NEW TO REAL ESTATE NETWORKING? THESE 4 TIPS WILL MAKE YOU A PRO IN NO TIME

Real estate is a business where a successful agent must have their fingers in many pies in order to maximize their client pool. Even if the person you connect with isn’t interested in purchasing a home or new business front, odds are they know someone who does. In order to snag more and more new clients, networking is crucial to your career in real estate. But if you’re new to the game, sometimes getting a jump on networking can be a daunting and difficult process. These four networking tips can really help you start seeing your web of associates and clientele expand, and fast.

The Importance of the “Elevator Speech”

Speeches aren’t just for symposiums, and scripts aren’t just for people on television. If you want to successfully network in this market, then you absolutely have to learn
how to give an “elevator speech”. This is a short summary (about one to one and a half minutes long) of a few key features of your business and what you’re pitching. This should include who you are, what you do, who you’re looking to do business with, what makes you unique, and why others should care about you and what you’re trying to do. This shouldn’t sound like a speech, however - try to make it sound as natural and unrehearsed as possible.

Spend Equal Time Listening And Speaking

Humans are a social species, with an innate need to put themselves before others - it's a tried and true fact about how people communicate. Most people are more concerned about their own perspective being heard, and don't try to pay attention to what the other person has to say. Try to focus on both listening and speaking. Too much talking will make you miss out on what you need to get from others. Too much listening will make people forget about your personal points. A great balance needs to be obtained in order to properly network.

Be Genuine and Show That You Care

No matter how much you practice pretending to be great pals with every single person you meet during conferences and get-togethers, people will know when you’re being phony and insincere. Instead of trying out your networking skills on everyone you see while only planning on actually working with a handful of them, focus your efforts on the people you know you want to network with. Be sincere and compliment them, react to what they have to say with genuine interest, and make it known that you are actively listening and on board with what they want from you. You’re better off getting a few for-sure affiliates than a lot of maybes.

Don’t Underestimate Business Cards

Paper is out, and e-methods of networking are in - however, don’t think that means you need to dump your business cards in the trash. It’s quite the opposite: business cards still have a place in our paper-free marketing world. Stock up on business cards and make sure you’re giving them out frequently. Ask to leave stacks or holders containing them at local businesses that you think may be in line with your own work or cause. Business cards are still a very quick way to spread around your information easily, so work that angle as much as possible when meeting new people.

Written by RED Enterprises