The vast majority of home sellers and buyers find agents through real estate referrals. This is why people often refer to real estate as a “people business.”
Trust is more easily gained when your new clients already feel confident about your services because of a friend’s or family member’s good review.
Now, there’s no exact science on exactly how to get more referrals for real estate.
However, there are a few techniques that you can do to get the job done. And today, we’ll be looking at those techniques.
7 Simple Ways to Get More Real Estate Referrals
The 7 techniques to get real estate referrals are:
- Create an online community
- Maintain client relationships
- Provide value
- Become a specialist
- Have a reward system
- Automate what you can
- Simply ask for referrals
Let’s go into detail.
1. Create an Online Community
The best way to get real estate referrals is to be remembered by past clients — but not a lot of real estate agents acknowledge this fact.
Most people let their relationships with past clients fizzle out just as soon as the ink on their contract dries.
Building an online community where both old and new clients can interact with each other is a great way to build your referral pool.
Furthermore, it makes it easier for you to entertain inquiries without having to jump between too many platforms.
You can start a Facebook page or group for existing clients and prospects. You can even build an entirely new community from scratch with the help of an experienced programmer.
In there, you can share engaging and valuable posts with your audiences. A couple of examples are home buying techniques, tips on how to get your mortgage approved, information on the best areas to buy real estate, etc.
2. Maintain Client Relationships
One of the worst mistakes you could make when you’re trying to raise your referrals is neglecting to keep client relationships alive.
Clients appreciate it when you make an effort to stay in touch with them. It makes them feel special and appreciated, which may encourage them to refer your services to other people as well.
Here are a few ways you can maintain strong relationships with clients:
- Regularly check in with them
- Give them small gifts during important dates
- Send them a postcard during the holidays
3. Provide Value
You can’t expect to get referrals if the value of your services is subpar. That said, making sure that you provide your clients with valuable and high-quality business is a must.
This will help you form a better and stronger foundation of trust and confidence with your clients.
Furthermore, it builds your credibility as a real estate agent.
Be consistent in providing excellent service as this will show present and future clients your dedication to your craft.
Note: When working with new clients, it’s important that you keep everyone on the same page. That way there won’t be any shattered expectations and unmet goals.
4. Become a Specialist
While there certainly is merit in being a jack of all trades, specializing in a single thing can help you get more real estate referrals.
It’s easier to get referrals when your services are targeted toward a specific group.
For instance, you might say that you’re a specialist at finding homebuyers luxurious homes in the southernmost part of your state.
Or perhaps you specialize in the sale of commercial real estate?
Specialization can help keep your marketing and branding consistent without too much effort.
5. Have a Reward System
Another great way to encourage past and present clients to refer your services is to have a reward system in place for successful referrals.
Not only does this let your client know that you appreciate their efforts, but it also motivates them to find you the business that you need.
If you’re worried that this technique might cost you a pretty penny, it won’t!
Something as simple as a thank you basket or note is enough to brighten the spirits of your clients.
However, if you want to give them more than just a note, then sending them something like a box of chocolates or a flower arrangement is great, too.
6. Automate What You Can
Time is gold for any type of entrepreneur.
Automating repetitive tasks such as sending out e-mail newsletters and social media posts can save you a ton of time.
Furthermore, it makes staying in touch with your clients, past and present, much easier to accomplish.
Some real estate agents feel skeptical about investing in marketing automation software as they’re often not the cheapest tool.
However, with marketing automation, you’ll be able to reach a large number of clients through multiple channels with a single click of a button.
It also frees you up to entertain other, more important issues that are simultaneously happening in your business, e.g., other business transactions, inquiries, and more.
7. Simply Ask for Referrals
There is this thing that entrepreneurs call nowadays, the “Go First” principle. It stipulates that people are generally good, but you have to go first.
This simply means if you want more referrals from your past and present clients, you have to ask for them.
You can do this by using any of the following means:
- Asking for a review on your website
- Collecting videos of customer testimonials and posting them on your social media
- Kindly request your clients to recommend your services during conversations or emails
This is a great way to amplify your real estate referrals.
The Bottom Line
Getting more real estate referrals is a great way to help your business grow. However, it’s not something that you can achieve overnight.
It takes a ton of patience, dedication, and time to develop a deep enough bond with your clients that they’d want to recommend your services to other people.
The stronger your relationship is with your clients, the more they will feel confident in your abilities, and the more likely they will be to refer you to their friends and family members.
By following the tips above, you’ll be able to effectively get more real estate referrals and develop your business simultaneously.
We hope that this has been a great help!