Developing a relationship with investors/brokers from a W2 job

[Oleg Enik]

Hi everyone! I have been reading many forums and want to thank this community for working as a team, helping each other get more knowledgeable about various topics, and helping out individuals who are just starting out. 

I'm 19 years old and currently a sophomore at a university. I recently got an internship as a "business development officer" at a mortgage fund. Some of my tasks require me to reach out to certain loan borrowers with maturing loans and offer them our mortgage fund's services. My question is how do I develop meaningful relationships with various investors/brokers, that I will be reaching out, to develop my own professional network? I want to get some work experience and keep expanding my knowledge, but very soon I am looking to partner with someone and invest in my 1st property (probably going to be a small duplex which I will pursue through a house hacking strategy). I've read so many times about the importance of putting yourself out there and letting people know you exist. So how do I keep in touch with these investors/brokers, so in the future, I can bring some value to them and they can bring some value to me, and maintain a lasting meaningful relationship with them while being a young unexperienced newby to the real estate industry? 

Thank you for all of your responses! I always appreciate people in this community who are willing to help people like me who are new to the industry, but are very eager to learn and take action. 

[Taylor L.]

First - if you're talking to people on the phone, they have no idea of your age. Don't let your age impact your thoughts of your own competency inside your head.

Content and a mailing list are a great way to keep in touch with people and provide value to them. One of my lender friends puts out a weekly newsletter, topics range from what's new in lending to general commercial real estate investing news. 

The most important thing (no joke) is to just start. Come up with a nugget of an idea and try it. You're going to change along the way and that's fine.