3 Fun Ways to Build Your Database That Actually Work
We’ve talked a lot about different ways to build and maintain a real estate database full of prospective clients, such as keeping up with text messages, pop-by visits, and phone calls. But, I’ve got some ideas you may not have considered from my years of practice. If you’ve been wondering how to find real estate clients and need a jumping-off point, these are great places to start.
Some of these strategies might seem a bit old-fashioned, but they are impactful and they’re also fun ways to get you out to become a bigger part of your community. That’s all part of what we do as real estate agents. Community is an essential part of our business, and making connections that lead to additional names in our ever-growing database are priceless interactions.
Try out a few of these strategies and see how they help you practice your business and grow your real estate database.
- Community Involvement
Let people know that you exist: You’re a real estate agent in their community! From there, people can form their own opinions about your professionalism and decide whether they’d like to work with you or know someone else who might need a property.
Community involvement is a great way to just get out there and meet people. If you let people know that you enjoy being part of a community, that you value their business and referrals, and that you’re excited about the work you do, you have a wealth of opportunity to create some connections that will last and help you grow your business.
As a brokerage, we talk a lot about supporting what our agents support. If your kids play Little League and you want to sponsor a team, we’ll help you get a banner on the back fence of the ball field. That’s good for business, it’s good for you, and it’s good for the community.
If you run or help raise money through charity fundraisers, we think about how we can support you as a brokerage. Is there a way we can get you and ROOST on that t-shirt? We want to make positive connections that get our agents out in the community so they can meet people and show what they’re all about. Get passionate, and get involved.
- Client Appreciation Events
We like to do client appreciation events as a company. One way of doing this can be hosting open houses for new agents – especially when they come with a database already. We’ll have an open house invite, and they can invite everyone on their contacts list. The brokerage pays for this and supplies all the merchandise, snacks, drinks, and everything to make people feel comfortable and help our agents renew those connections.
We’ve done other events like free pumpkin days in the fall or a photo booth for Mother’s Day. Holidays are also great for these events, like a St. Patrick’s Day-themed party. Anything that invites a lot of people to a single space and allows you to go around, shake hands, and tell people about what you’re doing and that you’re available if they need a property or know anyone who might be looking.
- Gratitude, Gratitude, Gratitude
Rather than just looking at different generic real estate agent tips, think back to behavior. This strategy requires more of a mindset shift. If you’re struggling to find people to call or connect with weekly to uphold your personal connection standard, I invite you to think back to gratitude. Recall what happened earlier in the week, and remember any positive interactions you’ve had or any experience that led you to feel grateful for someone or something.
That’s what I like to do, and how I like to lead my business: with gratitude.
Your connections are built around people you know, like, and trust – and they know, like, and trust you, too. Think about whether someone’s got a birthday coming up, or if they just had a baby, as significant life events can be important times to connect. Find reasons to connect with people, be grateful for the connections you do make, and practice with kindness and professionalism.
You’re not selling anything. You’re simply taking the time out to thank someone, to say you appreciate them, or that you’re thinking of them for a personal reason that can help strengthen that connection. The business will come with time because when they think to pick up the phone about a listing, you’ll be the person they’re thinking about.
The Referral Method Works By Focusing On People
As real estate agents, we’re people people. We connect people to homes, we’re a part of important chapters of their lives, and we want to support them along the way. It’s reciprocal. Working by referral is a win because it connects us with past, present, and future clients who will help us grow our business over time. Just as we want to support our clients, it’s important to also find the right support as real estate agents.
At ROOST, we want to ensure our connections are strong and our agents are thriving. It’s more than just having good real estate database software and technology. We want to help you build the business that allows you to have the life you want – and we’ll help you create the strategies and give you the tools you need to get there. So much of this business relies on behavior, consistency, and mutual support between you and your real estate brokerage. We believe in what you believe, and we believe in you.
Final Thoughts
Building your database doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Channel your creativity into developing new strategies to make connections with people. If you’ve got a specific hobby, skill, or interest group, try to find ways to bring that into your business. Even if you’re an introvert, there are ways to make meeting people enjoyable.
At the end of the day, what matters most is that you’re a familiar, friendly face in the community. When you put yourself out there, you are giving people in your community the opportunity to get to know you, and hopefully, through those interactions, they’ll learn to like and trust you.
Buying or selling a home can be stressful. Your prospective clients want to know they’re in good hands when it comes time to make that huge life decision – and if you’ve made the right impressions, they’ll think of you when it’s time to make that call. Small steps lead to big progress over time if you dedicate yourself to making and maintaining those connections over time.
Be a dependable person who people want to work with, and allow yourself the confidence to be your authentic self while doing it. We support what you support. When you support other people, they’ll support you, too.
