Whether it’s building new business relationships or nurturing existing ones, a large part of maintaining a successful realtor reputation is dependent on business relationships. You need a strong circle of professionals to call on for advice, answers to questions, and help with certain projects. Here are five simple ways that realtors can build business relationships which are meaningful and long-lasting.
1. Sponsor Events
Many local businesses will be actively involved in community events and exhibitions. It’s important for you to be recognizable in the community and to build awareness of your brand, and attending these events is a great opportunity to meet contractors and vendors. Even better, team up with a local business to be actively involved in an event. Be innovative — maybe consider asking the local bakery to cater for your next open house? This “I’ll scratch your back, you scratch mine” philosophy is a fantastic way to build and maintain meaningful relationships.
2. Social Media
It’s 2021 — if your business isn’t already on social media then we only have one question…why not?! Make sure you are actively joining and starting conversations online with the appropriate audiences. Realtors looking for painters, for example, could join local Facebook groups for painting professionals and make contacts this way. Sharing and tagging is a great way to create conversation and to get businesses noticing you for all the right reasons. Reach out to potential business partners and ask them to write a guest post for your website blog. There are so many ways to use social media to your advantage when building relationships.
3. Build A Reputation
Word of mouth is one of the oldest and most effective forms of advertising out there. Keep your current contacts happy and they will only have good things to say about you. The next time somebody asks them if they know of a good realtor, they will think of you. It’s that simple! Reputation goes a long way in the real estate industry, and when contractors hear good things about you, they’ll more likely want to work with you. Then it’s up to you to nurture that relationship with new contractors, maintaining their trust, and ultimately gaining another referral from them. It’s the circle of realtor life!
4. Stand Out
If you want to approach a new potential business lead, you could send an email to the generic admin inbox, introducing yourself and asking to arrange a meeting. Or you could send a basket of muffins over to the office, with the name of the General Manager and a note attached to your business card. Wouldn’t you prefer receiving a basket of muffins to a generic email!? Stand out from the crowd and impress potential business partners with quirky and innovative touches, and they certainly will not forget your name in a hurry.
5. Keep Informed
Keep yourself well informed about new contractors or potential business partners in your area. If a new building company has launched or a painter has hired a few more employees and is expanding their business, the opportunity is there to get in quick and make yourself known. You’ll then be remembered as a helpful contact when they were starting out and “there from the very beginning”. Supporting smaller businesses from the start of their entrepreneurial journey is a smart and useful way to build your contact list. Make sure you’re up to speed on all things local, and that you are a part of conversations about new opportunities.
