People don’t buy property from an agency – they buy property from a person. Having the backing of a trustworthy brand, like Meridian Realty, behind your name, gives you added clout that cannot be denied. But even with the most high-profile agency’s name printed on your business cards, if a client doesn’t connect with you on a personal level, the chances are they will continue their search elsewhere.
The question is, how do you stand out from the run-of-the-mill estate agent and connect with existing and prospective clients on a new level?
Read on to find out how you can do things differently.
Connect … truly connect
It’s important to build a good rapport with clients from the get-go. From the first communication, connect with people and try to learn more about the person behind the real estate query. Respond as soon as possible to clients, exhibiting your knowledge of available properties and areas, as well as insight into how their unique situation will affect the journey ahead. This will allow you to offer more valuable advice and guidance while also taking the first steps to build a relationship with them beyond a simple business transaction.
Another important step in achieving a stronger business relationship is staying in touch – even when the business is done. Sending out birthday messages is one thing, but calling someone to find out if they were able to find that home you couldn’t help them find? That takes things to a new level. Going the extra mile to care about people’s real estate success, even when you don’t stand to gain from it, is what sets our iAgents apart and helps them create a personal brand unlike any other.
Dig in deep
In an age where digital messages have become automated and AI-driven, where you are more likely to receive a reply from a bot than a person, it pays to get personal again. When communicating with clients and prospective clients, try to really connect with them, instead of just trying to land the deal.
Now, once you are talking to your clients on a deeper level, the next step is to get them to talk back. Building a reliable online reputation begins with honest, positive feedback from your clients. Asking for a brief review can go a long distance in cementing your reputation. But that should never be where it ends. Getting an email with updates on property renovations or a phone call to thank you for the insight you’ve provided to someone – that’s when you know you’ve done something special and truly touched someone’s life.
The only way to do this is to truly invest yourself in your clients’ goals and care about their needs.
Go beyond the norm
The only way to differentiate yourself from every other estate agent out there is to create an original personal brand that is unique to you. So, why not rely on the one thing that is entirely unique to you: you. We no longer live in a world where professionalism is synonymous with anonymity and boardroom seriousness. Today, you can make your personality and personal loves part of your brand. So, take the time to map down your personal values to see how they connect to your professional life and how they can guide your services.
When creating a personal brand, show that your interests lie beyond the real estate deal and get involved in your community. Include non-property related news in your newsletter. Promote events and organisations that are aimed at uplifting the community. From bakeries and art galleries to music venues and bookshops, without real estate, real estate is a part of almost every aspect of our lives. So, why not expand the news you share to include more of your community?
Doing things differently and pushing the limits of what real estate agents can do, is what Meridian Realty is all about. So, why not find out if you have what it takes to be an iAgent and get in touch with us.
This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)