5 Professionals Outside of Your Network to Get Referrals

We all know that keeping in touch with past clients is a great way to generate references for future clients, but have you considered what professionals outside of your network could do for you, too? We're talking going beyond your fellow agents. While they are an excellent source to reach out to, you have an even broader reach if you consider people outside of your immediate working industry.

Stats show that 72% of home buyers will interview only one real estate agent before they make a decision on who they will pick to sell their home. That means a good referral or recommendation from someone they trust can be enough to set them up for picking you as their agent right away.

So where do you start?

Beyond the importance of having an online presence in our very much online world, LinkedIn is one of the top ways for expanding your network, which is crucial in the real estate world. Start with the local professionals you have mutual connections with and go from there. But which of these professionals should you be reaching out to? Don't worry, we've got the list to get you started...

The Best Professionals to Establish a Relationship With:

Community Leaders

Head to the local town hall meeting, town board meeting, condo association meeting, etc. No, you don't have to become best friends with the mayor of a city (although that wouldn't hurt), but getting to know who organizes community events in a neighborhood and some of the local business owners who are actively involved in the area is a great place to start with your professional networking.

Community leaders will know the who's who in your local area and more often then not, may know ahead of time when someone will be looking to buy or sell their home. By attending meetings, you can establish yourself as a reliable local, and keep yourself top-of-mind for those well-connected community leaders.