For those new to the industry, the thought of building a sphere of influence is daunting. How do you start to build a network when the people you’re close to aren’t in a position to buy a home? Should you leave clients who aren’t immediately ready, and pursue those who can commit to a home now? On this episode, we talk with top-producing Century 21 agent in Fort Worth, Sarah Lyons, about the importance of building relationships.   Try to establish rapport and build relationships. You may not get something out of it immediately, but over time you’ll generate momentum. -Greg Harrelson   Takeaways + Tactics Dedicate yourself to real estate and make it your plan A. While it’s great to have a backup plan, having a plan B can hold you back from achieving in real estate because you’ll lack the motivation. Focus on your current clients rather than spending time trying to get new ones. Foster meaningful relationships instead of multiple, shallow ones. If someone isn’t immediately interested in your listing, don’t be discouraged. You’re not just trying to sell one house— you’re picking up a new client to assist in finding their dream home. At the start of the episode, we heard what initially motivated Sarah to pursue a career in real estate. Because she had to support her family, she jumped in head-first, and made sure real estate was the only industry she worked in. Without these distractions, Sarah was able to spend time building strong, meaningful relationships with clients that eventually took her right to NAR’s ‘30 under 30’ in 2017.   We also discussed: That you have to find somebody who knows more than you to mentor you Why you don’t need a large sphere of influence to start. You can approach sellers directly to build your sphere Why you should have referral partners sponsor your client appreciation parties   The real estate industry is based on human needs and connections. Remember that your client requires someone with their best interests at heart, so make sure you’re building strong relationships with them. Even when clients don’t appear ready to work with you, continue to foster your connection with them. You may not get something out of it immediately, but over time those relationships gain momentum.   Guest Bio- Sarah Lyons is the number 1 producing Century 21 agent in Fort Worth for 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018. She specializes in Tarrant and Parker county. As a full-time Realtor with over 250 transactions closed, Sarah has the experience and knowledge to assist clients with their buying and selling needs. She also has great availability, thanks to her husband homeschooling their 2 sons. Sarah believes that open communication is key, and never lets her clients feel ignored or avoided. She always encourages clients to use their easiest means of communication, by email or text. Sarah achieved NAR's "30 UNDER 30" award winner class of 2017, and was the only DFW metroplex winner. She’s also the recipient of the C21 Relentless Agent Award 2018. Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarahLyonsRealEstate/ Visit her website: www.sarahlyonsrealestate.com