It isn't just what you know, and it isn't just who you know.
It's actually who you know, who knows you, and what you do for a living. (Bob Burg)
Loving that quote!! Go back and read it again, because it look me a minute to get it right, but boy oh boy is it right on!
I remember when I first started in this business, I didn't have a conversation without somehow introducing that I was a real estate agent. I'd tell the guy at the dry cleaner that I got that stain from the chinese food at my broker's open for my wonderful new listing! Or I'd tell the gal at the Starbuck's counter that I needed the "Double Grande Latte" because I had to wake up after showing my 42 homes to my buyer that morning!
I was networking, although not in the proactive sense. I was fishing where the fish weren't hungry! I wasn't specifically "asking for the referral." I was hinting at the referral!! Don't get me wrong... all networking is good networking... a friend of mine got her first listing and sale when a guy at 7-11 mentioned that he was thinking of making a move after seeing her name tag! Name tag = Networking.
I'm big-time networking on Facebook. Mixing it up with my old friends, staying in touch with neighbors or parents of my children's friends. They see my blog posts and get a friendly, non-pushy reminder that I'm in the real estate business.
I'm networking here, in "the Rain." But that's kind of obvious... realtors, lenders, appraisers, stagers. Lots of "Quid Pro Quo" going on and it is easy to demonstrate how we help each other! We understand each other's businesses, develop personal relationships and then trust each other with our precious referrals. Give and Take.
Another quote by Bob Burg...
"Networking is simply the cultivating of mutually beneficial, give and take, win-win relationships. It works best, however, when emphasizing the 'give' part."
These days I'm increasing my networking focus. I'm emphasizing the "give." I'm partnering with local businesses through a formal lead exchange group, Monmouth County Leadz.
We're just getting the group off the ground. We meet the first three Thursday's of the month from 7:00 am - 8:15 am. That's not a typo... yes, I said 7:00 am!!! The idea is to get together, talk about our ourselves and work toward helping each other grow our businesses through referrals. There's the "give"! Assuming we do it right, there should be plenty of "take" to follow!
Businesses are "category exclusive," meaning only one of each category allowed! Who are we looking for? Attorney's, plumbers, electricians, contractors, designers, stagers, personal chefs, just to name a few!
If you have a business in the Monmouth County area and are looking for this type of committed networking, please reach out to me for more information.
