The Real Estate Industry is constantly changing in Kenya, this means that as new Investors or new agents we have to work an extra mile to know how we will archive our goals which success comes as one. Success comes with how you plan yourself and how you accomplish them. the aim that one has in the business leads to a successful Real Estate Agent.
Knowing when to follow conventional wisdom and when to pursue new tactics will help you create a successful real estate business.
1. Set Goals and Create a Plan.
You need a plan for how to be successful as a real estate agent. You need to set goals and develop a business plan. Most plans cover activities for attracting new clients.
Here are some helpful tips:
- Write one or two sentences about what could make you attractive to potential clients. This is your unique selling proposition.
- Develop a budget with a focus on the activities that you identify as having the potential for the highest ROI. This will ensure efficient use of funds for the right reasons.
- Create a calendar to guide planning for marketing and networking activities like emails , social media and paid advertising.
- Develop metrics and daily activities all driven toward helping you meet your goals.
After you develop your plan, hold yourself accountable to it.
For a good business owner, one needs to have a business plan that will guide the business. For a good beginning, a business plan is more important. Don’t let your enthusiasm for getting a client right away keep you from important business organizing and planning tasks. Take time to understand your market and customers know their likes and dislikes and all these will walk you through a successful business.
Understand your business and know what sets you apart from the real estate agent, develop the right tools and skills to ensure that your business grows. Always stick to your plan make sure it is archivable but not easy because it is not a career with instant gratification. Always remember that you can’t control buyers, sellers, or even the market but you can control your effort.
2.Team Up with Other Real Estate Agents.
As always said, that ‘two heads are better than one.’ There must be truth to it when it comes to the real estate industry. When you team up with other real estate agents, it will help you grow your business in one or two different ways other than thinking alone. You will get different helpful ideas from different agents that will work well for you. And that will ultimately help you increase your profit and succeed in your business.
Being a new agent, you may have not gone through some challenges that may be the older agents have gone through teaming up will help deal with this. It will help you get an overall feel of what the market is and other issues that you will come across as a new inventor. It allows you to benefit from market knowledge, experience, and clientele.
3. Ask for referrals.
Referrals are the bread and butter of real estate. According to the National Association of Realtors, 39% of sellers found their agents through a referral from friends or family, and 24% used their agent twice or more. Also, 69% of sellers and 70% of buyers say they’d use the same agent again. Here are some tips for getting referrals that you can use at the beginning of (and throughout) your career:
- Ask friends and family. Let them know you’re licensed and are actively seeking buyers and sellers. Tell them you intend to work hard for anyone they refer to you.
- Keep asking. Once people have sent clients your way, ask those clients to tell other people. Keep up with past clients so you’re top of mind when they need an agent again.
- Go above and beyond. Clients appreciate and remember hard work on their behalf, and they’ll tell their friends, coworkers, and families. So always go the extra mile.
- Show your gratitude. Write a thank-you card to each referral source. For your best sources, consider a special token of your appreciation.
4. Use networking possibilities to their fullest potential.
Networking is an art that can be fun and rewarding. All it takes is knowing where to network and following a few simple rules for networking. Places that offer multiple networking opportunities are your local chamber of commerce, networking groups and real estate meetups, expos and events such as a home decorating showcase or a fair for expectant parents, volunteer groups and charity programs, your children’s school, and online groups like those on Facebook. When you’re networking at an event or meeting, here are some helpful hints for doing it effectively. Dress appropriately and professionally. If you look sharp, you make a good impression. Also, listen more than you talk. That conveys empathy and concern, which people appreciate. Focus on helping and answering questions rather than asking for referrals. Just slip someone your card at the end of a conversation. Also, take other people’s cards, too, because you never know when a contact might help you or become a lead. And, finally, enter any of your leads in your customer relationship management system as soon as you can after you leave.
5. Advertise like a pro—it’s less expensive than you think.
Marketing and advertising play a big role in succeeding as a real estate agent. The good news is it doesn’t have to cost a lot. It starts with a memorable slogan that sets you apart. After that, there are a number of ways to effectively reach new clients and market yourself both online and off, on any budget. For example, you can advertise on search engines without shelling out thousands of dollars for a banner ad by using their pay-per-click programs, which only charge you if someone clicks your ad, and the fee for those clicks can be surprisingly affordable for locally-targeted keywords.
Social media can also boost your leads with just a small investment. Facebook and Twitter offer ways to advertise at a reasonable cost. And finally, round out your marketing plan with a real-estate-based ad platform, where you can post and highlight listings, as well as engage new clients. The gains often greatly outweigh the initial cost.
6. Embrace working at night and on weekends.
People shop for homes in their free time, which is typically nights and weekends. Buyers and sellers expect their real estate agent to be available for showings, open houses, and office visits on their schedules. Don’t treat working off hours as a chore. Instead, embrace it, especially early in your career.
Volunteer to work open houses for other agents on weekends. Let clients see that you’re happy to be available whenever they need you, even if it’s at an odd time, because that instills confidence in you. In some cases, it can even lead to a sale in a competitive market or during a bidding war. Clients remember these things and tell their friends, which can lead to referrals. As you become more successful, you can dial it back and work one day of the weekend to balance client service with your personal life.
7. Work on your social media platforms.
Real estate is an industry that has really developed by being present on social media. Social media have platforms where you will post your properties, do online marketing, and with all these your business will eventually grow. Here are some platforms that you should join as a new real estate agent to boost your success.
LinkedIn: This is one of the best places to do networking with your qualified team in your industry. A good place to note good entrepreneurs to work with and as well ask questions.
Facebook: Facebook is also another social media platform that has good number of users. You can advertise your job on this platform by either showing your properties and discussing what you offer. It is a platform that one will use to make his/her dreams come true.
Instagram: This is a platform that majorly contains a young generation. Tap into your more creative side and create a visually appealing profile by uploading interiors and exteriors shots from your open houses.
Twitter: Keep your clients up to date, keep them posted in life with Twitter. Go direct to your point and business and you will walk through it.
Conclusion.
There are many attractive ways of becoming a successful real estate agent. It only requires time and effort. The goals you set for yourself and for your business will help you navigate your path to success. The above-listed steps are just to guide you to walk through your way as an entrepreneur.
Great agents work tirelessly to find novel ways to market their business generate new leads and retain clients. Learn about new technology and find ways to incorporate it into your daily practices. Success never comes easy it entails effort, Commitment, and struggles.
Now that you know how to be a successful real estate agent…
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