Horrible at networking! Any game changing book recommendations?

Question

Hello BPU.

Upon further reading and listening, I’ve finally realized that a partner is a must have for my investment goals. I’ve never been a social media guy and I’m not very good at reaching out to others that share my goals. I’m reading (listening) as many real estate books as I can but I’ve come to realize, that’s only part of the game. What are some book suggestions that might help me with my networking shortcomings? Thanks for the help in advance!

Aaron W. · Answer

@Blake Jennings I agree with what has been said here about being yourself and not somebody you are not.  However, some people are naturally more adept at developing interpersonal relationships. For others, it is an acquired skill.

While being yourself is important, you should also develop curiosity toward the person you are talking to. Ask about them, their needs, their wants, and find that hot button topic. One of the goals by the end of your conversation is to create a connect no matter what it may be. You want that person to be memorable to you and the other person to remember you. People do business with those they know, like, and trust.

One of the more popular books about networking is How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.

Good luck!

Stephen Brown · Answer

Hello Blake. I was awful at networking too... at least I thought. All it really is is being yourself. What I did was say "hey I know nothing but I'd like to meet with others in the area." I created a groupme groupchat and now there are over 50 investors from my market in this groupchat. So, what I'd recommend is

1. Make a post on BP

2. Make a groupchat and invite investors to it

3. Keep chatting with those investors and let time do its thing.

Let me know if I can help!

Scott Mac · Answer

Hi Blake,

No book, that's the opposite of meeting people.

Go to a networking event with some business cards and meet one new person--then leave.

Go two weeks later and do the same thing.

In a year you will have met 25 people.

If you are really shy, maybe having a drink of whisky like Dean Martin might help.

Tucker Cummings · Answer

@Blake Jennings Thanks for the post, I’m not only not great at Social Media, I actively hate it lol

But you’re 100% right, it’s an awesome tool to promote what you’re doing. To get started, I really don’t think you need a book. Here’s a few things to get started:

1) Start following people you look up to.

2) Like and comment on their posts. This gets you exposure. Don’t just post for the sake of posting. Ask a thoughtful question or answer someone else’s question in the thread.

3) Share what you’re doing. I struggled with this. I thought nobody would care what I’m doing or that I would come off as bragging. Turns out people love seeing what you’re doing and will DM you with questions.

4) Send DMs to people you think would be awesome to talk to. You never know who will respond!

5) Comment on BP everyday. I started a rule of making 2 forum contributions per day. It’s exploded my network.

Peter Walther · Answer

Just curious, do you kno0w much about title insurance?

Ash Roese · Answer

Hey Blake, I'm getting started in the sales side of title insurance this year and networking, especially due to COVID shutting down most of the usual in-person events, has been tough. My father in-law is a networking guru and his career has definitely benefited from his talent. His biggest piece of advice to me is to start conversations and just talk to anyone and everyone, because you never know where opportunities will come from. Be genuine, be honest, and the conversations will get easier with time!

Daniel Fitzroy · Answer

@Blake Jennings

Nice job with the picture! What are your goals anyway? I read your post but can you go into more detail about what you’re trying to do? If you’re not sure yet it’s ok ...

Daniel Fitzroy · Answer

@Blake Jennings

Well in that case if I’m understanding you correctly ide just maybe mail the owner a hand written letter if it wasn’t up for sale as I passed by. But In general we network every time we meet someone wether we realize it or not. The old saying “what you do when no one is watching defines you” or something like that haha. So just be friendly and try to bring up little tid bits of your business and if someone’s interested you can talk more in detail. But usually my friends or girlfriend will roll their eyes as they hear me say something like “yeah I study real estate everyday to be able to buy my first investment property soon”. I’ll try to get a conversation going and plant that seed in everyone’s mind that I’m looking for a duplex to purchase for our first investment property. Where I can live in one unit and rent out the other to reduce living expenses and so on. Usually they don’t care but I’m just putting it out there casually during conversation because I love real estate. I’ve been shocked when someone I’ve known for a while says oh, I own 2-3 rental houses and they help me out a ton and I’m like no way I should have found out sooner awesome!

Blake Jennings · Answer

@Daniel Fitzroy

I put my picture up! It took someone telling me to do it I guess. I’m in the same boat. My biggest thing is, how do you start a conversation when you see a property or have one in mind.  Driving  yesterday I found a property here in my home town that could be easily rehabbed and filled with students, no question. I see this often but have no idea how to get these out there.

Daniel Fitzroy · Answer

@Blake Jennings

Tell others in a nutshell what what your goals are and don’t be afraid to tell others what you plan on doing because you may be surprised at work or at random places when you meet someone who invests too! I tell everyone I plan on purchasing my first duplex soon and they help me with ideas sometimes I wouldn’t have thought of myself. A lot of time people pick on me or give me a hard time but those are typically people who are either jealous or just judge mental for no good reason so I don’t care what they think. Or purchase they think I’m not capable or not serious both of which are false.

Ps. start with uploading a professional looking photo of you smiling and get out there! You’re already doing great by asking questions on here!

Best of luck! I’m still learning how to network I don’t know any tangible ways to actually meet other investors yet ide love to make friends with like minded people.

Horrible at networking! Any game changing book recommendations?

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