Finding a niche in a competitive real estate market is a major challenge for many agents. You need a focused approach, relentless networking, and strategic planning to establish yourself in a new market.

Marketing efforts can become scattered and ineffective without a niche, leading to frustration and no progress. Building a successful, referral-based business starts with identifying and serving a specific community.

Imagine having a clear focus, a community that trusts you, and a business that thrives on referrals. How can a niche and a strong foundation help you build relationships and grow your business?

In this episode, I talk to Jake Smoke, a USMC veteran, who has successfully transitioned into real estate, helping fellow veterans achieve homeownership and creating a strong, referral-based business. He shares actionable strategies that are proven and effective, which you can implement right away.

"If you lead with value and resources, the income and referrals are going to come." -Jake Smoke

Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

-Finding Your Niche

Picking a niche is like finding your favorite hobby, which makes everything more enjoyable and effective. Why is it important to focus on what you love to succeed?

-The Key to Hosting Successful Events

Planning events is a great way to meet new people and grow your business, just like throwing a fun party. How can fun events lead to more people knowing and trusting you?

-How to Create Real Change

Helping a specific group, like veterans, can make a big difference in their lives and yours. How does making a difference for others bring you success?

Guest Bio

Jake Smoke is a dedicated realtor based in San Diego, CA, and a USMC veteran. After serving from 2002 to 2007, Jake transitioned into real estate, focusing his efforts on helping fellow veterans achieve homeownership. Known for his community events and value-driven approach, Jake has built a successful business by connecting with and serving the veteran community. When he's not working, Jake enjoys spending time with his wife, Kate, and their 3 children.

Episode: 346

Title: Community + Value = Referrals: How to Unlock the Riches in Niches w/ Jake Smoke

Host: Michael J. Maher

New real estate agents have a hard time building a client base, especially when they're not well-known in the area. Starting in a new city with no connections can be daunting.

Clients won't just come knocking on your door, which makes the challenge even greater. In order to establish credibility in the market, proactive steps must be taken.

The big question is: how you can successfully organize an event in a new city with no prior connections. What strategies can be used to get sponsors on board for your first event?

In this episode, I talk with Jack Zgiet, a new agent, who shares his journey of making use of personal interests and local events to build relationships and generate referrals. Who knew initiating connections and building trust through creative events like Cuatro de Mayo could make a difference in the community?

"Being new and inexperienced, I know people could smell it on me. So, I changed my approach and thought, “How can I help this person get into the home where they want to build their lives?” -Jack Zgiet

Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

-How To Use Personal Interests to Network

Engaging in activities you love can be a powerful way to meet like-minded people and potential clients. How can you turn casual gym conversations into real estate referrals?

-Organize Creative Events

Themed events can attract attendees and generate business leads. Why is planning ahead and using a structured system like Event Mastery crucial for success?

-Identify and Engage Sponsors

Partnering with local businesses can help minimize costs and create mutually beneficial relationships. Where can you find sponsors, and how does it benefit both parties?

Guest Bio

Jack Zgiet is a passionate and dedicated real estate agent based in the Kansas City area. Originally from St. Louis, Jack brings a unique blend of expertise, integrity, and personalized service to every client interaction. As a newcomer to both the city and the real estate profession, Jack has quickly made a name for himself by leveraging his love for community events and sports to build connections and generate referrals. With a focus on generosity and relationship-building, Jack is committed to helping clients find their perfect homes while growing his presence in the local market.

Connect with Jack on LinkedIn.

Episode: 345

Title: Cuatro de Mayo Happy Hour: How to Earn 8 Referrals As a Brand Spanking New Agent w/Jack Zgiet

Host: Michael J. Maher

Is having a big crowd the only way to have a great event? Not really. You can have a great event even with a small number of people.

What matters more is the quality of the people attending. A small group of engaged and motivated people can create a great event, while a large crowd of disinterested people may not. It's important to focus on the people who will be most invested in the event and get the most out of it.

Have you ever wondered how to make things work when they don’t go as planned? What if the key is in how you handle tough situations?

In this episode, I talk to Lynne Fiscelli who uses the Referral Mastery System really well. She shares how she turned a rainy event into a big success, getting 28 referrals and making some money, too.

“Keep holding events and don't worry about the results. The results work themselves out.” -Lynne Fiscelli

Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

-Making the Most of a Bad Situation

Don’t let a low turnout ruin your event. Why shouldn’t it matter that not many people showed up?

-Organizing an Event that Makes Money

Use smart strategies to not only cover costs but also make extra money. In what other ways can you make your event profitable?

-Getting New Business and Friends from Every Event

What can you do to make sure every event you hold helps you meet new people and grow your business?

Guest Bio

Lynne Fiscelli is a dedicated real estate agent known for her expertise in building successful businesses in new markets. A master implementer of the Referral Mastery System, Lynne has transformed her approach to networking and events, consistently generating significant referrals and creating meaningful community connections. Her commitment to generosity and continuous improvement has made her a standout leader in the real estate industry. Now based in South Carolina, Lynne continues to inspire others with her innovative strategies and positive outlook.

Episode: 344

Title: How this Transplanted Agent Got 28 Referrals in One Day w/ Lynne Fiscelli

Host: Michael J. Maher

With the announcement of the $418 million NAR settlement proposal, panic and confusion have swept through the industry. Agents everywhere are questioning how these new rules will impact their ability to serve clients and sustain their businesses.

There’s no denying the feelings of pressure and uncertainty. Many agents believe that the NAR settlement will complicate their business, but what if it could actually be an opportunity to improve your practice and stand out in the market?

The good news is, you can adapt your buyer consultation process to thrive under the new regulations. This settlement might even be the best thing to happen to your real estate career. What strategies can help you stay ahead of the game?

In this episode, I talk to Christine Pandolf and Angela Gribbins, two seasoned real estate pros who reveal how they turned this crisis into a powerful opportunity. We talk about how the Buyer Agent Mastery (BAM) program takes control of their processes, educates their clients, and implements systems that help them succeed, no matter what.

This settlement is actually an opportunity for us. It's only going to raise our game. -Angela Gribbins

Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

-Turn Regulations into Opportunities
If your mindset shifts from panic to confidence, a crisis can become an opportunity. What actions can you take to boost your own real estate practice?

-The Crucial Role of Buyer Consultations
By mastering the buyer consultation process, you can protect your business and build client trust. Why is this step critical under the new NAR settlement, and how can it drive your success?

-Implementing Effective Systems
Top agents use proven strategies and systems to make sure they're successful in any market condition. In a world where regulations are constantly changing, how can these systems help you stay ahead?

Guest Bio

Christine Pandolf is a dynamic real estate agent with a strong background in marketing, boasting 25 years of experience in direct marketing, social media, and relationship marketing. Since transitioning to real estate, she has brought her marketing expertise to the Lake Norman area, quickly making a name for herself as a dedicated and innovative realtor. Her passion for continuous learning and improvement has led to significant success in her career, and she is committed to being a real estate consultant for life.

Angela Gribbins is a seasoned real estate professional with over two decades of experience in the industry. A North Carolina native, Angela has called the Denver, North Carolina area of Lake Norman home since 2001 and has been helping clients buy and sell homes there since 2002. In 2020, she became a certified referral trainer and began teaching the popular #30Mornings class, focusing on morning rituals and coaching the 7L system for the Generosity Generation. Angela's dedication to her clients and her continuous pursuit of excellence earned her the prestigious Big Heart award within the Gen Gen community.

Episode: 343

Title: The Perfect Response to the NAR Settlement: Expert Strategies Revealed w/ Christine Pandolf and Angela Gribbins

Host: Michael J. Maher

The real estate world is changing a lot because of the NAR settlement. This makes Realtors worried about how they will get paid.

Aside from making Realtors nervous, they are scared about losing their clients and money. Many don't know what to do and feel stressed about how to keep their jobs safe.

The impact of changes in the real estate market has raised concerns among Realtors. How will these changes affect potential buyers and the success of real estate businesses?

In this episode, I discuss with Ernest Govan and Karen Tucker how you can handle these changes and still do well. We share some smart ideas on how to keep good relationships with clients, make buyer meetings better, and use events to get more referrals.

In the new environment, it's going to be important to articulate your value because, in the absence of value, price becomes the issue. -Ernest Govan

Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

-Adapting to Real Estate Changes

The real estate market is constantly changing, so you have to learn to adapt to it. What strategies can help you thrive in the face of new challenges?

-Enhancing Client Consultations

You want the client experience to be straightforward and engaging from beginning to end. What tools and techniques can you use to make a lasting impression?

-Making the Most of Community Events

You can take advantage of community events to grow your business. How can you use local events to boost your business?

Guest Bio

Ernest Govan is a seasoned realtor from Charleston, South Carolina. He discusses his approach to buyer consultations and the importance of demonstrating value to clients. Ernest emphasizes the need for a solid buyer’s consultation process to navigate the new commission landscape.

Karen Tucker is Newport, Washington’s pet-friendly realtor, who shares her journey from starting as an assistant to becoming a full-time licensed realtor. She highlights her success in leveraging local newspapers and events to boost her business.

Episode: 342

Title: Realtors in Crisis: How to Thrive Amidst Industry Shakeups w/Ernest Govan & Karen Tucker

Host: Michael J. Maher

Did you know that every month Michael J. Maher hosts a Zoom live mastermind for all members of the Generosity Generation? That’s right! We love the format of the podcast....but sometimes, it’s fun to hear directly from you! So, have you been to one of our live masterminds? We call them JAM sessions (Just Ask Michael). We decided to drop this JAM session from March when we discussed the proposed NAR settlement. LOT’S of great information here.

Michael is hosting our next JAM session on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Join us by registering at www.NarJAM.com. It’s free for all of our podcast listeners. Our main topic? You guessed it....how the new rules of real estate will affect your buyer business. See you then!

Our upcoming Buyer Agent Mastery class starts in June! Register for this class at www.BuyerAgentMastery.com and use the coupon code of "NarJamBam" for $800 off!

Episode: 341
Title: Did This Just Change the Real Estate Game Forever? Chaos = Danger + Opportunity
Host: Michael J. Maher

Forget everything you know about managing your time. Traditional time management strategies often fall short, leaving professionals frustrated and stuck in an unproductive rut.

But what if there's a different way? A way that not only streamlines our workflow but also maximizes our influence and effectiveness in the real estate market?

Many believe that longer hours and a packed schedule equals productivity. But this old-school approach only leads to burnout and inefficiency. How can changing the way you manage your time make your business much better?

In today’s episode, Karla Roberdeau and Tausha Blaksley challenge the norms of time management with clever strategies that guarantee more than just ticking boxes off a to-do list.

99.99% of our issues in business stem from not mastering our time. There are so many shiny things that pull us away from our main focus. -Karla Roberdeau

Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

-Breaking Old Habits
Why is traditional time management not working, and how can you transform your daily routines to achieve better results?

-How to Schedule for Success
Organization can transform your productivity in real estate. How does structuring your day boost your effectiveness and peace of mind?

-What Every Agent Should Aim For
What is the "Influential Zone," and why should you spend most of your time there?

Guest Bio

Karla Roberdeau is a celebrated keynote speaker, trainer, and business coach known for her expertise in referral strategies and communication skills. A prominent figure in the real estate coaching community, Karla transforms the professional lives of countless individuals through her innovative teaching methods.

Tausha Blaksley is a dynamic real estate agent from Tacoma, WA, with a passion for community and empowerment. Beyond her real estate success, Tausha leads a group called Sisters in Success, inspiring and motivating women in her area.

Episode: 340

Title: Master Your Minutes, Master the Market: High Level Time Strategies w/Karla Roberdeau & Tausha Blaksley

Host: Michael J. Maher