It’s been a little more than two months since I spoke in Des Moines, Iowa. It was a Coldwell Banker event where I kicked off my 2022 speaking circuit where I first met Mike and Brenda. I remember it was kind of random how we connected, in a room of over 150 attendees.
During the intermission, I was speaking to one of the local area managers about life and upcoming travel plans and I haphazardly mentioned a Florida trip I was planning for later in the year. He immediately said, “You have to meet Mike and Brenda. They just bought a place there and would be great connections for you.” I walked over to introduce myself, tell them about the timing of our visit and we had a quick chat. They gave me their business card and invited me to reach out with any questions and, as the time got closer, to please keep in touch.
Luckily I held on to their business card and packed it away with my stuff for the trip and a few days ago once we got settled down here in Southwest Florida, I sent a quick text to my new Iowa connections.
“Any good restaurant suggestions or recommendations or perhaps a “must visit” location while down here?” was the basic text I sent them.
Within 15 minutes they had responded to me with a thorough list of places to add to our shortlist. (No surprise on the quick response time – they are successful Realtors after all).
Without knowing much else about the area, but knowing that we didn’t want to dine at any chain location we could get at home, we ventured out to their first recommended spot…and loved it. On the way back home, we passed by another one of the places they had suggested. It was convenient enough that we decided to eat there last night….and loved it. Now we’re two for two and didn’t want to stop*.
We needed more “local intel” and also wanted to show our thanks for their “local hospitality” so we met up with Mike and Brenda at another local spot to chat about the area, their journey to becoming second-home owners in SW Florida, and life as busy grandparents.
As we said goodbye, we not only had a much better understanding of the local market (when in doubt, talk to the “locals”), we also had some new connections for real estate in SW Florida and central Iowa.
It was the perfect example of building relationships, solving problems, and having fun. It happened over a two-month period and will most likely continue into the future. It wasn’t hard to do, either. It just took speaking up, listening up, and meeting up.
What will you say this week that matters?
Who will you listen to just might make a difference?
Where is that next connection going to happen that just might connect you to the next puzzle piece in your career, activity, or journey?
It could be Iowa or it could be Ohio. It could be at the gas station, the library, the kid’s pick-up line at school, the golf course, or the local pub when you’re out at happy hour. It might be real estate related or it might not be. Don’t let that be the reason why you don’t speak up, listen up, or meet up, because, in the end, it all might be real estate-related.
All I know is, you better have a business card ready…or be ready to take one. I’ll hold on to Mike and Brenda’s for now. I never know when I might need to give it to someone.
*We are already planning to return to the spots they recommended and will probably return to the spot we met up for cocktails today, as well.
#RepeatAndReferralBusiness
1 thought on “Speak Up, Listen Up, Meet Up”
MICHAEL KLENK ·
Thanks for the great time today Sean. It’s always a pleasure to connect with you!