If we really want to grow a referral-based business and enjoy a productive career, maybe it's as simple as how we choose "to be" with our clients. Here are five ways of being that work well for the agents on our team: 

5 ways of being with our clients

1) Be a friend, by listening to and tuning into our clients' spoken and unspoken needs. 

2) Be a believer, by encouraging our clients and helping them stay positive throughout their real estate journey. 

3) Be an artist, by bringing our unique gifts and creativity to every client relationship. 

4) Be a professional, by showing up each day and following through on our commitments, and by always giving our best. 

5) Be a contribution, by always being helpful, kind and generous in all of our

The really nice thing about real estate? Nearly everything we do as realtors offers a genuine opportunity to personalize our service and leave our mark:

How we communicate with our clients -- the tone we set, the questions we ask, the way we listen -- says a lot about who we are as people and professionals. 

How we advocate for each client -- advancing their best interests with creativity and conviction, is something no technology can replace. 

And how we market our properties and our services -- gives us an outlet to express our unique perspective and approach.

The tools and technologies available to us are valuable, but they're no substitute for the spirit and intention that we bring to our work. 

People choose to refer us when they know us, trust us, and appreciate who we are as human beings. If you're a realtor who's seeking more clients, this is your invitation to get out into the community and engage with people on a personal level. 

An easy way to engage more is to do the things you like to do with other people. Show interest in the people you meet. Get to know them. And enjoy your new friendships. 

Maybe it's a Saturday morning exercise class, a weekly book club, or a regular volunteer shift with a non-profit. Whatever you choose, you'll naturally find yourself forming friendships with people who share the same interests as you. 

Life is better when we enjoy it with friends. Our business is better, too, when our friends spread the

We recently discussed as a team why we enthusiastically refer our clients to other professionals, and a few clear themes emerged from our conversation. 

Why we recommend other professionals -- 4 themes

First and foremost, we refer to other professionals because they have a track record of being reliable and competent. They've proven over time that they are very good at what they do, and that they will do right by each person we send their way. 

Another common theme was honesty. We recommend certain professionals because we know they will always be truthful, even when they have nothing to gain by offering their honest advice. Sometimes their advice is, "I'm not the best professional to serve you, but I know just the right person who can help." 

If we wish to be known as professionals who are diligent, honest, and kind -- the best and simplest way to cultivate our reputation is to focus on our personal lives first. Even when we're not selling anything. And even when no one else is watching. Just be diligent, honest, and kind.

Our clients will appreciate how we treat them. Our marketing and messaging will be authentic. And our satisfaction with our work will grow -- when our inner lives and public personas are reflections of each other. 

You're a realtor who's interested in joining a real estate team, and you believe you may have found the one. They're promising you an abundance of clients and financial opportunity, and the team leader seems personable and nice. So far everything about this team feels right. 

But wait, who you choose to work with is a big decision that can have a huge impact on your finances and the fulfillment you receive from your career. You'll do yourself a favor by slowing down and asking these important questions before you commit to the team: 

Six questions to ask before joining a real estate team

1) How well do the team's values align with your own? 

For example, if you value a relationship-based approach, does the team value relationships in the same

We have plenty of real estate insights and views to share with you, so all of the content you see in our newsletters and on our blog will continue to be created by members of our team -- not someone, or something, else. 

Why does this matter? 

First and foremost, writing about real estate keeps us current on all of the latest industry trends. We're better realtors because we're constantly studying and communicating what's going on in the market. 

Another motivation is clarifying our values. When we invest time into articulating our philosophies -- in other words why we do what we do -- we become more clear on the type of professionals we are choosing to be. At the root of it all, we're professionals who choose to serve others and invest in

Goals can be a great thing, but when they become unbalanced and extreme they can be fraught with unintended consequences. In the field of real estate, these unintended consequences often begin as relatively benign events.

Two common examples are occasionally working longer hours, and working with people who don't realize we have family lives, too. They're a part of helping our clients reach the finish line. They come with the territory. 

But if the pressure to sell ramps up and goes unchecked, the occasional long hours and late work night can turn into a regular affair. This is when the more serious unintended consequences can pop up and reveal some uncomfortable truths.

Like the truth that we're short-changing our own wellbeing, and some of our

When you think about it, our real estate careers offer us an amazing opportunity to help people during what is always an important time in their lives. A time that can be full of excitement and anxiety, and a roller coaster range of emotions. 

So our job isn't really about being the loudest voice in the room and always shining the spotlight on ourselves. It's about becoming known as people who serve others with kindness, skill and care -- through our basic daily intentions and simple everyday actions -- in both our personal and our professional lives. 

This is what our family, friends and neighbors want from us. It's what our clients, community, and culture need from us: to keep showing up, keep doing the right thing. 

Many realtors tend to define their ideal client in terms of demographics (location, income, age, etc..), but for this question we invite you to think about the psychographics of your ideal client. When you focus on psychographics, you're thinking about the character traits and the aspirations of the people you wish to serve. 

As an example, at Mad City Dream Homes, we aim to attract people who are generous, hardworking, and humble. People who strive to be a positive influence in their day-to-day relationships and in the wider community. 

We focus on these traits because they're in alignment with our own values. We've learned our work is more fulfilling when we serve and become friends with people who are a positive influence on us.

The flipside