Agent Reboot Seattle wrapped up last week. For those that attended, we all needed some time to process and let our brains wrap around it all, right?
I wrote last week about my experience as an Agent Reboot Ambassador last year in Phoenix. The biggest take away that I consistently hear from people are the relationships that people make at conferences and events throughout the year. Whether it consisted of finally meeting someone in real life (IRL), meeting and connecting with new people within the industry or catching up with old friends (maybe you even followed along on Twitter if you couldn’t join the actual event).
Whatever your case may be, it’s about the relationships you form. Not just those you have with other agents and brokers in this industry, but with past/current/potential clients you’re able to connect with using all of this incredible technology we have access to.
I often say how much I love it when someone finally gets it. That lightbulb goes off above someone’s head, and they cannot wait to share their joy with all of us. I love that feeling and feed off of that excitement. When you are willing to step outside of the box and put laser focus on what makes you and your business better, you find out what works. Who wouldn’t want to make friends and connections along the way?
Everything else is simply a tool. Something, if you choose, to help better your business. Apps, devices, business strategies. Until you know what you want out of it, all of this is just that. A tool.
Those relationships? They last forever. Here are some easy steps you can take to make sure you maintain and nurture these connections.
1. Find them on social media
Use those business cards and find your new found connections on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and email. Message them and let them know how happy you were to meet them and to keep in touch. Just because the conference is over does not mean the connection is. Do not add them to your email lists! Nurturing these relationships is far more valuable than bogging down their inboxes with your marketing stuff, right?
2. Engage
Use the social media tools you’re comfortable with and engage in groups and on topics that you can relate to and more importantly, contribute to the conversation. There are a lot of industry related Facebook groups that everyone can find something they enjoy contributing to and learning from. Check out groups like Evernote for Real Estate and Tech Support Group for Real Estate Agents. If they aren’t open groups, don’t be shy. Ask to join!
3. Hangout + share notes & ideas
Gather a group together for a Google Hangout after the event so you can catch up and go over your favorite parts of the conference and what you learned. Having that “face to face” interaction adds something more than just an email chain.
4. Take it offline
We are consumed with being online all the time, but it’s crucial to remember those offline gestures you can make.
Whether it’s sending someone a surprise box of cookies and a thoughtful card in the mail (thanks Chalmers!) or just planning your next event together. The little things still count and can make someone feel special. How do you continue to nurture the connections you make at events?
I’d love to know if you were at Agent Reboot Seattle or if you plan on being at any of the other Reboot cities this year. I’ll be in Orange County on May 22 with Laura Monroe and we’d love to see you there! Otherwise, I cannot wait to connect with all of you at Real Estate Connect this summer in San Francisco. Leave me a comment below and let us know!
