Looking to grow your influence this year? Whether you’re just starting out or need strategies to tap into your sphere’s full potential, here are four best practices for staying connected to your current followers while bringing more under your umbrella.
What Is a Sphere of Influence in Real Estate and Why It Matters
Clients put a lot of trust in their real estate agents. Between gathering potential properties, placing bids, setting listing prices, and navigating every step of the buying and selling process, agents carry a ton of influence. That’s why you want to present yourself as an expert in everything from real estate transactions to neighborhood knowledge. The best way to cultivate that image is by establishing a consistent and reliable social media presence.
Building and Expanding Your Sphere: 4 Steps to Mastery
Step 1: Commit to Your Community and Build Relationships
Aside from investing money into your community, investments of time and effort also go the distance when it comes to bringing people into your sphere. Some agents even map out a yearlong marketing campaign, broken down by quarter, based on opportunities for community events their teams can host and participate in.
Gestures as simple as a tagged business spotlight on Instagram or Facebook could go a long way toward establishing yourself as a valued member of the community. Partnering with other local businesses to host an event is also a great way to build recognition and rapport with your friends and neighbors.
Step 2: Provide Value Through Service and Expertise
Sharing resources you already have on hand is a great way to boost your standing with your sphere. For example, if you have professional camera equipment or a great partnership with a photographer, you can find a scenic area in your community and host a free family photo day!
Such events may not have a direct connection to real estate, but they will open up the opportunity to create a positive connection to members of your community. Fostering fondness with your followers is the key to lasting relationships and referrals.
Step 3: Consistent Communication That Builds Trust
How would you feel if a friend or family member only reached out to you when they wanted something? Those negative feelings can be even stronger for people outside of one’s social circle. Consistency is the key to looking more like a friend than a self-interested opportunist.
Although transactions are a big part of real estate, you never want your communications with your sphere to feel transactional. Get to know your followers and make sure you’re there for them when it matters the most. React to their posts. Send them a birthday text. Email them your latest listings. Pick up the phone and call them with a timely real estate update they may be interested in. The difference between spamming and communicating is genuinely caring about the individuals in your orbit.
Step 4: Use Technology to Stay Top-of-Mind with Your Sphere
Keller Williams® agents have the ultimate tool for connecting with their sphere — KW Command®! This powerful CRM was built in collaboration with the industry’s leading agents to ensure it contained the features agents need most. In addition to managing your contacts and transactions, KW Command® makes communicating with your audience seamless and automated.
Build a personal website or app with built-in conversion tools. Find stunning email and social media templates in Designs. Launch a lead campaign on popular social platforms. It’s all possible thanks to this industry-leading platform.
However, the feature that makes staying top of mind with your sphere as simple as possible is a SmartPlan. SmartPlans make it possible to put all of your contacts on an automated outreach plan without coming off as too robotic. Users can choose from hundreds of options in the SmartPlans Library or create a custom SmartPlan tailored to their intended audience. Either way, everyone from new leads to loyal followers will feel seen and heard.
How Top Agents Maintain and Grow Their Sphere of Influence
The difference between successful agents and struggling agents depends on the size and strength of their sphere of influence. Top KW® agents maintain an iron-clad following by committing to their communities and building relationships, providing value through service and expertise, building trust through consistent communication, and leveraging technology to stay top of mind.
If your mission is to build a bigger, stronger sphere, following the four steps above is a great place to start. It’s also helpful to connect with other successful agents in the field. Feel free to post a question in the comment section below, and be sure to follow Keller Williams Realty, LLC on all of your favorite social channels to keep the conversation going. Taking advantage of KW’s sphere of influence is a surefire way to strengthen and expand your own.
WARNING! You must comply with the TCPA and any other federal, state or local laws, including for B2B calls and texts. Never call or text a number on any Do Not Call list, and do not use an autodialer or artificial voice or prerecorded messages without proper consent. Contact your attorney to ensure your compliance.
