Building, developing, and nurturing your network is crucial as a new real estate agent.
The days of cold calling and business card swapping are quietly fading away. So how can you get with the times and get your name out there?
The answer is simple: networking.
Investing time in networking can help you expand your client base, gain new referrals, and grow your business. It can also boost your visibility and build a strong reputation in your community, helping to build your credibility.
Is networking really that important? All signs point to a resounding yes.
It’s no secret that the primary sources of clientele for real estate agents come from client referrals and repeat business. The National Association of REALTORS®’s 2022 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers found that more than 80% of sellers would recommend their agent for future services, while nearly 50% of first-time home buyers found their real estate agent through recommendations from family and friends.
See why it’s so essential to develop and nurture your network?
Those stats show a lot of potential business that can be generated simply through word-of-mouth, whether in-person or online. Networking helps facilitate meeting new people who can become clients and also potentially offer you referrals.
So, how can you put all of this networking into action? No more head-scratching — we’ve laid out some easy tips for you.
#1. Attend local community events
One of the best ways to start networking? Get your boots on the ground!
Attending local community events is key. Not sure what this looks like? You can get involved with your Chamber of Commerce, as well as your local HOA, city organizations, or even local government. Keep your eyes peeled for various boards and committees that partner with these organizations, too.
The opportunities to network in your local community are endless. Not only does getting involved in these organizations provide an opportunity to rub elbows with leaders in your area, but it also offers you an opportunity to make your voice as a real estate expert heard in a room where key community-focused discussions are happening and decisions are being made.
Talk about killing two birds with one stone: you can shake new hands and get the chance to enact real, lasting change.
Nail Your Networking
Do your research beforehand: Many of these community groups will have event agendas, dates, and times posted well in advance, allowing you to understand current focus areas and prep key talking points. It’s also a good idea to set a goal of how many events you’ll attend every month.
#2. Get involved in your community
In the same vein of driving an impact in your community, going above and beyond gracing community events with your presence by getting hands-on involved can make the biggest difference in your networking, as well as in your local area.
What could community involvement look like?
Consider sponsorship of things like the community events we discussed in Tip #1. You can also sponsor a kids’ sports team (soccer season, anyone?), a church activity, or an event thrown by a nonprofit you already support.
To take this involvement up another notch, volunteering is a powerful networking tool. Sign up to support these events or others that these organizations plan to host. You can meet more people by showing your face, establishing your presence, and positioning your real estate brand as one that’s not only here to help buyers and sellers, but also here to help the community.
Nail Your Networking
Be of service to others: Believe it or not, you can help your business by helping others. The foundation of networking is relationship-building, and no relationship can exist without trust. You can inherently develop trust by leading from a place of serving others. And people who trust you are far more inclined to engage with you (and your biz offerings).
#3. Join a professional organization… or two
In addition to sharpening up your skills and business acumen, professional organizations offer a wealth of networking opportunities.
Some popular recommendations?
- Toastmasters: Sharpen up your public speaking and presentation skills while also networking with fellow business-minded individuals when you join your local Toastmasters group.
- Business Network International (BNI): Considered the largest business networking organization in the world, joining a BNI chapter in your local area can specifically open the door to networking with fellow professionals — and even finding a mentor to help you sharpen your acumen.
- Rotary Club or Lion’s Club: Both groups boast over 1 million members worldwide and are dedicated to encouraging leadership through service to tackle countless community issues and make a difference. Joining a chapter near you will unlock networking opportunities and also allow you to create lasting change. What could be better?
- Real estate associations: Last, but certainly not least, there’s tremendous networking value in joining a real estate association in your area. Imagine the power of networking with fellow real estate professionals who understand exactly what you’re experiencing in your market, of varying backgrounds and experience levels. This is a great place to find a mentor, too.
Nail Your Networking
Take a look in the mirror: Sussing out your weaknesses is intimidating. But knowing where you want to improve the most and identifying those areas of opportunity can help you intelligently choose which professional organization to join. On top of the networking opportunity these orgs provide, you can sharpen your weaker skills and over time, transform them into strengths while simultaneously expanding your sphere.
#4. Become a regular
Sometimes, you just wanna go where everybody knows your name.
Your favorite place in the neighborhood to grab a sandwich. The coffee shop that makes the best latte you’ve ever had. Or maybe the cozy yoga studio where you can perfect your headstands, judgment-free.
These places are more than just your local haunts, they’re packed to the gills with networking opportunities.
You’re likely already stopping into these places once or twice a week, so embrace becoming a regular. Connect with employees, take the time to chat-up folks in line, and even ask management if you can hang flyers or host an event.
Not only are you embracing the gems your area has to offer and supporting their business, you’re making effective and impactful use of spaces you frequent. Taking an extra moment to pause, connect with the people that also spend time in these places, and making the effort to network with fellow patrons or attendees can go a long way in expanding your sphere.
#5. Embrace your hobbies
Are you a pro power walker? Perhaps you fancy yourself a master at mahjong? Or maybe you’re a captain of crafting.
Embrace your hobbies by joining — or founding — a group that focuses on dedicating time to the hobby with other people who enjoy it, too. You’ll cross one hurdle of finding something in common with fellow hobbyists, making the transition to networking with them smooth and easy in comparison to a cold intro.
Nail Your Networking
Online networking 101: With online networking, the sky truly is the limit to meeting more people and getting your name — and your business — out there. You want to ensure you’re being smart about your engagement. Comment on posts that allow you to share a healthy perspective. Make meaningful connections by sending personalized requests or messages. You can even consider hosting or attending virtual events. Taking a beat to ensure you have rich interactions can go a long way in developing trust and building rapport.
#6. Pet groups
Can toting along your beloved furry family member really be a way to network? Absolutely!
Local hiking, walking, or park playdate groups are a great opportunity to meet fellow pet owners, socialize your pet, and enjoy time out and about.
Don’t have a pet? Consider getting involved in helping local pet adoption agencies or shelters, whether that’s through volunteer work or event sponsorship.
It’s evident that the tips above not only allow you to meet and greet new people that can become clientele, but they can also help you chart a path to become a true changemaker in your own ZIP code.
Involvement to this degree provides a rich opportunity to network, and also get your face in front of your community and local market as a positive influence — one that offers deep real estate expertise, to boot.
Don’t forget your follow-up plan!
Now that your sphere is expanding, you must have a follow-up plan. Shaking hands once, shooting off a text here or there, or sending dozens of Facebook friend requests doesn’t mean your networking is over!
Stay in touch with your new connections by dropping them into a platform like ConnectionsSM Plus, which allows you to nurture your network with automated follow-ups, email drip campaigns, and, for those interested, tailored Market Insight reports.
By having a hands-free way to automatically keep in touch with new members of your sphere of influence, you can get more time back for even more networking.
