In an industry that’s constantly evolving, no real estate professional should ever be satisfied with their existing skill set. To succeed in real estate, learning how to network with others effectively is a must. In fact, building a sphere of influence and connecting with like-minded professionals are two skills real estate agents work tirelessly to hone.
Real estate conferences and networking events are fertile ground for conversation. Remember to treat them as opportunities to gain new insight into the market.
Try searching for the event agenda and hashtag to identify key attendees or speakers you’d like to meet. Then, challenge yourself to connect with each of them. Whether they’re an introverted agent or life of the party, these new connections can offer new ideas and strategies that may help take your business to the next level.
As the old adage goes—“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” Being a successful real estate agent doesn’t necessarily mean you have to do all the heavy lifting in the conversation. In fact, failing to actively listen means you’re likely missing out on valuable pieces of knowledge that matter to the potential leads you’re communicating with.
Furthermore, while it may appear that the goal of partaking in these events is to collect as many referrals as possible, quality always trumps quantity. Instead, the focus should be to set the precedent and create meaningful business relationships that will last.
Networking online via social media is often easier to scale, but networking offline tends to be more targeted and can develop a much more personal sense of connection with potential real estate leads.
The best approach utilizes a blend of both. These days, it’s critical to have an online presence, which includes a branded website, as well as social media profiles. But, the majority of your networking should still be done in person, all while strengthening your online marketing. That way, you have individuals who can personally refer you, and your online presence can deliver a sizable return on investment over time.