In this live episode of the Collective Genius Podcast, I chat with Andrew Newlon from Springfield, Missouri—seven-year CG veteran, real estate investor, and now a local influencer. Andrew shares how he went from avoiding social media to becoming a consistent, visible authority in his market by documenting property walkthroughs, contractor updates, and lessons learned.

We dive into the practical, replicable way he's built credibility, attracted leads, hired talent, and strengthened relationships—without ever aiming to be a social media "star." This episode is packed with insight for any investor who's hesitant to put themselves out there but wants to increase deal flow, trust, and visibility right where they live.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] – Introducing Andrew Newlon and his seven-year journey in CG

[1:11] – From flips and short-term rentals to becoming a Springfield real estate face

[2:04] – How CG inspired Andrew to build a local brand using social media

[2:44] – Why his strategy isn't about going viral—but becoming the local go-to

[3:30] – Influences like Eric Brewer and Santini Lancioni that helped shape his approach

[4:43] – Andrew's social media tips for building local credibility: property walkthroughs, consistency, and relevance

[6:04] – Why being authentic matters more than being flashy—and how he stays true to himself

[7:01] – Real-world benefits: sellers vetting him online, contractors reaching out, new hires from a single post

[8:15] – How to go from 0 to 1 with just a smartphone, a $45 mic, and a Fiverr VA

[9:44] – What's next: continuing consistency, with a possible product or local podcast on the horizon

[11:05] – Takeaway from Brian Driscoll's session: seeing the seller's journey through their own eyes

[11:41] – Plans to launch a retail listing division to help sellers they can't buy from

[13:15] – New relationships, deeper CG connections, and how he's applying shared wisdom to his own business

[13:36] – Where to follow Andrew: Facebook (Andrew Newlon) and Instagram (@newlonandrew)

[14:05] – Closing thoughts and an invitation to join the CG community

Key Takeaways

1. You Don't Need to Be Famous—Just Consistent: Building local authority with social media is about being seen regularly, not being seen by everyone.
2. Authenticity Attracts Trust: Andrew's dry humor and low-key style resonate because they reflect who he really is. You don't have to act like someone else to make an impact.
3. Start Simple, Start Now: All you need is a smartphone, a mic, and a vacant house to begin building credibility online—no fancy setup required.

Links & Resources

• Facebook: facebook.com/andrew.newlon

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newlon_andrew/

• Explore CG Membership: https://www.explorecg.com

Closing Remark

If you've been putting off building your presence because you're not "that kind of person," Andrew's story proves you don't have to be. Just start. If you found this episode helpful, rate, follow, and review the Collective Genius Podcast. Share it with another local investor who needs the nudge to show up and stand out. And if you're ready to be in a room like this, visit https://www.explorecg.com to apply.