Building Your Internal Network
As I head out to teach a class in Oregon today and then Washington DC next week for the Women’s Council of Realtors meetings it seems like the perfect time to focus on building your internal network.
Your internal network is the one within your own industry.
Whenever I bring this up it seems to get mixed reactions. Some people get it and love it. Others look at me a little funny and ask why they would want to spend time with other agents when they are the competition.
The reality is that there is enough business out there for everyone and we benefit as individuals and as an industry by working together to share ideas and support each other.
Here are 5 ways that having a strong internal network will save you time, help you make more money and make things a lot more fun:
1. You get the inside scoop: Just this week I was talking with another agent about what my clients are looking to purchase. Turns out she has the perfect home coming on the market in 2 weeks. We were able to get a jump start because I took the time to connect with her.
2. It helps in contract negotiations: When you know the other agent you are working with don’t things just seem to go smoother? And in a low inventory, multiple offer world, having that connection to the listing agent can be the thing that helps your offer make it to the top of the stack.
3. No one gets you like your peeps: Being a real estate agent is a wild ride with the ups and downs of the market and the various clients that we work with. Having people who “get it” is essential.
4. You can share ideas and learn. No need to reinvent the wheel. Why make yourself crazy starting everything from scratch. It’s much faster, more fun and profitable to work together and build on each others ideas.
5. You never know where your next referral will come from. Granted this one took me a bit to grasp, but other agents really are a fantastic source of referrals. Whether it’s a move from out of state or even within your same area, maybe you specialize in something that the other agent doesn’t. Taking time to build relationships with other agents can be a fantastic source of business.
So how do you fit it in to your already time strapped world?
1. Attend classes and participate, don’t just sit in the corner minding your own business. Sit by someone you don’t know and strike up a conversation. Exchange cards and get connected on social media.
2. Make time for lunch or coffee at least once a month with an agent to get to know them better.
3. Join a group: Getting involved with groups like the Women’s Council of Realtors and the eWomen network has been fantastic. It’s connected me with groups of amazing people and has helped my business in so many ways.
Being a lone ranger isn’t any fun. Stop making things harder than they need to be and take the time to build your internal network. After all, who doesn’t want to make more money and have more fun along the way?
Signup to receive Nicole's blog posts via email weekly:
Other Posts
Letter to My Younger Self
Today is my birthday. For me, birthdays are a beautiful mix of celebration, anticipation and reflection. This post is dedicated to reflections. Things I wish I could tell my younger self. Imposter syndrome is normal! You’ve spent so much time doubting yourself. Feeling like everyone else knows what they are doing while you’re still trying…
Read More
Managing the Adrenaline / Emotional Roller Coaster of Real Estate
Closings, getting mutual on a contract, receiving a referral – there are lots of wins in real estate. Each one brings a shot of adrenaline that feels amazing. However, those moments are often short lived, with a lot of space in between. If you aren’t careful that space can fill with self doubt, insecurity or…
Read More
Why Proving Yourself Is A Bad Idea
I competed on a listing this week that I didn’t get. It was a great one too – awesome house, great clients. It was one I really wanted. When I got done pouting I took a few minutes to ask myself, ‘where did it go wrong’? Our first appointment was amazing! The second one, not…
Read More
The Secret To Success: How Awareness Transforms Everything
‘The first step towards change is awareness. The second step is acceptance. Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness.’ – Source Unknown Last week focused on letting go of the need to play catch up. The only thing that matters is focusing on the present moment. The…
Read More
Don’t Try To Catch Up – Just Start Where You Are
I’ve spent the last few days in Virginia at my favorite real estate conference, Genuine Hustle, where I had the honor of presenting a session on asking powerful questions. It’s the most authentic, vulnerable, supportive and all around amazing group of agents that I’ve ever spent time with. They haven’t released the location or dates…
Read More
This Phone Call Brings In The Most Referrals
Can calls really translate into referrals? Are some more effective than others? When we work with clients it’s easy to go into ‘get it done’ mode. We focus on getting from contract to closing as quickly and smoothly as possible. And to be fair, that’s a big part of what our clients hire us to…
Read More
What if EVERYTHING is Working Out For You?
What happens when you have a ‘set back’ ? Does it send you into a tail spin of fear and insecurity? Do you brush it off and move on? Or – Do you view it as confirmation that you ARE on the right path, realize it wasn’t the right opportunity or situation for you, and…
Read More
Don’t Do This Alone
I was lucky enough to be invited to mastermind with these amazing agents for a few days this week. We talked business, but it was so much more than that. We talked about being intentional with our lives, the hours we worked, the struggles we face, our investment strategies (owning rental real estate of one…
Read More
Collaboration Over Competition, This Is Your Chance To Learn From The Best
What if you could stop over thinking how to run your business? What if you knew exactly what other agents do to attract clients? This is your chance! Season 2 of Secrets of Attracting Clients starts January 27th and I’m super excited for this years line up! We have 12 amazing sessions, all with ideas…
Read More
How Lowering Your Bar Can Help You Reach Your Goals
January holds a special mix of big dreams and deep insecurity for a lot of agents. If you find yourself toggling between the two – know that you’re not alone. We usually associate big dreams with big actions. So we make long to do lists as proof of our commitment to increasing our income. Often…
Read More