Taking Making Time to Network
One of the first things one notices when deciding to make a career of Home Staging is that the entire industry is in its infancy. Many Home Staging businesses are also in the start up phase. With that in mind it occurred to me that Home Stagers therefore must find ways to not only connect with our potential clients but also to educate them concerning the benefits we bring to the table.
The way we can do that is to network. As a matter of fact we may want to make the word “Network” a mantra of Home Stagers. So repeat after me, “Network, Network, Network!”
“But how?” you may be asking. Well, the answer will come in sections.
Foremost, one must make the decision to become involved.
Step one – join.
There is a vast array of networking groups or events which you may wish to join or participate in within your area. The two major physical types of networking groups specifically set up with the express purpose of networking are:
Although both types of groups are available in our area, I chose to become a member of a group which follows the second model. I am a member of Women In Networking (WIN.) We are a diverse group which includes an owner of hotels as well as several women who are insurance agents. A physician belongs to our group and another member sells clothing. Our membership includes a real estate agent and many other professions. Our group meets monthly for lunch. We are encouraged to present a 30 second “commercial” at the beginning of each meeting as well as a 60 second “commercial” at the end of our meeting. Each month we have a speaker who is “a member or guest teaching us something inspirational, or successful business tips they use, research they have done, something they excel in, or a designated topic.” Some of the topics we have had presented to us are marketing tips, information concerning a local safe house, and ways to improve our personal as well as professional lives.
Here, have a look at some of the fun people in WIN, one of my networking groups.
Other types of groups in which you may choose to network within are associations set up with the express purpose of serving the persons whom are your primary or secondary clients. For Home Stagers one way of becoming a part of this type of group is to join the local Nation Association of REALTORS® (NAR) group in your area. For example I’ve become an associate member of PAAR (Prescott Area Association of REALTORS®) There are monthly luncheon meetings in which associates plan ways to serve REALTORS® in our area. As a member I’m also able to attend Breakfast Tours with agents and brokers showing their latest listings.
Other types of groups you may wish to join also focus on service. Some of these you may wish to consider are the Lions Clubs, Jaycees or Junior Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, or Soroptimist. Obviously, your local church, synagogue or other house of worship is a great place to network and usually affords you a way to be of direct or indirect service to your community.
While there are networking groups with the express purpose of getting to know other people whom you may help there are also groups designed with the purpose of networking with like minded and like employed individuals. In my case I co-founded a group named Staging Northern Arizona Professional Association (SNAPA.) This group is intended to support each member through the sharing of information; marketing expenses and programs; and resource notification. Further, the group also participates in community support through giving of our time and finances in regards to not-for-profit worthy causes. (SNAPA is presently refurbishing three rooms in a safe-house for women and children.)
A few weeks ago, Calie Waterhouse, the owner of Stage the Stager was the speaker at SNAPA. She discussed ways for us to market our group as well as our individual businesses.
Calie is on the left and fellow
ActiveRainer and SNAPA member, Kristi Gullickson
is on the right.
Here I am with Calie Waterhouse after her excellent presentation.
Another way to network is to teach classes in your local area concerning your area of expertise. I recently completed teaching a two part class at Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona. The students were given instruction concerning how to get their own homes ready for today’s market. They also learned more about what it means to get down to the nitty-gritty when preparing a home for market. Here are some photos taken by one of my students from the class.
There were 17 students. We had a good time and you can see a lot of laughs along with the learning time.
No, I'm not asleep. But, I am excited about all the things a person can do to prepare his or her home for sale in today's real estate market.
Of course, if you are reading here, you probably know about internet networking. An excellent way to allow others to learn more about you, your business and how you can be of assistance to them or their network is to write blogs. Through writing blogs you may also carry your networking message as you share information about other people whose business you wish to help promote. I recently wrote a post about a local businessman who helps to make my day flow more cleanly.
A further way to Network is to always be prepared to talk with anyone you meet in any circumstance concerning what you do, how you make a living, what it is that true Home Stagers do concerning preparing property for sale. For instance, when you are checking out of your local grocery market you may strike up a conversation with your fellow shoppers or even the person checking you out. A short time ago while on a quick trip to Wal-Mart, I overheard a fellow shopper talking about something she and I had in common. I discussed it with her as we each paid and checked out. Our conversation continued as we were leaving the store. Before we departed we had exchanged our business cards and have since been able to help one another. Perri Capell talks about how to blend Networking into your life in her article at CareerJournal.com. Note that she mentions one must take time (but not much of it) to network in order to excel.
In Part II I will discuss participating in networking groups and events.
This information is provided by Yvonne Root owner of rooms b.y. root. rooms b.y. root serves the Prescott area and Northern Central Arizona.
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In Northern Arizona the place to go for home staging is rooms b.y. root. Dressing homes for Display is the service offered to home owners wishing to make their real estate memorable to home buyers.
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Your right Yvonne, networking is key, a lot of fun, and you meet a lot of talented people to rub shoulders with.
You are one awesome lady! So right -- thx for posting this info. And you know, networking isn't as easy as one might think. I am very much a one on one type person, groups are not my thing. Even back to high school days, I was everyone's best friend because I was a one on one kinda kid, but the big clubs and groups didn't float my boat. By my Senior year I managed to become a cheerleader so that helped with the "being in front of a crowd" but, still a quality get to know you one on one remained my preference. Also has it's benefits in sales. But, now, I have made networking part of my business with many group presentations, BNI meetings, City Council advisory board, Realtor education groups, you name it! I've even become the neighborhood communications director in a community of 435 homes!
gotta do, gotta do, gotta do! over, over, and over again! Great post.
So you network with your piers, peirs, and peers, right?
I so hope the group networking thing becomes a possibility for me soon. All of the networking groups I know of meet early in the morning and by the time I drop the little one off to school, they are all finished for the day. :(
I do tell everyone what I do, though if I never have to speak in from of a group again it will be too soon. Not that I wouldn't....
Thank you Julianna! The more I meet people the better I like getting to meet people. Isn't that funny?
Karen, Whew gal. Yes, yes and again yes to finding different organizations which are beneficial not only to you and your business but also to your community.
As for my piers . . . there is this sink hole near my home which some naughty developer labeled as a Lake (yeah, grown up word -- lake) a number of years ago. I understand that he and his partner were allowed to eat and sleep at state's expense for a few years because of that lousy tactic and a number of others. It seems that a large number of people didn't like owning the same piece of property that several other people unknown to them also "owned." Since there is no pier there I guess I will just rely on my peers instead. :)
I think peers are better than piers -- unless of course, all your peers will meet with you on a pier. But facing reality, one must ask. what good is a pier (other than great solitary time) if your peers aren't there to connect and promote and encourage what home staging is all about? so, I agree network, network network, even if it means doing it peerless w/o a pier.
Great Blog Yvonne! You are so right. Not only is the Networking fun... but it allows you to talk about your craft to lots of different entities. Karen brings up an interesting point and because I am always out in left field and out of the box anyway..... piers are just another way to walk on water ;)
Looks great! I love the photo of you speaking ;) My realtor association is not doing much at all, they used to advertise their associates on their site, now they don't anymore. There also isn't much of activities there. But I have been thinking about joining the women's council of realtors.
Cheers,
Cindy
Hey Yvonne, welcome back to the Rain. Your post is inspiring and I might just look into some of the groups you mention. Of course the one I want to join is SNAPA - how come you are so far away? I suppose I could start one here - Staging Northern Alberta Professional Association - but it's just too darn cold up there! Am rating a 5 because it is such good info. Thanks. Betty PS I was happy to see that you posted it to Real World Home Staging for Newbies. The picture of you and Calie is great - you both look happy to be where you are.
Kim, How did you sneak in there without me seeing you? It will be fun for you when you are able to be involved with your networking groups of choice. It is truly fun to get to interact with different people who have different needs and desires as well as strengths. Ah, group speaking (especially when you are not trying to get business) can be tons of fun.
Karen, I love seeing you jump back in here with your view from piers or is that of peers. You are SO right peers are better!
LKP, Thank you! LOL! Since I don't have many opportunities to visit piers I hadn't thought about your idea. Next time I find myself near a pier I will show off how well I can "walk on water!" Thanks for the great idea.
Cindy, What a great idea about joining the Women's Council! One of the things that I think is great about belonging to your local REALTOR's group is getting to go on the Breakfast Tour. I like to ride with someone else so we can talk. It is a casual way to let the real estate agents know about your area of expertise.
Betty, Thanks for the welcome back. It would be a blast to have you in SNAPA! WOW, thanks for the 5. Do you see me blushing? Yes, I do enjoy spending time with Calie. She is so fantastic. Her knowledge is boundless and her willingness to share is even beyond boundless.
Sorry, didn't realize I wasn't logged in when I made that last comment - again thanks for all the great insight! Hope to share some with you soon!
Yvonne,
Good post, I am a member of a couple of groups but really need to expand that. It's fun to get out there and tell people what we do and learn from everyone else at the same time!
Penny White
Beststagedesign Inc.
WOW - I can't say any more than WOW - Oh yeah, I made a big deal about you on my new blog! You're still rockin' lady! - Calie
Lee-Ann, Glad to be of help. Yes, it will be fun to see what you add to the AR puddle. I suspect you will have even more fun networking. Does your military base (post, camp, whichever it is called) have a few networking groups you may join?
Penny, Great! Two networking groups may be enough. Glad you are getting the word out.
Miss Calie, So glad you dropped in. Gosh, now I need to go see what the big deal is all about! :) You are more than welcome to link in your comments on my posts. (Especially if you are talking nice -- nice about me!)
To those who may be new to blog commenting: I have given Calie, and for that matter, anyone else permission to link in their comments on my posts. But beware, there are many who feel it is bad etiquette to link in a comment. Therefore only put links in when you know it is OK with the original author of the post. And, only put links in which are in keeping with the post or further enlightening to the readers, OR which "make a big deal" about the author. :)
Yvonne - thanks for the excellent post. I have been invited to join a couple of networking groups. After attending them both I did decide to join the one that seemed the most suitable for me at this time. For some, networking can be stepping outside the box. In this regard I am like Karen, more of a one on one type of person. I am finding the networking group I joined to be quite interesting and beneficial as I have already received referrals through those connections.
Yvonne, you always have our best interests at heart. Thanks for this. I shall do my best to catch up and follow the thread thru chapters 2 and 3.
Maybe you'll be answering this later, but what I have found with 1-per-category networking, like BNI, is that once you know the realtor, then what? Maybe the lawyer and the title guy know other realtors, but with realtors being my primary customers, I really concerned with the time and monetary investment here.
Always worrying.
We are not currently at a military installation - my husband is active duty Air Force but we are currently stationed remotely away from a base. (Minneaota- very remote BRRRR Ha, Ha)! He is working with the ROTC program at the U of M. I could check into the gaurd base that is not too far away. Good idea! Thanks!
Cheryl-Anne, One of the great things about a good networking group is that you can indeed be one-on-one at various times. How wonderful that your group has already given you referrals! Keep up the good networking.
Juliet, I know what you are talking about with the possibility of only reaching one real estate person. I don't belong to a BNI but I believe the concept is that all those in your group (after getting to know you) are more likely to recommend you to others. One good thing is that we can be (and often hope to be) introduced to the home owner before the house is listed. One could hope that the members of the BNI would be able to recommend you to their friends and associates who are thinking of selling.
Lea-Ann, You are so right BRRRR! I lived in Minnesota for a short time and I "get it!" Good idea -- try the guard base. Let us know how that works out.
Gosh, I've missed a lot! Thanks for the great advice Yvonne. What great photos and an increbible event. Also your class looks like it was a lot of fun and I know you gave great information! I'm so happy for you and proud to be your "s" sista!
Karen, My "s" sista, you are incredibly nice! We did have fun in the class. I had an evaluation form at the end of the final day of class and I was very pleased at the responses I received. I hope they had as much fun as I did.
Yvonne - thanks for the encouragement.