3 Ways to Earn More Referrals
LOUISIANA REALTORS • April 20, 2018
Have you ever watched a show on Netflix and felt compelled to tell your friends and family about it? Hoping they enjoy story, cast, and plot as much as you did? Or have you ever been on the other side of that conversation, where someone recommends a new show to you? These suggestions, when of quality, can bring hours, days, even weeks of enjoyment. This time spent binge-watching can be even more enjoyable in a new home; and as a REALTOR®, this is where another type of referral can be valuable.
The highly competitive world of real estate sales means that you need any competitive advantage that’s available. A great place to start is with your current and former happy clients. When they refer their friends and family, it makes it easier to keep your pipeline flowing. Here are a few tips to earn more referrals.
Create and Grow Relationships with Industry Leaders
As you know, there are a number of moving parts in the real estate business. From mortgage
lenders to home inspectors, there are a lot of people who interact with your potential clients on a daily basis. Fostering a relationship with people in the different industries can help you ensure not only consistent referrals but a smooth home buying or selling process for your client.
Provide Your Clients Helpful Content During and After the Transaction
You are a resource to your client, not only when meeting face-to-face or emailing or speaking on the phone. When you provide content like articles, blogs, videos, etc. that answers their questions or can be helpful, you become even more valuable. This practice is great during the home buying or selling process. Whether it’s to provide more information on a question or issue they had or simply something they may find interesting and helpful; these extra touches set you apart. After your client buys or sells their home, staying in touch with appropriate content is a great way to stay on top of their mind and build more trust. Some examples of post-transaction content could be a “new homeowner guide” or “landscaping tips”.
Make Referrals Easier with Branded Materials
You’ve done the hard part by providing great service, building trust, and completing a successful sale or purchase; now make it easy on yourself, and easier for your client by providing a simple way for them to refer you to their friends and family. Pre-prepared, branded materials that you can hand out at any time makes your information easy to share. Business cards, one-sheets, and other collateral should all capture your personality and display what sets you apart.
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Candidate qualifying for Louisiana’s November 3 election began Wednesday, August 5, and concludes Friday, August 7. The three-day qualifying period will establish the candidates for all six U.S. House districts, as well as judicial, parish and municipal races across the state. This election cycle includes several changes to Louisiana’s congressional races and election calendar. The state’s U.S. House primaries, originally scheduled for May 16, were canceled following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais. The Louisiana Legislature subsequently adopted a new congressional map that reduced the number of Black-majority congressional districts from two to one. Under the revised election calendar, the November 3 U.S. House contests will use an open primary system. All qualified candidates will appear on the November ballot, regardless of party affiliation. A candidate receiving more than 50% of the vote will be elected. If no candidate receives a majority, the two candidates receiving the most votes will advance to a December 12 runoff. U.S. Senate The November general election will feature Republican nominee U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and Democratic nominee Jamie Davis. Letlow's Senate campaign has also created an open seat in Louisiana's 5th Congressional District. 5th Congressional District Several candidates have announced campaigns for the 5th Congressional District seat: State Sen. Stewart Cathey State Rep. Michael Echols Louisiana Board of Regents Chair Misti Cordell State Rep. Gabe Firment Cathey, Echols and Firment currently serve in the Louisiana Legislature. Additional candidates may qualify before the deadline on Friday. The 5th District covers portions of northeastern and central Louisiana and extends into the Florida Parishes. 6th Congressional District Congressman Cleo Fields has announced that he will not seek reelection in the newly redrawn 6th Congressional District. Instead, Fields is running in a special election for his former state Senate seat, which became vacant following the death of Sen. Larry Selders of Baton Rouge. The newly drawn 6th Congressional District extends around the Baton Rouge area and includes portions of rural communities surrounding the capital region. State Sen. Rick Edmonds has announced his candidacy. State Sen. Blake Miguez has also been discussed as a potential candidate, although the candidate field will not be finalized until qualifying closes Friday. Federal law requires congressional candidates to reside in the state they seek to represent but does not require them to reside within the specific congressional district. 2nd Congressional District Congressman Troy Carter currently represents the 2nd Congressional District, which extends from the Baton Rouge area toward New Orleans. Under the newly adopted congressional map, the 2nd District remains Louisiana's sole Black-majority congressional district. East Baton Rouge Parish Judiciary All 15 judgeships on the 19th Judicial District Court are scheduled for election following the Legislature's creation of two new judicial election subdistricts. Each subdistrict will elect seven judges, with an additional judgeship elected parishwide. Litigation challenging the new judicial map remains pending. Judicial races are among the contests being monitored by Louisiana REALTORS® and local Political Action Teams. Judicial decisions can have implications for property rights, business activity, litigation and the overall legal environment in Louisiana. Local Elections Voters across Louisiana will also consider candidates for mayors, city and parish councils, school boards, police chiefs and other local offices. While these races typically receive less statewide attention than congressional and statewide contests, local elected officials make decisions affecting land use, zoning, permitting, infrastructure, taxation and housing policy. These issues can directly affect real estate activity and development within local communities. Candidate Lists and Election Information The candidate field will not be final until qualifying closes Friday, August 7. The official list of qualified candidates is available through the Louisiana Secretary of State's Candidate Inquiry portal. The complete election schedule, including key dates for voting, registration and absentee ballots, is available through the Secretary of State's election calendar. For Louisiana REALTORS®, the qualifying period provides an early look at the candidates who will appear on the November ballot and the races that may affect real estate, property rights, development and local communities across the state.
