HOW TO BUILD A REFERRAL BASED BUSINESS THAT ATTRACTS YOUR IDEA CLIENT
Building your business with referrals is a consistent, long term effort and also so much more than just staying in touch with past clients.
You need to have a strategy, and show up as your authentic self to build a referral based business. Blink has the tools, and the strategy that is proven and works.
Here are some tips on how to build a referral based business in real estate:
- Deliver outstanding service. This is the foundation of any referral-based business, but it’s especially important in real estate. Your clients need to be confident that you’ll be able to find them the perfect home or sell their current home for the best price.
- Build relationships with your clients. Get to know your clients on a personal level. Find out what’s important to them and what they’re looking for in a home. The more you know about your clients, the better you’ll be able to help them find what they’re looking for.
- Ask for referrals. Don’t be afraid to ask your clients for referrals. The best time to ask is when they’re happy with your service and they’re already thinking about who else they could recommend you to.
- Create a referral program. A referral program can help you incentivize your clients to refer you to their friends and colleagues. There are many different types of referral programs, so you can choose one that fits your business and your budget.
- Use social media. Social media is a great way to connect with potential clients and build relationships. You can use social media to share your content, promote your referral program, and ask for referrals.
- Attend networking events. Networking events are a great way to meet new people and build relationships. When you meet someone new, be sure to give them your business card and ask them if they know anyone who could benefit from your services.
- Be patient. It takes time to build a referral-based business. Don’t expect to see results overnight. Just keep delivering great service, asking for referrals, and using the other tips above, and you’ll eventually start to see a steady stream of referrals coming in.
- Be visible in your community. Get involved in local events and organizations. This will help you build relationships with people in your community and make you more visible to potential clients.
- Be creative with your marketing. There are many different ways to market your real estate business. The entire Blink marketing system for realtors is designed to help you reach clients in ever walk of life!
Things to remember to build a referral based business:
Remember, there is no such thing as a “past” client … if you stay in touch with them, your clients will always stay current.
- Treat your clients how you would treat your friends:
- Reach out to them with a call or text at least once a quarter
- Celebrate big life events – send flowers or a gift after an engagement, wedding, new baby, etc.
- Stay connected on social media and engage with them through their posts & stories
- Text them every time you pass their neighborhood with a “thinking of you!”
- Grab coffee /lunch / or dinner regularly with your top clients
- Stop by with a small gift (token of your appreciation) after every referral
- Send them something in the mail 2-3x a year (a small gift or pop-by) to stay top-of-mind
Be authentic to build a referral based business:
Don’t be afraid to show people who you really are & what you are passionate about…
- Mom / Dad
- Fitness / healthy lifestyle
- loves wine (or a good craft beer)
- Loves design
- Is passionate about fashion
- Loves dogs / cats (or all animals)
- Very involved in the community
- Loves food and / or cooking
- Travel lover
Incorporate these pieces of your personality into your social media content and business people will work with you because they trust you and feel like they know you.
By incorporating your personality into your brand, your followers & potential clients will see that you are more than just a real estate agent, and it will humanize your brand.
Want more? Watch a tour to see how Blink can help.
