- Real estate will be more enjoyable and easier if you continually stay in the mindset of service.
- When disaster strikes, people are waiting for someone to rise up and point them in the right direction. Be that person.
- When you act like a leader in the face of uncertainty and fear and become that resource for people, they will love you and remember you forever.
It’s a plan that we sincerely hope none of you have to implement anytime soon, but it’s imperative to plan for the worst and hope for the best, so here we are. Our show today was inspired by one of our students and listeners after having been evacuated from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and unable to return to her community after Hurricane Matthew.
Real estate agents across the Southeast are wondering, how do they keep their business going at a time like this? So, wherever you are and whatever disaster you might face (earthquakes, tornadoes, ice storms or floods), here are the eight things you need to do:
1. Stay calm and committed to being of service
Be the leader in your community.
2. Put on your own oxygen mask first
What is your plan to deal with disaster? Do you have a “go-bag” or an emergency plan for evacuation?
3. Have a list of evacuation details and have it ready to distribute
Where do you go? Where are the shelters, hospitals, fire paths and the Red Cross?
4. Create a local Facebook page like ‘We survived Hurricane Matthew’
Create it quickly so that people can access the critical details and connect with the community and families easily
5. Dedicate the days and weeks after disaster to urgent, caring outreach
If phones are down, get in the car, and start making rounds.
6. When you do your outreach, provide a list of recommended service providers
This includes repair people, insurance company contact info, pet rescuers, FEMA, etc.
7. After things settle, do a second round of communication to be sure that everyone is now OK, and continue to be of service
This is the perfect time to connect using your FORD (family, occupation, recreation, dreams) script.
8. Always ask, ‘Who else do you know who could use my help?’
Don’t be tacky. Don’t say “When do you plan to move?” Referrals will come. Be the one that everyone knows they can count on.
Now is not the time to turtle-up and hide. While everyone else is waiting around for circumstances to change, you can be the one making the very best of what has happened and be a resource of hope and encouragement for your community.
For more ideas on how to expand or simplify these points and real life stories of clients who turned their businesses around during the toughest of times, listen to the rest of today’s podcast.
Subscribe to Tim and Julie Harris’ podcast on iTunes or follow us online at realestatecoachingradio.com.
Tim and Julie Harris have over 20 years’ experience in real estate. Learn more about their real estate coaching and training programs at timandjulieharris.com, or request more information about their programs at joinharris.com.
