Week three of my internship shifted away from preparing for open houses or showings and focused on community engagement and marketing through direct interactions. At the beginning of the week, Troy and I met to review the results of the open house and discuss our next steps moving forward. It was helpful to reflect on the high foot traffic; while there was no immediate sale, the open house benefited him by building relationships with people in the community. We also had to make adjustments to the flyers I had created because one of the properties featured was now pending sale. In addition to updating the materials, Troy had to respond to disclosure agreement paperwork related to the pending property. This showed me that once a home goes under contract, there is still important work that must be done behind the scenes to move the transaction forward.
Because of these changes, my focus this week was centered around marketing, but in a different way than before. Instead of designing materials, my main responsibility was distributing flyers throughout the community to help build Troy’s brand recognition and strengthen his presence in the community. I visited several locations in Manchester, Iowa including Fareway, the local libraries, a flower/bakery shop, the community recreation center, and Norby’s Farm and Fleet. These locations represented places where local residents frequently visit, making them ideal spots for increasing visibility.
One of the most meaningful experiences happened with the flower/bakery shop. Before mentioning the flyer, I chose to support the business by purchasing cinnamon rolls and had a conversation explaining my internship experience. We talked about the flyers and displaying them, and during our conversation he mentioned that he recognized Troy’s name. He remembered Troy from his involvement in the community as a teacher and a coach at Starmont High School, which is where I graduated from. That moment helped reinforce how important community reputation and long-term relationships are. It also showed me that supporting local businesses and building rapport first can make professional conversations more natural and effective.
Throughout the week, I learned that community relationships play a major role in marketing success. I faced a significant amount of rejection, and for every one location that allowed me to put up or leave flyers, about three declined. However, most people were respectful and explained their reasoning. Many businesses only allowed flyers for nonprofit organizations, charities, or events they personally sponsored. One business explained to me that they had received negative feedback in the past about putting up and removing flyers, which made him hesitant. I reassured him that there was no pressure and that even if the flyer only reaches him personally, it still served a purpose. These interactions helped me understand that marketing is not just about exposure, but about trust, communication, and professionalism.
I also discovered that emphasizing Troy’s connection to the community made a major difference. When people learned that he was local and had a history of working with families in the area, they were much more receptive. This reinforced the idea that in smaller communities, personal relationships and reputation carry significant weight. People are more willing to support someone they know or feel connected to.
This week helped me develop confidence, persistence and professional communication skills. Approaching business owners required me to present myself professionally, accept rejection professionally and represent Troy’s brand in a positive way. It also showed me that marketing involves much more than creating materials. It requires actively engaging with the community and building relationships over time.
Overall, week three taught me that success in real estate depends heavily on community involvement and relationship building. While marketing materials are important, the personal connections behind them are what truly build trust and recognition. This internship continues to help me understand how marketing, business operations, and community presence all work together. Each week, I am gaining a clearer understanding of the efforts, communication, and persistence required to succeed in the real estate industry.