Let’s be real: it takes a hell of a lot more than sales skills to sell a home.
It’s easy to think of real estate agents as salespeople, and we are, but if you’re an agent yourself you know there is waaaaay more to it than that. If you want to go into real estate yourself, maybe you’re a new agent, or someone already in the business who needs a little refresh, listen up. Mindset is so important in this career (read more on building a winning mindset here) so I encourage you to switch your thinking and consider yourself not as a salesperson, but as a business owner… an entrepreneur.
I know I know, might seem weird AF, but hear me out. Being a successful real estate agent isn’t just about having the ability to make a sale. As an agent, you wear many (and I mean many) hats and have to have a strong set of skills outside of sales to really be successful. Not sure what those skills are? Here’s the skinny:
Be Your Own Marketing Maven
I can’t stress enough how important it is to have marketing skills in this business! Marketing is everything, especially in today’s age of digital living and social media. Getting your marketing on point is the way you’ll generate (most of) your leads, identify listings, and build a client base. If you’ve been in the business a while but haven’t bought into having social media and creating a digital presence… it’s time. You might already have a client base, but it’s not going to grow as quickly without social media. I’d suggest creating a separate Instagram page (or shifting your main page) to real estate/business only, where you can network, connect with others, and share your expertise. A strong social media page only enhances your credibility, so make it a priority in your role as an entrepreneur.
A Business Analyst, too
Agent life isn’t just about chatting up clients and selling homes. Creating success strategies, implementing them, being able to analyze that data, and coming back with a conclusion, is crucial. Having the ability to figure out which strategies are producing the best ROI is integral to your business’s success and health. If you’re reading this and are like, holy shit I don’t even know where to start with that, do your research! It seems a little overwhelming at first, I get it, but find a mentor who can show you the ropes. At the very least, invest in a few real estate books, listen to podcasts by industry leaders, and find someone digitally that you can look up to or learn from.
Become a Public Relations Pro, Samantha Jones Style
Okay, not quite, but you get the idea lol! Once you’ve mastered the above two hats, it’s time to get your public relations on. This is so you can become recognized and connected within the community. I’m all for dreaming big, but if you’re starting out, start small. Become a leader and expert in your own community first, then slowly branch out. The more connections and relationships you make the better, it will only benefit your business in the future. It’s like if you opened your own coffee shop or restaurant: you’d want to spread the word, right? Do the same with your own business.
Instead of considering yourself as someone selling real estate, shift your mindset to “I’m opening my own business”. Once you adopt that thinking, I’m sure it will spark a full list of things you can do to enhance your business as an agent. I will say, though, it’s not a one-person show. You work with so many others as an agent. Protect your business and work hard, but be open to collaboration. Working with clients, team members, and really, your entire community, is the job, and ultimately you’re all working to help deliver results that benefit everyone.
The reality is it’s hard ass work. BUT the reward is amazing!