Networking for Real Estate Agents

In a world where every executive has a firm handshake and a stack of business cards, how do you become the person everyone remembers after a conference? After attending dozens in the past decade, I've developed a strategy that transforms conferences from transactional meetups into relationship goldmines. ♟️Pre-Conference LinkedIn Strategy The real networking begins weeks before the event. Review the speaker and attendee lists, then connect with key individuals on LinkedIn with a personalized message: "I noticed we’re both attending the Stand & Deliver event. I'd love to connect. See you soon." This pre-conference connection creates a warm introduction and significantly increases your chances of meaningful engagement. 👗👔The Memorable Wardrobe Element In my early career, I blended in at conferences. Now? I'm known for wearing a little more color (often D&S Executive Career Management teal) or patterns that are professional yet distinctive. When someone says, "Oh, you're the one with the great dress," you've already won half the networking battle. 🤝Contribute Before You Collect** Instead of collecting business cards, focus on providing immediate value in conversations. Can you connect someone to a resource? Share relevant research? Offer a solution to a challenge they mentioned? The executives who stand out aren't those who take the most cards—they're the ones who solve problems on the spot. What networking approach has worked for you at recent conferences? Share in the comments below! #ExecutiveLeadership #NetworkingStrategy #ConferenceSuccess #ProfessionalDevelopment

How To Turn Networking Conversations Into Referrals (7 Simple Steps): 1. Getting “Stuck” After A Great Call Most of us get stuck in this trap. You worked so hard to get this call. You jump on, ask your questions, and it went great! Then you realize you have no idea what to say or do to keep the relationship going. 2. The “Open Door” Strategy I ran into this same problem during my job search. And I created the “Open Door” Strategy as a solution. Once I began implementing it, I always knew exactly what step to take next. That led to referrals and, eventually, job offers. 3. The Overarching Concept At a high level, the goal of the “Open Door” Strategy is to create a plan to keep the door open for the next step. When you set this as an intention, you can proactively plan around it. This gives you multiple options to “open the door” no matter how the conversation goes. 4. Start With A Brainstorm First, start by brainstorming different ways you could use to create a “Door Opener.” Ex: You could ask for a piece of advice, then you could ask if it’s ok to follow up after you take action on it. You could ask about a specific challenge, then ask if it’d be ok to follow up with some ideas around it. 5. Keep Several Options On Hand When you book your next networking conversation, keep you list of “Door Openers” on hand. When it feels natural in the conversation, introduce one of them and see what kind of response you get. If they don’t bite on one, introduce another option from your list when it makes sense. 6. Get A Follow Up Commitment This is the most important part. After you use the “Door Opener,” ask if it’s ok to follow up by X date. When they say “yes,” you’ve essentially added a placeholder in their mind for the next step in the relationship. Now you can confidently follow up knowing you both agreed to it! 7. Repeat At Each Relationship Stage The best part about this strategy is that it works at every stage and touchpoint. Your goal should be to never leave a networking conversation without leveraging it. If you adopt that approach, you’ll always know the next step you need to take and your contact will have the same expectations set on their end!

150 messages per week. 24 meetings booked. Zero cold calling. From someone who'd never sold into real estate before. Here's how: A student in our real estate sales course just shared their LinkedIn outreach strategy. No real estate experience. No industry connections. Just a killer outreach system. The best part? Everyone in the room learned something new. Here's what happened: Step 1: The setup Most people try to sell right away. But Guillermo Salazar did something different: • Got crystal clear on their ideal customer profile (ICP) • Found relevant LinkedIn events where these prospects gather • Used Dripify to build and manage targeted lead lists • Set up a system to send 150 connection requests weekly The room was hooked. Questions flew. Notes were taken. This was peer learning at its best. Step 2: The approach Instead of pitching, they used this simple formula: • "Saw you at [event]" → personalized icebreaker • Added value with a thoughtful endorsement • Followed with a casual, non-salesy message • Maintained 1,500 active connection requests at all times Other students jumped in. Added their tricks. Shared what worked for them. Real learning happened. Step 3: The results The numbers don't lie: • 22% connection accept rate (some campaigns hitting 40%) • Consistent flow of positive responses • 24 qualified meetings booked • Growing pipeline of potential deals The best part: each new connection becomes a content follower. First, he builds the audience with otureah, then feeds them with content once they’re connected. Why LinkedIn crushed cold email: • Limited volume forces focus • Higher intent = higher conversions • Every connection boosts future content visibility This isn't outreach. It's audience-building with compounding ROI. He knew his exact CPL ($37) and was optimizing toward $24. Try doing that with cold email. This is why our course is different: The best insights don't just come from teachers. They come from peers solving real problems. Here's what matters: Most real estate sales training focuses on: • Cold calling scripts that nobody answers • Email templates that get filtered as spam • Meeting tactics that feel forced and fake But the game has changed. Today's winners focus on: • Strategic targeting through Sales Navigator (essential tool) • Building an audience while generating leads simultaneously • Feeding that audience valuable content consistently • Converting followers into clients over time When was the last time a cold call turned into a real estate deal? If you’re selling to real estate owners, check out the Proptech Pipeline Playbook linked in the comments. It’s everything you need to: • Nail your pitch • Connect with real estate owners • Unlock $10m of pipeline in 2025 Oh, and it’s free.

Remember when Blockbuster thought Netflix was just a passing trend? Or when taxi companies dismissed Uber? The real estate world is evolving faster than ever, and I've seen too many great agents fade away because they couldn't or wouldn't adapt. In a market that transforms constantly, staying relevant isn't optional. It's essential. ✅ Here's how I ensure I'm always bringing maximum value to my clients: 1️⃣ I'm obsessed with hyper-local market data. While everyone can access Zillow, my clients rely on me for insights they can't Google. I track not just what sold, but why it sold at that price. Was it the kitchen renovation? The school district rezoning? The new tech campus announcement? I know which streets command premiums in each neighborhood and why certain floor plans move faster than others. This granular knowledge helps my clients make decisions with confidence when headlines and algorithms can't capture the full story. 2️⃣ I prioritize relationships over transactions. In an age where many think real estate is becoming transactional, I've doubled down on the human element. I don't measure success by just closings - I measure it by the families who call me years later when they're ready for their next move. The trust built through genuinely caring about clients' long-term happiness creates a referral network that no advertising budget could replicate. In a digital world, meaningful human connection becomes more valuable, not less. 3️⃣ I embrace technology as a tool, not a replacement. The real value comes in knowing when to use which tools and how to interpret the data they provide through the lens of real-world experience. The best technology in my arsenal remains the ability to listen deeply to what clients truly need. The fundamentals of real estate haven't changed: People want trusted guidance during life's biggest financial decisions. By staying hyper-informed, relationship-focused, and tech-savvy in service of my clients, I ensure that my value grows stronger every year. What strategies are you using to stay relevant in your field? #realestate #bayarea #realtor

Breaking Into Real Estate? The #1 Career Tip Every New Professional Should Know Breaking into real estate can feel overwhelming. I remember the early days vividly—the industry is dynamic, competitive, and you quickly realize how much there is to learn. I started my real estate career in 2010 and moved into brokerage in 2015, specializing in Retail and Restaurants. Over the years, I’ve learned that the difference between those who build a sustainable career and those who burn out often comes down to two things: who you’re learning from and your relationships. Conversations Are Your Secret Weapon The fastest way to accelerate your growth isn’t just reading books or scrolling online—it’s talking directly with people who’ve done it successfully. Seasoned professionals carry a wealth of wisdom about what works, what doesn’t, and how to stay resilient in commercial real estate. When you sit down with someone who has decades of experience, you gain access to two powerful insights: 1. What they would repeat – the strategies, disciplines, and mindsets that built their careers. 2. What they would do differently – the pitfalls they’d avoid if they could start over again. That dual perspective can save you years of trial and error. Where to Meet the Right People The good news? Opportunities to connect are everywhere—if you’re willing to put yourself out there. Growth requires us to shed old habits and get comfortable being uncomfortable. Start here: -Networking events: Chamber, Business Improvement District meetings, and local CRE meetups. -Trade conferences: ICSC, NAIOP, and CCIM are filled with industry veterans eager to pay it forward. -Community groups: Rotary and civic organizations where many leaders give back locally. -Online CRE Groups and LinkedIn Some of my best deals, mentorships, and opportunities started from a conversation at an event where I didn't feel like going but kept my commitment to myself. How to Approach These Conversations Show genuine curiosity. Don’t lead with, “Can you hire me?” Instead, ask: -“Looking back, what would you repeat if you were starting out again?” -“What’s one thing you’d do differently?” -“What trends should someone entering real estate focus on today?” Most professionals will be generous with advice if you show up with respect and gratitude. They're happy to pay it forward. My Advice for You Your first role in real estate may not be your dream job—but it can be your launchpad. The relationships you build early will shape your reputation, deal flow, and ability to adapt in a career that never stops evolving. Every successful real estate career is built not just on transactions, but on relationships. And the best time to start building yours is today. 👉 Are you just starting your real estate career? What’s the #1 question you’d ask a seasoned broker? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear it. #RealEstateCareers #JobSearchTips #CareerGrowth

Most people completely waste their networking efforts the moment they leave an event. I watch professionals collect business cards like trophies, then let those connections die in their LinkedIn requests folder. That's not networking - that's contact hoarding. The real networking magic happens in the 24-48 hours after the event ends. Here's how to actually convert those conversations into valuable relationships: 1. Personalized outreach within 24 hours - Reference specific conversation details, not generic "nice meeting you" messages. Stand out among the dozen other people they met. 2. Strategic LinkedIn connections - Include context about where you met and what you discussed. Transform anonymous invitations into meaningful relationship foundations. 3. Value-added follow-through - Share relevant articles, resources, or introductions that address what they mentioned. Show you were actually listening and can provide value. 4. Propose concrete next steps - Coffee meetings, collaboration opportunities, strategic introductions. Strike while the event momentum is hot. 5. Document everything - Record their professional goals, current challenges, and collaboration opportunities. This enables strategic relationship development over time. Here's what most people get wrong: they treat networking like contact collection instead of relationship building. The goal isn't a bigger contact list - it's developing professionals who proactively support each other's success. Stop collecting business cards and start building actual relationships. Your future self will thank you. What post-networking strategies have you found most effective for converting event meetings into valuable professional relationships? Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://vist.ly/3yrck #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #networking #relationshipbuilding #professionalnetworking #careerstrategist

I used to come back from conferences with a stack of business cards and zero results. Now I have a system that actually works (and it's simpler than you think): My Pre-Conference Checklist: • I write down 3-5 specific questions I'm struggling with • I find the exact sessions and people who can help • I reach out before everyone's calendar gets crazy What I Actually Do There: I go in with clear intentions. • What do I need to learn? • Who should I meet? • Which tools might solve our problems? I focus conversations on getting specific takeaways I can implement The little things make a difference. • Use sessions for networking, not just sitting • Take notes on who to follow up with and why • Connect with people at the conference, not weeks later I've found that being intentional transforms conferences from expensive trips into valuable investments. ...and sharing what you learn helps the whole team win. ps But if you want to go deeper and missed today's Fraud Friday MRC preview. Grab it here. And you can watch it on the plane to Vegas: https://lnkd.in/ePcJgtvX

I was paid to go to 100 events a year at a past job - I learned how to be ruthlessly effective at networking in-person 12 uncommon tips you can use for more efficient networking at a conference: 1) don’t eat heavy! It will slow you down 2) Don’t be afraid to leave a conversation, even if it feels a tad abrupt, protect your time and stay focused. We're all attendees, we understand. 3) Drink lots of water and bring gum or mints. 4) Ask “what brings you here?” as an alternative to the overplayed question “what do you do” 5) Happy hours involved? Bring an after alcohol aid like Cheers - you need to be at your freshest every morning of the event 6) Everyone says they're bad at remembering names, but a small trick is to repeat someone’s full name when you meet them so you’re more likely to remember it later and people like hearing their name. 7) Use the LinkedIn app on your phone to quickly scan and immediately connect with someone to follow up later 8) take lots of pictures with people, it creates a memory and a positive surface to reconnect later online after the event (I need to get better at this) 9) don’t be silent - if you’re not naturally talkative or “loud” this one is for you: you need to force yourself to speak, even if that means raising your voice in a crowded room, or walking across the room to introduce yourself, it's the only way people will get to know you, a big reason why you're at the event. Break the ice, 95% of people will be thankful you did. 10) know your micro elevator pitch - what’s the 1 sentence version of what you do that is interesting and will “stick” with someone? It takes practice and experimentation to fine tune, especially if you work at a “boring” company but hey, mix it up and you’ll find it. DM me if you want to hear my example for me new company. 11) have fun! Don’t get too self-conscious or take anything too seriously, no one really cares about a pimple or a stain. People remember your energy, not your appearance. 12) controversial one - don’t bring a friend. They might help you avoid some awkwardness but you’ll end up spending 50% of your time talking to them, instead of meeting and talking with new people Agree/disagree with any? What would you add? #inbound24

If I Were Starting in Brokerage Tomorrow The first thing I’d do? I’d make a plan to meet 365 clients in 365 days. No shortcuts, no excuses. I’d set up a great tracking system to log every single contact and establish a rock-solid follow-up cadence—whether weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Why? Because consistent, meaningful connections are the foundation of success in this business. Next, I’d prioritize delivering top-tier content to my client list. Real-time market intel. Actionable insights. Thoughtful analysis. I’d focus on creating content that clients could actually use to improve their businesses, helping me become a trusted resource they’d keep coming back to. Every interaction I had would center on creating value—and I’d be unapologetic about telling people that’s my mission. I’d make it clear: If I can deliver exceptional value, the business will naturally follow. Relationships built on value, not pressure, are the ones that last. I’d pick an industry segment with strong tailwinds and go all-in. Analysis paralysis? Not my style. I wouldn’t waste time trying to make the “perfect” decision. I’d choose a space with potential and then execute relentlessly, every single day. Finally, I’d build a roundtable of adjacent professionals in my space—lenders, attorneys, vendors, consultants. If I were a hotel broker, for example, I’d assemble a group of hotel-focused experts and organize a monthly breakfast, inviting others to rotate in and add new perspectives. The goal? Create a powerhouse network that fosters collaboration and opportunity. Starting in brokerage is about consistency, focus, and a relentless drive to create value for others. That’s how you win. What would you do if tomorrow was your Day 1? Let’s hear it. #CommercialRealEstate #BrokerLife #CRE #BusinessStrategy #Networking #MarketIntel #ValueCreation #ClientFocus #RelationshipBuilding #IndustryLeaders #CREInsights #ProfessionalDevelopment #365DaysOfAction #RealEstateBroker #CRENetworking #ExecutionMatters #BuildingConnections #SuccessMindset #FocusAndExecute

The hardest part isn’t learning to “sell.” It’s learning to stop. Most professionals think they need: ❌ Better pitches.  ❌ Sharper closes.  ❌ More aggressive follow-ups. But the clients who become long-term partners? They usually say the same thing: “I didn’t feel like you were trying to sell me anything.” That’s the paradox of professional services.  The less you sell, the more you grow. Here are 7 ways to go from selling to helping: 1. Stop Being the Expert → Become the person who asks better questions → Show them paths they haven’t considered yet 2. Make It About Them → Start every conversation with their world, not yours → Make their success your primary concern 3. Speak Their Language → Drop the consultant-speak entirely → Sound like a human having a real conversation 4. Stop Pushing Your Timeline → Let urgency come from them, not from you → Respect their decision-making process completely 5. Show Clear Value → Show how your work connects to their goals → Talk about impact they can actually measure 6. Focus on Outcomes → Get specific about what winning looks like → Align everything you do with that vision 7. Stop Chasing Every Lead → Say no to opportunities that aren’t the right fit → Invest time where it creates lasting partnerships Here’s the truth: The shift isn’t complicated.  But it requires patience. But when you stop measuring success by this quarter’s  numbers, you’ll start building relationships that thrive. So, the question isn’t whether you can sell. It’s whether you can resist the urge to. Which of these shifts has made the biggest difference for you? ♻️ Valuable? Repost to help someone in your network. 📌 Follow Mo Bunnell for client-growth strategies that don’t feel like selling. Want the full cheat sheet? Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/e3qRVJRf