Something I hear all of the time from newer agents and even agents with some (but minimal) experience is that they struggle with setting themselves apart from the competition. You guys know I like to keep it super real about everything in real estate, and when I tell you there’s a lot of competition in this industry, I mean there’s a LOT. It might be difficult to set yourself apart, but regardless, it’s still essential. But I know, easier said than done, so I’m laying out how to set yourself apart as an agent in today’s blog post.

Do One Thing, and Do It Excellent

I’ve spoken on how agents have to wear MANY different hats and while you need to be able to juggle all of those hats, finding something you’re excellent at is super important. Figure out one thing that you do well, and when I say well I mean AMAZING, and highlight it constantly. Always showcase it, always be the absolute best at it, and people will start to take notice. You’ll be the agent known for that one thing, setting yourself apart from the competition. Now, I’m not saying only to be amazing at one thing and be shitty at everything else. Definitely not. But sometimes, finding your niche or skill and going hard with it is the way to go when it comes to standing out.

Get Your Social Media Up

I’ve said it a million times and I’ll say it again, if you don’t have a social media page dedicated to real estate, you need to make one. This can be a separate account from your personal page or you can dedicate your current account to real estate and life as an agent. It doesn’t really matter, as long as you have a social media presence.

Setting up your social media is all about getting found by the masses; people who want to buy and sell homes, along with other agents who have referrals to pass on to you. In today’s day and age, it also gives you credibility as an agent. A prospective client might try and look you up on Instagram, and which do you think will give them more confidence about your abilities: a well-put-together page with information, industry expertise, consistency, listings, and more, or a page with no posts and no effort put in. It might seem silly to dedicate time to your social media presence but trust me, in the long run, it can only benefit you.

Use Video

According to the National Association of Realtors, only 9% of realtors use video marketing such as Instagram videos for real estate agents in their social media strategy.

What???

When I read that statistic it blew my mind. If you know anything about social media, you know that video-based content is on the rise. So much so that it generates 1,200% more shares than text and images combined! This means that video helps agents get in front of more potential clients than any other form of social media content. If video isn’t a part of your social media strategy, it’s time to incorporate it ASAP. I know creating a video can seem like a lot of effort, especially compared to quickly posting a photo, but if the numbers tell you anything… It’s worth it, and it will definitely set you apart from the 91% of agents not using video.

Don’t know where to begin? Here are a few video ideas to get you started:

• Agent Introduction Video: Introduce yourself! You’ll get used to talking in front of the camera 😉
• Neighborhood Spotlight Video: Share details and information on a specific neighborhood you have listings in. If you don’t have listings, you can still do a neighborhood spotlight video. Share why you love the neighborhood and why it’s a good place to buy.
• Client Testimonial: Ask your client to film a testimonial video for you. If they don’t feel comfortable, a written testimonial will do, and you can create a text-based video.
• Just Listed Video: Have a new listing? Make a video with clips from the property, or a slideshow of pictures.

Check out this video I posted on my Instagram page!

Perseverance is Key

At the end of the day, the real estate industry is a tough one to break into. It takes a LOT of grit and determination to make it, so keep persevering. Set yourself apart by being the agent who doesn’t give up and keeps working their ass off even when things get hard. Over time, your hard work will be rewarded and it will also be recognized by others around you.