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64 the recipient to your website to download an article that would be of value to them. It could be on the housing market or how to enhance your home for sale, and it could also showcase the benefits of working with you by providing a list of what you bring to the equation. With a direct-mail campaign, you should use the list of your current clients and also look into purchasing or researching a list to send to new prospects. LEVERAGING NETWORKING GROUPS When inventory is down, you need to market yourself even harder to become the individual who is top of mind with as many asset man- agement companies as possible within your geographic area. Set up a schedule for yourself to complete applications and even update your applications with asset management companies. Research outlets such as national and local banks to give your information to the individu- als who can consider you. Don't be afraid to get involved with net- working groups to get your name out there. Most metropolitan areas will have chapters of the following networking groups: » Business Network International » U.S. Chamber of Commerce » Sales & Marketing Executives International » Kiwanis International » Rotary International » Toastmasters International Jumpstart your networking activity by reading Keith Ferrazzi's book, Never Eat Alone. is quick read will take even seasoned net- workers to the next level. Ferrazzi writers that he "discovered early in life, what distinguishes highly successful people from everyone else is the way they use the power of relationships—so everyone wins." e book covers everything from "Managing the Gatekeeper" to "Turning Connections into Compatriots." Remember—if you are invisible, you are not memorable. GET THE MOST OUT OF CONFERENCES Whether you and your company plan to exhibit at a national or regional tradeshow, or just plan to attend and walk the show, it costs you time and money. If you want you ROI to be worth it, follow these important steps. 1. Determine your objectives. Who do you want to connect with? What booths do you want to visit? Make a game plan. 2. Contact those individuals or companies to see if they can have breakfast, coffee, or dinner with so you can start building a relationship. 3. Create your own event at the conference by reserving space at a restaurant or the confer- ence hotel for a business dinner with critical individuals whom you want to target. It can be drinks and heavy hors d'oeuvres or an informal meal. 4. Figure out which breakout sessions would be the most beneficial to attend. 5. Practice a 30-second "elevator speech," giv- ing brief info on who you are and what value you bring to your business relationships. 6. Is there an opportunity to position yourself as a speaker at the event? Contact the show organizer to see if someone has dropped out of their lineup and provide a strategic overview of the subject-matter expertise you could present. If you are too late for the current conference, find out who you need to connect with to be considered as a speaker for the next one. e chance to showcase yourself as a presenter will be a tremendous boon for your brand and your business. 7. Don't forget to follow up with the individu- als you connected with during the confer- ence. It might take a few months to get them to give you a "sale," but you will be filling your pipeline funnel and no doubt work- ing on value for your ROI for the time and money spent. COLLABORATE WITH THE COMPETITION What is that saying? "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." Well, that philosophy could work to your benefit if you are connecting with peers within your field who are doing busi- ness in another geographical area. Perhaps they are doing business with a na- tional bank that has outlets in your area. By ask- ing for an introduction through your competitor, it could be the "foot in the door" that you need to gain more business, or at least have that bank recognize the value and skill set you could bring to them. In return, there may be contacts in your backyard that could translate to an introduc- tion for your new friend in another city. You can play it forward by doing an introduction for them via the solid relationship you have and asking them to give you the name of the person to contact in the other city. You may have to go the extra mile and ask your contact to do an email introduction with your person's name. SOCIAL MEDIA AS A MARKETING TOOL Many individuals see Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and other social-media networks as hobbies, useful for sharing information with their families and friends on non work related topics. Some professionals also use social media, including LinkedIn, as a marketing tool to post information they wish to share on the housing market, new insights on homes, banking, and other topics. You can also share articles you write on how you solved a chal- lenge with a client or a new way to approach what seemed like a no-win situation until you came up with an awesome solution. Positioning yourself as a subject-matter expert who is also seeking collaboration and commentary from your contacts can be very rewarding as you try to expand your business. People like to work with individuals who are open with information that also helps them in their careers. If you are positioned as an expert in your field, it is likely that people who need your expertise will connect with you. Looking for new opportunities in a low inventory market is never easy. All of the sug- gestions above require time, energy, money, and some of your blood, sweat, and tears. e alternative is to keep doing what you are doing and hoping, expecting different, better results. at is the very definition of insanity.

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