If you’ve ever traveled for a leadership meeting or a branch visit and found yourself thinking, “I should’ve made more of that trip,” this episode is for you. I’m breaking down the five-step playbook I coach to leaders who want to turn quick trips into serious recruiting momentum.

When you're only in town for 24, 48, or 72 hours, it's easy to let opportunity slip by. But with the right system in place, you can walk away with conversations that move the needle—and position you as a leader worth following.

Episode Breakdown

[00:00] Introduction – Why most leaders miss recruiting opportunities when they travel. [01:00] The Lazy Recruiter Trap – Just showing up without a recruiting plan is costing you big. [01:30] Presence Is Power – Being face-to-face in a digital world gives you a massive edge. [02:00] Step 1: Build a Hit List – Use data to identify the right people and sort them into three key buckets:

 - Warm relationships

 - Ideal profile leads

 - Old conversations worth rekindling [02:30] Step 2: Personalize the Outreach – Lead with affirmation and specificity. No templates. [03:00] Step 3: Remove the Tension – Use one simple line to eliminate pressure and increase the yes rate. [03:30] Step 4: Stack Meetings Like a Pro – Optimize your schedule, tighten your drive time, and create scarcity. [04:30] Step 5: Follow Up with a System – The meeting opens the door. Follow-up builds trust. [05:30] Bonus Move: Use the Trip as Positioning – Make people feel chosen, even if they can't meet this time. [06:00] Final Challenge – Don’t treat it like a work trip—treat it like a recruiting sprint.

Key Takeaways

• A Trip Without a Plan Is a Missed Opportunity – Go in with a strategy, not vague intentions.

• Target the Right People – Use a segmented, intentional list to prioritize conversations.

• Affirm First, Recruit Later – Lead with value. Make it about relationship, not the ask.

• Create Efficiency and Scarcity – Stack your meetings, lock your schedule, and own your time.

• Follow-Up Is Where You Win – Thank-you notes, personalized check-ins, and consistent touches build the relationship.

Next time you travel, treat it like a recruiting sprint. Make the list. Send the outreach. Stack the day. Follow up with purpose. This is how you dominate a market—even if you’re only in town for 72 hours.

Want help putting this system in place? Subscribe to my weekly email at 4crecruiting.com or book a session with me at bookrichardnow.com. Let’s make your next trip count.