Networking is the key to your success!

[Larry Turowski]

Do you think the BiggerPockets podcasts are awesome?  Taking another investor out for coffee is like your own little podcast.

Going to your local REIA meeting is a start. But it is not enough. You need to meet one on one with other investors.

Make a point to meet for coffee with one new investor per week. If your local REIA meets once per month, schedule four coffee dates before the next meeting. If you do not have a REIA, call up landlords and flippers and introduce yourself.

Put together a few questions just like you hear on the BP podcasts: How did you get started in real estate investing?  What is your niche?  What is a deal for you?  How do you  find your deals?  What is your favorite real estate investing book?  And talk about yourself too.

You will be amazed at how productive these meetings are.

Here are just some of the things that I have gotten out of these coffee meetings that have both motivated me, and saved or made me money:

• Other people are doing this and succeeding.
• Different strategies that are succeeding in my area (many different ones).
• What are the best areas in my city to invest in.
• A great, reliable, reasonably priced contractor.
• A local credit union that does portfolio lending at good rates.
• My accountant.
• My realtor (though I don't find all my deals through them).
• A buyer to wholesale a property to.
• Huge motivation!

Keep in mind that I did not have a specific agenda at these coffee dates.  I just networked.  And I cannot tell you how many times I have come away thinking, "Wow, that was great!"  I just met someone today who is one of the really big successes in the area.  We have a coffee date for next week!