Comparing By Referral Only vs Buffini & Company

I utilized Buffini's system for approx. 2 yrs.  I didn't think much of the coaching in comparison to other coaching programs I've been involved with (in particular, Mike Ferry's coaching program).  I like the Buffini concept of calls & notes.  I wasn't thrilled about doing pop-by's.

I've recently signed up with Stumpf's By Referral Only program.  It seems to be a more "rounded" program with ideas for generating buiness Before, During & After the transaction.

My business is currently approx. 80% from referrals so I'm looking for ways to increase my business & take it to the next level.

I definitely believe in having a business coach.

For those of you with experience with Buffini or Stumpf, which program/system do you think would be most helpful to someone who is brand new in the industry and would be starting from scratch with only a small database of 80-90 friends (no former clients)? Thanks.

By Referrl Only by far. I have been a member of both groups and what Joe Stumpf gives you in his blog mybyreferralonly.com is worth more then what you get from Buffini.

Go BRO...

Kerry W. 

By Referral Only (BRO). I did BRO Main Event when in my third year in business as I only had a small sphere and needed to grow my business by referrals by existing and past clients. I was doing $3M in volume in my third year which of course was nice, but I needed to take it to the next level. It cost $795 but it MORE than paid for itself. The following year I did $5M and by year 5 did over $10,000,000. Do the math. My ROI was off the charts. My favorite item was my Evidence of Success card/email. Instead of sending out canned "Just Sold" Just Listed" the EOS template instructs you to write a personal story about how you helped your client to achieve their goals by selling their home etc. This was so successful, I would have people call me and say "Wow, I got your card, that's so amazing that you helped them that way! Can you help me?" How many times do you get a call from stranger, neighbors clients from a bland JS JL card - I was getting calls because they realized I understood it was about them, not me.

I'm now a real estate business coach and mentor and recommend people absolutely do some kind of training program (I gather Keller Williams does, so does Exit so go with it if you are with them) - but it really depends on your approach and personality as to what best fits for you. Why do I like BRO?

What I got from it was you are free to tailor it to your own personality and approach, there is no canned approach. I looked at Buffini after learning that he actually started as part of the BRO company and split off on his own to create Buffini. I didn't like Buffini because it is more canned and ridged in my opinion, and banging/number crunching prospecting that is not tailored to your way of doing business and is too scripted. Most people I know hate prospecting so won't do it if they do not feel comfortable and Buffini just never made me feel comfortable or natural. I'm a big believer that you will work ON your business and ask for business if you do it with your approach and what works for you and your personality. I feel BRO allows that.

Which would I do first starting out, knowing what I know now after almost 9 years?

After 6 months of finding your feet and setting up your business, niche, getting to know your market, etc I would do either Floyd Wickman (very good at setting out the way to set your business up, the elements and defining your market,) and /or BRO because it's more practical, provides tons of marketing tools and it is cheap in terms of it doesn't cost anything to ask someone if they know someone. The cost of $5000 a year is ONLY if you decide to take on a personal coach. It is only $200 month if you don't take a personal coach, but you still have complete access to all the TON of tools, forums, blogs, Nuggets, success sharing AND able to call in on a monday and ask a coach or have a one on one with a coach I think 1 or 2 times a month - just not your personal coach. Absolutely worth it in my opinion. Also, the community of BRO members is very close and you can build a network referral base through the site and meetings. It's excellent. You can try if free too for a couple of weeks if you ask them nicely.

Good luck to all!

Karen Bennett

Realty TMS

Transaction Management Solutions

 720-891-1579 

I am subscribed to the Buffini now and I love it and I can see that it has made a difference in my business. I am also looking into by referral only now but the costs just seems to be so enormous I’m actually thinking about doing both, Buffini is very affordable. I watched some of the videos from referral only and I know that it has to be a great program, but I cannot afford the upfront fees. I’ve had to look online and that’s how I found this to figure out what it actually cost for a referral only it bothers me that they don’t want to tell you I guess they think they’re going to scare you away so they’re going to try and sell you first