How to Host a Vision Board Party
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Written By: Bliss Sawyer, nationally recognized coach, trainer and speaker. She specializes in relationship-based marketing strategies for mortgage professionals You can also find more marketing tips and tools at blog.blisssawyer.com.
Ever heard of a vision board? I hadn’t until last year, but now I am hooked! A vision board is simply a collection of pictures and words that describe your future. The future you want to make happen. It might be for this year or for the next decade. There are no set rules to what should and shouldn’t be on a vision board or even how big it should be. Your vision board is a reflection of your personality and dreams.
I recently held a vision board party at my home. I chose to do it on a Friday evening and invited a few Realtor partners over for dinner and vision board creating. I chose to invite Realtors I currently work with along with some that I hope to work with. I started casually mentioning it about a month before to see if there was interest. Three weeks beforehand, I sent a “Save the Date” email and described a little about the event. I also put a link to an article on vision boards for those (like me) who didn’t really know what a vision board was all about.
A week before the event I sent an E-vite asking for RSVP. Two days later, I called all those that I hadn’t heard from to see if they wanted to come. I also emailed everyone that had RSVP’d to say thanks and that I was excited they would be there. I actually feel that a personal invitation on their desk would have been a nice touch. Perhaps something with a fancy cupcake? I will probably take this additional step next year when I hold it again.
The day before the event, I sent an email to all those coming asking them to bring old vision boards to show as examples for us newbies, along with old magazines. I had quite a few magazines, but the more you have the better. One of the Realtors shared her vision board (with a bit of emotion) and explained some amazing things that had happened in her life since creating it. It was very impressive and a great addition to the evening.
I supplied 11x14 frames, scrapbook words and stickers, glue sticks and scissors. After dinner, we spread out and had a blast talking about what we were looking for, sharing ideas and simply inspiring each other.
I did take time in between dinner and creating the vision boards to talk business. I shared an accountability form and offered to meet with them once a month if they wanted an accountability partner. (Many of the brokers in my area are pushing their agents to get coaches, but the agents aren’t thrilled about the cost.) I also went on to talk about how important referrals are to my business and my dedication to helping them grow their business.
I had recently closed a transaction with one of the Realtors that had gone very well. She proceeded to talk (unsolicited) about how well the transaction went and how she would not use another lender. Now that is some great advertising….and it didn’t cost me a penny. Before the event, you may want to quietly ask one of your stronger agents to share something similar if the opportunity arises. You don’t want it to seem contrived, but this can be very powerful.
The evening was very enjoyable, and I felt that all the relationships became stronger. I want to do business with my friends and this was a great evening of friendship.
Kelly, one of my coaching clients, also held a vision party at her home. She was able to pick up a stack of magazines for 15 cents each at her local thrift store. Kelly chose to only do appetizers and wine rather than a full dinner, which I agree would be much easier. Everyone at her event shared ideas for monthly get-togethers and Kelly is planning on implementing many of these over the year.
After I posted about the party on my blog, a few loan officers emailed saying they wanted to do something similar but struggled with how to put it all together. Guess what? I had no idea either, but I knew it was something that would strengthen my referral relationships and had the potential to be a blast, so I simply did it. One foot in front of the other.
I did learn a few things along the way:
- Get help. My mom was a huge asset (I call her Cinderella). She helped me cook, clean and basically get ready. Love her!
- Do it at your house. This makes it more personal.
- Don't expect 100% turnout. Some of the ladies had other plans, others were sick.
- Take time at some point in the evening to talk business. Don’t assume that because you are throwing a party, they will in turn send you business. Have a handout and a few business cards for them to take home.
- Ask for business. Too often in our marketing, we don't take that next step of asking for business. Don't assume that people will give you business because you fed them (or shared glue sticks).
- Follow up. Send out a thank you to those that attended. I also dropped off the party favors I made and a blank vision board to those that wanted to come but had other obligations or were ill.
If you want to do something new, don’t worry that you haven’t done it before. Simply take the first step, then the next. Move your idea forward and be willing take risks and do things that push you outside your comfort zone.
Oh, and one more thing, some of the Realtors allowed me to post pictures of their vision board on Facebook. This generated even more interest and they ended up sharing the pictures on THEIR Facebook page.
Copyright - 2012 - LoanOfficerMagazine.com
 Written By: Bliss Sawyer
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