If you’ve ever thought:

“I don’t want to sound salesy.”

“I struggle to know what to say when they show interest.”

“I leave networking events with nothing concrete.”

You're invited to be part of the Buying Signals for Networkers 8 week mastermind, based on Nikki Rausch's book, Buying Signals.

Enrollment is now open, and it’s a live, practice-based experience focused on clarity, confidence, and knowing what to say when it comes to issuing next step invitations.

You can participate either virtually or in person, and you’ll have access to my Premium OKC Networking community for the entire mastermind, plus one month after it ends.

👉 Join Buying Signals for Networkers at $325 and start recognizing real interest in your networking conversations.

Learn more and enroll here: https://thenetworkerstourguide.com/buysignals

In this episode of The Networker’s Tour Guide, host Faithann Basore welcomes back returning guest Dirk Houglum of DMP Home Inspections for a candid conversation as part of the Realtor-Ready Networker Series.

Networking in the real estate industry can feel especially overwhelming when you’re surrounded by others who offer the same services. Dirk shares what it really takes to build trust with realtors, why honesty and integrity matter, and how staying true to your values strengthens long-term relationships.

Together, Faithann and Dirk discuss common challenges trades professionals face when networking with realtors, including navigating competition, providing value beyond the sale, and earning trust over time. Dirk also explains why collaboration with others in your industry can lead to stronger relationships, increased confidence, and better referral opportunities.

This episode is a must-listen for home inspectors, roofers, lenders, and other real estate-adjacent professionals who want to become truly realtor-ready and build relationships that last.

Becoming realtor-ready means showing up with integrity, providing real value, and allowing trust to build over time. When you focus on honesty, collaboration, and service, strong and lasting realtor relationships naturally follow.

Follow Doug-

• 🔗 Website

• 📺 YouTube

• 👥 Facebook

Follow Faithann-

Instagram: @thenetworkerstourguide

Join Premium OKC Networking for $65 for a 1 year access to Faithann's networking calendar, community forum, and networking courses.

Join the Private Community: The Networker’s Tour Guide on Facebook

In this episode, Faithann Basore kicks off The Realtor-Ready Series, designed to help realtors and real-estate-adjacent professionals—such as inspectors, roofers, and lenders—build stronger referral relationships.She’s joined by Jackie Benjamin to explore how strategic social media engagement can build rapport before you ever meet in person, making real-life networking feel familiar instead of forced.

Jackie shares a simple engagement strategy that takes just 15 minutes a day and helps business owners create visibility, trust, and connection before showing up to events.

When relationships are warmed up online, in-person introductions feel easier and more natural. Faithann explains that once trust is built digitally, you simply need to show up—without overthinking it.

Jackie introduces a repeatable way to engage genuinely on social media:

• A – Acknowledge the post with specificity

• T – Tip add a helpful insight from your expertise

• Q – Question invite conversation

This approach increases replies, visibility, and real connection.

This is not a “follow everyone” strategy. Jackie emphasizes focusing on:

• primary referral partners who serve the same clients

• secondary visibility partners whose audiences include homeowners

Consistent visibility builds familiarity—and familiarity builds trust.

If posting feels overwhelming:

• aim for one post per week

• spend 15 minutes a day engaging

With the right people in your feed, engagement becomes faster and more effective.

Download Jackie's 15 Minute Social Media Checklist here.

Faithann encourages professionals to stay aware of what’s happening in their partners’ industries. Understanding industry shifts builds credibility and leads to better conversations and stronger relationships.

• Jackie’s 15-minute daily engagement checklist

Connect with Jackie

• Website - https://www.weassistbusiness.com/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/weassistmarketing
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiebenjamin/

Join Faithann's Buying Signals for Networkers Mastermind, designed to help networkers recognize buying signals and invite next steps with confidence—without sounding pushy. Both in-person and virtual options are available. The mastermind is 8 Weeks and begins in early Feb. 2026.

Connect with Faithann:

• Instagram: @thenetworkerstourguide

• Join Premium OKC Networking for $65 for a 1 year access to Faithann's networking calendar, community forum, and networking courses.

• Join the Private Community: The Networker’s Tour Guide on Facebook

In this episode, Faithann is joined by Molly Zang, owner of Novel Optical in downtown Oklahoma City, to talk about how business owners can collaborate with non-competing professionals who serve the same audience—and why those partnerships are one of the most overlooked networking opportunities.

Rather than chasing new audiences from scratch, this conversation explores how collaboration, education, and thoughtful referrals can expand reach, build rapport, and bring the right people together in a natural, non-salesy way.

• Why collaborating with professionals who don’t compete but serve the same clients is one of the smartest ways to grow your network

• How Molly’s approach to eyewear begins with deep lifestyle questions, not products

• Why photographers, graphic designers, estheticians, and other creatives often have unique optical needs they don’t realize can be supported

• How education-based collaborations (webinars, lunch & learns, PDFs) build credibility and trust faster than traditional networking

• Why brick-and-mortar businesses should invite people into their space even when they don’t need the service yet

You don’t need more people—you need better alignment. When you collaborate with professionals who already have the trust of the audience you want to reach, everyone wins.

Molly Zang is the owner of Novel Optical, a woman-owned, independent optical shop in downtown Oklahoma City specializing in handcrafted, toxin-free eyewear. Novel Optical focuses exclusively on eyewear—offering highly personalized fittings, thoughtful recommendations, and a welcoming, colorful experience that feels anything but clinical.

• Website: noveloptical.com

• Instagram & Facebook: @NovelOptical

• Location: Corner of 9th & Hudson, Midtown Oklahoma City

Connect with Faithann: Instagram: @thenetworkerstourguide

Join Premium OKC Networking for $65 for a 1 year access to Faithann's networking calendar, community forum, and networking courses.

Join the Private Community: The Networker’s Tour Guide on Facebook

Join Faithann's Buying Signals for Networkers Mastermind, designed to help networkers recognize buying signals and invite next steps with confidence—without sounding pushy. Both in-person and virtual options are available. The mastermind is 8 Weeks and begins in early Feb. 2026.

Join the Buying Signals HERE.

As you listen, ask yourself: Who serves the same people I do—but in a different way? That might be your next best collaboration.

If you’d like help identifying or structuring collaborations like the ones discussed in this episode, Faithann invites you to reach out via email or message her on Facebook. Email Faithann at faithann@thenetworkerstourguide.com.