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If You Want Referrals from Other Active Rainers... Here is One Way To Get Them...

By
Real Estate Agent with New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County

Earlier tonight I read a great post written by an Active Rainer who had just CLOSED her very first Active Rain referral.  She was so excited... as well she should have been.  How cool !

Of course, I congratulated her.  I told her how glad I was for her that she "broke the ice" and got her first Active Rain referral closing.  I was just being my normal sweet, supportive self.  <she said, with her usual dorky grin>

The next comment after mine was from a Rainer who also congratulated her, and then asked her if she had any clients moving his way.  Obviously, he was looking for a referral from her.

Now... she may have known of some folks ready to move... but why should she send them his way?  Was there an Active Rain relationship between the two of them ?  I didn't know, but when you are hoping for referrals... in my opinion, a personal relationship is the place to start.

Here is what I shared, and the advice I suggested:

In my opinion... Active Rain is ALL about relationships.

What usually makes the referrals come... is having established an online Active Rain relationship between the Active Rainer sending the referral, and the Active Rainer receiving it.

That can only be done if you put some energy into it.  Relationships on Active Rain don't just "happen."  They have to be worked at.  They have to be nursed along over time. 

I then suggested that the person asking for the referral should take a look at their "points totals."  Look at the points earned from writing blog posts... and then look at the points earned from making comments on other people's posts.

If they are fairly equal, one could guess they are probably well on their way to getting their own first referral. 

If most of their points are just from writing blog posts... and very few of their points are from making comments on the posts of other Active Rainers... I suggested that this indicates the proverbial "one way street." And often-times... one way streets can easily turn into dead ends.

And if that is the case... I suggested that they comment more on the blog posts of others... and try and establish some relationships.  The only way you can build relationships... is if you give of yourself. 

Again... I think that building relationships is the key to getting referrals.

Dear readers... what do you think ?  Can one expect referrals just because they happen to live in a "hot city ?"  Or... is there more to it than that ?

What do you think are some of the best ways to attract referrals from other Active Rainers ?

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Comments (92)

Nathan Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Davenport, FL
Your Central Florida Real Estate Expert

Blogging and commenting work the same way for me as Facebook does. I use them to primarily keep in touch with my sphere. You are right, it takes work to build any relationship. It takes time and effort to build a friendship. What you put in is what you'll get out. Out of curiosity I just checked my points to see how many I have for blogs and comments. They are pretty much even so I guess I'm doing ok. :) 

Sep 04, 2011 05:54 AM
Susan Nance
Keller Williams NW OKC - Yukon, OK
Karen! I'm brand new to AR but an associate recommended it and so here I am! Thx for an informnative post! I agree it is all about relationships. Here and in our business. My son just moved to OKC from Dallas. If I had been in the business then you probably would have been my referral! Which brings me to my question. How do you find someone on AR that would be a good referral? Especially if u are new like me? Thx, Susan
Sep 04, 2011 06:22 AM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Karen - Having a presence on active rain is the first step ..... connecting and building relationships is the second .... Have A Great Day

Sep 04, 2011 08:19 AM
Sussie Sutton
David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX
David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

Gosh Karen.... it took me so long to get the end of the comment section that I almost forgot what I was going to say! 

If I had a referral to send I would send it to the person on AR that I interact with the most. Who comments on my posts and who makes me laugh and is most normal to converse with. So there you have it.

Sep 04, 2011 03:59 PM
Claude Labbe
RLAH / @properties - Washington, DC
Realty for Your Busy Life

and it's not 1 blog = 1 comment....

Sep 04, 2011 04:34 PM
Gail Robinson
William Raveis Real Estate - Southport, CT
CRS, GRI, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT

Karen - You have to get to know another AR member before you can feel comfortable giving a referral and even then, you may like the person, but you still have to evaluate whether they are the right one to satisfy your client's needs.  It's terribly annoying when someone just asks for a referral.  It reminds me of a two year old - I want, I want, I want.  Prove that you deserve the referral for heavens sake!  You don't get one by asking!

Sep 04, 2011 05:44 PM
Leondra Dimery
Urban Nest Realty - Las Vegas, NV

Great post Karen Anne!  I've been on AR for a year, but really just became active over the last three months.  I learn so much each time I log in.  I appreciate the advice on the points system.  I have been really good about leaving comments, but have not written my first blog :-(  I've got to get on that soon.  I just think the information gleaned from various blogs: helps make us money, keeps us from litigation, shows us how to run our businesses, provides us with information to keep us healthy, shares with us the available beautiful properties in every state, and so much more.  It's very difficult for me to not have an "attitude of gratitude" when there are so many great agents out there willing to share their information and experiences with me :-)  So, it's not always about the referrals.

Sep 05, 2011 11:44 AM
CA COASTAL ESTATES Lauren Selinsky Perez CRS
California Coastal Estates - Aliso Viejo, CA
"Your Real Estate Broker" #oclauren

I absolutely agree Karen~ you should build that relationship and the other funny thing is when they ask for a reference too. Ummmm I don't know you and I don't know enough about you to make that recommendation either. If I know what great service gives and it shows in their blogs> they will be that GO TO person!

Sep 05, 2011 04:55 PM
Marie Graham
Owner, The Refreshed Home White Plains NY - White Plains, NY
Westchester County Interior Decorator, Home Stager

Had JUST read a post tonight, where one of the first comments was a short sentance commenting, then asking if the person might have any referrals in the commenters' area. Had never seen that before, it read-and sounded-bad.  Relationships is both what grows our business, and makes it more enjoyable.

Karen ANne-really good point (HA!) about looking at point breakdowns...I have been on a writing tear the last 2 months, and the reading part has fallen away a bit. Good insight, and really good post-congrats on the feature!

Sep 05, 2011 06:37 PM
Jayne Esposito
Coldwell Banker - Morgan Hill, CA
SRES, GREEN

Karen Anne,  Good for you with the confrontation, and congrats on the feature.  I believe that any business worth having comes from relationship building. 

Sep 06, 2011 07:33 AM
Pam Hills
Innovative Artistry - Kendall, FL
ASP/IAHSP- Stager Miami, FL, Creative Minds Innovatively At Work

Dear Karen Anne ~  Let me first say, "Thank you" for always being so helpful to us!!  I have not had a chance to read the other 82 posts yet!!  I can imagine that they all say thank you for this one!  :))  I agree, relationships are so important, whether it be on active rain, or cultivating your client base.  If you have relationship, you have a great foundation.  Thanks so much again, as you have had so much helpful input.  The value is tremendous.

Sep 06, 2011 08:00 AM
Mona Gersky
MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC - Sylva, NC
GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate.

So, Karen Anne...got anyone moving our way? oh By the way, I'm NEVER too busy for your (gag gag gag) referrals. Sooner or later you will know someone ready to buy or sell real estate, I'd be thankful for your referral (smooth, real smooth).  At least they don't sound like canned responses (you can't see but I'm rolling my eyes in a childlike fashion).

Well deserved feature...oh by the way...I really enjoy the interaction in our relationship!

Sep 08, 2011 12:33 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Hee Hee.  I can only bet I know where he was from.  I've given a couple of referrals and it's always been to people I knew would do a great job.... because I knew them.

Sep 10, 2011 05:09 PM
Cara Marcelle Mancuso
Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes - Tucson, AZ
Call a Marana neighbor, I'm THERE!

Good points, I like your view.  My points don't compare closely enough between blogging and commenting.  I am guilty of finding enough time to blog, but haven't really taken the time to comment ENOUGH.  I find, though, that I read and read and read and a couple hours go by...I don't alway feel led to comment, but I do enjoy the content!  I generally comment only when I feel I can share an actual thought, versus, good blog, have a nice day... So that's my excuse Karen - ha!

Sep 11, 2011 05:18 AM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com

Karen Anne,

First off congrats on the feature!  I think a relationship would need to be in place before asking for a referral...

Ann Hayden in Wildwood, MO

Sep 19, 2011 04:15 PM
Sondra Meyer:
EXP Realty, LLC - Corpus Christi, TX
See It. Experience It. Live It.

Hi Karen, I realize that you've already had a huge number of comments on this post.  I think that you are EXACTLY right. 

I've always been proud that my commenting and posting points are relatively close to each other.  Personally, I just need more time to focus on Active Rain. 

Yet even though I don't comment on your posts that much, if I knew someone moving to town (city of Fort Worth)..especially if they loved cats or were wanting to buy a new home in town,  you would be the first that I'd think of.   You have been an Active Rain pillar in my mind sense I got started in 2008.  Have a nice evening. 

Sep 19, 2011 04:15 PM
Diane M. Phillips Realtor 443-286-4365
Frankly Real Estate Inc. - Manchester, MD
Specializing in Carroll Co., MD

Karen Ann ~ I think you hit it out of the park as usual & as indicated by the feature. My 2 cents, I agree!

Oct 01, 2011 03:17 PM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

I have given three and I chose them by going to the state, county then I call them, e-mail them and see how fast they respond. I don't know every agent around the world so that is my way. Then I let my client be the judge as to whether they want to work with them.

Oct 03, 2011 01:55 AM
Hella Mitschke Rothwell
(831) 626-4000 - Honolulu, HI
Hawaii & California Real Estate Broker

Karen: I got one out of the blue from an Activerainer who had never even commented on any of my blogs. And yet, there she was. We have now shared emails and I am able to refer business back to her. In my opinion, you can't just blanked ask. They've got to come to you when they feel comfortable doing so. Great blog.

Oct 21, 2011 03:45 PM
Gay E. Rosen
Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty - Larchmont, NY
As Real as Real Estate Gets!

Karen Anne-  just saw this.. it is ALL about relationships.   LOL Gay

Oct 22, 2011 02:33 PM