The following is a combined effort of our Eddie Brown, VP and Sales Manager at Fonville Morisey Brier Creek and Lisa Sullivan our Digital Media Marketing Director. Great tips for building your business during the summer!
The traditional school calendar has indicated that it’s now officially summer time! And somewhere in the next couple of months the year-round calendars will track out. Translation – it’s about to get busy for Triangle families as summer gets into full swing. Does that mean you should stop doing business? Absolutely not. Whether you are a family of four or a family of one or two, here are a few tips to help you build new relationships even during the typically slow summer months.
Tip #1 – Use Summer Gatherings to Your Advantage
Whether you are shlepping your stuff and your kids off to the pool for the day, joining in a neighborhood backyard barbecue (or hosting one yourself), taking in a local Little League baseball game, or hanging with the moms in the carpool line as you pick up the kiddos from day camp, every single one of those events are opportunities to remind folks that you are a REALTOR®. But, be casual about it.
No one likes to shake a person’s hand (especially if they’ve never met you before) and the first thing out of your mouth is, “Hi, I’m Jane Smith. I sell real estate. What do you do?” Rather, listen to the conversations around you and/or the person you are talking to and when there’s an opportune moment to speak up, add your two cents about the market, maybe a home decorating tip, or share your expertise in another way. Being smart about engaging offline is just as important as doing the same online. You are building relationships after all!
Tip #2 – Host a Client Party
Often times you see this in the fall as the leaves change color and its cooler outside. BUT, what’s not to say you can’t do it in the summer too? You have options!
For those who like the outdoors and don’t mind a bit of heat, host one at your local park mid-morning or late in the day to avoid the excessive summer temperatures we often get in the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill market.
For those that would prefer an indoor location, host a gathering at a local museum. Allow the families to explore the exhibits & then gather in one of the function rooms for snacks & beverages.
At either of these two events, it’s a great way to reconnect with some of your past clients and remind them that their referrals are a gift to you!
Tip #3 – Attend a Local Offline Social Media Event
First Friday at Design Box Downtown Raleigh
Yes, they do happen. In the Triangle we have Tweetups, Meetups, First Fridays and everything in between. As a matter of fact, on July 19th, the Durham Bulls are hosting their first ever Tweetup! Later this summer the organizers of Triangle Tweetup are considering another themed event similar to last summer’s NC Art Museum Tweetup. Likewise, the same for the organizers of Ignite Raleigh. While nothing is set in stone for the latter two, watch the Triangle Tweetup and Ignite Raleigh Twitter streams for more. There’s also a Raleigh Instagram Walk each month too!
No matter what, if there is an opportunity to meet with the folks you have begun building relationships online in an offline setting, go for it! Social media might take place online but it’s what you do with it online AND offline that make the difference!
Tip #4 – Volunteer Your Gifts & Talents for Causes That Mean Something to YOU
As our Eddie Brown says -
Use Summertime as a time to repair your soul…find a good cause and volunteer your time now that the days are longer. You will feel better about yourself and the extra networking will help your business as well!
Tip #5 – Go On Vacation!
Rest. Relax. Recharge. Enough said. Why? Because everyone needs to! Besides, we tend to be the most productive before vacation and for many, following a return from vacation as well.
Sunrise. Nags Head, NC
Do you have any tips you’d like to share? Please do in the comments below. You never know. You might inspire someone!
Barbecue image courtesy of Toledo Blade.
First Friday and Nags Head images courtesy of Lisa Sullivan.
