Networking the forgotten art of becoming connected and staying connected to others with a common interest. There are innumerable mechanisms for networking organizations ranging from the PTA, city counsel to sports clubs, lounges, the internet blog, etc. Recently I became interested in the membership of a couple of organizations with which we as Realtors have direct contact. And if worked correctly and frequently can expand our productivity. I won't go into each organization but I will comment on two whose lack of participation by Realtors truly surprised me. The first organization was the area Home Builders Association. In a county with some where around 370+ Realtors I found only 3 members in the builders association which contains 257 members and associates. The three Realtors are composed of one female and two males. Of these three attends the annual Christmas party, one comes to every meeting (me) and the other comes to about half of the meetings. Now answer me why isn't there more participation in what is obviously a pool meant for fishing by the other Realtors? Not that I want them to do so after all, probably 40% of my business comes from that resource. But you would think there would be at least 1 percent participation. The other organization I looked at was the Local Chamber. Well, nearly all of the local real estate Agencies belongs to the chamber. The chamber is very active and as is typical of most Chambers has a monthly meet and greet euphemistically referred to as "Business after Hours". Sure it is a social function but I can't tell you the number of times I've picked up a tip, lead or a prospect from bending the ole elbow at this function. But again I am surprised at the lack of Realtors physically and consistently present. And if and when other Realtors do show up they tend to focus their attention upon themselves rather than seeking to connect with those outside their profession. I mean doesn't it make sense to network outside your real estate cronies, after all how many times have you sold another local realtor a property that they weren't aware of. I guess my point with these two observations is that there are very few who practice the basics of selling 101. That is the sales people in Real Estate who do not utilize the obvious resources. Instead they abandon them for the trendier tech stuff, which works but shouldn't be the entire basis for ones network.
Here's a great one that's taken in Chicago now - literally sold out for years to come. The Chicago Association of Realtors sponsors an essay contest in every local school (I think this is for maybe second graders or so). Local REALTORs bid on the "right" to each school (the money goes to a charity of their choice I think). The "owner" of a given school retains that for as long as they want to keep paying that amount every year.
Here's the networking brilliance: the essay contest is on the topic "why I want to own my own home someday" or something like that. The REALTOR for each school has to read all the essays (no small task, it can be hundreds) and award the best (or top 3?) essay awards - at a parent/teacher get together night. The REALTOR gets to stand up, with no competition allowed, to essentially "pitch" themselves by default, as the judge, awarding REALTOR and overal sponsor of the entire thing. How's that for meeting and greeting, community participation and activism?! I guarantee anyone can take this to their local school system and get a "go ahead" from the Principal.
It could even be better leveraged still by the sponsoring REALTOR publishing the top essays to every student's home address in a newsletter that of course, conveniently has all their contact information, etc. without making it too much of a shameless marketing pitch.
Surely there are dozens of other good ideas like this out there.
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