EP 3: Mie Yamashita Shares The Sphere Structure Strategy That Turns Contacts Into HOT Leads

What do you actually say when you call your sphere?In this power-packed episode of The Buyer’s Box Podcast, host Ally Burnett sits down again with Mie Yamashita, Director of Team Production at Reside — a coach who has trained thousands of agents and team leaders across the country. Together, they break down the exact framework agents should follow to generate real business from the people already in their phone. This isn’t script.This isn’t pressure.This is relationship-based lead generation done the right way.You’ll learn the psychology behind calling your sphere, how to overcome the fear of rejection, and how a 5-minute, structured conversation can turn into real appointments, repeat clients, and long-term referrals.If you're an agent who struggles with: ✔️ Not knowing what to say ✔️ Feeling awkward calling old contacts ✔️ Letting your database go cold ✔️ Wasting money on leads instead of leveraging your relationships …this episode is your new playbook.YOU’LL LEARN HOW TO:Use the Sphere Structure Strategy — a simple, duplicatable, 6–7 minute call framework that builds trust and positions you as the agent of choice. Start conversations naturally so you never sound salesy or scripted. Collect data intentionally (birthdays, addresses, emails) without being weird about it.Use FORD conversations (Family–Occupation–Recreation–Dreams) to open doors organically. Talk about real estate without pitching, using emotional anecdotes that stick. End calls at the right time so people want to answer your calls again. Avoid the biggest sphere mistakes that sabotage agent relationships. Build a sphere even if you think you don’t have one.WHAT YOU’LL LEARN 00:00 – Welcome back — Meet Mia from Reside 01:10 – Why agents avoid calling sphere (fear of rejection)  02:40 – "Do it scared" — overcoming the emotional resistance 04:20 – How to consolidate your sphere: CRMs, Google Contacts, tagging 06:30 – The Sphere Structure Strategy explained step-by-step 08:10 – How to collect birthdays, addresses & emails naturally 09:45 – The power of FORD: “How’s life? How’s work?” 11:20 – How to talk about real estate through emotional storytelling 13:00 – Ending the call in under 10 minutes (so they answer again) 14:40 – Should you call family first or old co-workers? 16:20 – INCUBATION: Why sphere takes 6–18 months to convert 18:00 – How to handle people you don’t want to call 20:00 – Final takeaways — everyone has a sphere (and you must build yours)WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR• New agents starting from zero • Agents who feel awkward, stuck, or inconsistent with lead gen • Team leaders who want a scalable system for coaching agents • Anyone who wants a no-cost, relationship-driven way to grow their businessWHY YOU SHOULD LISTENBecause every top producer knows this:Your sphere is your #1 lead source, if you know how to work it.Mia breaks down the exact call structure, the mindset behind it, and the emotional cues that open doors to real opportunities. By the end, you’ll know how to start conversations, nurture trust, and stay top-of-mind without pressure or awkwardness.Join Our Community Now: Buyers Box — Buyers Box - Buyers Agent ToolboxSupport the show