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Marketing yourself with success

By Carol Letcher

Real Estate Agent with Desert Properties Realty

October 13, 2010 02:18 AM

One of the way I market myself is NETWORKING. I am a member of BNI (business networking international) which is a professional specific leads group, which means that only one person from each profession can join. Last year alone over 30% of my sales came from members of my BNI group. Yes, it can be very time consuming as the meetings are every week but nothing in this business is easy, right? If it was easy EVERYONE would be doing it. If you can't find one in your area to join you can also call your local BNI representative and start your own group, which is what we did 2 years ago. Alot of work but it has paid off. Another idea is to start your own leads group from your sphere, people that you already know and/or clients. I know agents that have done this successfully.

Growing your business successfully means you need to have a few different avenues to funnel clients into your sphere..Networking, internet marketing, face to face contact with existing clients, and monthly mailers to your top 100 are just a few of the consistent things that I do in my business that make a difference!

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Mahesh Mike Patel

First Team Real Estate - Anaheim Hills, CA

Call Me And Consider It Done!

HI Carol: I just joined a BNI group, a new chapter. The kickoff was last week. I went to training class yesterday onPowse Teams. We have great people there and we are all excited. HOw long have you been there... any pointers to share!!

Thanks.

Oct 13, 2010 02:22 AM

Carol Letcher

Desert Properties Realty - Chandler, AZ

Owner/Broker

Good morning Mahesh..I see you are up and about early like me!!! I was one of the founding members of my BNI group over 2 years ago, and now we have about 17 solid members. The best advice I can give you is to arrive early and network and stay for a few minutes afterwards and network. Try to make your 60 second presentation different and fun, change it up every week and be very specific about the referral that you are looking for. Also, play a leadership role when they do the change outs, usually every October. I was President until Oct 1st and that's when BNI changes leadership for the teams. I now am visitor host, so when you play an active role it makes you more visible to the guests. Make sure you attend all of the outside functions if someone is having a grand opening, etc. Visibility and participation are a big key with making BNI successful! Good Luck!

Oct 13, 2010 02:33 AM

Carri Pecorella

Welcome Home Realty - Surprise, AZ

Carol, Thank you for sharing I've been thinking about joining a group but have been on the fence...thank you!!

Oct 13, 2010 04:14 AM

Express Capital Mortgage Inc.

Express Capital Mortgage Inc. - Chandler, AZ

USA property financing for Canadians and other For

I agree, it is a large part of my business as well. I don't think most people realize how long it takes to start cultivating actual leads from the group. Most don't last a year. What do you think?

Oct 18, 2010 11:55 PM

You are correct. It could take as long as 6 months and upwards of a year in some cases. You need to built trust within the group. The group needs to get to know you and you need to get to know them. Other members need to know they can trust you with an important piece of their business. A person from THEIR database. You are representing the person that gave the referral. That person needs to know you can be trusted with their client, business associate, friend, or family member. It's the ones that think that just because they showed up, paid their money, not give anything to the group that have trouble hanging in there. That doesn't work. Never works! BNI is "givers gain". Keep giving, show up, participate, be visible, keep a positive attitude, and the referrals will come. It's all about trust!

Oct 19, 2010 05:02 AM

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Carol Letcher

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