3 Things New Real Estate Agents Should Be Doing Right Now

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Passing your real estate licensing course and becoming an agent is an exciting time! Now that you’re out in the world, how do you get the phone to start ringing? Your pre-licensing coursework teaches you everything you need to pass the state test, but often skips over the important tricks of the trade needed to get your business up and running.

Now it’s time to step out into the world and put your knowledge to the test while honing your craft and establishing yourself in the industry.

#1. Build Your Sphere

You’ll often hear the term “sphere of influence” tossed around in the real estate world. Essentially, this is a list of everyone you know and come in contact with. It’s important as a new agent to develop your sphere—whether in a CRM or a spreadsheet—so you can announce your new career and then reach out to them on a regular basis. You want to become their go-to real estate agent.

So, how do you start building your list? Start here:

  • All your (and your spouse’s) personal friends.
  • All of your (and your spouse’s) family and extended family.
  • Everyone that worked at your previous job(s).
  • Your parent’s personal friends.
  • Your kid’s coaches, teachers, friends’ parents, etc.
  • Your doctor, dentist, hair dresser, etc.
  • Anyone you know from church, school, or social groups.
  • Your neighbors, the HOA board, the mailman, etc.

#2. Focus on Your Brand

Your personal brand is more than just a logo or flashy website. It’s important that you create a personal brand that speaks to your specialty in the market, that it aligns with your Broker’s brand, and that it offers a glimpse into you as a person. Today’s buyers and sellers want to work with real people, not a faceless company—they value the personal connection.  For most people a home is the most expensive purchase they will ever make, they’ll want to build a rapport with their agent and be confident in their investment.  Your brand needs to inspire this confidence.

Here are a few tips as you focus on your brand:

  • Keep the look and messaging consistent across all channels.
  • Focus on who you are, what you do, and why you stand out in your market.
  • Make every post, marketing piece, and interaction represent your brand.
  • Be mindful that you’re aligning with your broker’s brand standards.
  • Don’t forget to extend this branding to your social networking.

#3. Reach Out to EVERYONE You Know

Now that you’ve established your sphere of influence and have a good idea of how you want to personally brand yourself, reach out to everyone you know. It’s time to let them know that you’re in the real estate business, and you’d like to become their go-to real estate person. This initial impression will set the stage for future interactions, so be sure to make it count.

Consider these innovative ways to make your first interaction stand out from the crowd:

  • Send a handwritten note. When compared to email, when you send a personally addressed, handwritten note announcing your new career, it’s likely that note will be read. And, it’s a nice change of pace from the traditional email announcement. There are services that can help with this.
  • Provide a service. Whether it’s through email or traditional mail, when you announce your new career, offer a service. Maybe that means providing a free home value consultation or partnering with a local landscaper to offer a 10% discount. Think outside the box to become memorable.
  • Skip the hard sell. Another strategy is to skip the hard sell altogether. Lifestyle marketing through marketing pieces like American Lifestyle Magazine are the perfect opportunity to subtly introduce your new career while providing interesting and relevant content that will sit on the coffee table much longer than your “introduction postcard.”

Getting Started on the Right Foot

This is an exciting time in your real estate career, but it’s also a serious one. What you do now will set the stage for your business and your personal brand for years to come.  Give thought to who you are, what you want to be known for, and the niche you want to carve out for yourself.

For more information on how American Lifestyle Magazine can help introduce your new business and keep you top of mind issue after issue, reach out to our team today.   

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