I joined BiggerPockets in January of 2017. Like most people, I’d been a “lurker” learning from the forum posts long before I became a member and started contributing. One post I read described an investors “Journey to 1,000 posts on BP”. You could literally see the growth over the 2-3 years he’d been participating on the site. From asking a ton of questions, to providing some great answers and stories. It inspired me. He was really having some great real estate success, and you could see it all in his forum posts.
I’d never been the type to participate on forums. I just went for it. I set out to hit 1,000 posts and see what happened along the way.
It’s worked out really well so far. At least 50% of my deals this year will involve someone I met through BP. I know over the next few years, that will only multiply.
Here’s what’s worked for me. Maybe it’ll work for you?
26 Tips For Using BiggerPockets To Explode Your Real Estate Business
The BiggerPockets Marketplace
I feel the best advantage of pro membership is the ability to post on the BP marketplace. This is the only part of the site where you are allowed to post self-serving links. I’ve done a lot of deals that originated in the marketplace. Here are some of the ways you can utilize it.
- Post deals you’re selling – I post listings and wholesale deals here. The majority of interest comes from out of state investors.
- Post funding opportunities – I have at least 4 private lending partners who have come through these posts. I’ve only posted one or two lending opportunities on the marketplace.
- Post useful content – Sometimes I post the ALAREIA Birmingham Market Update to get it in front any investors interested in our market.
- Post your services – I’ve never advertised myself as an “investor friendly” realtor here, but I’m sure it would generate a ton of leads.
- People are looking. Don’t worry if they don’t comment. – The majority of my marketplace posts receive no comments. Don’t worry about that. You may receive emails or private messages when people are interested. Some people just don’t want to post on BP Forums. Want to know a way to generate business from your posts even if no one wants to reach out directly? See 6 through 10 below.
- Always include links to sign up for your email lists. – This is the key to it all in my opinion. I’ve had at least 100 investors sign up for my email lists through these posts.
- I use simple MailChimp landing pages like this… “Want to see turnkey performing rental properties in Birmingham? CLICK HERE”
- Once they’ve signed up I regularly send them deals, lending opportunities, blog posts, etc.
- They see that I’m an active investor and begin to “know, like, and trust” me.
- Eventually some will become clients or partners.
Provide Value
Going on the site and providing value is the name of the game. Whatever your niche area of expertise is, use it!
- Comment on the forums – This article sums it up. The nerd in me loves that he backs it up with math. “Posting on the forums is the single best way to build your network on BiggerPockets”
- Answer people’s questions – If one person posts a question, it’s likely that many others are thinking it. When you give a thoughtful answer, you’re providing tremendous value.
- Ask your own questions – I recommend searching the forums for an answer first. But if that doesn’t answer it, ask away! From time to time there are some really snarky people in the forums. Don’t let their rude comments get you down. On the whole BP is a very helpful community and will do their best to answer your questions.
- Upvote good posts – When someone gives a really great answer or asks a thought provoking question, let them know!
- Write a BiggerPockets Blog – It’s super easy to write on their blogging platform. No technical skills needed. Also, blogging in general isn’t hard. Just write a list, then explain each point.
- Write about your experiences – Other investors can learn a lot from your deals and your mistakes. When you share this, it provides extreme value!
- Write about your local neighborhoods – Many BiggerPockets investors are looking to buy outside of their local market. Giving away information about your local area makes you the expert they want to know.
- Write about what you’re seeing in the market – Are you a real estate professional? You’ll have insights that matter. Contractors, insurance reps, bankers. What does the day labor market look like in your city? Which local banks are easier to finance with right now? This is tremendously valuable information.
Reach Out
In the beginning, people won’t be seeking you out. You’ll have to reach out if you want to connect. Here are a couple ways to do that.
- Request to be colleagues – This is the BP version of a “friend.”
- DM people based on their forum comments – You can quickly shoot a message to anyone on BP. If you’re a pro member, you can even send 10 messages at once to colleagues.
- Call people based on their forum comments – I called a lot of people out of the blue when I first got on BP. Now I get a lot of calls from investors wanting to work with me. Many people’s phone numbers are right there on their profile. Mine is. Just go for it!
- Email People based on their forum comments – Many people have their email on their profile. This is probably my favorite way to contact people on the site.
- Connect with the local investors already using the platform successfully – I know at least three other local investors who consistently generate business from the site. I send them connections and they do the same. Everyone’s network grows.
Be consistent
- It takes time to build a reputation – This is what makes it hard. Most people will try some of these things a couple times and assume it’s not working. It honestly takes at least 6 months before you start to really see results. The the results I’ve seen in the last year have been everything I could ask for. My pro-membership has literally paid for itself 100 times over.
- Your activity compounds over time – I’m actually not that consistent, I’ve done all the things I recommended in this post, just not with any regularity. But, I do keep going to the site and participating. I try to find ways to connect and add value to the membership. That’s the key.
- Think about it like any relationship. You’ll get out of it what you put into it.
Thanks for reading! Connect with me on BiggerPockets!