Our business depends upon people. All kinds of people. All levels of socio-economic strata.
There are a trillion people out there trying to tell us how to do it better, reach the people... bigger and better farms, internet marketing, systems, relational selling, ninja selling, and the list goes on and on. There are lots of people waiting to part us from our money all in the name of helping us make more money. Most simply (ok, many) just don't produce desired results. It is either not there in the first place or the agent yawns, writes the check and promptly goes back to the old way of doing things, acknowledging that yep there were some good ideas. Today in what at best is a mixed market a key buz word(s) is "back to basics".
I submit that if you want to be successful in business, any business, not just real estate you need to look at the community around you and get involved. I am literally appalled at the number of new agents that have no idea about communityor community service. There may be all kinds of reasons but the fact is (in my experience) many if not most have no sense of community involvement especially beyond church or kids in school.
In the office the other day, someone commented that "geeze you know everyone". Well I don't, but I have put in years and years in the trenches of community service and by so doing not only did I help out and feel good about it but I learned how to navigate around the community, its leaders, shakers and just plain folks.
Note I said "years". And there in is the rub. It is NOT instant gratification in the financial arena. Not even close and if that is what you are about you will be found out and self eliminated. It is about giving back, helping and molding your community. The pay back is satisfaction. The monetary part comes later...if at all.
The opportunities are endless, service clubs (Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, etc.), YMCA, local political parties, chamber of commerce, senior centers, schools, Red Cross, United Way, and the list goes on and on. By belonging and participating you have the opportunity of feeling good about worthwhile projects and you meet people. I can honestly say I have never done business directly because I played golf. But I met people, they came to know me and have an opinion (hopefully good) and as a result at some point someone says "say I know a guy...". And here comes a referral.
But more importantly our communities need us. Not just because we are a warm body that can help but because of our perspective. At one point in time as I went through the chairs of the CofC it became obvious how important people like REALTORS are to the organizations. That is because 1) we are not hired guns who are paid by some corporate entity to attend a meeting... rather we are there because we must feel it important otherwise we are cutting into our ability to make money (by not being there and showing property) as such our outlook is slightly different. 2) because we work with all types of people and projects we are pretty much cutting edge in knowledge, knowledge of the poor, services, city standards, housing needs, investors, money etc. We are generalists and as such are important to the agencies.
So if things are a little slow, get involved and they will pick up, if you are way too busy... get involved you need a break and time away to think of other things. If you do, you will be rewarded...more than you can imagine, your community will gain and who knows there might even be a buck in it too.
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