Kimberly Wester posted a blog You do the math the topic was about how many associations are out there and how much they all cost. This inspired me to write this blog on Associations, Networking and getting value.
I have been involved with the Women's Council of Realtors since Jan 2003. In fact I was very honored that I was actually recruited into WCR and asked to serve on their board. The President of the chapter had heard of me through a mutual relationship and that person recommended me. We had lunch and the rest is history. Barbara Safran was the Chapter President, in 2007 she was the Treasurer of the California State Chapter and in 2008 she will be the Secretary and I would be willing to bet she will end up as the California State President soon. California will be so lucky!
I jumped right in as their Marketing and Sponsorship Chair. Within 2 weeks I sold 12 sponsorship. I asked if they wanted to 2 sponsors per meeting and they were taken back that I was able to get the first 12. Apparently in the years prior they did each month by month and it was a struggle. OK so I guess I made a good impression and I thought this was good.
I started to attend each meeting. Each meeting was a priority to me, I put it into my schedule and I simply didn't book anything else around it WHY? because Networking IS Marketing. It's exposure. I did not talk about my business unless asked and I got to know everyone. Soon I was asked to "interview" the sponsors at the meeting. SO I took the microphone each meeting and did that. Great opportunity to show off your personality and be funny in front of 100 plus people every month. IT Cost me NOTHING but my time and a smile and a few jokes. In no time at all I was extremely well known in our area. My phone started to ring. Business started coming.
I kept involved, I served on committees, NEVER missed a meeting, I sponsored a meeting, I met the "big time" leaders in WCR, state presidents, governors etc. At the end of the year I was presented with a thank you certificate and an amazing thank you speech from the President. I was asked to serve again, and of course I accepted. I did the same things, my phone kept ringing by business grew and my income increased 60K.
Fast Forward 2006
I move to an area where I don't know anyone. What is the first thing I did? I found a WCR Chapter. I went to a local board marketing meeting. I walked straight up to the incoming President introduced myself, told her what a fan I have been of WCR and how I had served previously and I wanted to offer my services. I was appointed as the Marketing Chair and I went to work. I booked our meeting sponsors, started going to the meetings etc. Jumped right in. My phone started to ring, I started to get business. HMMM Imagine that....
2007-
Of course I am board with WCR again! This year I organized our first annual fundraiser "MargaritaVille". Our first time out 135 people!! HUGE HIT! Stagers did the decorations, lenders and title reps did the magarita bars etc. EVERYONE in the industry came. I have the BEST friends I could ever ask for at WCR. AND I get business, WHY??? Because I am the go to person! I got invovled, BUT Let me warn you if you get invovled do it WELL!! You WILL be judged on your work ethics. If you get invovled and you drop the ball on your volunteer work then dont expect to get business. Do a great job and watch your business grow. Joining WCR Was the best choice I had ever made for my career. It gave me ALL of the tools I needed to understand how a trade organization worked, how to network correctly, forming relationships etc.
I put so much value into WCR and I knew that stagers were missing something in our industry. I understand what my calling is and WHY. I started RESA. If not for WCR I would not have felt this way.
Networking trade organizations work the same way in every profession. Especially in Real Estate, the movers and the shakers are the ones that are involved. There are TONS of members of each local board that don't get involved and many agents that are not top producers. Just joining and becoming a member does not make you a success. The key is to join and get involved.
For RESA what better way to get involved then forming a local RESA Chapter. Be the ONE in your area to form a chapter and be the founder of the chapter. Be a charter member of the chapter and get involved. Hold Meetings, network with the agents, show them YOU are the mover and shaker and the go to person in YOUR industry. When you are involved in your own trade organization you are speaking their language. This is how Realtors do it! RESA can give you everything that WCR gave me. I set it up that way, it WORKS.
I often get from people "I dont have time"! I say you dont have time to grow your business by marketing? attending a luncheon each month? VOlunteering for a great cause that helps you grow your business? This time invested should be considered time you are marketing. Its not like you are sitting and doing nothing.
I have coined a term called "Networking Volunteerisim" Volunteering for something and networking at the same time. It works. I would never have started RESA if I did not believe in this process. But again, dont join if you dont want to get invovled and do something to further your industry and your own business.
It's not what your industry can do for you but what can you do for your industry! Get invovled! By all means of course I want professional stagers to join RESA. But join if you want to make a differnce in your business. if you dont join RESA join WCR and get invovled!
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