When you start your real estate practice, you start looking at your personal relationships a little differently.  Everything becomes a networking opportunity — or it should!

Before You Begin

Before you look for new networking opportunities, consider the ones you may already have.  Are you:

• On social or civic committees?
• Involved in your community?
• Active in your children’s’ schools?
• On a local sports team?
• Active in a religious organization?
• Politically active on a local level?

If you are already doing one or more of these activities, you need to let your peers in each group know what you are doing. You don’t have to be obnoxious about it, but you should let them know. Don’t be shy.

• When they ask how you are, or what’s new, tell them about your new venture
• Carry and offer your real estate business cards when you tell people
• Send a personalized card (fold over card link) with a quick handwritten note announcing your new job.

If You Are New to Networking

If you have recently moved into the area, or have not been particularly involved up to this point, it’s never too late to start!

The key to Networking 101 for the real estate agent is to be yourself. If you have a particular passion — something you have always supported, something you have always wanted to do, something you want to learn — now is the time.

For instance:

• If you love animals – consider volunteering at the local animal shelter.
• If you have always wanted to learn how to paint – take a class through a continuing education program.
• If you like sports, join a local community recreation team.

Anything that gets you involved with other individuals in your community in a way that offers you the opportunity to meet others and enjoy yourself is a good bet. Just remember to mention what you do when asked, but don’t be overbearing.

The best way to introduce the topic of what you do is to ask others what they do. Listen and ask for a business card (you will add this to your contacts database later). Most people will reciprocate by asking about your profession, at which point you can gracefully give them your elevator speech, offer them your real estate business card and ask them to consider you if they ever need an agent.

Simple. Graceful. Effective.