A great way to receive referrals is to give them. Become a referring machine. Be on a constant look-out for people who need referrals to other people.

Do you have the world's best hairdresser? Dog-sitter? Handyman? Spanish tutor? Knock yourself out building THEIR business through your referrals!

How does this help you?

Oh, let us count the ways.

You become known as a resource among your Sphere of Influence. Not simply as a fabulous real estate agent, but also as the Keeper of the Referral Directory. As they say, "no publicity is bad publicity" -- every time your name crosses the mind of another person on this planet, the potential for receiving a real estate referral just increased, if only a wee bit. If the person actually contacts you to get the name and number of your dog-sitter, BAM! A rapport-building opportunity is delivered to you on a silver platter.

Think about how wonderful it feels to receive a referral yourself. Don't you feel incredible warm fuzzies toward the person who thought enough of you to send their friend your way? Evoke those feelings in others and they WILL return the favor.

What goes around comes around. It just does.

There's not much to it. Simply keep your antenna up for people who are deserving of your referrals ... as well as people who need your referrals.

Casually gather business cards of the people you feel good about referring, or simply memorize their website or phone number. BONUS! That way you can write down THEIR contact information on the back of YOUR business card!!

Get in the habit of sending business to others and they will quickly get in a habit of sending business to you!

Published: February 18, 2008

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

Jennifer Allan is the author of the newly-released Sell with Soul: Creating an Extraordinary Career in Real Estate without Losing Your Friends, Your Principles or Your Self-Respect (click here to reserve a numbered, autographed copy of one of the first 1,000 printed.) as well as a number of eBooks including The Seduction of Your SOI: Generating Business and Referrals from the Very Important People Who Know You, Dorky Announcement Letters - DEDORKED! and The Art of Pricing. Jennifer began her writing career after ten years of selling real estate successfully in Denver, Colorado. She was dismayed at the low level of professionalism she frequently encountered in the real estate industry and, with her "soulful" message, hopes to encourage the real estate community to self-correct the negative stereotypes of the profession. Jennifer's message is that agents should strive to be competent real estate advisors instead of simply competent real estate prospectors. That agents should respect the intelligence of their clients, rather than attempt to insult that intelligence with aggressive closing techniques. She preaches that agents should appreciate the significant commissions paid by their clients, rather than complain that they, themselves, are not appreciated. Her personal mantra is "The clients I have today are far more important to me than the ones I hope to have tomorrow." You can learn more about Jennifer's "soulful" philosophies at SellWithSoul.com.  Subscribe to  The Daily Seduction Tips & Inspirations to Generate Business and Referrals from The Very Important People Who Know You  Your Email Address: Your Name: