PROPERTY MANAGER 5-18-20

PROPERTY MANAGER EDITION

5 Fresh New Approaches to

CONTENT MARKETING 4 Qualities of

EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEES

BODY LANGUAGE: How to Read Your Prospect Like a Book!

FEATURED PROPERTY MANAGER

COREY MARTIN COVER STORY

KAREN HATCHER, CPM

®

PROPERTY MANAGER EDITION

COREY MARTIN

For Corey Martin, entering ble the property management in 9 17 business was a serendipikno tous event. He and his wife abo purchased and flipped a the house with every intenthe tion of living in it, but soon enc were approached by peoof ple wanting to rent it. They bes eventually rented it out, sur then purchased and flipped tim KAREN HATCHER COREY MARTIN another home. From then han on, Corey was hooked, and began flipping properties regularly. Before long, After the transaction, clients l people were asking him to manage their proper- about his work. One recently CONTENTS ties. In 2009, he decided to start his own property who has a rental property to management company, Martin Presence Property incredibly detailed, thorough 4) 4 QUALITIES OF 18) BODY LANGUAGE: Management, serving all of northern tual. With over 15 years’ expe EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEES HOWLouisiana.

TO READ YOUR PROSPECT Working with Martin Presence means LIKE everything A BOOK! industry, these guys help thei takenAPPROACHES care of, from collection of rents to main- choices. Also, if any of my fr 6) 5 FRESHisNEW tenance requests. “We also have other to rent, TO CONTENT MARKETING 22) 3companies WAYS JOINING A I will send them Core PROFESSIONAL to supplement our management services, like lawn ORGANIZATION of his growing business!”

15) WHATcare, THE cleaning, FIRST THING CAN MAKE YOUR BUSINESS and more,” Corey says.

YOU DO AFTER WORK SAYS BETTER When Corey isn’t working, h ABOUT YOU With their business continuing to double in volume community through the Cham every year, Corey feels it’s their communication that church, or local schools. He lo sets them apart from other management companies. his family, including his daug “We try to run as transparent of a company as possi- going is my family, I strive to ble,” he says. “Everything we see and have access to, family man.”

Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 our clients also have access to.” Corey and his team mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com are constantly in touch with their property owners As Corey looks ahead, he hope No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any and manner whatsoever without priorlet consent publisher.

Top Agent through text, email phone calls.

“We themof the and reach more people. The Magazine is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published know where we’re at, what our options are, and are achieve his goals, as he loves materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. just always them in the loop.” Because most day is different, it’s fun to gro To subscribe or change address, send keeping inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com.

Published in the U.S. property owners want to be as hands off as possiproblems every day. That’s wh

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For more information about Corey Ma Top Agent Magazine please visit martinpresence.com www.

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com http://www.topagentmagazine.com

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4 Qualities of Exceptional Employees Hiring a new employee is one of the more stressful parts of being a business owner. After all, you’re taking someone on and trusting that they’ll not only be a valuable addition to the team, but won’t do anything to hurt your business’s hard earned reputation.

Sometimes a person comes in and you click right away, and other times you might be blown away by an impressive resume. But there are things you should look for that might not be as obvious at first. Employees that have the following qualities are ones you should seek out, because they will definitely be well worth the time and energy you invest in them.

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1. They have the confidence to be innovative There’s a reason people are drawn to those who think outside the box. Not only do innovations often lead to an extremely profitable business, even when that thinking doesn’t pan out, creative thinking is something that will energize your business and will motivate more employees to start taking chances.

Innovative thinkers also usually have great leadership skills. Ironically, you want an employee who isn’t afraid to speak up to authority and is someone who knows how to bend the rules without breaking them. They know that

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the success of the team and business is what’s most important, as long as it’s done ethically and with respect for everyone involved.

2. They are constantly reviewing their past performance A good employee looks forward, but they also look back. They are always evaluating what worked and what didn’t work in past performances and then adjusting their plans going forward accordingly. If they are coming off a big win, they know how to capitalize on that by using the momentum and cementing in everyone’s minds the value that they add to the team.

If things didn’t go as planned, they assess what they can do better next time, and they don’t get bogged down in insecurity. They take responsibility and they have confidence that they won’t repeat past mistakes. They know that failure is a temporary state, and are able to learn lessons from their mistakes, that will make them a better employee going forward.

While no one wants to fail, having the confidence to try something and fail will one day let you strike gold. Someone who lets failure shut them down, leads to a dead end and will soon make them a dead weight on your team.

3. They value teamwork Even though an exceptional employee might be a rising star, they realize that success is Top Agent Magazine

not an individual endeavor, it relies strongly on who you’re working with. Exceptional employees make sure that everyone is contributing and valued for their input. They put the interests of the company above their own, and thrive in an environment where ideas and information are shared freely.

Shared success is the ultimate goal for every project. Exceptional employees have the confidence to know that even when they’re not singled out for praise, they’re an irreplaceable component of a larger machine.

4. They are self-motivated learners A key thing to remember is that while experience is a valuable commodity, intelligence and intellectual curiosity is usually something that can’t be taught. Yes, you might request employees get additional training or attend seminars, but exceptional employees will be seeking out educational opportunities constantly. Even if they don’t have a lot of money for weekend retreats, they will be getting books from the library, downloading audiobooks, and most importantly, taking advantage of one their greatest resources, YOU. Exceptional employees know that the way to stay ahead is to always be at the forefront of new technology and systems. They don’t see educating themselves as a burden, they actually enjoy it. They realize that everything they take in, will one day make them not only an exceptional employee, but an exceptional boss as well.

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5 Fresh New Approaches to Content Marketing A couple of weeks ago we were conducting a workshop when we were asked two excellent questions about content marketing:

• People

don’t want to hear from a roofing company every day. So how do you produce fresh and interesting content for social media that goes beyond your core services and yet ties back to your business?

• Can

you extend your social media presence and content to include personal things (like your hobbies) and how does that affect your overall business image?

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The workshop attendee who asked the first question was right. Almost no one wants to hear from any company every day… especially if all the content is about products and services…and yes, even if they’re giving helpful tips and information. Does that mean you should stop producing excellent daily content related to your business? No, of course not! Content is created for two reasons.

First, to provide knowledge, expertise and even entertainment to your ideal customers in order to achieve top of mind awareness as an authority in your industry. And second, to produce SEO-rich results that keep you at the top of search engines. You must strike a

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balance between the two, and try to include content that draws people in by being super interesting and entertaining….and yes, sometimes personal.

To help answer those content questions above, here are five different types of content (beyond the traditional stuff) that can give your brand a fresh, unique and balanced approach:

1. PHILANTHROPIC Your community efforts say a lot about who you are, and people will make an extra effort to do business with you as a result of this connection. We’ve consulted business owners who are very hesitant to promote these efforts because they don’t want it to seem as though they are exploiting the charities and organizations—and most especially because they don’t do it for the promotional aspects. They do it to give back. I ask you to keep this in mind. Nonprofit and charitable organizations very often have small marketing budgets. Not only do they rely on outside marketing forces to promote their initiatives, they would likely be forced to close their doors without that support. That means that when someone with a strong brand and presence promotes them, it’s a highly trusted and personal connection, and you can’t buy that kind of support. In other words, they not only need you to promote them, they want you to promote them. But your instincts are correct. It’s not about you. So just make sure your entire content focuses on the organization you’re helping, what they do for the community and how Top Agent Magazine

others can join in the cause. Then it becomes a huge win for all.

2. HOBBIES You bungee jumped from four of the tallest bridges in the U.S. In your spare time, you go fly fishing. You love playing chef and use only locally grown, organic foods. Your friends are always begging you to go to Vegas with your card shark talents. You’ve done mission work in Africa and would like to start your own group. You almost played professional baseball. You have an insane talent for gardening design or bass guitar.

Your family works at a soup kitchen once a month. Ok…you get the picture. And two more words. Reality TV. People are interesting…and people are interested in interesting people. We remember others based on these unique traits. And most of all, people love the story behind the face. Don’t be afraid to share your hobbies. Quite often, it’s the first thing that will personally connect you to a prospect.

3. CREATIVE CONNECTION This one is perhaps our favorite. While we can’t imagine seeing something come across our news feed from a landscaping company every day, imagine this for a moment. What are we always told to remember in this hectic world? Stop and smell the roses, right? So what if…a landscaping company posted a beautiful flower each day, just to remind you to ‘stop and smell the roses’. And at the bottom of that photo (small print), you included

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the type of flower and type of environment needed to make it flourish (moist soil, full sun, etc.). And then, of course, watermarked it with your logo….and a title like, “Sam’s Daily Reminder: It’s Time to Stop & Smell the Roses”. You could even include some great, thought-provoking quotes. It has the personal connection (Sam), the business connection (flowers & logo watermark) and a cool creative connector (pause the meetings and paperwork to take a moment and appreciate life by noticing this beautiful flower). This is a great idea for staying ‘top of mind’ and connecting business with the kind of creative messaging people wouldn’t mind seeing every day.

4. EXPERIENCES This one is similar to hobbies from the personal aspect, but instead of something that identifies us like our hobbies, our experiences are random happenings that can have great interest and meaning to our audience.

Whether you have a unique experience buying a new car or a fateful conversation with a stranger in the airport, if you feel it ties into a life lesson or business lesson you’d like to share, by all means do. The lesson is to keep your radar up 24/7. Any experiences you have which relate to your

ideal customer are an opportunity to connect beyond the business world. And when we do that, we become a part of the family.

5. INFLUENCERS “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future”. You’ve probably heard that saying, and the same is true whether you are a teenager or a business owner. Maybe you’ve learned a lot of your business knowledge from Bill Gates, Steve Jobs or Warren Buffet…or you like to quote Benjamin Franklin. Perhaps you have some mentors you’d like to recognize and tell why they’re important to you. Sharing the people and things that influence us is what makes us human. No matter how successful your business, you didn’t get there alone. People and circumstances shaped you along the way. Recognizing others for their contribution in our lives, large or small, is important in staying connected and grounded.

We hope these five types of content help you to put a fresh spin on what you share with your audience, whether personal or professional. We believe you must have the combination of both to build an incredible brand.

Tonya Eberhart is the Branding Agent to Business Stars and founder of BrandFace®, LLC. Michael Carr is America’s Top Selling Real Estate Auctioneer & BrandFace® partner. Together, they focus on personal branding and marketing designed to help real estate professionals become the face of their business & a star in their market. BrandFace® for Real Estate Professionals is a book, professional speaking series and an exclusive workshop for agents, and is currently active in 18 U.S. states, Canada and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.BrandFaceRealEstate.com.

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KAREN HATCHER, CPM

®

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Focusing on providing their many investors and tenants with world-class service, Owner/Realtor and CEO Karen Hatcher has built a company — Sovereign Realty & Management in Atlanta, Georgia from the ground up.

If given the choice of only one word to describe Sovereign Realty & Management in Atlanta, Georgia, that word would be exceptionalism. Focusing on providing their many investors and tenants with world-class 10Copyright Top Agent Magazine

service, Owner/Realtor and CEO Karen Hatcher has built a company from the ground up, resting on a foundation of honesty, integrity and intensive industry knowledge.

Managing several hundred properties in five Top Agent Magazine

Atlanta area counties, Karen and her superb and equally dedicated team have earned their stellar reputation as experts in the property management and investment sales arena.

Karen began her journey in real estate and property management in an unofficial Top Agent Magazine

capacity back in 2004, when her boyfriend (now husband) –suggested real estate would be a good fit for her. In 2007, she took the plunge and became licensed. Since then, she has not only built a highly respected and gold-standard setting business, but she has also earned a B.A. in Finance and an Copyright Top Agent Magazine11

Karen is deeply and justifiably proud of the team she has built at Sovereign — “I’ve built not only a smart, hard-working team,” says Karen, “but also a multi-generational one to help effectively communicate to all types of customers.”

MBA in Real Estate, ideally positioning her to provide her investor/owners and tenants with incredible value that far surpasses her competition.

“We are a full-service real estate investment firm,” says Karen, who is an inspiration as a woman of color in a white, male dominated field. “We scout acquisitions for our investors, analyze those properties, make recommendations and then we’ll do that acquisition.” A self-admitted “numbers person,” Karen and Sovereign Realty & Management go above and beyond the standard practices of a typical property 12Copyright Top Agent Magazine

management company, and they do so with an impressive multimillion-dollar portfolio of real estate assets.

Karen is deeply and justifiably proud of the team she has built at Sovereign, which includes Sales and Leasing Agent John Queen Jr., Property Inspector George Hamilton, Office Manager Jenny Hamilton, and Public Relationships Representative Allison Joyner, all of whom share her client-first business ethos. “I’ve built not only a smart, hard-working team,” says Karen, “but also a multi-generational one to help effectively communicate to all types of customers.”

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Nearly the entirety of Karen’s business is based upon repeat clients and referrals, perhaps the most accurate indicator of a job well done in the highly competitive property management arena. “We strive to do the very best for our clients,” says Karen, when asked how she has managed to achieve such Top Agent Magazine

impressive levels of loyalty and positive brand recognition. “We are really trying to raise the profile of what property managers do. We consider ourselves a financial management company, but instead of stocks, we trade real estate, which means we have to be on top of every detail.”

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“I really, really love the property management side of real estate,” enthuses Karen, who successfully juggles work with being the proud mother of three young children, including a set of twins. “What I love the most is helping my clients achieve their dreams. I get to create millionaires. Being able to help them achieve this goal – while providing them

with unparalleled service – is an incredible feeling.

Anyone looking to invest in a rental property or for a property management company in the Atlanta area could honestly do no better than to engage the services of Karen and Sovereign Realty and Management.

For more about Karen Hatcher,CPM® please call 404-974-4694 or email Karen@SovereignRM.com http://www.justingrable.com 14Copyright Top Agent Magazine

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What the First Thing You Do After Work Says About You We all have our routines. From that morning cup of coffee to a jog at the gym, it’s common to establish touchstones for our daily lives.

But have you ever considered what these habits tell us about ourselves? Our actions reveal much about our motivations and emotional life, so taking a second look at your first move at the end of the day can be telling.

With that in mind, see how you fare when it comes to post-workday habits...

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Break a Sweat After a long day of work, is your first instinct to strap on your sneakers and take off on a run? Do you stop off at the local yoga studio for an extended stretch? Maybe you head to the weight room to pump some iron. Whatever your exercise pick, if you’re inclined to sweat it out at the end of a long day, you’re likely a routine-oriented profes-

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sional who internalizes work-related stress. Of course, you’ve chosen a healthy release for all that pent-up tension, and you’ve discovered the power of endorphins. Once work hours are over, not everyone finds the motivation to stay active. This means you’re driven by routine, conscious of your emotional and physical health, and prefer to leave your cares at the gym, rather than bring them into your home oasis. However, it’s important to give your body a rest now and again, as recuperation time is not only beneficial for physical health, but can help prevent burnout for the long haul.

Flexibility is a skill, and one just as important to cultivate as rigid commitment. If you find yourself out of sorts if you miss just one day of working out, you might want to pay some attention to your routines and motivations, and rebalance your commitments and fitness routine accordingly.

Round-the-Clock Hustle If you’re the type to bring work home with you, you aren’t alone. While your motivation to work nonstop is admirable, it’s also important to make the mental transition from workplace to home, establishing the time to hustle and the time to relax. Just like those that hit the gym without fail after a long day, sometimes you’ll need to practice saying no. If your work life is indistinguishable from your personal life, it’ll be hard to catch a break and recharge.

This means burnout, frayed nerves, and missed details will soon be on the horizon. Of course, round-the-clock hustle is a strength, too. You’re passionate about your work, care deeply about doing things right, and failure is not an option.

Just make sure that you establish some foundational boundaries so that you maintain an 16

appropriate, healthy balance between your time at work and your time at home with the loved ones and hobbies you cherish. If making way for downtime isn’t easy, try penciling it in the way you would a work engagement. Dinner with a friend, a date night with a significant other, or a solo movie fest can be readily added to your calendar, and thus built in to your regimented schedule.

Turn to Food If your first instinct after work is to eat, it can say a few different things about your routine.

Perhaps you’ve been so on-the-go all the day that you haven’t had time for lunch. In this case, you might need to regiment your schedule with more purpose aimed towards downtime and self-care; food is fuel, after all. If you head home and gorge after an average day, you may be turning to food as a way to relieve stress.

In this case, you may need to reassess some of your post-work habits and find a healthier balance and outlet for your tension. Taking a walk, grabbing fresh ingredients for dinner, hitting the gym, or decompressing by catching up with a friend or a good book—all are healthier, more balanced ways of executing the transition from the office to the home. Pay attention to your consumption post-work. Determine how hungry or satiated you really are before making a grab for the nearest sustenance.

People decompress in all different ways after getting home from the office, but always remember that routines are telling. Don’t take your daily actions and impulses for granted. Examine the root behind your well-worn practices, and you may detect nuances at play beneath the surface that can you help you recalibrate for the better.

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COREY MARTIN For Corey Martin, entering the property management business was a serendipitous event. He and his wife purchased and flipped a house with every intention of living in it, but soon were approached by people wanting to rent it. They eventually rented it out, then purchased and flipped another home. From then on, Corey was hooked, and began flipping properties regularly. Before long, people were asking him to manage their properties. In 2009, he decided to start his own property management company, Martin Presence Property Management, serving all of northern Louisiana.

Working with Martin Presence means everything is taken care of, from collection of rents to maintenance requests. “We also have other companies to supplement our management services, like lawn care, cleaning, and more,” Corey says.

With their business continuing to double in volume every year, Corey feels it’s their communication that sets them apart from other management companies.

“We try to run as transparent of a company as possible,” he says. “Everything we see and have access to, our clients also have access to.” Corey and his team are constantly in touch with their property owners through text, email and phone calls. “We let them know where we’re at, what our options are, and are just always keeping them in the loop.” Because most property owners want to be as hands off as possi-

ble, they put their trust in Corey and his team, knowing they will go above and beyond to treat their property as if it were their own. Martin Presence takes the stress out of renting by finding the best tenants while making sure rent is collected on time and maintenance is handled efficiently.

After the transaction, clients love to spread the word about his work. One recently said, “I refer anyone who has a rental property to talk to Corey. He is incredibly detailed, thorough, organized, and punctual. With over 15 years’ experience in the real estate industry, these guys help their clients make the best choices. Also, if any of my friends are ever looking to rent, I will send them Corey’s way. He is on top of his growing business!”

When Corey isn’t working, he’s giving back to the community through the Chamber of Commerce, his church, or local schools. He loves spending time with his family, including his daughters. “What keeps me going is my family, I strive to be a good father and a family man.”

As Corey looks ahead, he hopes to serve more regions and reach more people. There’s no doubt he will achieve his goals, as he loves what he does. “Every day is different, it’s fun to grow a business and solve problems every day. That’s what I enjoy doing.”

For more information about Corey Martin, please visit martinpresence.com www.

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Body Language: How to Read Your Prospect Like a Book!

By John Boe Are you aware that your body language gestures reveal your deepest feelings and hidden thoughts to total strangers? The very first sale you must make with each new prospect is to “sell yourself”. If your prospect doesn’t like or trust you, he or she will never even remotely consider buying your product or service. Understanding body language gestures will help you build trust and rapport quickly with your prospects and customers... face-to-face or over the phone.

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Body language is a mixture of movement, posture, and tone of voice. Top sales reps and the most successful managers recognize the importance of nonverbal “buy signals” in the selling process and have learned to “listen with their eyes”. They understand the power of body language and know how to use their gestures and voice tone to establish trust and build rapport quickly. Body language research shows that nonverbal communication has a much greater impact and reliability than the spoken word. Therefore, if your prospect’s words are not congruent with his or her body language gestures, you would be wise to rely on the body language as a more accurate reflection of true feelings.

The good news about body language is that you were born knowing the information. This explains why people from different cultures can communicate effectively without having to speak a single word. In the animal kingdom, every cat, dog, bear, horse, etc. on the planet will use the same body language gestures to communicate with each other. For example, when an animal is angry, they will pin their ears back flat against their head.

Even though people understand body language instinctively, the meaning of “finger gestures” may change from one culture to another. Finger gestures, such as the V for victory sign or the okay gesture are “learned gestures” created by the culture and the meaning often varies from country to country. For example, on January 23, 1968, the USS Pueblo, a Navy intelligence ship, was engaged in a routine surveillance mission off the North Korean coast when it was intercepted by North Korean patrol boats. The 83-man crew were captured and imprisoned in Pyongyang, where they were interrogated and beaten. In an attempt to gain propaganda value from the crew, the North Koreans conducted a news conference. When photographed during the press conference, some of the ship’s crew expressed their disdain for their captors by sticking out their middle finger. While this finger gesture was noticed by the North Koreans they didn’t understand the disrespectful meaning that the gesture implied. After the photos were released worldwide and the meaning Top Agent Magazine

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of the finger gesture was revealed, the North Koreans were politically embarrassed and severely beat the crew.

During your sales presentation, it’s critically important to get started on the right foot. Research shows that we decide in the first few moments whether we like someone or not. Yes, we also judge a book by its cover too. There’s absolutely no substitute for a positive first impression. Create a favorable first impression and build rapport quickly by using open body language. In addition to smiling and making good eye contact, you should show the palms of your hands, keep your arms unfolded, and your legs uncrossed.

Body language is

a mixture of movement, posture, and tone of voice.

You can build trust and rapport by deliberately, but subtly, “matching and mirroring” your prospect’s body language in the first few minutes of the appointment.

For example, if you notice that your prospect starts off the appointment by crossing his or her legs and sitting back in the chair, you should match them by crossing your legs and sitting back in your chair as well. After you believe you have developed trust and rapport, you can verify it by seeing if your prospect will begin matching your gestures. Try leading your prospect into a more open and receptive body language posture by uncrossing your legs and leaning towards the table. If you notice your prospect subconsciously begins matching your body language gestures, congratulations, this indicates that you have laid the foundation of trust and rapport. Conversely, if you notice that your prospect is mismatching your body language gestures, you know trust and rapport has not been established and you need to continue the “matching and mirroring” process.

Be mindful to evaluate the flow of “gesture clusters” rather than isolated gestures taken out of context. Listed below are some important body language gestures that you need to become familiar with. There are two basic categories of body postures; Open/Closed and Forward/Back. In an open and receptive body posture, arms are unfolded, legs uncrossed, and palms are exposed. In a closed body posture, arms are folded, legs are crossed and the entire body is usually turned away.

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Body Movement Gestures • Leaning back and closed = Lack of interest • Leaning back and open = Contemplation and cautious interest • Leaning forward and closed = Potential aggressive behavior • Leaning forward and open = Interest and agreement Head Movement Gestures • Head neutral = Neutral and open attitude • Tilted back = Superior attitude “looking down your nose” • Tilted down = Negative and judgmental attitude • Tilted to one side = Interest Facial Gestures • Eye rub = Deceit, “see no evil” • Looking over top of glasses = Scrutiny • Nose rub = Dislike of the subject • Hand or fingers blocking mouth = Deceit, “speak no evil” • Chin stroking = Making a decision • Thumb under chin with index finger pointing vertically along the cheek = Critical judgment Are you missing your prospect’s buy signals? As a professional salesperson you must continuously monitor your prospect’s body language and adjust your presentation accordingly. By understanding your prospect’s body language gestures you will minimize perceived sales pressure and know when it’s appropriate to close the sale!

“As the tongue speaketh to the ear, so the gesture speaketh to the eye.”

– King James the First (1605) Copyright ©, John Boe. All rights reserved.

John Boe presents a wide variety of motivational and sales-oriented keynotes and seminar programs for sales meetings and conventions. John is a nationally recognized sales trainer and business motivational speaker with an impeccable track record in the meeting industry. To have John speak at your next event, visit www.johnboe.com or call 937-299-9001. Free Newsletter available on website.

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3 Ways Joining a Professional Organization Can

Make Your Business Better Any real estate professional worth his or her salt knows that relationships are everything in this industry. Of course, it’s essential to cultivate connections with your in-office colleagues and your clientele—but there’s even more to be done when it comes to building meaningful professional relationships on a larger scale.

How can you make the most of your sphere of influence? The answer lies in professional organizations.

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These institutions vary in breadth and scope— from the local chamber of commerce and state-level organizations geared toward young professionals, to nationwide groups like the National Association of Realtors. No matter which avenue you pursue, these organizations and the professionals therein can add tremendous value to your business and professional repertoire. Not quite convinced? Consider a few of the benefits below to understand how just how influential a professional organization can be when doing business in the modern marketplace.

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1. Expand your skillset.

It’s hard to argue that continuing education and professional development aren’t worthwhile causes. One of the little-known values of joining a professional organization is that there are countless opportunities to boost your talent through free or subsidized skill-building events, workshops, and speaker series. Seminars, coaching events, opportunities to volunteer, and conferences are just a few more ways that professional organizations put you in the right position to learn from others, or advance your understanding of the industry. In real estate, staying ahead of the curve is crucial to the longevity of your business. By joining a professional organization, you’ll not only have the chance to learn from industry veterans, but to also take advantage of indispensable resources that set you apart from the real estate pack.

2. Simplify your networking experience The obvious benefit of joining a professional organization is the chance to meet and network with fellow agents and industry pros.

But, have you ever considered how commonly networking comes into play in the real world? On the local and state level, the real estate scene isn’t as big as one might imagine.

This means you’ll cross paths with all sorts of agents, lenders, home inspectors, title company representatives, contractors, developers, investors, and more. Positioning yourself within a professional organization not only fortifies your reputation to the outside world and to those in your industry, but it also makes it easier to strike up conversations or navigate deals. How so? A professional organization Top Agent Magazine

creates a baseline of common knowledge and trust when doing business with those inside or aware of your organization. Likewise, when reaching out to an agent or lender who you’re not familiar with, you can mine your professional organization for related contacts that give you a sense of who you’re doing business with or how to make the transition progress smoothly.

3. Utilize a support system While advancing your career is a worthwhile motive when joining a real estate professional organization, also consider the mental benefits of fellowship with industry colleagues and local entrepreneurs. Rather than carting your anxieties home at the end of the day, you can lean on professionals moving through the same ranks. What’s more, you can turn to others in your industry for advice, commiseration with frustrations, or help sourcing a solution for a particular problem they may have experienced and overcome in the past. Even talking shop with likeminded pros can relieve stress and refresh your perspective—perks that are just as valuable as an updated contact sheet.

The old saying stands true: if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to far, go together.

In that vein, professional organizations can make all the difference when it comes to a career that doesn’t burn out. Try connecting with a professional organization that you find inspiring—whether its mission is focused on volunteer work, industry developments, or peer mentorship. No matter which path you pursue, remember that no man is an island and the benefits of joining a professional organization can transform you and your enterprise for the better.

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