In today’s connection-starved world, the cold, fist-to-the-face marketing strategies that once worked are falling flat. Relationships are the key to building a thriving, blooming real estate business.   While many people don’t believe a referral-based business can rival (and even surpass) a marketing-based one, the numbers don’t lie. Agents who focus on deep connections do better consistently, and make more with less stress.   What are the simple, yet effective methods for connecting with people? How do we lead with being of service and of value?   In this episode, I’m joined by the Queen of Relational Real Estate, Jacki Semerau Tait. She shares how she went from paycheck player to building a consistent six-figure business through referrals and relationships.   Help people understand that you are there to help them. -Jacki Semerau Tait   Things You’ll Learn In This Episode     -The power of personalized cards  How can we make sure our communication feels unique, customized and deeply thoughtful?   -Find referral cues in any conversation How can we identify an opportunity to solve a problem for someone?   -Set boundaries around your business In this business, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of being available all the time. How do we avoid burnout and still achieve a thriving real estate career?   -Don’t get lost in the likes Social media platforms only seem to foster a false sense of connection. How can we build genuine relationships?   Guest Bio Jacki Semerau Tait is a speaker, author, Real Estate Agent, Coach and the Queen of Relational Real Estate. Her coaching style focuses on helping real estate agents create a steady income in their real estate business through the power of relationships and success habits. Jacki also believes in a healthy work-life balance and helps other agents create that through building the right systems and habits in their business, and setting boundaries that helps protect their time off. For Jacki’s free sphere of influence guide, head to http://byrelationship.com/.   Episode: 329 Title: How to Get Referrals with the Queen of Relational Real Estate and the King of Referrals w/Jacki Semerau Tait Host: Michael J. Maher

You show up at your desk and you just can’t get focused or get into flow. You can’t come up with ideas. You’re forgetting things. You’re easily distracted and you’re experiencing afternoon slumps. Your usually brilliant brain just feels fried.   Sounds like you have brain fog - an ailment that troubles a lot of entrepreneurs. Now you might blame this issue on a ton of other things, but your brain fog has a lot to do with your sleep - or lack thereof.   What are some of the habits that lead to brain fog? How can we clear it up for good? How do we stop stealing tomorrow’s productivity from ourselves?   In this episode, we’re joined by health consultant, Tanessa Shears. She shares how we can get the best ROI from our health, how to make educated personalized decisions and how to create clear, more focused thinking.   If you’re cutting out the majority of your deep sleep, you’re actually stealing from tomorrow’s productivity. -Tanessa Shears   Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode     -Start simple For the entrepreneurial population, it often feels like we have to add things to our plate to become healthier. How do we improve or tweak what we’re already doing?   -How your coffee habit could be hampering sleep Most of us love caffeine, but how do we consume it without destroying our sleep before we even go to bed?   -Personalized, actionable information Instead of following generalized advice, how do we use our own personal data to make health decisions?   Guest Bio   Tanessa Shears is an experienced health consultant who specializes in helping high achieving entrepreneurs completely overhaul their health so they can achieve massive breakthroughs in their personal and professional lives. She rolls up her sleeves and gets elbows deep with her clients as she guides them to work through all of it, piece by piece.   What makes Tanessa’s clients so successful? She understands that creating a plan and following it is only PART of the solution. She teaches her clients how to manage the stress & mind drama that comes with taking back control. She loves exploring what ELSE is possible for your business when you fully optimize your health, elevate your focus and REALLY go to work.   After Tanessa discovered how powerful proper sleep recovery and targeted nutrition were to create the clarity, energy and focus to grow her own business, she developed her signature Becoming Limitless Program that she teaches to her clients. With these skills, she has completely transformed her life and is continuously living in breakthrough.   For more information, head to https://tanessashears.com/, listen to the podcast over at https://tanessashears.com/podcast and follow @tanessashears on Instagram.   Get Tanessa’s FREE entrepreneur's playbook, 12 Ways to Biohack Your Energy here.   Episode: 328 Title: Bust Through Brain Fog: How to Double Your Productivity, Energy and Focus Through Sleep w/Tanessa Shears Host: Michael J. Maher

Nothing kills your hosting confidence like throwing an event that ends up being a dismal failure. Sending out invites, having no one show up and not generating referrals will make you want to throw in the towel.   It’s easy to take it personally, but the problem isn’t you, it’s the events system you’re using.   How did our guest go from event stress to an event that generated 17 referrals for her, and 15 referrals for vendors? What are some of the steps she took to increase attendance?   In this episode, real estate agent, Elizabeth Waloweek shares how one event restored and increased her hosting confidence.   One of the things that was a plus for this particular event was the location and its connection to the community. -Elizabeth Waloweek   Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode     -How to get valuable contact information It’s easy to get discouraged when emails or text messages bounce back. How do we figure out why they didn’t go through?   -The secret to profit center events How do we turn outgoing referrals into our next event sponsors?    -Connect to the community  How do we find venues that will give people one more reason to attend the event?   Guest Bio Elizabeth Waloweek brings over 18 years of real estate to the table. From administrative roles to Human Resources Manager, her diverse background brings organizational skills and effective negotiation to the table. Originally from Wisconsin, Elizabeth has lived in various places, including Colorado, New Mexico, and Switzerland, before settling in Kent, Washington, where she has been a resident for 20 years. Beyond her real estate career, Elizabeth engages in activities that reflect her vibrant personality. Gardening, hiking, and square dancing are among her passions. But what truly sets Elizabeth apart is her dedication to community service. She actively collaborates with seniors and those facing life challenges, spending over a decade bringing joy to residents in assisted/independent living facilities. From assisting at a local homeless shelter to serving on the Leadership Committee for Relay for Life, Elizabeth is deeply committed to making a positive impact. Connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn.   Episode: 327 Title: From Hosting Hesitance to Confidence! How Elizabeth Waloweek Transformed in 1 Successful Event Host: Michael J. Maher

In a competitive business landscape, entrepreneurs overlook the power of launch parties and grand openings. Not taking the time to make that memorable first impression is a huge missed opportunity and even a huge setback.   That’s where a grand opening event comes in.   It’s the perfect opportunity to showcase our businesses and services, connect with the local community, and imprint ourselves in people’s minds.   Is it true that it’s not too late to host a grand opening? What does it take to host a successful event as such? How can a grand opening help us introduce ourselves to the community?   In this episode, agent Parker Smith joins me to talk about his experience hosting an incredibly successful grand opening. We also talk about the Golden Ticket Strategy from Event Mastery as well as the 5 year automated follow up campaign and how it adds value.   Doing something different for a grand opening is a great segue to introduce yourself to a lot of people. -Parker Smith    Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode     -The fears of hosting a grand opening What are some of the fears people face when planning a grand opening or launch?   -The ultimate intro Can events such as grand openings and launches serve as a great introduction into a community?   -Figuring out the biggest opportunity How do we figure out our biggest opportunities when hosting these events?   Guest Bio   Parker Smith is the force behind the Parker Smith State Farm Agency, a venture he established in 2017 with a clear mission – to provide outstanding insurance services and safeguard the assets of his beloved South Carolina community.   Since becoming a licensed insurance agent with State Farm in 2015, he has been dedicated to ensuring the well-being of his clients. Parker is not only a seasoned professional but also an alumnus of Clemson University, holding both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Communication Studies.   Beyond his professional pursuits, Parker is a family man. His wife, Mary Pat, a fellow Clemson graduate, heads up community outreach at the United Way. Together, they navigate the joys of parenthood with their energetic golden-doodle, Harvey, and their newest addition to the family, son Curtis, born in 2020.   Find Parker on LinkedIn @Parker Smith    Episode: 326 Title: What if Jake from State Farm Took Event Mastery?  Would he get Referrals? w/Parker Smith Host: Michael J. Maher

Events are not just gatherings. They are opportunities for meaningful conversations and connections. The key is to create events that go beyond the ordinary, offering value and engagement for attendees and sponsors alike.   By curating experiences that resonate with our audience and providing valuable insights or entertainment, we can turn our events into memorable occasions that leave a lasting impression.   How do we keep the energy high at these events, and how does hosting events help us to stay top of mind and top of heart?   In this episode, Cherie Harrington talks about her highly successful yacht event that made waves, her secret to attracting audiences and words of wisdom for anyone wanting to host an event.   You’ve got to talk referrals, that's the bottom line. -Michael J Maher   Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode   -Creating opportunities for conversations What do conversations with sponsors for events look like?   -Scarcity vs. abundance mindset When do we start viewing events as an investment rather than an expense? How do we get into the abundance mindset?   -Turning sponsors into partners Can our sponsors become business partners? What does that look like?   Guest Bio   Cherie Harrington, a trailblazer in both corporate leadership and real estate, embodies the essence of a life well-lived. Hailing from upstate New York, Cherie's journey began with a family that instilled independence and a belief that she could achieve anything. Venturing to California after high school, she ascended the ranks from a Domino's Pizza store to executive positions over three decades. Known for her leadership, she eventually transitioned to real estate, driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact on people's lives. In 2017, she embraced a full-time role in real estate, coining her mantra 'Luxury Lifestyle Redefined.'   Today, Cherie thrives in Carlsbad, CA specializing in providing active or retired professionals with a seamless and stress-free luxury experience. Certified in Luxury Homes, Probate, and 1031 Tax Exchange, sheredefines communication and expectations for her clients. Beyond real estate, Cherie's adventurous spirit extends to boating, flying, and a commitment to giving back through involvement with local charities.   Passionate about fitness and a plant-based lifestyle, she believes optimal health is a non-negotiable luxury. Cherie's mission is to help everyone redefine and attain their own version of a luxurious lifestyle while making a positive impact on the world.   Visit https://www.harringtongrouprealestate.com/  Find Cherie on Instagram @the_harrington_group   Episode: 325 Title: All Aboard! How to Make Waves of Referrals with a (Profitable) Boat Event  w/Cherie Harrington Host: Michael J. Maher

In the competitive realm of real estate, one of the persistent challenges agents face is the struggle to consistently prospect, and attract potential buyers through open houses.   The traditional approach to open houses often lacks innovation, making it challenging to stand out in a crowded market. Peyson Robertson did it with 190 open houses in 190 days. It sounds crazy, but his approach made it possible to prospect with success.   How do we consistently draw in a crowd like Peyson and his team? What strategies can we employ to not only attract people, but also build lasting brand recognition?   In this episode, team lead at The Obsidian Group, Peyson Robertson joins me to talk about his open house process, why we should stay consistent and how he reached his goal of 100 open houses in 100 days. If you want to change your life, you have to change something you do daily. -Michael J Maher   Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode   -Get noticed and known  How did Peyson and his team use open houses to build and maintain brand recognition?   -The importance of follow up Why should we follow up consistently? What are some of the questions we can ask?   -Buyer state of mind How do we help a wandering and wondering buyer get focused?   Guest Bio   You’ll never catch real estate agent, Peyson Robertson with his back against the wall in his personal or professional life. Rising from humble beginnings, he continues pushing himself to the limit with a relentless work ethic and competitive spirit in everything he does.   Short-term rentals, single-family homes, and luxury real estate are a few of Peyson’s specialties at The Obsidian Group, located in the Coachella Valley in California.   Peyson Robertson is a highly skilled real estate professional, with a deep understanding of the desert and a passion for helping his clients achieve their real estate goals. Growing up in the desert, Peyson has developed a keen sense of the local market and built a vast network of industry connections.   As the team lead of his group, Peyson is known for his ability to sell a wide variety of properties, from single-family homes to luxury homes and investment properties. With three investment properties of his own, Peyson has firsthand knowledge of what it takes to make smart investments in the real estate market.   When Peyson isn’t busy helping clients navigate the home buying and selling process, he can be found practicing jiu-jitsu, going to the gym, playing golf, reading books, traveling, or watching movies.   Follow Peyson on Instagram @peyson.robertson  Find Peyson on LinkedIn @Peyson Robertson  Contact Peyson on 760-702-4667   Episode: 324 Title: 190 Open Houses in 190 Days...and Counting! 70x ROI! What Does it Take and What Can We Learn? w/Peyson Robertson Host: Michael J. Maher

Here is part 2 of our Top 10 Episodes of 2023!  This episode focuses on the top 5.  Which episode will be the number on epiosde of 2023????  Listen on and find out!   Everybody loves summer…expect your business. When the temperatures warm up, your schedule starts competing with all the summer stuff going on. This is where a morning ritual comes in. No more mayhem in the AM, now you have infinite control over the morning, the whole day and the whole summer. You even have the discipline to hold an event. #296: The 2 Critical Things you Must do for Yourself and Business this Summer   Most people think a robust database means more people, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Whittling down the many to the essential, energy multiplying few - that’s how we truly get those solid connections.  Find out how going from almost 15,000 to 414 people can supercharge your database and ultimately your relationships and referrals.  Peek into a coaching session between Michael and Tania MacLeod. #300: Building a Robust Referral Database - Episode 300 Celebration!   The first rule of throwing relationship-building, superfan-creating, referral-driving real estate events? Don’t talk about real estate…don’t call them client appreciation events. Rule #2: create a calendar of flagship events at the beginning of the year. Rule #3: don’t underestimate the power of an accidental small event.  Learn how Lindsay Rice generated a barrage of referrals and relationships by accident. #309:  How to Grow Your Real Estate Business Without Talking About Real Estate with Lindsay Rice   Multiplying one happy client into a horde of happy clients, or SUPER fans, that’s the goal. Imagine having people who had such an amazing experience, they don’t just come back, they tell everyone about you. One simple system can boost your reputation and get people beating down doors to work with you.  Learn how to build your Build an Army of Ambassadors here. #277:  Creating Super Fans:  How to Build an Army of Ambassadors with Brittany Hodak     At this very moment, there are profitable partnerships and referral-rich relationships sitting in your database, but how do you unlock them? We have just the strategy to start elevating those connections. In our 4-part Triangle of Trust series, we talk about Connecting with Connectors, the new ABC of Sales, and the powerful Spokes-to-Hubs strategy. #295: The Triangle of Trust (part 4) - How to Get Referrals Today in This Market   Episode: 323 Title: How to Go From Under the Radar to Highly Referable Host: Michael J. Maher

Another year, another collection of awesome, insightful, actionable conversations on referrals. 2023 taught us that the lead generation methods that were once tried and true don’t work anymore.    People don’t want cold calls, they don’t want their doors knocked. They are craving the attention, connection and generosity of people who truly care. That’s where we can come in. When it comes to maximizing your referability, there are many pieces to the puzzle, and some of our favorite guest’s talked about them.    Time mastery…we can’t connect and provide maximum value if it’s not in our schedule. The traditional idea of time blocking can feel suffocating, but it doesn’t have to be. It can be joyful. We can create schedules that allow us to hit our goals, connect with people and be the influential powerhouses we’re meant to be.    Enjoy a masterful (and refreshing) lesson in time blocking with Karla Roberdeau and Neal Smith.    Get the Time Mastery daily worksheet at http://ReferralsPodcast.com What do you do when your networking’s not working? You go back to the most important thing - meaningful one-one-one meetings. If we fill our schedules strategically and then do the homework of following up, we can build a solid network, one person at a time.    In this “Networking Secrets Revealed”, Realtor Becky Davis talks about how she fills up her networking stack, and how networking propelled her business to new heights.    In today’s world of artificial intelligence and superficial relationships - top of mind isn’t good enough. We need to be Top of Heart. Authentic human connection has never been more important, and we can be the ones to facilitate that.    Top of heart is the mindset, skill set and heart set to build real true genuine human relationships. This is so important, so mission critical, you can’t do business without it. Grant Muller is so passionate about it, he wrote an incredible book. In this episode, he shares his incredible life story, and the new code for doing business today.    Get “Top Of Heart: How A New Approach To Business Saved My Life, And Could Save Yours Too” here.    Every great thing we achieve begins as a dream. Why not create a system for your dreams so you can track, refine and align them with your spouse?    That’s what Jeff Lutzinger did. Our biggest dreams will always feel unattainable, intimidating and too pie-in-the-sky until we actually get them out of our heads and onto paper.    In this episode, SF Bay agent, Jeff Lutzinger shares how he created his dream sheet, and the impact it has had on him, his family and even his business.     Get our Bucket List worksheet here.    Having a high level of competence solves all problems in business, especially how referable we are. No one hires an incompetent professional, let alone tells their friends and family about them.    In our 3 Cs of Referability special - we dig into competence and why it’s mission critical. We also talk about how adding communication and character to this is a killer combo in business.   Episode: 322 Title: The Ridiculously Simple Recipe To Referability Host: Michael J. Maher

It's no secret that there is immense value in handwritten notes. They can help create and maintain meaningful relationships, and bring more value to our businesses.   So in the month of November, we challenged ourselves to handwrite notes for 30 days for the Notevember challenge to bring more meaning to what we do.   In this noteworthy episode, I am joined by some of the notable people in the Generosity Generation. I talk to the winners of the Notevember challenge and we discuss the success of it, why they participated and what they took away at the end of it.   The first step to someone else counting on you is showing up. -Michael J Maher   Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode     -They won’t count on us unless we show up  Why is it important to show up consistently? Will people be able to depend on us if we do?   -Launching and landing rituals What’s the difference?   -The choice is ultimately ours How do we pick the people we want to communicate with?   Episode: 321 Title: The Notevember Challenge: Winners Reflect On The Benefits Of Handwritten Notes Host: Michael J. Maher

The desire to make a difference in our lives is often overshadowed by the challenges of implementing lasting change. Many of us struggle to break free from unproductive habits and adopt new, beneficial ones.   Establishing and maintaining a morning routine can be a huge stumbling block. A morning routine is a strategic way to set the tone for the entire day. It's an opportunity to prioritize self-care, personal growth, and mental well-being before the demands of the world take over.   Despite the well-known benefits, why do so many people fail to integrate this powerful tool into their daily lives? Does having a morning routine only work for early birds?   In this episode, real estate broker, Angela Gribbins and real estate agent and motivational speaker, Paul Domenech join me to talk about how having a morning routine can change your life and how to implement and maintain a morning routine.   Our morning ritual is a ritual that’s going to fill our cups before the world starts taking from us. -Angela Gribbins   Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode     -Why we get stuck in certain situations Could our own bad habits be keeping us from the results we want?   -Focus on yourself How can we stay centered in the face of the chaos of the world?   -Take back control Can having a morning ritual give us a few moments of certainty in a very uncertain world?    Guest Bio   Angela Gribbins is an experienced Real Estate Broker with a demonstrated history of working in the real estate industry. Strong real estate professional skilled in Sales, Management, Leadership, Project Management, and Customer Service.   Find Angela on LinkedIn @Angela Gribbins Find Angela on Facebook @Angela Gribbins   Paul Domenech is a driven individual who consistently pushes the limits and surpasses expectations. With his strong work ethic and openness to coaching, he has built a thriving Real Estate business. In his first year, he earned the prestigious Rookie of the Year and Inman Innovator awards. Since then, he has consistently ranked as a top-ten producing agent at ERA American Real Estate and was recognized as ERA Real Estate International's number one agent in 2021. Additionally, he has been nominated for the top customer service award every year, consistently being one of the top three agents out of 45,000 agents since 2016, and winning in 2018 and 2022.   Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, Paul Domenech was instilled with a strong work ethic and a passion for pursuing his dreams. He began his professional career by organizing events, which eventually led him to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. His impact in the industry earned him a well-deserved induction into the Florida Mixed Martial Arts Hall Of Fame. Seeking to further his skills in Jiu Jitsu, he relocated to the Emerald Coast and achieved multiple victories in the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) and two World Championships. Even today, he continues to compete in the sport. When he made the decision to become a licensed Realtor®, his determination to work with the best led him to join forces with Gloria Frazier and ERA American Real Estate.   "Paul represents what is possible for the new generation of leaders," said ERA American CEO, Gloria Frazier. "He is both confident and coachable. He understands the fundamentals of exceptional service that separate top-performers, and he also understands the always-on technology demands of today's consumer."   In addition to his successful real estate career, Paul also enjoys coaching and professional speaking on mindset and personal development to entrepreneurs.   Visit https://thedomenechgroup.com/  Find Paul on LinkedIn @Paul Domenech  Visit 30mornings.com   Episode: 320 Title: No More Mayhem in the AM: How to Change Your Life by Establishing a Powerful Morning Routine w/Angela Gribbins and Paul Domenech Host: Michael J. Maher