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Networking in your Community by Christmas Shopping Local

By
Real Estate Agent with Home Realty

I was raised in the 70's in a small town in Iowa, my parents owned and operated the local advertiser.  My father drilled into our family the importance of shopping local, patronizing the businesses that supported our community.

Today, I still live in the same town and am raising my family.

In 2004 when I got my real estate license those words came full circle for me.  I thought I had just been supporting my community, it never dawned on me that in fact I had been networking for over 40 years.  The business owners supported me by sending referrals.  I made rookie of the year in my first year of real estate and have been the top producer in my office ever since. 

While most people ran to the nearest big city to do their shopping my family and I walked from store to store in our home town.  We visited with business owners whom we know by name and shook their hands. They were very appreciative of our business, we also had the opportunity to visit with other locals throughout the day. 

 Many leads do come from the Internet these days but we can never overlook the importance of looking people in the eye and talking to them face to face.

Comments (8)

M. Suzi Woods (Gravenstuk)
NOW Sharing the life and spice of the GC one day at a time - Grand Canyon, AZ
Suzi Woods, Prior Independent REBroker in MS

Grrreat lesson. Also, if readers are not in the home town, or maybe even a new move, new REALTOR as I was in 2005--you can still shake hands, and door knock. I consider my self a Field Agent/Field Broker. You pick up some jewels getting out and about as well. If you don't know everything about everything, just ask. People will tell you.

Nov 29, 2008 11:45 AM
Derenda Grubb
CENTURY 21 Mike D. Bono & Co.'s - Lake Charles, LA
GRI, ABR, CRS

Kathy,

In Small Towns, You had better NEVER forget the personal touch.  It appears that you are a pro at this.  I big towns it is also important, but many people have forgotten this fact.  It is just that you can sometimes "survive" due to quantity of business even though you forget this important fact.  Too sad that we often over look the old truths.

Nov 29, 2008 12:56 PM
Mark Chesnick
Blanchard and Calhoun Real Estate Co. - Evans, GA
Fort Gordon, Evans, Martinez

Kathy,

 Words spoken never so very true!  No matter where one lives, it is those personal one on one relationships that are THE most valuable.

Nov 29, 2008 01:14 PM
Eileen Begley
Coldwell Banker, DelMonte - Carmel, CA
Monterey Real Estate

Good thought.  Times are tougher than ever and our small local businesses need our help more than ever. Same thing applies to "eating locally!"

Nov 29, 2008 02:12 PM
Sonya Loose
Modern Realty - Beaverton, MI
Helping Buyers & Sellers of Waterfront Property

Kathy, you are right about networking "in disguise".  Just being out and about and being involved in your community connects you with many potential prospects.  As someone who lives and works in a small town I interact with my community because its a wonderful place to live, work and raise my family and the business that I get in return is a bonus!

Nov 30, 2008 02:16 AM
Kathy Kooyman
Home Realty - Pella, IA

 

Suzi  you are right you can pick up a lot of jewels just getting out and about

Derenda  You are so right about the personal touch

Mark  so true...the personal one on one relationships are the most valuable

Eileen  Eating locally is equally as important as shopping local

Sonja  We are so fortunate to live and work in communitiew that value relationships

Nov 30, 2008 07:07 AM
Debra Kukulski, Broker Associate
RE/MAX Suburban - Cary, IL
SRES;SFR,CDPE;GRI;ABR;e-PRO Realtor, Northern IL

Kathy, what a great reminder to support local businesses, especially in this Holiday Season:-)

Dec 07, 2008 01:31 AM
Kathy Kooyman
Home Realty - Pella, IA

Debra,  Yes, our local businesses need our support this year more than ever.

Dec 07, 2008 01:52 AM