How to Grow Your Agent Referrals with CE Classes

Two mortgage/title professionals share exactly how they built a branded, 3-credit CE class platform that draws 50-90+ agents per month, costs them roughly one hour of prep, and is funded by sponsors. Best for LOs who want a repeatable, scalable alternative to cold-calling agents.

Takeaways you can run this week

• Apply to your state board to become a CE provider. Once approved, in Ohio the state releases name, phone, and email for every licensed agent in the area. Check your state's process — approval for a new class takes about one week once your format is submitted.
• Contact your local public library to book a free meeting room (up to 60 days out). Libraries with recent renovations have solid AV, good parking, and no rental cost — the Columbus team used this to keep their event budget at zero.
• Recruit a financial planner and a title rep (or other affiliate) to each teach one hour. Three presenters = 3 CE credits in one sitting, which dramatically increases agent motivation to attend ('if I'm going to come, might as well get it all done').
• Find a home warranty or home inspection company to buy lunch for each event in exchange for sponsor visibility. Offload food cost entirely so your only variable expense is optional (e.g., a student videographer for ~$150/event from a local art or film school).
• Upload your RSVP list from Eventbrite into a CRM and set two automated, personalized text messages: (1) the day before — 'Hey [First Name], don't forget you signed up for CE tomorrow,' and (2) the morning of — a text with the clickable address. This drives a 55% show rate.
• Use a post-class feedback form to filter your follow-up list. From a class of 50, Ryan Miracle typically gets ~20 completed forms — those are the only agents he calls, giving him a warm reason to reach out and eliminating cold follow-up on uninterested attendees.
• Brand the series with a standalone name (e.g., 'Next Level Continuing Education') and a dedicated Eventbrite page, Facebook page, and logo. Promote using the same email template each month — just swap the RSVP link. Total monthly prep time for the team: ~1 hour.

The playbook

1. 1. Get CE-provider approval from your state board. Submit your PowerPoint, note time per slide, confirm it totals the required credit hours, and wait ~1 week.
2. 2. Recruit 2-3 co-presenters (title, financial planner, etc.) so each person carries one credit hour and shares the workload.
3. 3. Create a brand name, logo, and consistent visual identity for the class series.
4. 4. Book a free library room (or similar free venue) up to 60 days out. Schedule the same day each month (e.g., second Thursday).
5. 5. Load the state agent database into your CRM; send one monthly email invite using a reusable template — only update the Eventbrite RSVP link.
6. 6. Secure a sponsor (home warranty, home inspection, etc.) to cover lunch costs each month.
7. 7. Set two automated personalized text reminders via CRM: day-before reminder and morning-of clickable address.
8. 8. After class, collect feedback forms. Call only the agents who completed them — these are your warm leads.
9. 9. Track leads from the class series on a separate P&L line item to measure referral volume from this channel over time.
10. 10. Record each class with a student videographer; repurpose footage as promo video, testimonials, and social content.

Worth quoting

“Most of these people, I wouldn't even be able to get past the gatekeeper at their office. This goes right around all of that trouble.”

“Find rock solid partners that you would count on to pull their weight. Don't try to do it yourself.”

Best for

LOs tired of cold-calling agents who want a repeatable, low-cost monthly event that generates a warm list of 20+ agent prospects per class.