Real Estate Agents help people buy, sell, or rent properties. As a real estate agent, any given day can be widely different from the previous one as they continuously see new places and meet new people. As a real estate agent, you are responsible for developing marketing plans for listings, creating and distributing promotional materials, organizing appointments, showing around properties, processing real estate documents, etc.
When starting out as a real estate agent, you might struggle to find clients and listings. One commonly used way to find clients is by building contacts through the people the agent already knows. Here are some practical ways to get listings if you are starting out:
1. Target Market:
Start by identifying your target market. Who is your ideal customer/client? What is the kind of house they purchase and sell? Also, keep in mind that some demographics are constantly purchasing and selling homes. An example of this is divorced couples. Knowing as many people as you can in your community can help you tactically target these specific groups of people.
2. Network:
Real estate agents should continuously invest in building a solid network. Maintaining existing relationships is as important as creating new ones. In the world of real estate agents, weak ties are the most important source for generating leads. Weak tie relationships open doors to entirely new networks, which will help real estate agents find more listings. People you speak with on a daily basis may not be selling or buying properties now, but they might know other people who are. You can ask for referrals from your former clients or existing clients. Though cold calling can be a difficult process, new real estate agents can also try this strategy to generate leads.
3. Network of Fellow Agents:
This is often overlooked by new real estate agents, as other real estate agents are technically your competition. But building strong relationships with fellow agents in the neighborhood can be the easiest way to get good advice and recommendations. Building a strong relationship with an already established real estate agent can help you tremendously. You can search for phone numbers from listings and invite them over for a coffee or dinner to talk.
4. Creating a Brand:
Creating a personal brand is essential in today’s digital world. A personal brand can be effectively created by having an online presence. Social media sites and Video platforms can be used to do this. Modern real estate agents are building a brand for themselves using platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. Eventually, your online presence can become an excellent way for you to generate listings. Creating your own website and sending out daily newsletters can be a way to develop your email list, which then can be further utilized for future business.
5. Marketing:
One significant point to note when it comes to marketing is to not settle on one form of marketing. Try different kinds of marketing, such as social media marketing with Facebook or Instagram ads, SEO optimization for your company or website, E-newsletters, and paid partnerships. As a new real estate agent, these online marketing strategies are cheaper and more accessible. You might also try traditional marketing strategies such as handing out flyers, putting up billboards, etc.