How to Use Your Sphere of Influence to Double Your Income
By Maya Bailey, Ph.D. 
Print Article
RISMEDIA, April 29, 2011-I find that many of my clients avoid marketing when it comes to their sphere of influence. Yet statistics show that your sphere of influence can be the greatest source of referrals. Let's look at how you can dig in and get the "gold."
Tip 1: Define and Grade Your Sphere of Influence
When is the last time that you took a good look at your contact list? What is the total? What are the categories in that group? Do you have past clients, friends, acquaintances, people you hardly know? Before you do anything else go into your data base and group your sphere of influence in categories.
Do you know who in your sphere is likely to refer to you? Do you know who in your sphere already works with another agent? How many have moved away? Start deleting the inappropriate ones.
Be sure to ask all of them this question at some point: "If you were buying or selling a home, do you have a real estate agent that could help you?" If they say "yes," delete them. There is no point in continuing, they are not prospects. By keeping in touch with your sphere of influence as outlined below, you'll begin to find out who is an A,B, C, or D.
A= someone likely to refer to you
B= someone who, with a little more contact with you, would refer to you
C=Questionable
D= Delete
Tip 2: Send an Something to Your Sphere Each Month
In my 14+ years of coaching real estate agents to double their incomes, I am amazed at the fact that sometimes their list never gets a mailing. Or sometimes the mailing is not well thought out. I worked with a client recently who admitted that the material she was sending to her sphere was standard and boring. We brainstormed about items of interest or value that would be fun and unique. So far, she has come up with recipes and inspirational quotes. What do you send to your sphere of influence? Is it something you would want to receive and find valuable? If so, then I guarantee that your sphere will like it too. How many creative items can you come up with?
Tip 3: Overcome Your Blocks about Calling Your Sphere
Everyone I have ever worked with resists calling their sphere.
Excuses include:
· I don't want them to think I want something from them
· I'm afraid they won't like me
• I don't want to be like a telemarketer
The list goes on, but I think you get the idea. What you need to understand is that you're a giver. When givers give to other givers, they get back. So, in other words, if you send an item of value, you are giving; when you chat with them and listen to what's going on in their lives, you're giving again. So at the end of the call, say something like, "If you hear of anyone even whispering about buying or selling a home, please give me a call with their name and number." Then say, "I'll be happy to send referrals to your business, as well." Guess what? You're giving again.
After doing these calls monthly (after mailing of items), you'll begin to know your sphere of influence and they'll know you. You'll begin to learn which ones are you're As, Bs, Cs and which ones to delete. Then you will be in their stream of consciousness, so you're the first one that will pop up in their mind when they think of real estate. Don't be surprised if you get referrals in the first few weeks.
Tip 4: Be in the Right Mindset
Don't make these calls if you're feeling anxious, upset or desperate. Remember, desperation doesn't sell. So psych yourself up in the right mindset. Think of your self as a giver and how happy they are going to be to hear from you. Tip: if you have been thinking negatively, switch your focus to what you are grateful for. That usually puts you in a much better mood to pick up the phone.
Tip 5: Make it a Daily Ritual
Just like brushing your teeth, calling some people out of your sphere of influence is essential. Even one a day is OK. Call several times a day if you want your income to rise quickly.
Decide when to make your calls and keep at it until you've reached the people you were trying to call. Expect that after several weeks of doing this; it will feel a lot easier. An extra perk is that you're going to be deepening some great relationships and you'll derive the same pleasure from calling them us as you would with a good friend.
Dr. Maya Bailey, Multiple 6 Figure Income Business Coach for Real Estate Professionals, integrates her 20 years of experience as a psychologist with 14 years of expertise in marketing. Her powerful transformational work creates a Success Formula for Real Estate Professionals ready to create a Multiple 6 Figure Income. To get your free report: "7 Simple Strategies to More Clients in 90 Days" and to apply for an Initial Complimentary Consultation, go to www.90daystomoreclients.com.
RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.
Comments(0)