How Jill McNamee Built a Referral Based Real Estate Business Through Community Networking

Social media can feel overwhelming, but it is also a powerful way to stay connected to the people and communities that fuel a referral based real estate business. In this episode of Agent Success Secrets, Jennie talks with longtime friend and mega agent Jill McNamee, a realtor in Hudson, Wisconsin, about the relationship driven system she has used for nearly 18 years.

The simple strategy that built Jill’s business

Jill McNamee started real estate in 2008 and learned quickly that success came down to one thing: provide value and build real relationships.

Instead of joining an existing women’s networking group where another realtor was already established, she launched her own monthly community, St. Croix Valley Girls, which is still going strong 18 years later.

Her business grew “one coffee appointment at a time,” using the group to meet new people consistently and follow up in a natural way.

How to start a monthly networking group (Jill’s blueprint)

Keep it consistent

Meets once a month

Always the first Thursday

Always at the same location

Make it valuable

A monthly educational speaker

A structured lunch format (networking first, then content)

Simple paid entry so attendees have skin in the game (Jill uses Eventbrite)

Jill McNamee’s key mindset: There is enough sunshine for everyone. She keeps the group open, letting people choose who they want to work with based on personality and values.

Database growth without feeling salesy

A group like this creates built in touches. Jill McNamee’s members receive about three emails per month tied to the meeting, plus invitations to other events. She also created a Facebook group to attract new women business professionals and keep engagement going between meetings.

Because she tags and segments these contacts, she stays top of mind far more often, which leads to consistent referrals.

The “daily revenue routine” that creates consistency

Jill McNamee noticed many agents lose time deciding who to call each day, then avoid lead generation altogether.

Her solution is a simple daily success plan that answers:

Who am I calling today?

What is my lead generation plan when I sit down?

She also customized plans for team members based on what they would actually do consistently, not what they “should” do.

Local business partnerships that create easy leads

One of Jill McNamee’s favorite tactics is partnering with hyper local businesses using value offers, like a branded coupon (example: free pizza). Instead of walking in saying “I’m a realtor,” she approaches with a partnership that promotes the business. It makes lead generation feel helpful, not pushy.

Jill McNamee’s biggest lesson after 18 years

You do not have to build the business everyone else says you should build. Jill McNamee shifted from chasing “number one” to building a business that fits her life, her values, and what she truly enjoys.

Her closing question is the one every agent should ask:

How am I providing value with how I’m showing up in the world?