How can you network with professionals in Real Estate Development when you're new to the industry?

When new to an industry, get comfortable being uncomfortable! To grow, you need to push yourself beyond your current zone of comfort. This provides an opportunity to learn more about the industry, some of the industry rockstars, create and nurture business connections and relationships, and contribute. Even when you’re new to an industry, you carry with you a culmination of earlier learnings and skills that can be helpful in the present. Remember, soft skills matter as well! Be genuine, ask great questions, utilize stellar listening skills, follow-up, offer to help and collaborate on upcoming events, etc. Provide value and contribute. Not only will this increase your confidence but it will set you on a trajectory of success.

Networking is crucial when starting out and should be maintained throughout your career! Try to attend industry related events, seminars, classes, join your local Chamber, BNI, etc. Not only will it be a learning tool for you, but you will make valuable connections along the way. Meeting and networking with other Realtors is also a great networking tool. They can be a great resource, sounding board and long term referral source. Be open to learning, be yourself and follow up!

As a member of the National Apartment Association, the National Multifamily Housing Council and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, I can attest to the value that associations bring to growing business professionals. Meeting new people is easiest when it is facilitated through events where people have common goals and shared interests at heart. Utilize your association to bridge the gap between your contacts and the industry.

I would look into joining several commercial real estate organizations. The following come to mind: Urban Land Institute, NAIOP, International Council of Shopping Centers, CCIM, CRE, local board of realtors, etc the key is that you need to attend their networking meetings. Make sure to show up early and leave late!

I would say the most important thing when networking with anyone is be curious about the person in front of you. See no one else. See everyone as a unique encounter. Remember names the first time someone told you their name. Be courteous. Simple things. People don't remember what you say, but they remember how you make them feel. Make others feel good around you by making them feel seen. Extend these same attributes online by posting things that will help your "tribe" grow in a positive way.

When you attend regional or national conferences, seek connection through the various experiences that the conference / event offers. You’ll see things like young leaders, meet up groups, or topic based networking opportunities that are a gold mine of an opportunity to actually connect with folks and leave with new relationships. I think NMHC does a stellar job of this in the Multifamily space.

Attend Industry Events. Attend real estate conferences, seminars, and networking events. These gatherings provide opportunities to meet professionals, learn about industry trends, and make valuable connections. Join Professional Associations. Become a member of real estate associations and organisations. These groups often host events and provide platforms for networking with experienced professionals. Online Platforms: Utilise online platforms like LinkedIn to connect with real estate professionals. Join relevant groups, participate in discussions, and reach out to professionals for informational interviews.

When starting out, just being places helps a ton. There are a number of developers who I meet with who know my name, and know I have been around, but we may not have had a chance to meet. Simply being a round helps a ton and going to events and conferences is an excellent way to get your name out there.

For me, this was and continues to be a key avenue through which I grow an effective network. You are already surrounded by people who have at least basic knowledge of the industry and are looking to grow as well. Use events like this to chat with as many people as possible, and later create a list and coffee plans with the top x-number of people you’d like to connect with. Tip: I don’t carry business cards, instead I exchange cell phone numbers on the spot and send a selfie in a text message with both of us, followed by my website and email. It is much easier for me to associate faces to conversations as opposed to business cards.

Escoge bien los eventos a los que vas. Hay organizaciones del sector que tienen eventos propios donde además de conocer otros profesionales suelen tener contenido de formación. Estudia la tipología de evento y si tienen espacios de convivencia.

Years ago, I compiled a spreadsheet with every CRE oriented networking organization I could find in Dallas/Fort Worth. Week by week, on Saturday or Sunday, I would look at the calendar of events for each group (about 30) during the following week and created a networking calendar for myself in excel. If I was available, I would attend. I also started sharing the calendar and excel with colleagues who were also interested in networking. It created a natural touch point each week as I had friends reaching out to see the calendar or, to find out what I was attending and they would go to that event too, knowing a friend would be there.

Today social media holds the highest position to network. Organically connected people are growing & in real estate networking it works like the best . Create your presence, post & get set go .

One of the trends now is that decision-makers are increasingly becoming young Gen X and Millennials, who generally use social media for entertainment and business. Building a social media presence allows you to have an interactive drip campaign where you can engage with your ideal clients. I have simply picked up referrals and clients by posting relevant social media information.

Social media is a tricky one to understand! There's best days & times to post or video vs photos. 1 day it's Facebook, the next it's Instagram, the next it's Tik Tok. Who can really nail down the perfect timing/platform on social media? The key to social media is to focus on one, whichever one you're most comfortable with & just post! People want to get to know the real you, not some real estate robot always trying to get a pay check. It's important to let your true personality shine through your posts. You can't just post though, you have to be interactive with your social media, like, comment, and share other people's posts. Become an activist for small business' in your area, highlight a friend's good deeds, or shout out your local bank.

Use platforms like LinkedIn, BiggerPockets, or Meetup to search for profiles, groups, or events related to real estate. Create a professional presence on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram to connect with a wider audience and solidify your online presence. Maintain a professional website, social media accounts, and consider creating a blog to showcase your expertise and investment portfolio.

A valuable, largely untapped and generally free resource is retired real estate professionals. They are often bored and available and come with tons of real world experience as well as a (albeit diminishing) network of folk in the industry.

One of the most valuable experiences I’ve had, was to connect to and with seasoned members of the industry. These people have become my trusted advisors - and in addition to expanding my network, it also offers a council of people who want to see me win. This has resulted in my name being spoken in rooms that I was not even in.

While joining associations or groups will be able to help expose the new person, but nothing beats having someone to handhold you and show the ropes. This way lots of potential holes could be avoided and he could meet more contacts in a shorter span of time

In IAD we have what we call the IAD secret sauce with a unique mentorship program ! Your mentor is invested in your success. Their support and guidance will help your business grow, you are independent but never alone. Let me know if you want to more...

One this you must understand in life is, if it doesn't cost you nothing, you can't appreciate the value of anything. Good mentorship and guidance are priceless in this industry. Connecting with a good coach will help you be all the more successful and carry you to the next level. I'm not saying get the most expensive person available, but it is an investment in your business so be wise in making this decision. You will create trust and build confidence in yourself and your business.

Like I've said before, people don't care how much you know until the know how much you care! You can not expect someone to just trust you, it has to be earned. You are in a great position to create value in your circle. Create a trusted group of vendors that you can share when someone needs a handyman, or contractor, etc. This career is a long term investment, success doesn't come overnight. By creating real relationships you help earn people's trust and then they will start coming to you for their real estate needs.

I believe more in collaborative efforts rather than competition. Together Everyone Achieves More hence aka TEAM. Just like any other industry Real Estate requires effective flow of information to identify the BEST potential and opportunities for our valued investors

Here's how I grew my network to 7,500 followers and how I get 20 new DM's a week: - Figure out what you're best at - Find a niche that's relevant to your skillset - Write content and provide value that PROVES how good you are - Make sure your profile and messaging clearly outlines what you do and how you can help - Write 1x post every single day for 6 months - Ignore any other conferences, associations or similar

Concentrate first on learning your discipline. Learn to brainstorm with your coworkers and create an environment that fosters sharing of ideas. By doing so, you’ve started networking and you have started building your reputation. Once you’ve established yourself within your own firm, branch out and try some of the suggestions made above. Don’t be surprised if someone at your firm will mentor or sponsor you outside your company based on the work ethic you have exhibited. Those introductions are invaluable.

Navigating the intricate web of networking within the real estate development industry as a newcomer can often leave one feeling bewildered. However, one can embark on this journey by immersing oneself in industry events, seminars, and conferences to encounter professionals. Furthermore, diving into online forums and social communities and initiating informational interviews can add an element of unpredictability to the process. Building authentic connections and demonstrating an earnest desire to understand the complexities of the field will ultimately lead to a network within the world of real estate development.

While immersing yourself in seminars, networking events, social media, conferences and associations can be a great way to establish connections within the real estate industry, I think it’s important to establish the foundation of those connections through real-world experience. Not one successful individual I have met has limited themselves to a specific niche in Real Estate. Those who invest in commercial real estate, often have a part in managing and/or owning Multifamily properties and/or vendor service companies (i.e. valet trash services, landscaping services, construction/reno, CRM product services etc.). Work for them, learn everything you can and the rest will follow.

Enroll in courses or certification programs related to real estate development. This not only enhances your knowledge but also connects you with peers and instructors in the industry.