When it comes to finding clients, real estate agents have a lot of options. There’s traditional door-to-door sales, cold-calling, and even showing up at open houses. Overall, there’s no shortage of ways to get your name out there. But, what if you need a new way to make business connections? Real estate networking events present excellent opportunities to connect with other real estate professionals.
Real estate networking events are also a way to meet people who might be ready to buy or sell a property. They can especially benefit agents who don’t have the budget for more traditional marketing tactics. In this how-to guide, we’ll discuss the best tips for engaging with the community and building valuable relationships.
Meeting New People in Real Estate
It may take extra effort and intentionality to get to know people if you’re the “new agent on the block” in your service area, but your hard work will pay off in the long run. There are many practical ways to engage with potential new clients and business partners.
Get Involved in the Community
One of the best methods for meeting new people and developing long-lasting friendships is getting involved in the community. You can interact with people from all walks of life and professions at local get-togethers. In addition, you’ll also have a great opportunity to put your name out there and attract prospective customers.
Community involvement will look different depending on where you live. Some fantastic ways that real estate agents make connections include:
- Collecting business cards: Don’t just try to hand out your business cards—focus on collecting others. This enables you to make the first networking move.
- Joining a local Chamber of Commerce: Your local Chamber of Commerce is a wellspring of networking opportunities. Therefore, by joining it, you’ll significantly increase your chances of meeting the right people and getting real estate agent referrals.
Do Volunteer Work
If you’re looking to meet new people, volunteering is a great place to start. Many local charities need help, and your volunteer work will demonstrate how much you care for the community. This reflects well on your reputation and can boost your client base.
Volunteering not only bolsters your reputation but also increases brand awareness. Real estate agents are a brand in themselves, and you’ll want to market yourself to as broad an audience as possible. Helping out at a charity event is a cost-effective, easy way to become a familiar face.
Attend Real Estate Networking Events
Real estate networking events happen all the time. You just need to know where to look and how to stay in the loop. If you join a Chamber of Commerce, you’ll be part of the in-group and can attend all the sponsored events.
At real estate events, you can network with fellow agents in the area. These are the types of relationships you need, whether you’re new to the real estate game or a recognized veteran. Additionally, special events also give you time and space to discuss crucial topics, including:
- Industry trends
- Business opportunities
- Real estate teams
- New listings
- Potential clients
- Leads
Following Up with Real Estate Contacts
Meeting new people in the real estate industry is critical, as is developing current relationships. Even individuals who aren’t interested in selling or buying a home could become valuable resources in the future. The most successful real estate professionals excel at following up with contacts.
Call People Back
Did you get someone’s business card at an open house? Did someone call you after getting your information at a charity event? Don’t forget to follow up with them.
It’s critical to always respond to others when they reach out. If someone emails or calls you, make plans to continue the conversation by meeting in person or via Zoom. These steps will help build your network and demonstrate your reliability.
Stay Active on Social Media
You don’t need a large following or even a well-known name to use social media effectively for networking. When you meet new people at real estate networking events, you may get their Twitter handle or Facebook name instead of a business card. If that’s the case, being on social media will help you connect with them and stay in the know.
Social media is one of the easiest ways to communicate regularly with business partners and your customer base. When you’re active, you can increase brand awareness and build rapport by posting multiple times weekly. You can also keep a finger on the community’s pulse by seeing what others are posting.
Developing Current Relationships in Real Estate
Chatting with fellow real estate agents is one thing—developing meaningful relationships is another. You must commit to the long-term process and make it a point to meet regularly. When it comes to maintaining your social network, you have several ways to participate with industry professionals.
Go to Fun Events
Networking as a real estate agent doesn’t have to be formal and dull. You can organize out-of-the-office activities to get to know other industry professionals as people. Sometimes, the best conversations and interactions take place in a T-shirt and jeans.
If you can’t think of fun, large-group activities, here are some ideas:
- Go bowling
- Play mini golf
- Attend a baseball game
- Visit an escape room
Make Social Plans for the Future
As you meet and converse with people, plan to get together in the future. Whether it’s a coffee date this week or a tour of properties next month, set up meetings with others so that you can keep the momentum going. If you’re planning on coming back to the event next year and want to see that person again, ask for their contact information so that it will be easy for you to get together again.
Make the Most of Real Estate Networking Events
Real estate networking events are an excellent way to meet potential clients and make long-lasting business relationships. However, you’ll want to take the right approach and make the most of your real estate circle prospecting. At Local Leader®, our free resources can help you get started—sign up for our newsletter today!
