
If you’ve never had a chance to visit MeetUp.com, you should definitely check it out. “Do something, learn something, share something, change something” is the website’s motto. The site is designed to help you find or start a group that shares similar interests. The site allows you to search by topic and ZIP code.
Not only is this a great (FREE) way to network with people in your community (and in communities you visit on vacation), but it’s a fantastic tool for clients who have recently relocated to your market and may be looking for new friends.
Follow your passion and good things will come. Check out MeetUp.com.
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networking
Facebook Fundamentals for Real Estate Pros
February 11, 2010 by Scott · Leave a Comment
Dear Real Estate Professional,
Been sitting on the fence about how to use Facebook for building your real estate network? Now is the time to dive in!
Much like our Twitter Training for Real Estate Agents, this new guide covers the fundamentals you need to know to grow your real estate business using Facebook. Dodge common pitfalls and learn the optimal settings to ensure the right mix of personal and professional with this guide.
In one compact guide you’ll learn:
- The balance between “sales” and “relationship building”
- What a Facebook fan page can do
- The right way to connect with clients and colleagues
- How to manage your privacy settings
- The essentials of using notes and apps
If you’ve been putting off Facebook, don’t worry! This guide makes the first steps easy.
An excerpt from the Facebook guide for real estate agents:
“Often former clients and/or referrals from them can be your best asset in real estate. Many real estate agents use Facebook to keep tabs on former clients less obtrusively, and to stay aware of what’s going on in their lives.
Facebook is exactly the sort of place where people make announcements about big occurrences in their lives… a big promotion, a new engagement, the impending birth of a baby. These are exactly the sorts of events that precipitate real estate transactions. Being there when you’re needed can be more low-key than aggressively posting photos of your listings and giving the addresses out to all 182 of your friends and fans.”
Get your copy of Facebook Fundamentals for Real Estate Pros instantly delivered to your mailbox. Just fill out the form below.
Cheering you on to greater success!
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networking
Two Secrets to Real Estate Success
February 3, 2010 by jwhite · Leave a Comment
Your Letters to the Editor: Two Secrets to Success
Perspective that can transform your business…
In response to our request for “game changing” advice from our “Tuesday Tactics” readers, Dana MacCord, Managing Broker at Prudential Gardner Realtors in Louisiana shared two compelling pieces of advice that contributed to her successful career early on. Dana writes:
“When I got started as an agent, I interviewed several top producers and asked them the same question: “What’s the secret to success?” One agent said, “If they like it, I like it.” It sounds a little crass at first, but what she meant was this: Agents make a big mistake when they assert their personal opinions about a house. For example: When there’s ugly wallpaper up, keep your mouth shut. I had buyers that LOVED bad wallpaper… the tackier the better. Never thought I’d see the day. If I had given them my opinion about the wallpaper, I might have shamed them out of making an offer.”
“The second game changer was a marketing tip: New agents are in a catch-22 situation. They need to market themselves, but they’re timid because they don’t feel like they know enough. They learn, learn, learn, but can’t quite seem to get started. So, the second top producer recommended new agents walk their own neighborhood, introducing themselves to the area, meeting everyone they can. And, EVERYONE gets a business card. Her goal was to run out of cards in the first month, and try to have a meaningful conversation about real estate with everyone. The moral of the story is unashamed, unabashed, bold promotion of you and your brand.”
Thanks again to Dana for her spirit of generosity. You can get to know a little more about Dana’s and her office at her website, where she also blogs: http://www.danamaccord.com/
Until next week!
Cheering you towards greater success,
Scott Levitt
President
Oakley Signs & Graphics, Inc.
Founder, FreeHelpForRealEstateAgents.com
P.S. – If you have ideas, suggestions, tips, or contributions you’d like to add to the Free Help for Real Estate Agents community, please feel free to drop me a line! We appreciate your feedback.
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networking
The Prosperity Habit
August 31, 2009 by Scott · Leave a Comment
Dear Real Estate Professional,
As you probably already know, negativity yields negative returns. Life coaches like Tony Robbins have long advocated that a positive mental attitude increases performance and can literally transform your life. But you also have the power to help others.
In this spirit, we’ve published “The Prosperity Habit.” It’s a free program that will allow you to systematically cultivate and channel your ability to make other people’s days. The tools, templates, and simple techniques in this program can vastly improve the lives of the people around you.
In turn, you’ll find out just how prosperous sharing positivity can be… especially for real estate professionals. It’s easy to master.
You’ll learn…
- The relationships between mood, outcomes & productivity
- How to become a master at observing opportunities for compliments, support, and generous gestures
- How to use free, convenient technology to help you remember to practice positivity
- How to be inspired by scripts that enhance your ability to communicate positivity in your personal and business life
- How to time your positivity for maximum effect
Far from a vague guide about the benefits of positive thinking, this is a direct, tactical guide that will help you prosper. Get your copy instantly. Just fill out the form below.
Cheering you on to greater success!
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