How to Network
You have to have a certain set of skills in order to network effectively. It might seem easy, but for some people it is easier said than done to just walk up to people and start talking to them. Whether this is difficult for you or not, you will have to expand your comfort zone and learn how. There are a lot of great books and resources out there that can help you come out of your shell a little bit, if that’s an area you need to grow in.
Either way, one of the biggest tips is to listen more than you talk. My mom always tells me , “God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason!” , meaning you should listen at least twice as much as you talk! People respond very positively when they feel like you genuinely care about what they have to say, and it’s one of the most basic techniques of building relationships and maintaining them.
Why You Should Network
So why should you network with other individuals in your industry? Because at the end of the day, networking with other real estate investors in your area is one of the most effective ways to market your real estate deals. By building relationships with other investors you are establishing trust with them and creating an environment where you can share information, resources, and market your deals.
Where Should you Start?
The first place you can start in San Diego is the San Diego Creative Investors Association, you can check them out at http://www.sdcia.com. This will be a great resource for you to get started. You can also try your local building associations, and don’t forget events specifically targeted to your industry such as investor seminars, boot camps, and other events.
Here are a few action items to help stay focused in your networking marketing efforts:
“Key Components Of Networking To Remember”
- Understand what professions/people can benefit your business and in what way
- Plan which networking events apply to your networking goals and objectives
- Set networking goals for each meeting
- Know your audience and understand what benefits you can offer them
- Build relationships by showing genuine interest in people
- Follow up on regular basis to maintain the relationship
- Help others succeed and they will help you do the same
- from the Fortune Builders Flipping Houses Startup Guide.
This will help immensely with building your buyers list. If you have a network of people who you consistently communicate with and who trust you and what your business is doing, you will have a much easier time finding buyers for your deal, because all of these people you have developed relationships with will help you.
