An agent’s sphere of influence includes the people they know, both professionally and personally, who trust their opinion. Maintaining these relationships and using them to build new ones is fundamental to an agent’s success. Read on to discover eight ways to expand your sphere of influence and generate more real estate leads and referrals.
1. Find Your Way Around Facebook
An easy way to see a sphere of influence in action is to use Facebook as a social media platform. Consider the current contacts in your sphere, whether they be friends, family, neighbours, co-workers, local businesses, and connect with them via the platform. Be an active user, commenting on posts as well as posting on your account. You can build authentic relationships with your connections through personalised content, in addition to professional updates. Want to expand your sphere further? Get connected on Twitter and LinkedIn, too. Remember to use relevant, keyword-based tags on social media to help more people find you.
2. Send a Message
Staying in touch with connections is not only crucial to maintaining a sphere of influence, but also to bringing more people into the circle. Find out the best way to communicate with people, then offer to send updates via email or text message. Include links to updated listings, up to date housing market information, and announcements about upcoming community events. Mix up the messages to give recipients a reason to open them.
3. Maximise the Power of Printed Materials
Traditional methods, such as distributing printed materials, continue to be effective. Agents should always have business cards on hand to give to everyone they meet. A sleek, printed brochure is a professional addition to any open house. Flyers about the neighbourhood and basic real estate information are helpful to distribute throughout your local community. Sending direct mail pieces is another great way to connect with clients.
4. Host an Annual Event
People look forward to attending an annual event, such as a corporate cocktail party. Agents hosting an annual soiree for promotional purposes should be consistent and creative. Hold the event at the same time of year each year. Focus on a theme and other fun features to make the gathering more memorable, such as the appearance of a local celebrity. Offer great food, music, and promotional materials about the agent. Dare to step it up by hosting a party at one of the most luxurious available listings, with the permission of the owners.
5. Sponsor a Charitable Event
Agents need continually connect with their local community, so people remember them when they are ready to buy or sell a property. One way to stay at the forefront of local news is to sponsor a charitable event. Some agents sponsor a sports team, while others get involved with neighbourhood causes, such as raising money for a local family. Supporting the community helps agents gain trust and recognition.
6. Become an Informational Speaker
Establish yourself as a trusted authority in your local real estate market through speaking engagements within your local community. Local groups, always look for informational speakers to attend their meetings. Create informative sessions about buying and selling property that appeal to the specific group. Other engagements, as well as referrals, are sure to follow a successful event.
7. Attend Networking Events
Networking events provide essential industry updates and give agents a golden opportunity to connect with other professionals. Building a robust professional network enables agents to refer their clients to people they trust. And, these professionals will also send referrals to an agent, helping to generate more leads. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate agents have access to a plethora of training resources focused on building personal development.
8. Communicate Through Photos
Creating and maintaining a sphere of influence relies on effective communication. Agents need to connect with people in a meaningful way, so they are remembered. For those who struggle with words, photos can be an excellent way to connect in the real estate industry. Reach out to your connections by posting listings and personal images to sites such as Instagram. Share and comment on the photos posted by your contacts to encourage interactive relationships. Use professional imagery to attract attention and promote interest in your listings.
Expanding your sphere of influence requires communication, interaction, and authentic connections. From social media to local events, there are countless ways to connect with other individuals and businesses to increase your sphere. As agents establish and maintain more meaningful connections, they will steadily generate more real estate leads.
Disclaimer: The opinions posted within this blog are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, others employed by Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate or the organisations with which the network is affiliated. The author takes full responsibility for his opinions and does not hold Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate or any third party responsible for anything in the posted content. The author freely admits that his views may not be the same as those of his colleagues, or third parties associated with the Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate network.