I just got back from the St. Charles County Women's Council of REALTORS luncheon on networking.  It was pretty good and brought back some pointers that I think many of us have forgotten about networking.

Branding yourself

1.  What makes you stand out.....please don't tell me you use the tagline "Helping families find the American Dream"  cause you know what, us Americans ain't so happy right now IE..the Dow dropping to 9000.   Or using "Creating dreams for homeowners"..... Hello Disney....   Do something that makes YOU different

2.  If you have your name on your car whether it's in your window or on your door ....... DO NOT drive like a ding dong cut YOUR potential client off or go through and "Orange Light"   You know you have seen it.

Networking

1.  Get back to the basics....use your family and friends go back to your roots let them be your eyes and ears, give them cards to pass out just in case they happen to hear someone talking about selling or buying. (This is the one I think that we have gotten away from the most.)

2.  Re-visit your sphere who is helping you the most, and who do you need to sit and talk to to find out why they aren't helping you the most.  Could be your title person, loan officer, insurance guy... the list goes on.  It's time to take care of yourself put the heat on your sphere, create that "perfect team".

3.  Get involved with your association!!!!!!!!    Become the leader get involved on your state board, national board, Women's Council of REALTORS, other local boards this will lead to referrals!!   On the flip side of that you will develop relationships with your fellow REALTOR so when you have a transaction together it won't be so bad.

3.  Get involved with other networking organizations such as BNI.

4.  Lastly and most importantly, have you called your past clients lately to check to see how they are.  Maybe it's time for most of the agents that I talked to today 50-75% of there business came from past clients.  Use them like family remind them how good you are and to pass the word if they hear anything. 

Folks it's 24-7 it's never changed, some of us have, some of us haven't but always be listening.

I tried to make this lite with our "times" but remember this, always be thinking outside of the box, LOVE what you do and go sell something today..

Your friendly neighborhood title guy.

Chaz