Everyone seems to think the grass is greener on the other side – including investors.
We often look to the big cities and popular sources like CNBC, Bloomberg, the Motley Fool to find the hottest investments. We’re programmed to believe that these sources are the best ones for finding the next big thing or the best investments. That’s likely because all they talk about is the winners they’ve touted in the past. They don’t talk about the thousands of times they were wrong.
What many investors don’t realize is that the best investments aren’t somewhere out in cyberspace or the airwaves. They may be within arm’s-length in your network of friends, family, and colleagues.
One reason I love real estate and private equity is that it’s an inefficient market. It’s not like the public markets where the slightest bit of news about a company is instantly broadcast to the whole world. There are no information advantages to be had in these efficient public markets.
How inefficient are real estate and private equity?
There are many private companies and new ventures all around you. You just need to have the right conversations with the right people. With COVID and many boomers retiring, there are assets and companies which are looking to be sold.
How do you expand that network? Go out and make new friends and business associates.
There following are some of the things I’ve done to expand my network to find more opportunities.
I have participated in several events, conferences, and masterminds over the years to get to the next level of not only my investment knowledge but also to the next level of connections and relationships with seasoned and successful experts.
Had I not reached out, I would have missed out on many of the greatest opportunities that have transformed my investing career and altered my path towards financial independence.
My access to investments and partners have grown due to these efforts. Many of the best investments will not fall in your lap and they’re certainly not on TV.
INQUIRE – If you’re at the gym or golf course and you meet someone new, ask them what they do. Forget idle chatter and that one episode of the Office.
- Ask them how they’re able to go golfing in the middle of the day. What line of work are they in?
- Do you know of anyone selling a business or looking to exit a commercial real estate investment?
- Do you know of anyone raising capital?
You’d be surprised at how many entrepreneurs are out there and how many opportunities are around you. Let it be known that you’re seeking investment opportunities
PARTICIPATE – Use social media to find meet-and-greets and other social gatherings of like-minded individuals. There are people at all levels of investment experience and knowledge out there. The first contact may not bear any fruit but a subsequent one may.
Join that mastermind group you’ve been thinking about. Go to that conference, plan that outing with the couple you recently met, go to the Christmas party…
GET INVOLVED – Find a social cause to get behind. Does a charity or foundation that provides scholarships to underprivileged local youth sound like something you can get behind?
There are other people with resources just like you who are giving back to their communities as well. The money for those scholarships must come from somewhere. Those are the type of financially independent philanthropists that just might present you with your next killer opportunity.
EXTEND YOUR REACH – Reconnect with old friends, classmates, colleagues, etc. Get online, leverage social media, and reignite past relationships. There’s nothing weird about, “Hey, long time no see. It’s been too long. What have you been up to?”
CONNECT WITH MOVERS AND SHAKERS – Connect with local government officials – especially ones involved with city planning and commerce. Go to public hearings. After all, it was at a Cupertino City public meeting that Steve Jobs first presented Apple’s plans for their huge new company headquarters nicknamed the spaceship.
Do you think owners of properties and businesses surrounding the proposed site got excited? I’m sure there was a flurry of activity after Steve Jobs’ proposal to Cupertino officials.
ASK – Let it be known you’re looking for deals.
You often hear about how lucky so-and-so was to be in the right place at the right time and to be able to have access to such a golden opportunity.
The truth is: I may have been in the right place at the right time, but I didn’t get here by accident. You ask enough people eventually you’re going to connect with the right groups.
If you’re looking to get involved, reach out to me and I can help steer you in the right direction. I’ll be glad to suggest a mastermind group or other groups for you to join.
Starting today 2021 is going to be big, so be sure to put yourself in a position to win.
