Where Are People?
Where are the people you enjoy working with? What were your favorite clients like? Most likely you most enjoy working with those who have similar interests and tastes as you. Go find them!
Don’t Ride with the Wind
You have to get out and meet people if you would like to increase your circle of influence. As a military brat, I moved around a lot. If I wanted to meet anyone, I had to suck it up and get at it. It works, just get out there and meet people. It’s not a matter of just sailing along with no direction- then you’ll just have to accept whatever and whoever comes your way. Try to build relationships with people like you! It is much more enjoyable to work with a buyer or seller that share some type of similar interests as you do.
What Floats Your Boat?
There are no rules to say you can’t seek out people to acquaint with that have a common interest. Isn’t it more enjoyable to be around clients you get along with? What is it that you enjoy doing?
- Is it the latest and greatest in technology or online applications? Find out about the local @tweetups, Social Media Clubs, podcamps, and go!
- Do you have a classic car in the garage? There are plenty of specialized car clubs, shows, and cruise nights to rev up your engine.
- Do you like photography? It’s not hard to find a Flickr meetup or local photography club and snap the shutter!
- Are you someone who adores those four-legged creatures and are most happy with fur in your life? Get involved with the local rescue, SPCA, or Kennel Club.
- Are you focused on Mommy/Daddy hood? There are a lot of Mommy/Daddy blogger get togethers, PTO/PTA organizations, and kid’s groups you could easily join!
You may end up piloting your own ship if there aren’t any groups that pique your interest….start one!
Where are You Headed?
One thing you should have in mind when reaching out to different groups is that you will get to meet more people. Don’t stick out as “The Token REALTOR®” of the group or the person who is just there for business. Your intentions could very well be discovered. If you are going to get involved and join these groups hoping to sell a house next month – don’t bother going. You have to be smoother than “Hi, nice to meet you. I’m Kim Wood and I am a real estate agent. Speaking of which, do you know of anyone moving in the next three months?” People like to talk about Real Estate; it’s possible to let someone know what you do for a living without being aggressive. “Oh! I’ll be up in North Wales area on Saturday talking to someone about selling their house.”
Cast your Anchor
Once you find a group of people that you enjoy spending time with, cast your anchor. Get involved. Relationships will be made. You might discover some great friends. And guess who the first person is they’ll think of when they want to buy or sell a house? YOU!
Heather Elias
September 30, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Good advice! Especially about standing out as the token Realtor; I remember someone (Dustin Luther, maybe?) saying at Inman that you don’t just walk into the middle of a crowded room and yell, “hi, I’m a Realtor! Want to sell your house?” =)
You are definitely a master at going out and finding people to meet!! Congrats on your first AG post!
Mike Lefebvre
September 30, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Good post Kim. Congrats on your maiden voyage on AG! A lot of what you are saying runs very parallel to the philosophy of an online training course I am currently taking right now with Jennifer Allan (www.sellwithsoul.com). Jennifer shares your sentiment of getting yourself out there, meeting people and letting them know who you are with out being “that guy/girl” (hyperlink for previous phrase: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kX4oUmm3GA).
Teresa Boardman
September 30, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I have practiced this philosophy for years. it is part of the reason why I resist the traditional Realtor marketing. When I am doing something I love, like writing or photography I meet wonderful people and they become my clients. it is almost effortless. . . and inexpensive
St George Rentals
September 30, 2008 at 3:15 pm
This is like the same as the old phrase ” Birds of a feather, flock together”. Generally you do hang out with the people you are most interested in. If you become a people magnet and people like you then it will be much better to attract the type of customers that you would like to do do business with and even work with.
Mark Eckenrode
September 30, 2008 at 3:38 pm
for some reason, some folks simply don’t get this concept. glad you do. great post, kim.
it’s an approach that will win every single time… find an interrelated group of people, seek ways to give first, build genuine relationships, and they will see to it that you succeed.
Mariana Wagner
September 30, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Social networking is BEST face-to-face. I love that the Internet has made it easier to befriend people with similar interests … people who you can go hang out with …. OFFline.
Steve Simon
September 30, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Play to earn pay!
Golf, Cards, Motorcycles, Bowling, Marathons, Karate….
Everything I liked I did; I never worked (well hardly ever); all I did was “Play”.
I did it for over thirty years in two industries (real estate and insurance)…
I just used business cards.
Never with a pitch, just a casual, “In case you need a question answered, or in case you want to get a hold of me for a game…”
I never gave more than two at a time (giving more devalues your card and name).
I told them keep one for themselves, and give one to the first person that they know and like that mentions they might need my type of service.
When I gave them the two cards, I had a pen handy and told them to sign the back of the one they give, so I would know it was their referral and I would be sure to be on my best behavior:)
Kind of similar to your post’s message:)
Paula Henry
September 30, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Kim – Excellent! People do not want to sold by you – they will be sold on you. When they know you, like you and know you care and have passion for what you do -it’s easy.
Rudy from Trulia
September 30, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Loving it Kim!
We’re on the same page. Speaking of engaging like minded people in a group setting, as an example, it’s amazing how many times the topic of real estate has come up in the Parenting and Twin groups my wife and I are part of. I help out as much as I can and it feels good.
You only get what you give.
Rudy
Social Media Guru at Trulia
Missy Caulk
September 30, 2008 at 6:51 pm
When you live in a small community like Saline, it is hard to go anywhere you don’t know people. They most always ask, “how’s the market?” Today I went to a Saline Chamber meeting and the whole time it was about the market.
Many of my anchor people are in my computer. So have to get out now that my kids have graduated.
Matt Wilkins
September 30, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Kim: You hit on a point that I believe EVERY new real estate practicioner needs to learn early on as many become enthralled in spending large sums on money on marketing systems that provide mixed results. I know this from other agents who got into the business at the same time I did and using these systems had great initial results but are now struggling, bankrupt, or out of the business.
What you described above has personally worked or me as my last two deals and a closing that I have on Thursday were either from my sphere of influence or a referral from one of those past clients. Not being “in your face” about my occupation along with a more consultant mindset really helps with conversation that do come up when I’m socializing with poeple I know.
CHEERS to a great first post and hopefully many more from you.
Jennifer Wilson - Agent Solutions
September 30, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Hey Kim!
Wicked post. You have certainly given me the kick in the pants that I needed here. Thanks! 😉
I live in a big city and there are no excuses for not getting out and meeting people. I think I’m ready to step a little bit out of my comfort zone (away from the computer) and get some face time in.
I can’t wait to read your next posts. Keep ’em coming.
Kim Wood
September 30, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Heather,
Exactly, we don’t want to be “that guy!”. I’m glad the first post is over 🙂 Now I can just blog and be me – happy camper I am.
Mike,
Yes! Done the maiden voyage – you caught on, lol. I’ve read some of Jennifer’s ideas on AR before. LOL – watched video after I wrote Heather’s comment above re: that guy !
T,
Effortless, inexpensive, and full of fun!
St George Rentals,
That was exactly my point! Yay !
Mark,
As long as you aren’t there just to sell – you have it made!
Mariana,
I’ve found that developing relationships online has been a great thing – you tend to share deeper thoughts that when you do face 2 face. But….. it’s been wonderful meeting so many people !!
Steve,
Love the idea of the “… get a hold of me for a game” that’s great!
Kim Wood
September 30, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Paula,
There ya go! Not sold by you – sold on you!
Rudy,
Real Estate seems like the easiest and most popular thing that people want to talk about. Whether Parenting & Twins group, car club, photo class, wherever… it’s good we can embrace the common topics – and run ! Yeah, I think we know we’re on the same page, huh ?
Missy,
Sometimes it is hard to break out – but we must – we must!
Matt,
Thank you!!! You are a perfect example of this then – if you had the other agent using traditional marketing and you were using the inet ! (Congrats of those closings too!)
Jen-
Glad I could help! You’ll have to tell me what group you chose to reach out to – there are *so* many!!!
Danilo Bogdanovic
October 1, 2008 at 11:57 am
You mean I can’t just walk into a room of strangers and say “HEY! I’M A REALTOR! NOW’S A GOOD TIME TO BUY!”? lol
Great advice though it’s sad that you actually have to say it (you’d figure people would already know). And, even more sad, some people *still* won’t get it.
Cyndee Haydon
October 1, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Kim – I am also reading Jennifer Allen’s new book and you are right on and knocking it out of the park. I find my life is so much more fun now because we’re only involved with the things we’re passionate about – then it’s not like work 🙂 Looking forward to your next article.
Bill Lublin
October 5, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Kim; You make a great point – if you chase dollars, you chase people away- Its really easy for people to know when someone is sincere in their desire to establish a relationship – and just as easy for them to avoid being used by someone who sees them as a meal ticket –
Great job!
Gerry (RealtyMan) Bourgeois
October 5, 2008 at 11:37 pm
My theory, simply put: Real Estate has always been about contacts – and always will be. Every 5 years or so, we seem to just stuff contacting our contacts into a new technology.