If you want to position yourself as a leader, you’ll need to work hard—but you’ll also reap major rewards. People remember the leaders. They remember those who offer help and expertise, who give presentations and lead panel discussions. Here’s how you can become a real estate leader in your network.
Think Local
When real estate agents start out, they often forget to focus on their local networks first. It’s not very helpful to gain a thousand Twitter followers if most of them live too far away to be an active part of your network.
Focus on building local connections and establishing your authority in your own market. There will be time to go national later!
Don’t Be Stingy with Resources
While it may feel like real estate is a zero-sum game, you’ll actually gain bigger benefits in the long-term if you share resources. Share industry news and trends with colleagues—they’ll look to you as someone who has a finger on the pulse. You can also share helpful information across your social media platform that might benefit owners, sellers, and even renters.
Ask Questions
Although leaders are often people we look to for answers, that doesn’t mean you have to know everything. In fact, you’re much better off asking questions instead of bluffing your way through a topic you don’t understand. No matter where you are in your career, someone will know more than you. Learn from them.
Become a Connector
Instead of thinking about adding new people to your network, what if you focused on connecting people to each other? Making introductions and fostering helpful professional relationships between people already in your network is a great way to become a real estate leader.
And remember—virtual networking is just as important as face-to-face networking. Connecting people through virtual introductions or LinkedIn endorsements can have a big influence.
Always Follow Up
Ideally, leaders should be reliable people. As a real estate professional, that’s doubly important. You already know how essential it is to follow up as quickly as possible. But sometimes networking tasks get shoved to the back burner in the business of a typical day at the office. It’s a good idea to schedule a block of time in your week dedicated to maintaining your relationships.
Check in with your network and make sure no one feels neglected or left out of the loop. Like gardens, networks require care and maintenance to grow.
Get Involved
You’re probably already a member of a few organizations and clubs. But are you a follower or a leader in those groups? When you see an opportunity to step up—as a committee chair or guest speaker, for example—do it! The more visible you are in those types of roles, the more people will naturally think of you as a real estate leader.
