Building connections while physically distancing

Great real estate agents are wonderful relationship builders. Their ability to thrive in social settings is one of their greatest assets, so now is not the time to practice social distancing. Now is the time to focus on building social connections.

Don’t get us wrong, we think the distancing laws are 100 per cent correct and everyone in the community should stay physically isolated to stop the COVID-19 from spreading. 

However, physical distancing is very different from social distancing, and it seems that people are also becoming more emotionally isolated and distant as a result. 

What is social distancing? The term in our opinion is confusing, as all definitions describe it as physical distance. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has even shifted to recommending the term ‘physical distance’ instead of social distancing.  

Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services now also uses the term ‘physical distancing’ rather than social distancing, in line with expert advice to change the terminology.

There are many ways to maintain a social and emotional connection while practising physical distancing. 

When we go to the shop or out to walk the dog we can still be social. While remaining at least 1.5 metres apart we can still make eye contact and say hello to people in our community. 

We can take the time to write someone a letter to send through the snail mail or provide support to someone in our community who may be struggling.

And don’t forget we still have the trusty old phone – but sorry to say, in this new world the phone is not going to cut it anymore.

The research is clear, it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. Only 7 per cent of communication is verbal with the remainder non-verbal, according to psychologist and author Phillip Adcock, while he says more than half of all communication is based on body language.

In light of those facts, agents must embrace video conferencing technology to maintain their communication and build trust with their customers. If anything, video conferencing allows an agent to become more emotionally connected with vendors.

Video or virtual meetings are here to stay and will become the preferred method of communicating long after the COVID-19 threat passes.

To help agents thrive in a constantly changing environment, RateMyAgent is launching a new free webinar series comprising 15-minute sessions detailing practical skills.

Details on how to watch the webinar will be shared via ratemyagent.com.au