What's to be Gained by Meeting Local ActiveRain Members?

What's to be Gained by Meeting Local ActiveRain Members?

Tonight was the Nashville ActiveRain Meet-up. It was so nice to meet some of the local ActiveRain members. Thanks to Connie Harvey for organizing this event.

It was a small gathering with five of us in attendance; me, Connie Harvey, Michael Thornton, Vanessa Stalets and Emily Lowe. With the exception of Michael Thornton, I had never met any of these members. Oh, except the time I ran into Connie while showing houses.

While I was thrilled to meet this group, I was disappointed that more local members didn't take the opportunity to stop by. But it got me thinking...

What's to be gained by meeting local ActiveRain members?

A few thoughts come to mind:

1. We are a rare breed. Not only are we real estate agents, we are bloggers. There's not many of us around and it's nice to join forces and talk about what works and what doesn't. Many of us got into this whole blogging thing because another local agent turned us on to ActiveRain.
   
2. Promote our business. This is a great opportunity for those members who aren't agents to promote their real estate related businesses, like home inspectors, lenders and photographers. Michael Thornton was the only member in attendance who was not an agent. He's one smart cookie! He had a captive audience to promote his video and home inspection businesses.
   
3. Referral opportunities. You may be surprised at this one, but not all agents want to work a large geographic area. I am one of those agents. I know Williamson County very well and that's where I prefer to work. When it comes to other parts of Nashville, I would prefer to refer it out. I spoke a little with Emily about this so if I get a call from a buyer looking in her area, guess who I'll call.
4. Finding new vendors. Connie mentioned that her lender retired and she just hasn't found another that she wants to work with. Vanessa and I both were singing the praises of our lenders.
   
5. Building relationships. Who really understands our business? Other agents. I don't talk to my friends about my business because much of that business comes from my sphere. While I do talk about the market, I don't get specific about challenges with buyers and sellers. Having other agents to talk with about the challenges of this business can be a lifesaver.

Many members probably think, what's the point of meeting other members that may be my competition? Guess what, there's enough business to go around for everyone. Chances are our blogs attract different types of people to us anyway. We aren't necessarily competing for the same business.

For all of you who are thinking that going to a local ActiveRain meet-up is a waste of time, you may want to reconsider.

What's to be gained by meeting local ActiveRain members?

A LOT!!