How to Get the Most out of your REIA membership part 2

In my last article, I mentioned how I have 10X my REIA membership just from the networking!  I discussed knowing why you are at the meeting and dressing the part.  Now it’s time to discuss being a broken record and social media. Did you miss the 1st article, read it HERE

Being a broken record is telling people what you do at every meeting.  By the way, this requires you to attend as many meetings as you can.  There was a time I went to 4-8 meetings every week.  This meant some days I went to breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  You bet I made a lot of great connections fast this way, but you don’t need to go at my speed.  This is all about what’s right for YOU. 

If the meeting has a “Haves and Wants” time, make sure to always speak up telling everyone why you are there and what you are offering.  This is hard for most of us at first but remember the old saying, practice makes perfect.  For example, I say, “I buy mobile home with the land within 30 minutes of Plant City.  Meaning Brandon to Zephyrhills, to Auburndale, to Lithia, and everywhere in between.  I’ll buy ANY age, (pause) ANY condition, (pause), and ANY size lot.  My phone number is 813.XXX.XXXX”. Speak slowly, clear, and loud.  It’s always helpful to repeat your phone number twice. 

Once the group knows you well you still need to remind them so you are on top of their mind when they get your type of deal.  The more you do this the more confident you will become which will help investors take you more seriously.  If you have a deal, you are selling and you have a contract on it, I still like to announce it.  You could accept backup offers, but by announcing it you are letting everyone know you are doing deals. 

Trading business cards is a huge part of networking because this is how you stay connected after you go home.  I’m old school and like a physical business card, but it can be digital or even scrap paper with your Name, Phone number, Email, and what you do written on it.  The most important thing is exchanging contact info to stay connected.  I always want to get your card because I follow up with you within a day or two.  This can be a text, email, phone call, or a social media message, but make sure you follow up.  My follow-up message is short including where we met, a reminder of what I do, and I like to add a small nugget from our conversation.  By letting you know I care and was listening I’m building rapport.  NO ONE DOES THIS, how do I know?  Because I’ve met thousands of people over the years and less than 1% of people actually reach out to me and only about half the people reply to my message I send them.  Bonus tip, I save everyone I meet in a contact file with their info along with a few notes about our conversation so we can stay connected. 

How to Market Yourself Like a PRO goes much deeper into detail on these topics, Click HERE for more details.

Social Media can be a very powerful form of networking.  I love taking a picture at the meeting to post on social media.  Don’t forget to check in to the meeting, tag your friends, the speaker, and have fun.  This shows your social media that you are learning more about real estate investing, the type of investing you are doing, connecting virtually with everyone you tag, and helping the REIA grow.  The REIA growth will bring more people to the meetings for you to network with.  You don’t have to limit yourself to a picture, get creative with a reel, video, or whatever the next new trend is.  More social media platforms are better IF you use them.  I use fewer platforms because when I attempted to get on others social media channels my consistency got worse for the main ones I used.  I’ve found more success at being strong at one or two social media channels versus so so good at a bunch. 

Now you have a plan for networking at meetings.  Make these meetings a priority by putting them in your calendar for the rest of the year.  When we put them in our calendar it’s harder for us to forget and let something else not as important take its place. 

I have personally learned so much from attending REIA meetings, made a lot of money, and even made friends.  Now it’s your time to take this ACTION!  I want to see your social media post at the next meeting you attend, I’m on Facebook @LifestyleREI & Instagram @Lifestyle_REI

Want even more so you can become the go-to expert in your niche?  Check out How to Market Yourself Like a PRO by clicking HERE