Good morning. Yes. Alright, everyone. Let us know where you're from today. Alright. So as everyone joins, Kathy, and we, start this amazing morning, coffee conversation, today's a big day. Today is. Yeah. Today's a big today's a big day. I, I think a lot of us are reflecting on nine eleven and where we were. Do you remember where you were? I do. I had just dropped off my little one. He was three years old, and he was in daycare. So I had just dropped him off, headed to the office, getting my day started. And I remember receiving a phone call from my husband saying, hey. Turn on the news. And I'm like, okay. So I flipped on the news and was just literally watching it there. I was by myself and could not believe it. And he was just like, go pick up go pick our son. You know? Go pick him up. So I ran. I mean, that was the first thing I did was go to the school. It was chaos. You know? Chaos at the school. Every parent was there trying to pick up their child, and it was just crazy. But, you know, goodness, it was just a horrible day. And, you know, my heart goes out to all those that were affected, and we I think we all are. We all we were all affected. And some day or another, we will never forget that day, unfortunately. What about you? Where were you? Actually, the same thing. My little one was at daycare, a few months old and, got a call and immediately went and grabbed her and, went back to the real estate office I I was at. So, guys, I know a lot of you are reflecting on what's happening today and, you know, that it is nine eleven. You know, it's definitely a great time to reflect on that. My my devotional actually had it this morning, you know, just a reflection on that. So, I you know, our hearts definitely go out to everybody and, yep. So just wanted to make sure we mentioned that. And I know this morning, I, you know, the purpose with these coffees. So we start off with motivation. Right? Something inspiring. I want you guys to anything that is on your mind, anything you wanna make sure that we touch on today, struggles, anything, you know, topics you wanna talk about, we're here for you, and this could be as interactive as you guys would like. So, you know, I that's something I wanted to mention first. Right, is is make sure to post anything that's going on in your world that you want us to talk about. Anything on your this morning, Kathy? You know, and I appreciate you saying that. And one of the things I just wanna start off, you know, just I'm I'm looking at all the all the people coming in and this what an amazing group. I mean, we have people from all over the country. I mean, we're up to over sixty people here already this morning. It's eight o'clock here central time, and everyone's at different times. But, you know, to get up early and to just to know that you wanna be a part of some something, you know, and our company allows that to be able to just come in, say hello, and and know that you're a part of something bigger than just you know, a lot of us are just, you know, independent agents and working, by ourselves, and we need this. You know, we need this. So, Christina, you know, the fact that you're saying, you know, open up. We're here because we all go through different things at different times in our lives. And and just to know that we're here to help support you, to answer your questions, you know, just just to have a smile, whatever it may be to get your day going. You know? We're we're all here for you. And, you know, I know that, you know, there's just so much going on, you know, and we we have to be, a team. And and I love the fact that we are are truly a team with LPT. We're all here to support one another. So good morning from all of to all of our LPT peeps from all over the country. I mean, I see Pflugerville back on. Good morning. We always see that the Pflugerville and, you know, people from all over. My goodness. Thank y'all so much for being here, Manhattan. Goodness. What I what I love about this is a sense of community. A lot of us feel lonely, and starting off the day with people that all work we all work together. And, once, people learn to collaborate even more, you're gonna see so much more growth in the process around, I call it these calls. So the sense of community, is what inspires me, is to be able to wake up every day to feel like you're part of something bigger, as well, and the collaboration is incredible. Also, many of you may have not even thought about it. The agent to agent referrals, learning how to grow that. All of you have, that I call it that secret sauce or that that thing that you're excited about, and there's other people on here as well. So this is a really great space for you to meet other agents, and to collaborate as well. Heck, maybe even a role play partner that you guys can start to meet with. I love that. I mean, with everything going on, especially, you know, we have some agents that are real close to different states, so you may have licenses in multiple states. And, as we're continuing to open up in different states, throughout the country, you know, this is a great opportunity to look at the the the chat and see who's on here from the different parts of the country and reach out to them, and you have a client that may be moving into their area or vice versa, then, you know, that's a great referral. I mean, referral referrals is a huge business. You know? I know a lot of agents that just work referrals and that, you know, they make a a lot of money. And so think about that. You know? Take the time to do that. I think that's part of it. You know? This is networking. You know? Even though it feels like, okay. We're at a on a screen. This is networking, and part of your business is to get out there and network. And I love that we're able to have that opportunity here within our own company. This is our company culture, and we wanna continue to encourage you guys to get out there and network. You know, I know in a lot of, areas, you know, different parts, there's a lot of area networking groups and things that I would definitely encourage you to to get involved in. You know? One of the things that I I like to do in the mornings we were talking a little bit about this yesterday, and I started thinking about it. I'm not a big big reader, but, I do read a lot of the, like, real estate news and different things that's coming in. So one of my rituals in the morning is I get up and I look at all of the, articles and different things from Inman news, from ResMedia, all of the different, real estate outlets that are out there. And a lot of times, I just read the titles because it kinda gives you an idea of what's happening in our industry. You know? So we have to stay up abreast of what's going on in our our industry, not only necessarily with just the lawsuit, which I know we've been covering a lot, but there's a lot going on in our industry. There's a lot of moves. There's a lot of, good things happening. You know, we have a lot of great things coming our way. I was thinking about that today, when we were when I was reading some of the articles, it's that window of opportunity that we have, with these interest rates, about to start dipping, and, and we're already starting to see them dip. We do have a small window of opportunity right now. Mhmm. And I think this is a time that we need to prepare and get ready to reach out to our clients, let them know that, hey. Interest rates are are are dropping. We definitely want to know that if you're going to wanna refinance or whatever it is that you may want to do, this may be the time. So connect with the lenders. There's a lot of really good programs that are out there, and and, that can help you to be able to educate yourself to be able to be a better agent for your for your clients. Right now, especially, there's a lot of home buyer programs. So if you are not familiar with the programs in your area, get with your lender and and let let them tell you, no. These are what's available. And some associations like, ours, I'm with the Houston Association of Realtors, we actually have a down payment assistance program within our MLS. So anytime you go in and you look at pull up a property, it will actually tell you, like, this particular property qualifies for these type of down payment assistance programs. And you can go in and you can look at them. Now we're not expecting you to be the professional that, you know, that goes in and just knows all about the programs, But we do encourage you to reach out to lenders who are and get yourself familiarized with them so that when your clients are needing that additional assistance, you can go in and you can connect them with the right person. So it's all about connections, and, this is where it starts. I I love that you said networking. So everybody, you know, ideally, some of you may just have one source of business. I'm a big proponent of three to five sources of business. And a lot of times we're, as agents, learning what works, and we we have to be consistent with those. So I wanna piggyback on networking. We are social creatures as real estate agents. Most of us are very high eyes. If you guys don't know what a disc profile is, I highly recommend to take one. I am a very high DC in the I, I I have to turn on. So I, you know, I I would recommend, but networking is so powerful. So BNI groups is one of my favorites. People that are in your world, home service providers, business groups, those are incredible. We'll be doing future trainings on that in the future as, as relocation starts to, happen very soon. In addition to BNI, I would recommend every single one of you to look for an investor group in your area. You look up, it's r e I a, and it it that's the National Real Estate Association of Investors. That is a great place and a great time for you guys to start to go meet local investors in your area. But again, networking is super powerful. I I also wanna piggyback on, how Kathy said making those relationships and those contacts and and going deeper, even if it's a simple birthday. I, my high c, is every single month, I've got, home anniversaries, I've got birthdays, and my assistant, the week before the month starts, gives me the list with the address labels so I can handwrite during my morning routine out birthday cards for the whole month. So being able to send cards to people that give you referrals, things like that are so powerful on helping with your growth. Yeah. I love it. And I could see a lot of people in the chat now putting in where they're at and where the where the areas that they're working in. I love it. I mean, take advantage of it. This is, you know, part of of networking, like I mentioned. You know, there's a lot of, a lot of, associations, are going to open up for committees here in in, I know within, here in in locally in Texas, a lot of the realtor associations will start, opening up applications for committees in October. So that's just right around the corner. And so if you're thinking about joining a committee and getting involved, you know, this will be the time to also do that because, I mean, that's one thing that I I highly encourage is get involved. This is your industry. You need to know what's happening on, you know, local issues, state issues, national issues. These are all reflecting back on your business, and so it's always good to be involved. And then to to to to join a committee, something that you may have a passion on, whether it's technology or risk management or whatever it is that you whatever your heart desires. There's so many. Or your volunteering efforts. Yeah. You know, that's something I'm super passionate about. I am in Tampa, Florida. There's a charity called Metropolitan Ministries that, serves so many different, industries, and I have been a red shirt, which is a volunteer supervisor for many years. Even I find time to serve and give back. It's It's also a great place to find out how to be able to get those down payment assistance programs when people are struggling for electric and things like that. So I definitely recommend. We have a few questions, Kathy. I wanna make sure that we answer. And I also want to, advise everybody, if you don't feel comfortable posting a question in the chat, this is a safe space. You can send a question any morning to the host and panelist. We're the only ones that will, I believe see those questions. So, just, something for you guys to be aware of. Kathy, it looks like our first question is safe door knocking. How do how do we do safe door knocking? I actually call it COVID style ding dong ditch. So what I mean by that is, ideally, you're gonna have to decide if you wanna knock and wait for a door to open. However, I'm a big proponent of our active marketing plans, it could be a cash offer letter, the being equipped with material that when you go to a house, you're gonna drop five to the right and five to the left. A lot of you go and show a property and your clients don't show, or maybe they're running late. The amount of prospecting you could do within five or ten minutes and get your steps in, if you don't feel comfortable door knocking, door drop. Do not safety. Don't put it in the mailbox. It is a federal offense. Hundred percent. I have I do do not put it in the mailbox. If you don't feel comfortable, knocking, drop. I know agents that crush it on doing door drops for preforeclosures and expireds where the property goes expired at midnight, and they have a flag from their MLS, or a system like RedX or something like that, that they they know in their ZIP code how many hit, and that's part of their morning routine that they're gonna go door drop, five to the right, five to the left on their way into the office. So being able to do door drops, highly recommend. Safety, I I call it emotional intelligence. If it doesn't feel right, keep going. Be aware of what's around you. Make sure to do it at a time frame that is, not going to upset people, like, don't go at six o'clock or seven o'clock at night, and then I would also make sure to be aware of the community signs. When you go into the neighborhood, be aware if it says do not solicit, don't do it, send it in the mail or TCPA compliant call, because when it comes to door dropping in a neighborhood that doesn't allow it, that's the first way to get you out of that neighborhood because they're gonna post it all over their Facebook or Nextdoor. Any other any thoughts on that? No. I love it. I mean, that that is amazing. I I I agree with everything a hundred percent that you were saying. You know? And just also remember that, you know, September is realtor safety month. There's a ton of of information on different sites. Like, NAR has a lot of information. Our local MLS's will have information for you to also be safe. You know? So always let somebody know where you're at, when you're doing these type of things. Sometimes it's it's good to to go with a buddy. If you don't feel comfortable, you know, go with an a another agent so that that way you're doing it together, and making sure that you're, you know, safe. I think safety is the is the is the primary thing, and I think I've seen a couple people say, you know, that they're they're they're afraid to to actually door knock, but to just door they rather prefer door drop. And and that's great because that way you don't have to worry about, you know you know, dogs or whatever coming out to the door or whatever it may be. But, also, you know, we have some people who really would like to speak to get in front of people and actually speak to them, and that's fine. What I would definitely recommend is make sure you have, informational something informational that you're going to give them. Don't just ask, you know, are you looking to buy, you know, the buy or sell or whatever. You know, you're you wanna give them something that's going to be informational to them. Give them some information about, you know, how loans are are are are dropping right now, and it's a great time to refinance. Or or if there are programs and how you can help them sell their home. There's so many things that you can do, so that that way you're giving something of value and not just asking for something. I'm a big proponent of door drops and door knocking. As you can tell, this was sitting right next to my desk. Our our smaller flyers, those in here with a soup simple cash offer letter for them to call you, They're always being prepared. So, these are great for the small flyers or the or the smaller cards to be able they're on Amazon. I think they're, like, ten bucks, super, super cheap on on, door hangers. So I definitely recommend. Kathy, I also love that you said about the, going with a buddy. So I for when you're going with a buddy, I'd recommend guys, when you take one side of the door the the street, when you take the other side of the street. Explain door drops. Door drops is basically not knocking. You're just dropping on the door. Many of you live in a in a home, that on the the home, you're you're gonna get things on your door, but no one ever knocked. It's basically you either pay a service, which I think there there are services that I've even seen posted in our Facebook group. There are you pay a service or you pay someone that's professional that's going to just drop them on the door or you do it yourself. It's without knocking and it's just door and keep going. I personally I've been in the business, twenty plus years. Nonce you know, don't solicit signs is not something I, would drop on. Your your integrity and respecting your client's boundaries is very, very important, and you don't want your broker to get a phone call. Right? For sure. Yeah. If you see something that says, you know, no soliciting and I love the fact that you mentioned, look at the, the neighborhood rules. You know? If there's no soliciting, you know, know that so that that way we're not getting phone calls as far as your brokerage. But then also you're not, and so you're respecting, your residence the residence's boundaries. I love that. Okay. I think we so we have we had a few other questions. And if anyone has any other questions about door knocking, feel free, we're happy to dive deeper. So, I've also seen people, you know, door drop with their dogs, their you know, bring their kids, you know, again, you have to just make sure that your safety is important. I hold on. Is there any place we can get the names of agents throughout? Mary, not for the whole brokerage, however, on Facebook, you can connect and say, hey. I'd like to get to know you. You can post, hey. I need a referral partner in this area. And most of us as realtors, all of our information is always public. So I I I would definitely recommend that, but being able to grow your, your referral partners and getting their address. Facebook, birthday messages, I mentioned yesterday, and then asking them for their address so you can send them a birthday card. And then I see Mary, she posted about she reached out, to leaders in her downline to meet for coffee to see how we could organize something to collaborate. I and it looks like she's created a monthly meeting. So powerful. I recommend everybody to do that. I love that. I mean, what a great way to just get out there and meet other LPT agents. And even if it's not within LPT, this is a great opportunity to meet with other agents within your area. We're all in in the same, and it's great to be able to network also with other agents because these are agents that you're gonna be working with. You're gonna be, hopefully, one day selling one of their homes or they're gonna sell one of yours. And and it's always nice to know the other agent on the line because that deal goes so much more smoother when you're when you know the person on the other on the other side of the transaction. So it's just great to be able to network and get out there. I know a lot of agents who are are you know, will tell me, why do I wanna go to a realtor event? There's just a bunch of agents. I I don't wanna I wanna meet, you know, other people outside of but that's the reason. You wanna meet the agents in your area. You want them to know who you are, and you need to know the agents in your area so that that way your transactions will be able to, you know, to go so much more smoother. And, just to get out there and to meet people, your reputation is everything in the industry. And so when people know that you're out and you're active and you're engaged in your industry, it really goes a long way for you as an as an agent. And a lot of us, as we grow in our career, we're gonna gravitate to certain specialties. Mhmm. And we can be a generalist, which is okay, but having those realtor relationships that have those specialties, are are pretty amazing. So I definitely recommend that. There's also guys, there's so much business. As as we grow, there's so much business, so the collaboration is important. I've been asked multiple times, why the heck do you share as much as you do? Because not also not everyone's gonna do it. Right? And it's the collaboration that's powerful. Alright. So I think we've got most of the questions, answered and, around door drops and, people sharing. I would highly recommend everybody today as today's our topic. Right? Growing referrals and relationships. Reach out to a few of your LPT peers that were on this call. I I see see so much information that was intertwined. Have a conversation, get to know somebody. Even a lot of you are sharing text messages, look each other up on Facebook, and and just reach out and connect, see how they're doing, see what's working for them in another market that maybe you haven't tried yet. When we hear from our peers, hey, I just door dropped twenty expired and I got two listings, that's gonna get you more excited than probably hearing it from me and Kathy. Right? Exactly. I love it. And and the fact that, you know, that agents are doing I mean, we're all in the same boat. We're all having to work our business, you know, to get out there and grow it. And but to know that you you talked about specialties. You know, some agents have specialties. You know? Whatever your niche is, whether it's working with international clients, and we have a lot of, agents that are have that designation as a CIPS, and they work in a national I think I've seen somebody who said, you know, they had someone in Mexico or they were looking for, you know, just Puerto Rico. Even though it's not national, but, you know, it's it's still out there. You know, we we have some amazing people that are working all over the country. And as we're continuing to grow, you know, we're gonna be opening up in Canada. And, I mean, how exciting is that? But to know to already start getting your foot in the door on that. And you may have some connections out there or anywhere. Reach out to them, and and get involved and and, just network. You never know where your next lead is going to be or where you're gonna get your next lead. We're we're driving, you know, coffee shop, whatever it may be. Make sure you're taking the opportunity to drop your cards. I tell agents all the time, your business cards are your cheapest form of advertising. I mean, they're you know, it's one of the cheapest things. I mean, you can't get better than basically free. With LPT, when we get so many business cards, make sure you're utilizing those. Get them out there everywhere you go. My husband went on his business cards. What he had is he had he used to have and I think he still does. He has a tip chart on the back of his, business card. So anytime he would go to we would go to a restaurant, he would you know, he would leave the the tip chart who would give it to the waitress and say, hey. You know, here's a tip chart. And, if you know, that way, they will refer it. And it would be so funny because there are a lot of times we visit the same place, creatures of habit. We would go back and the waitress would we would see our little face on this side because they're looking at the tip on this side and, you know, but they what they but our message was getting out there. So think of something that's different. Think outside the box on how you can utilize marketing in ways to strategize to just get out there and get more business. I I have to give a hack to what she just recommended. A lot of you, I recognize, are newer in the business, or you've been in the business a long time, and maybe you have never really specialized or dove deep into certain things. I'm a big fan of AI, whether whatever one you use. It Bing has Copilot, ChatGBT, put a message and just ask what type of specialties as a real estate agent can I specialize in? My favorite are life events. I have a huge background on thousands of transactions with life events, there are so many that your clients are gonna go through, but if there's a question, utilize technology, guys. We're gonna teach and train you, and there's so much that we have planned for the future, but embrace it and just ask. Hey. What type of specialties? As a real estate agent, how can I prospect for divorce clients? As a real estate agent, how can I prospect for, international clients? Just have fun with it, and, I I hope all of you win the day to day plan, make sure that you know what you're focusing on. Ideally, it's already nine thirty. It it's a great time to just make sure that you know what you're focusing on and and just win the day. Kathy, any last words? For sure. Get out there and and just do it. You know? And if you're procrastinating on something, get the hard things done first. That way you can, focus on the remainder of your day and, just be blessed. Have a great day, everyone. We'll see you guys tomorrow. Take care. Yeah.