If you’re a new real estate agent, it’s probably not a stretch to say that you’re feeling overwhelmed right now. Rest assured that even the most successful agents have been in your shoes. Knowing where to start can help build confidence and ease your mind.
As you begin to put together your business and marketing plan, it’s only natural to struggle with figuring out what’s necessary and what can be overlooked. So, consider this helpful advice for new real estate agents: Take baby steps and work your way up from there. “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” and the same goes for your new business.
8 ways to boost your brand & attract clients
Give yourself time to learn and adapt as you make your way through this checklist. Once you’re done, you’ll have a winning marketing strategy you can rely on:
1. Choose a CRM.
It’s one of the most important pieces of advice for new real estate agents; the CRM you select can influence your entire marketing plan. These three simple letters are bound to be your biggest ally in helping you gain listings.
Do this: If you haven’t signed up for a platform yet, check out this list. In the meantime, you can take an old-school approach to building your database: by using a spreadsheet. Either way, aim to keep your CRM well-tended and organized so you can effectively track both new and existing leads.
2. Fine-tune your welcome email.
Compared to the average email marketing campaign, a welcome email can generate up to four times the opens and five times the clicks. It also creates an initial — and, hopefully, lasting — impression on your leads, giving you the chance to make an introduction and open up a conversation.
An ideal welcome email should be personal and to the point, covering these topics:
- Establish expectations for contact frequency — i.e., weekly, bimonthly, or monthly.
- Make some type of call to action — i.e., to follow on social media or schedule an appointment or video call.
Do this: Above all, aim to keep your welcome email short and sweet. If you need more guidance, read our top five tips for connecting with your clients via email.
3. Get a cloud storage system.
The beginning of your career is the prime time for you to create the processes and systems that are going to support you for the years to come. Cloud storage is a pivotal piece of the puzzle.
Do this: Whether it’s Dropbox, Apple, or Google, set aside some extra time to research and get a grasp on a standard cloud storage system you’ll feel comfortable using well into the future. Keep in mind that this is where you’ll be storing a significant amount of paperwork, so you want to pick a system that’s secure and user-friendly.
4. Prep your listing presentation.
More priceless advice for new real estate agents: Get a handle on your listing presentation today, and you’ll be thanking yourself tomorrow. It’s important to put together a listing presentation that’s individual, professional, and highly detailed on exactly how you plan to help a client successfully sell their house.
Do this: Go heavy on the visuals, evidence, and market data. Always strive to show and not tell, proving to a prospective client that you’re the agent who’s up to the task. If you need help, just download this free template, customize it, and present it to your clients.
Why become a Cornerstone Realtor Partner? Use our co-branded marketing materials to make self-promoting easy.
5. Set up your social profiles.
In today’s world, count on the fact that one of the first spots buyers will search for you is on social media. Having business profiles in place (and growing your following) will only add to your street cred, establishing your reputation with your clients. Staying active on social gives you the chance to organically encounter leads and also run targeted ads to up your engagement.
Do this: Set up business profiles for at least two platforms; note that Facebook and Instagram are the two main social sites used by agents. Then, find your ideal posting frequency for each platform here and download your free guide to mastering the Facebook algorithm.
6. Start posting twice weekly.
Now that you’ve nailed down your posting frequency, it’s time to begin creating and sharing content. Again, if you feel clueless or (understandably) in over your head, start by setting small goals that are easily achievable. Posting several times a week is usually more than enough for most platforms, allowing you to develop your presence with minimal pressure.
Do this: Schedule two social media posts this week, and remember to steer clear of posting your own listings. Share a local market insight, a trending infographic, an inspirational quote, or any other content that catches your eye and feels right for your audience. You can also consult this blog post for several simple yet captivating Instagram Story ideas.
7. Subscribe to market insights.
It’s not uncommon for the housing market to change as fast as the weather. Because of this, your clients are going to lean on you for answers.
On top of that:
- There are plenty of rumors that circulate about where the market may be heading.
- It’s your responsibility to educate your clients with data, facts, and expert-backed insights to help calm their fears so they can feel good making a decision.
Do this: Schedule time to track market insights each week, ensuring you’ll stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in real estate. Subscribe to our blog at the bottom of this page so you won’t miss a single headline.
8. Think about your next virtual conference.
You just wrapped up your licensing courses and may not want to think about school. But know that there are countless virtual courses and conferences out there that can help take you to the next level. Looking for guidance with your scripts? Want to amp up your marketing? A final word of advice for new real estate agents: You can learn just about anything. It only takes some googling.
Do this: To begin, browse through the many virtual offerings provided by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), as well as Inman’s guide to both virtual and in-person real estate events for 2021. Likewise, keep your eyes open for any webinars or continued education opportunities circulated by your colleagues.
Let us make your (and your client’s) life easier
With how busy our industry has been, partnering with a lender that has the technology and the manpower — evidenced by our speedy in-house processing — to get your client home quickly can feel like a breath of fresh air. It’s not too good to be true. We promise. Become a Cornerstone Realtor Partner and find out.
For educational purposes only. Please contact your qualified professional for specific guidance.
Sources are deemed reliable but not guaranteed.