Dos and Don’ts of Real Estate Networking: How to Succeed at These Events

You probably know a Realtor who started around the same time as you, or even later but has achieved success in the industry much faster than you have. You may think they got lucky because they joined a particular real estate brokerage in Mississauga or that the industry was simply kinder to them.

True, luck might have played a small part in your fellow Realtor’s success. However, it’s often something else that sets these successful Realtors apart: effective networking. Networking means creating a strong network of real estate contacts who can refer clients, share important market insights, and provide support in your career.

If you too want to supercharge your real estate career through networking, keep reading this blog. Below, we’ll share tips on what to do and what to avoid at these networking events so you can accelerate your success in the real estate industry.

Essential Things to Do When Attending Real Estate Networking Events

1. 
   

   Prepare Your Elevator Pitch

   
   

An elevator pitch is a brief, compelling introduction about who you are, what you do, and what is your role within your real estate brokerage. As the name indicates, the pitch should be as long as the time it takes to ride an elevator, around 30 seconds to 1 minute.

The elevator pitch is your chance to make a memorable first impression and convey your value in a succinct, engaging way. This pitch should be simple without any real estate jargon that might confuse someone who isn’t familiar with the industry. You must practice this pitch for the real estate networking event until it feels natural.

2. 
   

   Dress Professionally

   
   

As a Realtor, it’s a given that you must dress professionally while at work, especially when you attend networking events. Your attire in these events is not just about looking good; it plays a key role in forming a positive first impression. When you dress professionally, you reflect your personal brand and convey seriousness and respect for the real estate networking event and the people you meet.

In case you’re unsure about what to wear to the networking event, seek advice from the senior Realtors of your real estate brokerage in Mississauga. These seasoned experts can suggest specific attire that aligns with the event’s formality and the expectations of your prospective real estate clients. Also, you can observe how other top Realtors dress at these events to get a better idea.

3. 
   

   Bring Business Cards

   
   

Business cards are an effective way to ensure potential contacts can easily reach you after the event. A well-designed business card also makes a memorable impression and provides a tangible reminder of who you are and what real estate services you provide. Hence, don’t forget to bring enough business cards to the real estate networking event.

You must hand out your business cards to everyone you meet at the real estate networking event - whether they are potential clients, other Realtors, or industry professionals. Also, when exchanging cards, make sure to engage in a brief, meaningful conversation first to ensure your real estate business card stands out.

4. 
   

   Listen Actively

   
   

To make meaningful connections at real estate networking events, you must actively listen to what others are saying. When you show genuine interest in others by asking thoughtful questions and listening carefully, you build rapport and show that you value their input.

5. 
   

   Follow Up

   
   

This one piece of advice is something all the seniors of your real estate brokerage will certainly give you. And this advice is to follow up with the people you met at the networking event. This follow-up step will help you nurture the connections you have made and build meaningful relationships that can benefit your real estate career.

You must reach out to the contacts you have made at the networking event a few days after while the interaction is still fresh in their mind. A timely follow-up demonstrates your genuine interest in the potential real estate contact and keeps the conversation going.

6. 
   

   Be Approachable

   
   

If you want people to be engaging with you at the real estate networking event, you must smile, make eye contact, and maintain open body language. Your real estate brokerage in Mississauga can help you with this by providing training on effective communication strategies. They can organize practice sessions or role-playing exercises to help you be more confident and natural in these real estate networking events.

What You Should Never Do at a Real Estate Networking Event

1. 
   

   Don’t Oversell Yourself

   
   

When you see a pool of Realtors positively interacting with potential clients, you may get overwhelmed. This may prompt you to give a long pitch about yourself, showcasing your expertise or sharing irrelevant market updates. However, by overselling yourself in this way, you risk coming across as arrogant or self-centred instead of a real estate expert. The potential clients would rather choose Realtors who are listening to their needs and preferences attentively and show genuine interest in them over you.

2. 
   

   Don’t Be a Wallflower

   
   

You may feel like you don’t know anyone in the networking event and hence may choose to stay in the background looking for a friendly face. However, by doing so, you miss out on countless opportunities to build a solid real estate network.

Every person in the networking event could be a potential real estate client, referral, or partner. You just need to put aside your fear of rejection or awkwardness, go out there to interact and make the most of this networking event.

3. 
   

   Don’t Ignore Body Language

   
   

Imagine you’re deep in conversation with a potential client at a real estate networking event. You’re sharing your recent achievements at your real estate brokerage or are sharing market updates, but the body language of the client is showing a different message.

They have crossed their arms, are averting their gaze, or are in a tense posture which means they’re feeling uncomfortable or disinterested. As a Realtor, if you miss these cues, you risk continuing a conversation that’s going nowhere, wasting valuable time and potentially damaging your reputation.

4. 
   

   Don’t Be Late

   
   

Arriving late means wasting a lot of valuable time, missing initial introductions, and perhaps even a golden opportunity to connect with a high-profile investor. By the time you arrive, the energy might have shifted and you’ll find yourself playing catch-up in the networking event. This can highly undermine your reputation as a punctual and reliable real estate professional and take down the name of your real estate brokerage in Mississauga too.

By following the dos and don’ts outlined here, you’ll be well on your way to building valuable connections in all the networking events you attend. Remember, networking is not just about making contacts; it’s about creating lasting relationships that can support and elevate your real estate career.