Call/Text 808-785-2898 email  Julie@Ziemelis.com

It’s Not Always About What You Know-Connecting People Can Mean Gold

AmbassadorsSF2013You’ve heard that old adage, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know that matters”, right? In my quest for knowledge about digital marketing for real estate and small businesses, I have traveled to dozens of conferences all over the country. I have gleaned information from presentations from some of the top thought leaders and “creators” in the country. Sure, I have been able to parlay alot of that information into paychecks. But, at times, the real value has been in who I have met and befriended. (see the photo of the Inman Real Estate Connect Ambassadors over there? My connection base (and laughable moments) has soared!)

Recently, I have been getting phone calls and Facebook messages asking me to make an introduction.

I have seen the long term effects of introductions and sadly, I did not monetize it often enough. I had a client once say, “why should I pay you for five minutes worth of work to pitch my story to your journalist friend”?  Yeah..well, that friendship was built up over 10 years and is invaluable. Little did he know how valuable that connection would become as he was quoted in several stories over the years after that by my journalist friend and he gained industry prominence for being a source expert.

I was approached recently for my connections within the Hawaii real estate industry. I now realize that while I have been spending alot of time OFF island, going to conferences all over the country, that much of my value can also be found in the people I know in the islands as companies are looking to expand their presence here. I plan on making a few trips closer to home to start creating face to face relationships, bringing them online through social media and helping those new contacts connect, too. For as you see…it’s who you know.

By using the “give as much as you take” concept in social media in terms of connecting and sharing, I plan on building my base of connections even more for 2013. More business is headed to this island and I want to be the hub. You can do it, too!

Become a local expert/source expert within your own market area. If you are the person who always has the fat “Rolodex” and knows the right people with the right info who also can make further connections, there is gold there, both as building your influence, but also by getting a piece of the pie if the connection works out in the long term for business. Ask for it. Anyone requesting that you connect them to someone who is going to make their business pop should be happy to compensate you in some manner.

Hawaii Life Realty Broker in Charge, Katie Minkus and CEO, Matt Beall

If you go out and meet new people, network your face off and build authentic relationships with as many people as possible, (and invite them to join your social networks so you can stay in touch easily) you are only a few key strokes from connecting the right people at the right time.

Think about how the connections you have created in the past have changed someone else’s life or business. Connecting people can mean gold, baby.

(I met Katie Minkus, Statewide Director of Sales,  Hawaii Life Real Estate (pictured at right) through Facebook and created a friendship with her. She then introduced me to Matt Beall, owner of Hawaii Life. Matt represents hundreds of agents in Hawaii..yes, he is a really great connection and I have helped him make connections, as well-the Aloha spirit in bringing people together is alive and well!)

 

 

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2 Responses to It’s Not Always About What You Know-Connecting People Can Mean Gold

  1. Bonnie Cotta August 9, 2013 at 5:48 pm #

    Great Article Julie, I will definitely share with my team. You hit the nail on the head!
    -B

    • Julie Ziemelis August 10, 2013 at 9:36 am #

      Thank you very much, Bonnie! As you know in real estate, its about spreading the love around by who you know who can help out your client..for the benefit of all!

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