Real Deal REInvestor Network

Let me share with you a few networking strategies of A player Entrepreneurs.

Look and Dress the Part

You don't need to dress formally, wear a tuxedo, or jet off to Milan for the latest fashions.  But…when in doubt, dress up – you can always dress down.  Some people wear a suit, and that’s cool…if you find you’re over dressed, you can always take off the tie.  In fact, though, business casual is usually no problem. We are after all, entrepreneurs and sometimes we “work” wearing our underwear! You can dress outrageous if that’s part of your “stand out” strategy…just don't let your appearance or actions be a hindrance to people seeing the real you and what you have to offer. Sharply-dressed, well-groomed and with excellent hygiene are extremely important for your success.

Find Your Deal-Making Style and Stick To It

Don't try to be someone you're not. There are different negotiation and JV making styles. Find yours by trial and error, but use it!

Just Do It!

“I only hear and I forget. I see and I may remember.  But I do and I understand.”

Thomas Edison’s quote is an eloquent and simple manner of expressing a simple fact, a fact that high achievers have always known: The best way to grasp information is to apply it.

There’s no secret, we can definitely learn by hearing, reading, watching, seeing, and analyzing…but when it comes to getting results with joint ventures you simply cannot learn better than to learn by DOING.

You learn best by doing. When you network with the JV mindset, you are coming to do joint ventures. Do it!

Smile

People want to network and JV with winners. Winners smile. Smile and get more JVs. Simple enough said for you?

Look for Opportunities to Triangulate

Learn to triangulate the deal if necessary. If you don’t have what they want or need, who does that you know? What do THEY want? Do you have it? Does the first person you’re negotiating with have it? Triangulate and watch your JV possibilities multiply.

Think People Not just Profit

Solve people’s problems and you’ll get paid. That's the best networking and joint venture tactic of all. Help others!

Never forget that long term internet marketing success— and business success…and for that matter LIFE success— is based on the relationships you establish.

The relationship is more important than the deal.

Remember that, and you're ahead of the pack!

Follow Up, Follow Up, Follow Up!

If you say you’ll call/email/respond at a certain time, do it. Become known as a businessperson whose word is their bond and you'll never lack for JV opportunities.

Always follow-up. Circumstances change. Your rejected offer of today could look great in three months. Follow up. Follow up. Follow up!

Don't Just Socialize…Connect!

Be professional always, upbeat and smiling at all times, courteous and accommodating, and seek to connect with your new relationships— not just talk. Ask questions. Ask questions. Ask questions. Listen. Build rapport. Seek not just to chat, but strive to connect with your potential JV partners on a deeper level than surface conversation and you will make excellent progress towards cementing a potential joint venture with that person.

Make a Great First Impression

Use the “halo effect” to your advantage. People see us subconsciously through the lens of our first impression we made on them. Don't let this be sloppy, rude, arrogant, incompetent or another negative.

Invoke the Law of Reciprocity.

Give and then receive later. Give, give, and give some more and you will always receive (and not even always directly back from those you gave to!).

This is a universal principle and will work for you WITHOUT FAIL if you apply it.

STAND OUT!

Use curiosity to gain attention. People will go to untold lengths to scratch that itch: “Sorry, that’s classified”, wear a crazy t-shirt with your value proposition, pass out buttons that are irreverent but funny like Dustin Mathews with his “Are you Dirty?” buttons that market his speaker newsletter “Dirty Talk” or make it easy to follow up with you with a site like www.IMetTony.com  (what would REALLY be cool is to hand out business cards with a link that says “IMetTony.com” at a seminar event and have a pre-loaded PERSONALIZED video welcome message that is tailored to attendees you JUST MET at the event…that people you hand out your card to can watch on that website after the event when they go home!).

Stay Present in the Here and Now

"Stay present" is a term in Personal Development. Minimize your distractions by not scheduling any outside appointments. I feel certain most of you have lives so keyed-up, hectic, and jam-packed with activities that... truthfully... you only have a fraction of your attention to give to any one thing at any one time. Fight that instinct. Stay present! When you’re networking on the look out for potential joint ventures then THIS is where the money is TODAY, right now, right here.

Decide What You Want to Accomplish Before you Step Foot in the Room!

I use the "5-5-5 rule" at seminars. No, that's not for Domino's pizza delivery. I look to discover 5 income and lifestyle-increasing concepts or strategies to apply immediately in the next 2 weeks. I look to find out from presenters or other attendees 5 books to read to grow as a person and an entrepreneur in the next 90 days. And most importantly I looks for 5 people to follow up with in the next 2 weeks days to work together this year.

I say anything beyond that is icing on the cake!

Whatever you look to accomplish, be specific and plan it out!

Bring Your "A" Game!

lot of organizations can give you networking opportunities on a local scale, but few can connect you with like-minded entrepreneurs at the highest level. If you get the chance to attend high-level networking events then make sure to bring you’re a game!

You're Where the Fish Are! Fish…

If you’re outgoing, passionate, friendly, and a good listener, I can definitely tell you that it’s possible to meet someone who might strike up a friendship with you and gladly agree to become apart of your network or a potential JV partner just about anywhere.

Take Full Responsibility for Your Success!

When you point your finger to someone else, literally the physical metaphor is that there are three fingers pointing back to you. Try it. We are where we are as a sum total of all the decisions we have made and the actions we have taken to that point. If you don't like where you are, realize now that blaming other people or circumstances is a victim's mentality.

Winners take full responsibility for their success.

1. Pose Questions. Ask your team what they would do in your particular situation. Questions make you and the others think.

2. Be Specific. Our minds and the minds of our mastermind partners work best with specific information. The more specific you are, the more specific (and helpful) the ideas will be.

3. Encourage and Acknowledge. Part of the value of your mastermind is to give and receive encouragement and acknowledgement. Make sure you do your part.

4. Complete Your Intentions and Commitments. And submit to your team before your meeting (preferably the day before). In doing so, you clarify your own thinking while making your goals, projects, intentions and progress readily available to your teammates. You may access this form below.

5. Focus on the Main Thing. You don’t have to review every detail with your team because they already have your Intentions and Commitment Form. Instead, focus on the key areas on which you would like help.

6. Share Your Work. If you’re working on a project, creating a website or writing a proposal, send your plans to your team and ask for their feedback. Don’t overdo it, but getting the input of the rest of the team can be invaluable.

7. Don’t Be Embarrassed. Tell the truth. If you haven’t done what you committed to doing, say so. And then recommit. This is not a competition.

8. Share Your Pain. We all struggle from time to time. The intention is not to dwell on it, but to acknowledge it and look for ways through it or around it. What does our pain have to teach us? How are we creating it? What are we resisting? Explore, learn and make some changes when warranted.

9. Challenge Them and Yourself. The intention is not only to achieve your goals but to grow in the process. Make commitments that are challenging. Stretch yourself by going for something bigger and better. In Diamond Club we practice “Carefrontation”.

10. Share Your Decisions. In any given week, we’re called upon to make many choices. What are the choices you’re wrestling with? Share the bigger ones and benefit from the perspective, experience and wisdom of your mastermind team.

Reprinted from www.SuccessNet.org

I'M JUST KEEPING IT 100 (as we say).

I believe I am the best candidate for this challenge because I am a dependable person who can carry out task individually or within a team. I'm loyal and creative. I am unique with fresh ideas. I'm a go getter who is ambitious and optimistic. Because I love to learn I believe I will be a great candidate. Although I'm young, I am a hard worker who loves to succeed at everything I do. Not to tell too much but I have to do this. My family has hit rock bottom and although my husband is doing everything he can to pull us out, he needs my help. So I know that I will perform every task and do everything possible to help provide for my family. I also believe I will be a great asset to this team because Integrity is everything and I give my word that I will follow through with my commitment to the team. Thanks!

Let me share with you a few of my favorite tips to make the most out of attending seminars and work the room for profit finding and connecting with new customers and/or new joint venture partners.

Speak Efficiently and Effectively with New Connections

Create your own elevator pitch. You can find a worksheet easily by searching online to help you put your thoughts in order and then just refine it down to a 30-60 second in-person commercial you can use when you meet new people. Who are you, what do you do, what can you offer to them and why should they joint venture with you now? Why should they buy from you? What is your "memory hook"? Ask Jon Goldman of Brand Launcher about this powerful tool for building a memorable personal brand that will get you noticed and remembered.

Meet and Talk with the Networking Event Organizer & Enlist their Aid

If you don't already know them, or even if you do, tell them what you're doing NOW, meet with the organizer and introduce yourself. Let THEM know you're looking for customers and/or joint venture partners and what criteria is your desire in new JV partners or customers.  If the organizer is smart, they will connect you with others, and they have ears in the room as well that can be on the lookout for more potential people you should meet and possibly JV with right now, or other event attendees who may need what you sell.

Create Win-Win Joint Ventures

Strive to create win-win scenarios when you position joint venture deals. You win, they win. We all win!

Set Appointments for a Specific Time to Talk After

If you have any free time, make an appointment with them WHILE you are there for later. Get it down on everyone's calendar. Don't let life and the infinite details and time-wasters of everyday minutiae get in the way of your new customer prospect relationship or potential JV opportunity. If it's important, schedule to talk again NOW.

Be Ready to Learn and Take Notes

Have an idea capture and follow up system that works for you (have you considered a digital voice recorder? I use an Olympus digital voice recorder for myself) and a small notebook or index cards in my back pocket…(aside tip: later you can use something like www.instantconference.com  which records phone calls for free: I use it on calls when discussing business so there’s a record of what everyone said and committed to…and for coaching sessions with my students- once we're done I just send them the sound file)

Whatever you do, get those big-money ideas captured in some form so you can access them later at your fingertips.

Capture the Diamond Ideas of Others

Another interesting idea I learned is to carry your voice recorder, Flip Camera, or just a notebook and ask people their one best idea of "What's working NOW". I usually use a flip camera. Bring your digital camera or digital video recorder and who knows, could you not maybe create the beginnings of a product from these answers and connections?

Ask them: "Tell me your best internet marketing tip", "Tell me your best coaching strategy", "Tell me what internet marketing technique is working for you and your students right now?" and give them reciprocity with a second follow up question- "Can you tell everyone how they can get in touch with you if they want to learn more?". Doing it on VIDEO is best!

 Provide Massive Value Above What You Ask in Return

Potential JV Partners and prospect customers are easy to find at the right seminars and networking events if you keep your eyes open and provide value to them, are enthusiastic and believe in yourself, and are persistent.

Think "how can I provide massive value to this person?" and they will want to do business with you, either as a customer or a joint venture partner as appropriate.

When you’re looking for potential business connections who are both experienced and successful, you’ll find that these entrepreneurs are consummate capitalists. They understand the capitalist system of giving value to receive value.

And they are most open to helping others when something they want or need is offered to them in return. Find out what that "massive value" is and offer it!

Let me give you a short primer on how to MAXIMIZE your Joint Venture opportunities while you're anywhere else high-caliber people come together.

 I was once told that the army uses the motto called “5Ps” - Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.  Like anything else in life this applies to, remember the 5 Ps and you will be able to do more and better and faster joint venture deals.

 If you're coming somewhere to network with top people in the field, I want you to come prepared.  The first part of the preparation is mental, come mentally prepared with total expectation of winning BIG.  Visualize what it’d be like to have the top gurus doing JVs with you and getting Big Fat checks. 

 Now I’m going to share with you both some basic and highly advanced strategies for maximizing your networking.  You don’t HAVE to do any of them to get results, because showing up is 90% of your success.  All you need is one good JV or one good contact or one good idea to get your money’s worth for almost any networking event or seminar you attend—whatever the kind.

 This reminds me of Woody Allen's comment I’ll paraphrase:

 “If you show up - you’re ahead of 90% of the people,

If you show up on time – you’re ahead of 95% of the people,

If you show up on time with a plan – you’re ahead of 98% of the people and

If you show up on time, with a plan and take action – it’s FAT city!”

 For some people that 90% of success is enough.

 The other 10% is what I'm talking about. That's where you rise above small successes and reach the next level.

 Show up on time with a plan and take massive action, and do it all in a way that stands out from the crowd!

 Let me give you some practical advice for this or any conference you’re attending with people who can get in business with you.

 MAKE AN IMPRESSION!

 How about something like attending networking events having a copy of your product to give away free for potential JV partners? How about dressing your group in matching outfits, shirts, or hats that are outrageous or branded to your company name? How about handing out a special report with tips written specific to the type of people who will be attending the event with you?

Do you not think that something like that makes one heck of an impression on a new connection and potential JV partner you meet at any seminar or networking event?

You bet your sweet bippy it does!

Have you ever heard people say that "it’s not what you know, it’s WHO you know that counts"? Well, in the real estate investing arena this can many times be absolutely true when it comes to learning how to find good real estate deals. Take a few moments and plan out your strategy for finding great real estate investments by gaining the attention, cooperation and loyalty of integral pieces to the real estate investing puzzle: the people you never talk to that you see every single day. These people hold the keys to your fortune (even if they drive a garbage truck).

 

The knowledge and inside information of who needs what, who has what, and who’s looking for what, that lies untapped in the head of every single person you meet, and so you can find motivated sellers by networking. You can find investors and private lenders by networking. You can find tenants by networking. You can absolutely have others help you find property by word of mouth— and doing all these things every day can make you a very rich investor.

 

As you’re mapping out your winning strategy for real estate investing, keep this in mind: in the real estate business, just like in life, your positive and strong relationships with other people are the greatest assets you can ever have. Thus, networking is an extremely important part of enhancing your investing success.

 

Networking with like-minded individuals, other investors and real estate professionals who can help you on your journey to success can help investors like you and I locate some great deals. However, it’s networking with people NOT in the real estate business that can often bear the BEST fruit, the very best deals available.

Here is my plan for dominating the Charlotte REIAs and Landlord Association

I approach someone and ask them 5 questions (posted below). I take their business card and leave them with my 1 paged business plan that tells them what they get and also has my contact info.
The next day I follow up with them . When I follow up with them I also send them the information of one of my partners - the mortgage broker, property manager, or whomever on my team, whose services, after talking to the investor I find out they want or need. 

Besides this I also plan to get networking leads from my team members.

Here are the questions:

5 Questions to ask at REIA’s

1. Hi (smile) I’m John Coryell, what do you do? It sounds to me like you could use...{motivated seller leads, buyers, etc…}
2. Return Question: What do you do? Give them your 1 page business plan.
3. What ways can I provide value to you?
4. I’m looking to build my team, and I’ve already got a really great {property manger/insurance/attorney/etc…} in place, Can you recommend to me anyone from your team? By the way, if you ever are looking for a property manager…bla bla bla
5. What steps should we take to follow up? (If they're cool - this is your chance to get the business card, appointment, or whatnot)

 

There are 3 Steps that one must do simultaneously
1) Find Buyers
- Contact landlords from craigslist
- Contact every wholesaler in your town
- Call for rent ads in the paper and on online classifieds
- Call for rent signs
- Go to your landlord association
- Go to your REIA
- Talk to the HUD owners (public information)
- Get your real estate agent to find buyers who have bought two or more properties in the past 6 months

2) Find sellers
- Mailings to pre-foreclosure
- A web site
- Write articles about getting out of preforeclosure 
- Make videos about coming out of preforeclosure
- Call sellers from online classified
- Call hud landlords
- Call for rent ads and see if they are interested in selling
- Door knocking
- Expired listings
- Probate Listings
- Bandit signs (if you have a lot of extra time and money)
- Absentee owners

3) Find your team! Make sure to get the best in your entire city

Real Estate Agent

Appraiser

Rehab Crew

Property Management Company

Home Inspector

Mortgage Broker

Insurance Agent

Real Estate Attorney

1) Talk to at least 200-500 people
2) Work on it for 80 hours per week
3) Work until your body has told you to stop at least 1,000 times 

Wholesaling is the best niche around. Here's why

- Low start up costs, for the technical aspect of wholesaling all you need is $10 and a contract with an escape clause

- Its built around networking: you don't have to have money, instead you must have the ability to properly network with buyers

- High Inventory: there are more preforeclosures than ever before, highest unemployment since the great depression, and a generally financially uneducated populace =  lots of inventory

- Raleigh and Charlotte (the cities I am working in) are experiencing very high growth rates (16% - 21% over a 10 year span) this means lots of demand.

- Raleigh and Charlotte are both listed in the top 10 cities to live by Relocate America (http://www.relocateamerica.com/top-100-cities/) 

So the question is, why aren't you wholesaling?