Build a Team of Partners: Reach Further™ with RASM Business Partners

One of the best ways to steadily grow your real estate business is to network and create reliable connections with other business professionals. In the tight-knit communities of Sarasota and Bradenton, businesses depend on each other for a multitude of goods and services. By immersing yourself in the community and networking with business-building groups, you can forge valuable connections that make an impact on your real estate career. RASM’s membership of nearly 400 Business Partners are an elite group of respectable professionals who are dedicated to supporting REALTORS® and their clients.

When you build trusted relationships, you create your own personal powerhouse database of businesses that you can always count on to get the deal done in the best possible way. From accountants to attorneys, interior decorators, photographers, and home inspectors, Business Partners complete your go-to team of critical resources. Collaborating with Business Partners allows REALTORS® to leverage their expertise and credibility, enhancing their own reputation and generating client referrals and repeat business.

“I think it’s important for REALTORS® and Business Partners to connect because we are all in this industry together,” said Jessica Montague, RASM Member Services Manager. “They are all in the business to make money and help their clients and they cannot do it alone. It’s so important to have a reliable list of vendors to choose from, so that if someone is not available, you have another person to count on. I also encourage our Business Partners to connect with each other. When I speak to some of our Business Partner veterans, they will tell me that their first lead or client came from another RASM member.” “Business Partners” are defined as the affiliated members of RASM. They make an annual membership investment into our Association, and further into the real estate industry.

“Business Partners are such an integral part of RASM,” said Cindy Jaramillo, Senior Mortgage Loan Officer with Bank of England Mortgage, and 2022 RASM Business Partner of the Year. “I have made so many professional and personal friendships and significantly grown my business by being involved at RASM. None of us are ‘alone in this industry,’ you rely on other professionals! It’s so great to have a team of industry professionals I know I can count on to send referrals to and use for my personal needs, be it roofing, home inspections, moving services, etc. You become close to other Business Partners as well because we are all out here trying to build our business through relationships.”

Symbiotic Relationship

RASM REALTORS® can greatly benefit from connecting with Business Partner members and vice versa. The symbiotic relationship between agents and affiliates brings several benefits:

• Access to a wider client base: By forming partnerships and building a network of professionals in related real estate industries, such as mortgage brokers, home inspectors, contractors, and interior designers, REALTORS® can tap into their clients’ networks. This expands your reach and increases the likelihood of finding potential buyers or sellers.
• Enhanced credibility and expertise: Collaborating with trusted RASM Business Partners allows REALTORS® to leverage their partners’ expertise and credibility. When agents associate themselves with reputable professionals, it enhances their own reputation and instills confidence in clients.
• Referral network: Building a network of Business Partners creates a referral ecosystem where professionals recommend each other’s services. For example, a mortgage broker may refer their clients to a trusted REALTOR®, and in turn, the REALTOR® may refer clients to the mortgage broker. This relationship can generate a steady stream of potential leads, expanding your client base and fostering long-term business relationships.
• Market knowledge and insights: Through connections, RASM REALTORS® can also stay informed about market trends, changes in regulations, and industry developments. Engaging with other professionals in the real estate field provides a platform for exchanging ideas, learning from each other’s experiences, and gaining valuable insights.
• Increased efficiency and resources: Agents and those businesses that serve the real estate community often work in a competitive environment where time is of the essence. In this competitive market, REALTORS® can’t afford any delays in their service or risk broken promises. Your connections are truly worth their weight in gold!

“As a RASM Platinum Corporate Sponsor, we have had multiple opportunities to build lasting business and personal connections throughout the years,” said Sheila Marvel, Co-Owner, along with husband Dave Marvel of Peace of Mind Home Inspections L.L.C. “We have been able to grow our business through networking, referrals, and word of mouth. A referral is the highest form of trust we can receive. It means that our customers and partners trust us emphatically. In this increasingly demanding housing market, when time is limited and quality is a must, there is no room for error. Each referral we receive is evidence of our continued commitment to our clients and confidence that we will stand by our services. We appreciate the symbiotic relationship that the Association provides and are very committed to continuing with the RASM Business Partner program for years to come.”

EVENTS & NETWORKING

The Association offers numerous opportunities for REALTORS® to connect with Business Partners through unique networking events. The quarterly “After Hours” networking event is a popular gathering hosted at different locations throughout the two counties, allowing agents and affiliates to connect with each other in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. Additionally, RASM Business Partners host three annual events for members to meet and greet potential partners:

• Spring Business Partner Expo: Participants can enjoy local food trucks, live music, a bar truck, along with sponsored Business Partner exhibits and a chance to win fabulous giveaways! This is a great chance to meet and connect with members.
• RASM Annual Conference and Expo on September 21: This must-attend event for real estate agents features a full day of informative sessions, a broker panel, and an expo showcasing our Business Partner members.
• Business Partner Fall Event on October 11: This is always a fun-filled event featuring tailgate-style food, cornhole, raffles and prizes, a cash bar and more!

“I love helping the Business Partners and the new agents learn to navigate the Association, learn about our various specialty groups, and show them how to get involved, from attending classes to sponsoring events. It feels so good knowing that you are enabling a local business to reach new levels of success,” said Bree Carotti, Marketing Manager of Carotti Engineering LLC, and 2019 RASM Business Partner of the Year. “I encourage all new Business Partners and REALTORS® to not just hand out business cards and leave, but I stress the need to serve, meet new people, and really immerse yourself. The Business Partner Committee is implementing the RASM Strategic Plan by incorporating both CREA and the WCR into our events, and now we have more connections than ever before. We’ve created this synergistic group that is truly like a second family. We all support each other and learn from each other while truly having fun in the process,” added Carotti. Agents and Business Partners can also find a niche group of members to network with by participating in one of RASM’s Specialty Groups. From events to specialty groups, and to the annual Business Partner Directory that outlines RASM’s 350 Business Partner companies (myrasm.com/businesspartners), RASM is proud to provide you with opportunities and resources you need to build your team of professionals. “Our firm has developed countless professional and personal connections that have enhanced our business and day-to-day lives. By sponsoring events, and educational opportunities, and participating in various networking functions, we have forged trusted relationships with professionals that we have come to rely upon,” said Charlotte Griffin, Business Development Coordinator with Berlin Patten Ebling, PLLC (2023 Platinum Corporate Sponsor). “There really is no better way to expand your reach in the real estate community than to engage and network with the REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee.” We are grateful to all our Business Partners who support RASM’s many events and programs as sponsors throughout the year. Because of our partners, we can bring in top speakers, provide food and beverages, cover course materials, and lower the cost to attendees. So next time you see a Business Partner sponsoring an event or networking with you at an expo, thank them. Their investment supports the experiences we can offer to members.

Become A RASM Business Partner

If you are looking for a way to reach more than 9,000 real estate professionals, managers, brokers, and owners, then RASM has you covered! The RASM Business Partner membership offers a direct relationship with real estate professionals with opportunities to sponsor events, meetings and education courses, advertise in the monthly digital magazine, and more. “As a professional home inspector, becoming a RASM Corporate Sponsor and a Business Partner has provided several benefits in terms of building relationships, trust, and generating referral business from REALTORS®,” said Bob Massanova, Owner at SWF Home Inspections. “By sponsoring events and networking, you increase your visibility among agents and potential clients. Your brand becomes more recognizable, leading to increased exposure and credibility within the industry.” As a RASM Business Partner, you’re part of a network of thousands of Florida real estate professionals. You’ll enjoy valuable business contacts, networking opportunities, educational offerings, research and legislative representation, programs, services and build tremendous camaraderie.

Membership Has Its Privileges

The Business Partner Committee offers an orientation for new, current, and prospecting Business Partners each month. Visit the RASM calendar for upcoming dates at myrasm.com/calendar. RASM Business Partners also receives a 10% discount on all ads placed in the ELEVATE Magazine, the official magazine of RASM. ELEVATE Magazine is a digital publication, distributed to all 9,000+ RASM members via email. The magazine is also shared on Social Media outlets, as well as the RASM website. Visit www.myrasm.com/realtor-magazine to learn more. In addition to being a benefit to REALTORS®, RASM Business Partners have access to RASM’s Video Studio, located at RASM South. The studio has state-of-the-art equipment including high-end 4k cameras, a green screen, teleprompter, professional audio equipment, editing software, lighting and more. Rates are discounted for RASM members. Visit www.myrasm.com/videoproduction for more information.

Annual Sponsorship Program

Through the annual investments of our Corporate Sponsors, RASM can continue to offer the great networking and education programs that support the productivity and professionalism of our members. The Corporate Business Partner Sponsor Program offers an unparalleled opportunity to directly market and advertise your company to the REALTOR® community and the many businesses that serve it. Annual sponsorships are available to Business Partners for at the end of each year, while event sponsorship opportunities are available year-round. To view the 2023 RASM Corporate Sponsor Package, visit www.myrasm.com/sponsor. “Being a RASM Platinum Sponsor over the years has opened so many wonderful opportunities for STOCK,” said Claudine Leger-Wetzel, STOCK Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Through many events, meetings, and networking opportunities, we have increased our exposure to the REALTOR® community, reinforced our brand, and created long-lasting relationships. Being a RASM Business Partner and Corporate Sponsor opens the door to a welcoming community of synergistic business professionals who bolster your business connections and your bottom line.”