6 minute read
INCORPORATING
As real estate professionals, taking part in the community and serving others is central to a long-lasting practice. After all, agents are in the business of homeownership, building a financial future, and helping their clients begin new and fruitful chapters. With that in mind, how might an agent deliver that spirit of service in a broader sphere?
The truth is, charitable giving offers nothing but upsides. Contributing to a worthy cause is a noble and meaningful endeavor, but it
Contributing to a worthy cause is a noble and meaningful endeavor, but it also presents positive byproducts for the giver: tax write-offs, name recognition in the community, and the ability to expand your network.
also presents positive byproducts for the giver: tax write-offs, name recognition in the community, and the ability to expand your network. If charitable giving is an idea you’ve toyed with, or a practice you’ve engaged in only now and again, here are a few ways to make it a foundational element of your business and a win-win for all.
Find causes that speak to you.
Donating funds or resources can feel anonymous if you’re divorced from the organization you’re working with. While national and international charitable organizations are certainly effective and worthwhile, you might consider partnering with local chapters of those organizations, or identifying hyper-local organizations that address need in your state, county, town, or even your own neighborhood. The first step to establishing a charitable relationship is to find a cause that you genuinely care about. For many, animal rescue is a tangible cause where resources and volunteership are always welcome. For others, children’s health and advocacy is a calling. Regardless of your personal passion, participation can be big or small. From sponsoring a local youth sports league to partnering with an area animal shelter for their annual spay-athon event—there are all sorts of ways to make a difference.
Unite your team for the common good.
One way to make charitable giving a staple is to do it in arm and arm with others. Supporting a local cause is a great way to bring your team together in a unifying capacity. Hosting coat drives in winter, blanket drives for local animal shelters, or backpack drives for needy students at the start of the new school year— all are straightforward and highly useful, direct ways to give to your community as a team. It’s also important to set collective goals as a way of keeping people motivated and accountable over time. Offices are productive, but often hectic spaces. Injecting a collective goal with a positive, tangible result can create an ambiance of goodwill and generosity—both of which are worthwhile attributes to cultivate as
the leader of your team. Lastly, consider timely giving as a way of connecting your team to their community. Natural disasters, local fundraising drives, and improvement funds are all direct ways your team can contribute, while they themselves reap the benefit in the community.
Include clients in the process.
You’ve likely heard of charitable donations made in the name of your client as an alternative to the classic closing gift, but there are a few ways you might update this method of giving. For starters, consider including your clients in the selection process. Do they have a special cause that’s close to their hearts? Likewise, you might consider making regular, consistent giving a part of your routine post-closing. Instead of following up with your yearly poinsettia plant or pumpkin, you might find a cause in their neighborhood or township that you can support in their name. It’s wise to choose something apolitical, but a cause that’s hyperlocal to their area demonstrates unique thoughtfulness.
There are plenty of ways in which society as a whole can benefit from charitable causes that build goodwill in the world, support those less fortunate, and bolster a positive future. Incorporating charitable giving in your business model is a generous way to make this mentality a central tenet of your team and a defining characteristic for your clients to remember.
JANELLE PIERZINA
Top Agent Janelle Pierzina spearheads her work under the banner of Edina Realty serving buyers and sellers in Minneapolis and its south-metro region.
Janelle Pierzina began her career in real estate thirteen years ago when she made a splash in New York’s luxury rental market. “I’ve always been a people person,” she says. “I love working with different personalities and staying on-the-go, so real estate has been a natural match.” Ultimately, Janelle’s professional path wound back to Minneapolis, where she has since built a reputation for client-centric service with a personal touch. Today, Janelle spearheads her work under the banner of Edina Realty and in conjunction with her tightknit, two-person team. Serving buyers and sellers in Minneapolis and its south-metro region, a majority of her business is driven by repeat and referral clientele who trust her track record of success. What’s more, Janelle has long been a public-facing persona. Prior to her real estate debut, Janelle launched a parallel career as a reality TV
star back in 2005, with regular appearances on Big Brother and The Amazing Race. “It definitely set me apart,” she says. “People feel like they know me and already have a connection with me because they’ve been watching me for decades.” Along with her
agent expertise and television stardom has come a strong social media presence, where buyers and sellers benefit from wide-ranging exposure among Janelle’s more than 200,000 followers. To stay connected with clients past and present on a local level,
Janelle typically hosts seasonal client appreciation events that bring new and familiar faces together.
When listing properties, Janelle emphasizes the importance of an immersive marketing campaign that leaves prospective buyers with a memorable first impression. “When you hire someone to sell your property, it’s all about the marketing,” she says. All properties are equipped with high-end professional photography and videography, including custom twilight and architectural shots that showcase homes in their finest lights. From there, each listing enjoys peak visibility across the leading online listing platforms and on Janelle’s highly-trafficked social media outlets. This year, Janelle is poised to surpass thirty properties sold, even amidst a busy shooting schedule.
Beyond the office, Janelle gives back to her community through her support of Give Kids the World, an organization that grants wishes to children who are facing life-threatening illnesses. In her remaining free hours, she most enjoys time spent with
loved ones, and escaping to the family lake house whenever she can.
As for the future of her business, Janelle intends to keep momentum going strong. Now, with more than a decade of experience
and insight to her name and a promising road ahead, Janelle Pierzina considers what she enjoys most about her chosen field. “My clients know I have their best interests at heart, and I always take care of them,” she says. “At the end of the day, I have a love for getting the deal together and helping people. That’s what keeps me going.”
