REFERRALS PODCAST

Competition is fierce in the real estate world so we can't afford to be stagnant. Relying solely on existing circles might lead to missed opportunities and stunted growth.

But networking is more than just attending events; it's about meaningful one-on-one meetings.

Networking should be purposeful and strategic, but how do we get started? Where do we hold these one-to-one meetings, and how do we ensure that our networking stack remains full?

In this episode, Realtor Becky Davis joins me to talk about how she fills up her networking stack, and how networking propelled her business to new heights. She also shares how to keep the momentum in our businesses.

Familiarity leads to referability. -Michael J Maher

Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode

-The ideal end result of a one-to-one

What should we aim for when we're networking?

-Confidence is key

How do we overcome nervousness and gain confidence when it comes to networking conversations?

-Arm yourself with questions

How do questions help us pull out the most valuable information in conversations?

Guest Bio

Originally from Maine, Becky Davis has called Milton, MA home for over a decade, drawn in by the location, community, and enduring small-town charm.

With a background in sales, management, and human resources, she has honed her expertise in customer service, organization, marketing, project management, and communication, all of which she now applies to her real estate career.

Beyond her real estate endeavors, she, along with her husband and daughters, shares a fervent passion for hockey. Additionally, her love for running serves as a means to explore new neighborhoods.

A strong commitment to community service is central to her ethos, as evidenced by her active involvement in various local organizations and charitable initiatives, including her #GiveBack Campaign.

Visit http://www.miltonhomes4sale.com

Find Becky on LinkedIn @Becky Davis

Follow Becky on Instagram @beckydavis_realtor

Episode: 314 Title: Networking Secrets Revealed: How to Boost Your Business With Meaningful One-on-One Meetings w/Becky Davis Host: Michael J. Maher

In this digital age, the impact of events is often overlooked. With the never-ending array of online marketing tools, and people spending time behind screens, it's easy to wonder why we should even be hosting events?

Events are more than just gatherings. They are a powerful way to connect, inform, and genuinely delight. Hosting an event might just be what you need to foster deeper, lasting connections with our clients.

How exactly do events make a lasting impact? Do great events have to be big and extravagant?

In this episode, Seattle Realtor, real estate investor, author, educator and speaker, Aaron Hendon talks about the beauty of hosting events, and how to build a business on the basis of love, generosity and appreciation.

You will attract more love if you go out in the world with love. -Michael J Maher

Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode

-Offering a one-to-one

Why is just simply offering a one-on-one interaction so powerful?

-Showing our clients we care

Everyone says that they love and care for their clients but how do we show it?

-An important lesson

Aaron shares a parable about the 3 stonecutters. What can we learn from it?

Guest Bio

Aaron Hendon's extensive experience in real estate and entrepreneurship has given him a unique perspective on how to navigate even the most unstable market conditions. His expertise has helped over 10,000 people, from all walks of life, get unstuck and grow sustainably as entrepreneurs and leaders. As an educator and international speaker, Aaron is passionate about sharing his knowledge with others and helping them achieve their goals.

Aaron's journey began in New York where he graduated from SUNY Purchase with a BFA in 1987. After discovering that his fine art degree made him eligible to work in the food service industry anywhere in the country, he started waiting tables and eventually opened his own bakery, Fred's Bread & Bagel, a real New York bagel shop in Albuquerque. He sold it 9 years later as a business grossing over $1,000,000 annually.

In 2000, Aaron landed in the Pacific Northwest where he has since established himself as a prominent figure in the real estate industry.

He's been a top selling Realtor for 10 years and is currently the Managing Broker for Christine & Company, a top eXp team in Seattle and now lives on a small island off the coast of Seattle with his brilliant wife, Kael, his two brilliant children, Leela and Jonah, and his adoring GoldenDoodle, Rozy.

Visit therealtorsedge.com

Visit https://www.aaronhendon.com/

Find Aaron on LinkedIn @Aaron Hendon

Episode: 313 Title: Inform, Connect, Delight: How to Host Events That Leave a Genuine Impact w/Aaron Hendon Host: Michael J. Maher

In a world that values speed and convenience over depth of connection, the need for meaningful connection remains unfulfilled.

The simple yet profound gesture of writing a handwritten letter can bridge the gap between digital relationships and real connections.

It's a way to reach out, uplift one another, and create a profound impact on people's lives. Handwritten letters are more than just words on paper.

How can reaching out to people help to uplift them? Can we actually build meaningful relationships by sending handwritten letters and notes?

In this episode, I'm joined by keynote speaker and author of Dear Dana: That Time I Went Crazy and Wrote All 580 of My Facebook Friends a Handwritten Letter, Amy Daughters. She shares how writing letters to her Facebook friends helped her become the best version of herself, and how she built connections through this method.

It's never too late to tell someone that you care. -Amy Daughters

Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode

-Taking a leap of faith

What can come out doing something totally different and unprecedented?

-Inspiring others

How can being passionate about what we do inspire others?

-There is more than meets the eye

Not everything is as we see on social media and the online world. How do we determine what's real?

Guest Bio

Amy Daughters is a keynote speaker, letter writer, satirist, sports journalist, and author of Dear Dana: That time I went crazy and wrote all 580 of my Facebook friends a handwritten letter and You Cannot Mess This Up: A true story that never happened. She is absolutely convinced that when human beings connect individually in a meaningful way that nothing can separate them.

Visit https://www.amydaughters.com/

Follow Amy on Instagram @smokinhotamys

Buy Amy's book here:

https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Dana-Facebook-friends-handwritten/dp/1647429005/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1677526631&sr=8-1

Visit https://referral-mastery-academy.mykajabi.com/notevember-2023

Episode: 312 Title: The Amazing Journey of Writing 580 Handwritten Letters: Amy Daughters' Story Host: Michael J. Maher

The prolonged social isolation of the pandemic left a lot of people feeling lonely. Their social circles shrunk and their vibrant social lives stopped, making them feel caged. The desire to rebuild social bonds are now more intense than ever.

Hosting events is a powerful way to break the chains of loneliness and grow our businesses at the same time. By creating opportunities for people to come together, we can address the social void and tap into a valuable resource for business expansion.

How do we get started if we've never hosted an event before? What goes into the planning process of an event? Can it really be low to no cost?

In this episode, Mortgage Loan Advisor, Justeen Chromy joins me to discuss event strategy, how hosting events changed her business, and how she overcomes fear before hosting events.

If you haven't gotten on the event train, now is the time. -Michael J Maher

Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode

-Events as a growth strategy

What impact can hosting events have on our businesses?

-The value of partnerships

Why is it so important to have someone on your side that can make up for certain weaknesses and vice versa?

-Cost and sponsors for events

How can we use sponsors to offset our investment in an event?

Guest Bio

Justeen Chromy is a Loan Originator and Mortgage Loan Advisor with Cardinal Financial. She has been a business owner throughout their life and aspires to share how she can assist individuals with their upcoming mortgage transactions.

Justeen's experience as a small business owner has honed her ability to comprehend the intricacies of a project, emphasizing meticulous attention to detail for optimal results. She recognizes the significance of customer service and the timeliness of communication, considering it essential for the success of any transaction.

Justeen's ultimate goal is to facilitate the achievement of your dream of homeownership, as she is a homeowner themselves and fully comprehends the importance of having a secure and personal space that truly belongs to you.

Visit https://www.justeenchromy.com/

Follow Justeen on Instagram @justeenchromy

Find Justeen on Facebook @JusteenChromyMortgageAdvisor

Episode: 311 Title: Fill the Social Void & Grow Your Business: How to Host Your First Event w/Justeen Chromy Host: Michael J. Maher

Building a community online can be a daunting task. On top of that, deciding if Facebook groups are the right avenue for lead gen only adds to the uncertainty.

Many people aren't sure where to begin, how to grow their reach, and most importantly, maintain an engaged community. It's frustrating to invest time and effort into creating a Facebook group, only to see it fail to generate leads.

How do we not only start and set up a Facebook group, but also to grow it into a thriving community that becomes a reliable source of leads for our businesses? Can these groups be of help when it comes to both the professional and personal aspects of our lives?

In this episode, expert in leveraging Facebook groups for lead gen, Laura Griffin joins me to talk about best practices, and tips to make your Facebook group a valuable business asset.

If people can see you in video, you translate better. -Laura Griffin

Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode

-Don't make money your first intention

Why should we start Facebook groups to grow, learn and lead rather than for the sole purpose of making a commission?

-Connecting with your group

How can we connect with your group in both a personal and professional way?

-How can we do things differently?

How can we nurture our groups and curate content with a purpose?

Guest Bio

Laura Griffin specializes in helping growing families find more room to grow in Loudoun County and the surrounding areas. She has provided expert service to nearly 150 families and is passionate about matching clients with their dream homes in an area known for its scenic beauty and convenient proximity to Washington, DC.

Top 5 Secret FaceBook Group Posts Guaranteed to Get You Sales: https://groupstoleads.com/top5/

Webinar about FaceBook Groups: https://groupstoleads.com/webinar/

Laura fell in love with Northern Virginia in 2010, after moving from California with her husband, who is retired from the United States Air Force. She is a founding leader of The Loudoun Moms, which is a group of approximately 10,000 mothers in Loudoun County. Laura's strong local network gives her an edge when it comes to both buying and selling homes.

Laura is backed by the full-service real estate brokerage firm Pearson Smith Realty and she is licensed in Virginia.

Follow Laura on Instagram @lauragriffinrealtor

Find Laura on Facebook @LauraGriffinRealtor

Subscribe to Laura's YouTube Channel @loudounlivingwithlauragriffin

Episode: 310 Title: Creating a Facebook Group for Referrals: A DC Mom's Success Story w/Laura Griffin Host: Michael J. Maher

Throwing events and creating memorable experiences is a guaranteed way to get leads for our real estate businesses. But the key to a successful event is not to make it about real estate at all.

The last thing we want to do is make people uncomfortable by talking shop - or worse asking for a referral. The amazing thing is, even if the event isn't about real estate, people will refer us if we make it memorable.

How do we create a calendar of flagship events? How do we learn from past events to make the next one better?

In this episode, Owner and Managing Partner at Rice Properties Group, Lindsay Rice shares her success and lessons from her client events - from the Summer Sip and Swirl to the 5k BBQ Fun Run.

It's now obvious that we don't have to get up at the event to have a speech about real estate. -Lindsay Rice

Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode

-Improving the flow of your events

How do we limit guest confusion from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave?

-A mental health event

How did Lindsay turn making a difference into a successful event?

-An accidental dinner, a wonderful gathering

How did an unplanned event turn into a huge referral source?

Guest Bio

Lindsay Rice is the Owner and Managing Partner at Rice Properties Group. She's an experienced Realtor with a demonstrated history of working in the real estate industry. Lindsay is skilled in Sales, Short Sales, Foreclosures, Buyer's Agent, and Working with Relocation Buyers. Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaylmack/)

Episode: 309 Title: How to Grow Your Real Estate Business Without Talking About Real Estate w/Lindsay Rice Host: Michael J. Maher

Hosting regular, well-executed events doesn't just get people to talk about us, which benefits our businesses and referrals. At their core, these events make our towns or neighborhoods better places to live, they foster connection and give people something to look forward to several times a year.

It means we never have to worry about the source of our next piece of business and we can focus on making each experience better than before.

What steps can we take to make our events more memorable? How do we come up with themes that will make people really want to attend?

In this episode, Scott "The Mortgage Doc" Edwards, shares what he's learned through his events this year.

If you've never done an event, it's great to be in a room with people that are doing events - it makes pulling that trigger easier. -Scott Edwards

Things You'll Learn In This Episode

-The greatest thing about events

If our event is centered on a movie, how do we actually make it a connecting experience so people don't just watch and leave?

-Removing choke points and hold ups

How do we use feedback from the last event to make the next one better?

-Make your town a happier place

How do we make our annual event schedule predictable, but also sporadic enough that it builds in excitement and anticipation?

-Getting stakeholders on board

If we have sponsors, how do we make sure we're actually adding value to them?

Guest Bio

Scott "The Mortgage Doc" Edwards is a Mortgage Advisor with more than 10 years of experience. The time-tested lessons that come with multiple years in the industry have helped fashion Scott Edwards into a seasoned professional. There are simply too many things that you can't learn in a book—and that's why it helps to have a mortgage professional in your corner, advising you every step of the way. With years of learning, adapting, and building a strong reputation—not to mention plenty of happy clients, Scott Edwards is ready to share that experience with you. But it's more than bullet points in the resume that make Scott so special to work with. Clients enjoy the professionalism, the upbeat and friendly attitude, the willingness to go the extra mile. After all, this is essentially a people business. To succeed, you'll need someone who understands the mindset it requires to find the best possible solution for clients. Working with Scott Edwards, you'll discover that not only does their experience matter—but the experience you have when you work together is paramount. For more information, go to https://mortgagedoc.us/.

Episode: 308 Title: How to Grow Your Business by Creating 'Talk-About' Events in Your Town w/Scott Edwards Host: Michael J. Maher

Most people think becoming referable is a long process that takes months or even years, but instant credibility and connection are possible.

If you're committed to growth, generosity and love, you can accelerate your referability, and turn people you've just met into raving fans.

What are the secrets of the instantly referable? What do agents need to be more referable? In this episode, SVP of agent development at eXp Realty, Kirtus Dixon shares how to ramp up your referability.

The conversations of yesterday aren't selling and moving the properties of today. Before you even earn the right to make a recommendation, you have to have increased your skill set, knowledge, and tool set. -Kirtus Dixon

Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode

-Video penpals

How can you build a relationship without the ease of being one-to-one, face-to-face all the time?

-Quadruple down on connection

What would you do if you knew that every person in your sphere was lonely?

-Your growth levels determines your approach

How do we improve the quality of questions we ask ourselves?

Guest Bio

Kirtus Dixon is the Senior Vice President of agent development at eXp Realty. He has 20 years of experience as a trained problem solver and business builder. With a passion for real estate education and business operations as well as a unique background as a technology entrepreneur, educational content creator, sales executive, and an engineer, Kirtus is a visionary leader and proven integrator. He has become adept at the science of problem solving, solution development, implementation and execution. His current personal passions are traveling with his family, coaching basketball, trying to live a predominantly plant based lifestyle and learning new technologies. Get your ticket to eXpCon 2023 here. (https://expcon.exprealty.com/)

Episode: 307 Title: From 0 to Massively Referable in 30 Minutes or Less w/Kirtus Dixon Host: Michael J. Maher

Character and competence are crucial to success in sales, but they aren't the number 1 reason people miss out on referrals. Communication - or a lack thereof, kills more relationships than anything else.

Whether it's a script, or an email - a badly crafted piece of communication can tank a great relationship faster than incompetence can. What are the biggest communication mistakes we make in sales?

How do we make sure every piece of communication we put out oozes, competence, character and care? In this episode, we're diving into the third and final part of the 3 Cs of referability, sharing why communication is so critical to our success.

The power of events is you always have something to say, and that's inviting them to the event or talking about the event you just had. -Michael Maher

Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode

-Phone calls, a lost art

Why do we instantly become more trustworthy by getting on the phone with someone?

-The power of event engagement

Electronic communication isn't as relevant as it was before. What matters more today?

-A database with a pulse

Communication is the lifeblood of any good business relationship. How does it breathe life into our connections?

Episode: 306 Title: The 3 Cs of Referability 3: Communication Is the Crown Jewel of Referrals Host: Michael J. Maher

Having a high level of competence solves all problems in business, especially how referable we are. No one hires an incompetent professional, let alone tells their friends and family about them - even if they have the best character.

There are many ways we can raise our expertise and escape average. From contracts to knowing the market, providing a high quality service gets more people to want to work with us.

Why is competence the key to continued success in referrals? In this episode, we dive into part 2 of our 3 Cs series, and share why competence is important in the eyes of the consumer, our databases and sphere of influence.

Character is "do the right thing", competence is "do things right". -Michael Maher

Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode

-Competence is the biggest deal and the easiest thing to fix

Why do highly competent people get away with not having the best character?

-Escape average

If you're just getting by in your job, it's easier to get overrun by the competition. How do we raise the standard of the work we do?

-How to easily increase your competence

Becoming an expert on market conditions instantly makes us more referable. What other areas can we tackle to get a huge result?

Episode: 305 Title: The 3 Cs of Referability: Fortune Favors the Highly Competent Host: Michael J. Maher