If 2021 is anything like 2020, the real estate industry can expect to grow even more. For new agents, this means a busy year ahead with lots of opportunity and competition. Whether you are just starting out in your real estate career or a seasoned expert looking to increase production, we’ve put together a list of 10 tips for realtors in 2021.
1. Focus On Digital Marketing
The need for an online presence is even higher at the moment, as buyers begin their home search online because they are working from home and social distancing. If you want to outrank your competition and put your services in front of most people, your best bet is to focus on the digital world. Begin with a professional website that utilizes search engine optimization and publish content like blogs and guides to show your expertise. Utilize social media to boost engagement and drive viewers to your website, all while building your reputation both online and in-person.
2. Tailor Your Branding & Messaging
Have you taken the time to define what makes you different? Hone in on your messaging and what separates you from the competition, then be sure to tell your audience more about yourself. Your messaging and selling points should be clear across your social media, email marketing, and website.
3. Work Your Sphere of Influence
A common mistake for new realtors is not tapping into their sphere of influence. When you’re just getting started, be sure to tell as many people about your new career as possible! You may be nervous to self promote, but in real estate, people are more likely to work with you if they know and trust you. Don’t be afraid to shamelessly self promote your real estate business, both in-person and online!
4. Find a Mentor & Listen to Them
Once you have joined a professional brokerage, consider finding a mentor – a real estate agent or broker that you admire – and meeting with them regularly to learn their techniques. Having a friend in the industry will help you learn first-hand about the business, and you may even be given the opportunity to shadow or show properties.
5. Prepare to Hustle
Just because the real estate industry is booming right now, doesn’t mean success will come easily to you. If you are switching from a corporate nine-to-five position, you may need to set a schedule that forces you to focus and set boundaries. As a new realtor, you should not turn opportunities down, and should make yourself available at all times. The hustle doesn’t stop though, no matter how long you’ve been in the business, the best agents put themselves out there and make themselves available for clients and opportunities.
6. Follow Up on Your Leads
There is a general rule of seven for marketing and leads. The average person has to encounter something seven times before they remember it. This means you should be following up regularly, whether it be by targeting ads, sending emails, and newsletters, calling your prospects. While you may find the repetition to feel as though you are bombarding another person, the truth is that you must make numerous touchpoints before expecting a conversion.
7. Set Goals & Create a Business Plan
If you are genuinely interested in being successful in 2021, you should start the new year with a business plan that outlines your strategy and sets goals. We suggest doing this by setting goals for dates throughout the year. Will you develop your marketing plan and execute it? Will you work your way up to calling 50 leads a day? These are all personal goals that will help you achieve big-picture success. Once you have a business plan, you are likely to feel less anxious and more in control of your future. The only thing to do next is stick to your plan and meet your goals!
8. Make a List of Vendors That Make Your Life Easier
When it comes to smooth sailing in the real estate industry, streamline your selling process with a list of vendors you know and trust. This includes everything from lenders to inspection companies. If you are brand new, ask your broker for recommendations and make contact with the services to understand how they work and their cost.
9. Stay Educated & Get Involved
As a new realtor, there is value in knowledge. Your clients choose to work with you because they trust your expertise. You should plan to stay active in your local Realtor Association, dedicate time for learning and reading, and continue to network with other realtors and builders in your area.
10. Move Forward Fearlessly
It is common to feel nervous when just starting out as a realtor. However, fortune favors the bold in this industry and you must be willing to put in the hard work. In a natural sales environment, real estate requires you to self promote and make consistent sales calls. It will take some time for you to learn the processes and to navigate the day-to-day with little concern. Start your year with confidence, put in the hard work, and forge fearlessly forward!
If you are new to real estate and would like to learn the industry with fool-proof training and access to leads, consider a career with Medway Realty. Our 100% commission plans and low monthly rates are perfect for new real estate agents. Contact us today by email, or by phone at (941) 941-929-4223.
