Building a career in real estate can have many perks including flexible working hours, a high earning potential, and playing a role in helping people to find their dream homes. It’s no wonder that many people are giving up their well-established careers for greener pastures in the property industry! For some, real estate also seems like an attractive employment alternative in our current economic climate, where job opportunities in several industries are scarce.
Although real estate is often viewed as an easy way to make a lot of money quickly, building a successful career, and actually making money from it, requires a lot of effort. Hard work, long hours, and top-notch networking skills are the name of the game, but more importantly, you also need something that sets you apart from the crowd: A strong personal brand.
Let’s be honest: it’s not hard for potential clients to find real estate agents. The real challenge for many homeowners and landlords is to find the ‘right’ estate agent. They want somebody in their corner who can get the job done in a professional, friendly, and effective way. And if they don’t know much about you, chances are that another estate agent with better self-promoting and marketing skills will score the next hottest property on the block.
To ensure that potential sellers seek you out, start building your brand today. The below tips will help you get started:
- Establish an online presence
Potential clients often turn to search engines and social media to find suitable real estate agents. It is therefore vital to establish an online presence to ensure that potential clients can find you too. Advertising your services on your pages, as well as on community pages or groups, can make all the difference in landing your next client. The key is to set aside time for marketing purposes every day to promote your experience, skills, and personality.
- Make sure you maintain a professional image
You need to think about the image that you want to portray. If potential clients find you, what do you want them to see? A well-planned content plan can help you to ensure that your online presence stays professional and approachable. Professional photos, videos, and well-written content can all help to attract potential clients.
- Showcase your expertise
People want to know that they’re in good hands when they choose a real estate agent. They want somebody knowledgeable, approachable and insightful, who is a hard worker, a good networker, and a problem solver. It’s important to set potential clients’ minds at ease by showing them that you are an expert in your field. The best way to do this is to establish yourself as a thought leader. Sharing valuable tips and advice with your audience can build credibility and trust, and thus a better chance to score a client.
- Build a good reputation
If people are happy with your service, the chances are good that they will reward you with good online reviews. This is one of the best ways to attract new clients. Clients need to know that they can trust you and that you will put their interests first. This will require honesty, for example, not overpricing properties just to secure clients. You also need to make sure that you stay knowledgeable and know the industry inside out to provide your clients with sound advice. Striving for excellence and serving your clients with commitment and integrity will help you to establish a reputable name for yourself.
At Meridian Realty we assist our real estate agents in establishing their personal brand. Our agents have access to graphic designers and content creators at no additional fee per month to ensure their best chances for success.
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)