Most mortgage advisers work alone. They think if they just hustle harder, make more calls, send more emails, they’ll get ahead. How’s that working out for you?
The truth is, highly successful originators don’t work alone. They work in networks. They build relationships that create opportunities, leverage, referrals and ultimately cash flow. If you’re tired of chasing referral partners and hoping they send you business, you have to flip the script.
The truth is, highly successful originators don’t work alone. They work in networks. They build relationships that create opportunities, leverage, referrals and ultimately cash flow. If you’re tired of chasing referral partners and hoping they send you business, you have to flip the script.
Instead of being just another mortgage adviser trolling for leads and chasing the same shrinking pool of Realtors as everyone else, become the leader of the room — the person who connects successful people, facilitates business growth and builds an unstoppable network. How do you do it? By forming your own mastermind group.
Collaborative focus
Successful businesspeople don’t focus on competing; they focus on collaborating. They surround themselves with high-caliber, like-minded professionals who share ideas, solve problems and create wealth together.
As mortgage advisers, you need to do the same. A mastermind group gives you instant credibility, access to top business professionals, and a steady stream of referrals — without begging for them and instead facilitating them.
You don’t need to overcomplicate this. The first step? Decide that you’re going to do it. You already know the Realtors, financial advisers and business professionals you’d like to build stronger relationships with. Now, it’s just a matter of bringing them together the right way.
Curated mix
The most successful masterminds have a carefully curated mix of professionals. You’re looking for people who regularly interact with homebuyers and homeowners (Realtors, financial advisers, accountants, insurance agents, builders, home service providers).
The people in your mastermind group should have large networks and can introduce you to more people. And they should be growth-minded — meaning they’re serious about leveling up their business, not just “showing up” for another networking event.
A tight, high-quality group of people works best. Any bigger, and it’s hard to manage. Any smaller, and you lose momentum. The ideal number is 12, one from each profession, all curated by you based on the criteria above. No more than one or two should be currently working with you. Invite the highest valued professionals — the financial adviser, accountant and Realtor — in at the end once you have already established your all-star group.
Carefully structured
The best masterminds are structured. Random coffee meetings and casual networking won’t cut it. To make it effective and sustainable, follow these guidelines:
● Meet once a month. Same day, time, and location (consistency is key).
● Limit meetings to 90 minutes. Enough time to dive into business challenges without dragging on the discussion.
● Private setting. Restaurants with private dining rooms, a well-equipped office or a quiet conference room work best.
● No distractions. Everyone should be present, engaged and committed to the conversation.
Be clear with the members that they have one excused absence, but preferably none. Meetings scheduled during business hours can easily be blocked out on their schedules.
High engagement
Every meeting should have a clear structure to keep engagement high. A designated moderator who helps guide the discussion is necessary.
One of the most effective formats includes a “hot seat” session where one person shares a business challenge. A group problem-solving exercise where everyone contributes insights, advice and potential solutions.
There should be time for networking and referrals, because when people see you as the connector, they naturally want to work with you. This format keeps meetings focused, valuable and actionable — so members actually look forward to coming back each month.
When done correctly, this is the single most effective way to build deep, long-term relationships with high-value referral partners — and keep your pipeline full, year after year. Continually refresh the group after 12 months and invite in new professionals while maintaining close contact with the past groups.
