Grow Your Real Estate Business Through Community Engagement
IF YOU DON'T STAND OUT YOU DONT STAND A CHANCE
Welcome to 500 Doors
If you don’t stand out, you don’t stand a chance!
At 500 Doors, we help residential realtors build their brand, increase visibility, and grow their business through strategic community engagement. Led by Kim Hayden, a seasoned real estate and community expert, our program focuses on connecting with just 500 doors a month to help agents foster relationships, build trust, and create a thriving business. You’re just 500 doors away from success, and it all starts with community.
Why 500 Doors?
The real estate market is crowded, and to succeed, you need to stand out. If you don’t stand out, you don’t stand a chance. That’s where community farming comes in. By consistently marketing to and supporting just 500 homes—your 500 doors—each month, you can build brand confidence through personal connections that online marketing alone can’t achieve.While an online presence remains important, there’s no replacement for the trust and loyalty built through in-person interactions. Whether you’re hosting local events or supporting neighborhood causes, we provide the tools you need to engage your community in a way that matters. It’s about building a brand that’s seen, heard, and trusted—both online and offline.
What We Offer
Community Farming & Event Marketing Support:
Event marketing is key to creating local brand awareness. From idea generation to promotion and execution, we guide you through hosting events that make a real impact in your community. This is how you consistently stand out and build connections that lead to referrals and long-term clients.
Brand Awareness & Consistency:
We help you establish a consistent presence in your community. By farming 500 doors each month, you’ll build a recognizable and trustworthy brand that sets you apart from the competition, increasing your influence and referral base.
Lead Generation & Engagement:
500 Doors is designed to help you connect with your target market on a deeper level. We teach you how to generate, nurture, and convert leads through meaningful community interactions. Engaging your audience in person builds the trust needed to grow your business sustainably.
The 500 Doors Podcast:
Join us weekly for expert insights from top-performing agents and real estate leaders. Learn how to leverage community farming, market trends, and innovative strategies to expand your reach and boost your real estate career.
Free Download: The Ultimate Community Event Planning Workbook
Start building your business one door at a time!
Download our Ultimate Community Event Planning Workbook to get started with community farming. This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process of hosting successful events—from planning to promotion to lead capture—so you can engage your 500 doors and grow your brand.
Download your Community Event Checklist eBook
Join Our Community Farming Playbook Event
Join Our Community
Why Kim Hayden?
Kim Hayden has spent over 20 years building a successful real estate brand through authentic community engagement. Her extensive experience helps agents unlock the power of in-person connections while balancing the importance of a strong online presence. Kim knows that being seen in your community—and being trusted—is the key to lasting success.500 Doors is her proven system, empowering realtors to thrive by becoming the local expert in their neighborhoods. By focusing on just 500 doors at a time, agents can achieve their business goals through connection, consistency, and credibility.
Simplify your Business
Maximize your Results
Guides:
Selling
Buying
Moving
Selling
Be the first one to leverage this new client engagement application! Kim Hayden in partnership with iDecide.com bringing your presentations to life.
Blogs
Embracing Realities in Real Estate: Insights from Sonya Francis
Embracing Realities in Real Estate: Insights from Sonya Francis
With over 20 years of experience, Sonya Francis has seen the real estate landscape evolve from the 2008 recession to the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent conversation with Kim Hayden on the 500 Doors Podcast, Sonya shared her insights on the industry's changing realities. Learn more about her insights in this blog, or listen to the full episode here.
Sonya's Journey into Real Estate
Sonya's journey into real estate began in 2003 when she took her father's advice after he sold his business. Together, they launched their RE/MAX brokerage during the tough 2008 recession, a challenging period that surprisingly allowed them to thrive. Now, Sonya leads The Matchmaker Team in Maryland, where her family is deeply involved in the business. Her children are not just her inspiration but also her partners in this journey.
The Realities of the Real Estate Industry
Sonya shared that the real estate profession is often misunderstood. “It's not just about making money but also about helping people.”
She also noted managing various responsibilities such as prospecting, financial management, and prioritizing clients. Sonya, who has a degree in psychology from Towson University, explained how her education has helped her develop the skills to adjust her mindset with each client and provide the necessary information to ensure their comfort throughout the process.
“We're not just opening doors and then showing up at the settlement table. It's all the stuff in between that. You have to have a passion for it. You have to want to do it. If not, you're not going to want to be in this industry because (again) people just assume that's what we do.”
Local Favorites: A Taste of Maryland
Sonya also shared some hidden gems in Maryland. She mentioned local downtown areas that offer creative beverage options, such as The Liquid Library, which combines science and creativity in its adult drinks, and Big Truck Brewery, known for serving great drinks and hosting family-friendly live music events. Wine enthusiasts can enjoy the charming atmosphere and heated igloos for wine tasting at Westminster Winery. At the same time, Mason Greene is a favorite hotspot that transitions from serving coffee in the morning to offering wine in the afternoon, catering to a diverse clientele.
Advice to Real Estate Agents
Sonya shares her advice to new and seasoned agents from her few interesting years in real estate: “You really need to come into your office or get with another agent. You need to consistently keep redeveloping yourself and reaching out to your clients.”
She says that one of the biggest things agents should do is reach out to their past clients. Maintaining that relationship with them is so important because they will, first and foremost, refer you to them.
And if you haven't been in the business, which means you wouldn’t have past clients. She emphasized: “Get with your sphere, your friend, your family, the people that know you, and those that you don't. I always say, Don't throw up real estate at them. A gentle reminder that you're in real estate, but don't talk about real estate.”
Lastly, engage. Sonya suggests using social media to stay updated on clients' important life events. For example, she suggests sending personalized gifts like cookies with a baby's face to celebrate a new arrival. She believes these thoughtful gestures leave a lasting impression without being intrusive. Maintaining a genuine presence and interest in clients’ lives will keep you at the top of their minds instead of resorting to constant sales pitches.
Sonya’s invaluable insights remind us that continuous self-improvement, genuine care for clients, and the power of personal touch make a lot of difference in real estate. If you’re considering a career in real estate or looking to buy or sell in Maryland, reach out to Sonya on social media:
Website: https://www.thematchmakerteam.com/
Instagram & Twitter: @sonyafrancisrealtor
Facebook: The Matchmaker Team
YouTube: The Matchmaker Team (features quirky videos for sellers)
LinkedIn: Sonya Francis
Podcast
Blogs
Podcast
Embracing Realities in Real Estate: Insights from Sonya Francis
Embracing Realities in Real Estate: Insights from Sonya Francis
With over 20 years of experience, Sonya Francis has seen the real estate landscape evolve from the 2008 recession to the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent conversation with Kim Hayden on the 500 Doors Podcast, Sonya shared her insights on the industry's changing realities. Learn more about her insights in this blog, or listen to the full episode here.
Sonya's Journey into Real Estate
Sonya's journey into real estate began in 2003 when she took her father's advice after he sold his business. Together, they launched their RE/MAX brokerage during the tough 2008 recession, a challenging period that surprisingly allowed them to thrive. Now, Sonya leads The Matchmaker Team in Maryland, where her family is deeply involved in the business. Her children are not just her inspiration but also her partners in this journey.
The Realities of the Real Estate Industry
Sonya shared that the real estate profession is often misunderstood. “It's not just about making money but also about helping people.”
She also noted managing various responsibilities such as prospecting, financial management, and prioritizing clients. Sonya, who has a degree in psychology from Towson University, explained how her education has helped her develop the skills to adjust her mindset with each client and provide the necessary information to ensure their comfort throughout the process.
“We're not just opening doors and then showing up at the settlement table. It's all the stuff in between that. You have to have a passion for it. You have to want to do it. If not, you're not going to want to be in this industry because (again) people just assume that's what we do.”
Local Favorites: A Taste of Maryland
Sonya also shared some hidden gems in Maryland. She mentioned local downtown areas that offer creative beverage options, such as The Liquid Library, which combines science and creativity in its adult drinks, and Big Truck Brewery, known for serving great drinks and hosting family-friendly live music events. Wine enthusiasts can enjoy the charming atmosphere and heated igloos for wine tasting at Westminster Winery. At the same time, Mason Greene is a favorite hotspot that transitions from serving coffee in the morning to offering wine in the afternoon, catering to a diverse clientele.
Advice to Real Estate Agents
Sonya shares her advice to new and seasoned agents from her few interesting years in real estate: “You really need to come into your office or get with another agent. You need to consistently keep redeveloping yourself and reaching out to your clients.”
She says that one of the biggest things agents should do is reach out to their past clients. Maintaining that relationship with them is so important because they will, first and foremost, refer you to them.
And if you haven't been in the business, which means you wouldn’t have past clients. She emphasized: “Get with your sphere, your friend, your family, the people that know you, and those that you don't. I always say, Don't throw up real estate at them. A gentle reminder that you're in real estate, but don't talk about real estate.”
Lastly, engage. Sonya suggests using social media to stay updated on clients' important life events. For example, she suggests sending personalized gifts like cookies with a baby's face to celebrate a new arrival. She believes these thoughtful gestures leave a lasting impression without being intrusive. Maintaining a genuine presence and interest in clients’ lives will keep you at the top of their minds instead of resorting to constant sales pitches.
Sonya’s invaluable insights remind us that continuous self-improvement, genuine care for clients, and the power of personal touch make a lot of difference in real estate. If you’re considering a career in real estate or looking to buy or sell in Maryland, reach out to Sonya on social media:
Website: https://www.thematchmakerteam.com/
Instagram & Twitter: @sonyafrancisrealtor
Facebook: The Matchmaker Team
YouTube: The Matchmaker Team (features quirky videos for sellers)
LinkedIn: Sonya Francis
Be part of our 500 Doors Community!
© 2023 Resilient New Media | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
Be part of our 500 Doors Community!
© 2023 Resilient New Media | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions