As a new real estate agent, one of the first things they don't tell you is get ready to be poor for a while. While others around you are running around the office like chickens with their heads cut off, for a while you will be twiddling your thumbs, wondering how to get a customer and terrified about what to say if you do.
One of the first things they DO tell you is to develop a sphere of people, we call ours a "sphere of influence", made up of every person you know who could be a potential source of business for you, whether directly or by referral. Does it work? After about 6 months in the business I can honestly say "yes!"
It's not hard, but it does take time. It also takes persistence. Your sphere must hear from you at least once a month, whether by email, snail mail, phone calls or visits. I tend to bog down when coming up with new ideas, so I've compiled a few ways to give your sphere some flavor!
Send the basics: Postcards with your new listings, or properties you've just sold to prove that you are indeed working hard. Newsletters should be colorful and contain useful information such as recipes, quotations, current events and real estate happenings (preferably yours).
Recommend something you have recently found satisfying: a book, recipe, a magazine, a website you found useful, an article of interest in the newspaper,
By-the-Month ideas:
January: Send/deliver a calendar with your personalization
February: Small box of chocolates for Valentine's Day
March: St. Patrick's Day Greetings, seed packets for Spring flowers (forget me nots!)
April: candy filled Easter eggs
May: Mother's Day wishes, flowers in a small flower pot
June: Father's Day wishes
August: Back to School (pencils/pens with your personalization)
September: Labor Day
October: Halloween (costume contest/coloring contest)
November: Thanksgiving (recipes)
December: Christmas/Holiday cards, or a small gift
The most important thing is to be consistent and to stay consistent. Your sphere needs to hear from you or see you once a month!!
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