Jacqueline Kyo Thomas
It’s time to level up as a real estate agent.
These days, the real estate market is in flux. Depending on your local area, home prices may be rising or dropping. But don’t let that panic you. The market is always moving. What’s important is that you continuously improve your skills and strategies so that you can be ready for whatever state the market is in.
In this blog post, we'll walk you through actionable steps you can take this week to elevate your game as a real estate agent. Each tip is designed to help you become a more effective and successful agent. So, let's start leveling up.
1. Create a Social Media Profile
To be successful as an agent in 2024 and beyond, you need a social media presence. You may already have a social media profile for personal use, but do you have one devoted to your real estate business? If not, you must.
Creating a professional profile on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn is essential. These are places where your potential clients hang out online, and having a presence there allows you to showcase your expertise and connect with potential clients.
Setting up your profile is pretty straightforward. Make sure to use a professional profile picture, write a clear bio that highlights your expertise and what you offer as a real estate agent, and consider adding a cover photo that reflects your personality or showcases some of your recent successes.
Once your profile is set up, it's time to start engaging. Share valuable content, respond to comments and messages promptly, and show your personality – people want to work with someone they feel they know and trust.
Take an hour or two to create your professional social media profile this week. It's a small (and free) step that can have a major impact on your real estate business.
2. Invest in Your Network
Take a few minutes to connect with someone in your network, whether it's a past client, colleague, or friend. It could be as simple as sending a quick email, making a phone call, or even sending a message on social media.
The goal here is to check in, say hello, and show that you value the relationship. Ask how they're doing, see if there's anything you can help them with, and share any relevant updates or news from your end.
Building and maintaining relationships is a cornerstone of success in the real estate industry, and reaching out regularly is a great way to stay top of mind with your network. Don't hesitate to take a few minutes out of your day to reach out to someone this week. It could lead to new opportunities down the road.
3. Write Your First Email Newsletter
It’s never too early to start your email newsletter. Even if you only have a few people subscribed to your email newsletter, and one of those people is your mom, it’s still an important practice to begin.
Sending regular emails keeps you at the top of mind for your subscribers. Sure, they may not be ready to buy/sell a home today, but you want them to think of you when they are. The best way to do that is by constantly reminding them that you’re ready to help—and you’ll do that through your email newsletter.
If you haven’t set up your email newsletter, check out this post for a step-by-step guide on how to do so. Then, begin by drafting your first newsletter. You can use an email marketing platform like Mailchimp or Constant Contact to design and send your newsletters easily.
When crafting your newsletter, provide valuable content that your audience will find useful. This could include tips for buying or selling a home, updates on market trends, insights into local neighborhoods, or even advice on home maintenance.
Once your newsletter is ready, schedule it to be sent out to your clients and prospects. Be consistent with your sending schedule – whether it's monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly – to keep your audience engaged and informed.
Starting your newsletter might seem daunting at first, but it's a powerful tool for staying connected with your audience and establishing yourself as a trusted real estate expert.
4. Invest In Your Education
Take some time this week to expand your real estate knowledge. You can even begin the process of getting licensed to sell real estate in another state. Some states offer reciprocal licensing. For example, if you’re licensed to sell real estate in Massachusetts, you are eligible for New Hampshire reciprocity, which means you only need to take the New Hampshire-specific part of the real estate exam.
Grow your business from one state to two. Enroll in our New Hampshire reciprocal licensing course to prepare for the New Hampshire state portion of the licensing test. Learn more about our New Hampshire Real Estate Reciprocity here.
5. Practice Your Negotiation Techniques
Negotiation plays a big role in real estate. That’s why you should practice your negotiation techniques this week. Everyone gets better with practice. One effective way to do this is through role-playing with a friend or colleague. Practice different scenarios to hone your skills.
Additionally, you can supplement your practice by studying negotiation tips and strategies online. There are plenty of resources available, including articles, videos, and online courses, that can help you improve your negotiation skills.
Pay attention to key concepts such as active listening, problem-solving, and finding win-win solutions. These skills can help you navigate negotiations more effectively and also build stronger relationships with your clients and colleagues.
6. Ask for Feedback
Take the initiative to reach out to your past clients and ask for about their experience working with you. You can do this through a personalized email, phone call, or even a brief survey.
When asking for feedback, be specific and ask open-ended questions that encourage honest and descriptive responses. For example, you could ask about their overall satisfaction with your services, what they liked most, and any areas where they think you could improve.
Once you've gathered feedback, be sure to review it. But check your feelings at the door. Remember that you can use any feedback, no matter how painful, to improve yourself as a professional. Analyze it objectively. Look for common themes or patterns that emerge and identify areas where you can make adjustments to better serve your clients in the future.
Use the insights you gain from client feedback to refine your processes, improve your communication skills, and enhance the overall client experience.
By actively seeking feedback from past clients this week, you'll not only demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement.
7. Create a Daily Schedule
Start the habit of sitting down once a week to create a daily schedule. Start by outlining your priorities for each day. This may include client meetings, property viewings, administrative tasks, and prospecting activities.
When creating your schedule, be realistic about how much time you'll need for each task and try to allocate blocks of time for similar activities. We tend to be optimistic about what we can handle. Keep that in mind as you plan and allow yourself flexibility in case something pops up that you didn’t plan for (it always does).
Consider using tools like digital calendars, scheduling apps, or even old-fashioned pen and paper to map out your schedule. Find a method that works best for you and stick to it consistently.
8. Research Local Market Trends
Take some time this week to research local market trends and statistics. This could include factors such as median home prices, inventory levels, average days on the market, and any recent shifts or trends in buyer or seller behavior.
Start by exploring resources such as real estate websites, local market reports, and data from your local MLS. Look for information that provides insight into both the current state of the market and any projections or forecasts for the future.
Pay attention to factors that may impact your clients, such as changes in interest rates, shifts in supply and demand, or new developments in your area. Understanding these trends allows you to provide informed advice and guidance to your clients as they navigate the real estate market.
As you conduct your research, take notes on key findings and trends that you can use to inform your marketing strategies, pricing recommendations, and client consultations.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations on taking the first steps towards leveling up as a real estate agent. By implementing these actionable tips this week, you're setting yourself up for success in our competitive real estate industry. Remember, continuous improvement is key, so keep pushing yourself to learn, grow, and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of real estate.