Strategies for Success in 2024 for Your Real Estate Business
As a realtor, you know that succeeding in real estate requires hard work, persistence, and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing market. While passion and work ethic are critical, having the right tips, tools, and strategies can help take your business to the next level. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the ultimate tips for realtors on how you can optimize your real estate business and boost productivity.
Leverage Social Media and Digital Marketing
Maintaining social profiles on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn might take up some of your day. However, in today’s digital world, having an online presence is a must for realtors. Potential clients can be found on any of these platforms. Promote your services — share listings, market updates, local community news, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of your work and engage with your potential clients.
In addition to social media, focus on search engine optimization (SEO) by updating your website with local keywords, fresh content, and high-quality photos. Produce video walkthroughs to showcase listings. Implement email marketing campaigns to keep past clients engaged. Paid tools like Google Ads can further amplify your digital marketing efforts.
Get Involved Locally
As a realtor, getting involved in your community can significantly boost your reputation, visibility, and referral network. Attend local events like art shows, festivals, and fundraisers. Before considering sponsoring a little league team or volunteering at the animal shelter, remember to approach networking events with a clear purpose. Develop a list of questions or topics you’d like to discuss to make the most of your interactions. The deeper your involvement in the area, the higher the likelihood of connecting with potential clients.
Join industry groups like your local Realtor Association. Become a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Look for speaking and leadership opportunities with community organizations. The connections you make will prove invaluable in growing your business.
Focus on Customer Service
Providing an amazing experience is crucial for generating repeat and referral business. Be responsive across channels like phone, email, text, and social media. Avoid keeping clients waiting when they inquire about a listing or have a question. Update them proactively throughout the buying/selling process.
Send handwritten thank you notes after closing on a deal. Check-in post-sale to answer any questions about the home. Surprise returning clients with small gifts or discounts. Going above and beyond in your customer service will lead to a steady stream of word-of-mouth.
Ask for Referrals
Speaking of referrals, don’t be shy about asking satisfied clients to recommend you to family, friends, and colleagues. In fact, referrals account for the majority of real estate deals. Yet many agents fail to capitalize on this free source of leads.
After closing, call the client to thank them for their business. Mention that you’re looking to grow your business through referrals. Offer an incentive like a gift card or discount on future deals for anyone they send your way. You can even provide pre-written email or social media templates to make it easy for them.
Implement a CRM
A customer relationship management (CRM) system lets you organize client information and history in one centralized platform. You’ll have quick access to names, contact info, property specifics, and conversation records. Never lose track of a lead again!
A robust CRM also lets you automate lead nurturing through drip email campaigns. You can track interest, document interactions, and set reminders for follow-up. For busy realtors, the organization and efficiency gains of a good CRM are invaluable.
Host Events
Get creative in generating excitement and engagement. Host open houses that double as fundraisers by partnering with a charity. Throw a Client Appreciation BBQ or Holiday Party. Organize a networking happy hour for local business owners.
Position yourself as a community leader by hosting seminars on topics like first-time homebuying, real estate investing, home staging, green living, and more. Events establish you as an authority in the space while forging connections.
Embrace Technology
From social media to CRMs, technology can streamline real estate in numerous ways. Use eSignature tools like DocuSign to expedite paperwork. Take advantage of e-faxing over antiquated fax machines. Implement 24/7 online scheduling tools so clients can book showings on their own time.
Deploy digital lockboxes to access properties using generated codes rather than physical keys. Rely on cloud storage like Dropbox to keep all files and documents secure but accessible across devices. Tech-savvy realtors have a distinct advantage in efficiently running their business.
Outsource and Delegate: Time is a Killer
To streamline your real estate business operations and optimize your time management, consider exploring the option of a virtual assistant to handle administrative tasks like email management, data entry, appointment scheduling, and content creation. Outsourcing gives you more time to focus on selling, networking, and providing outstanding service.
You can also partner with complementary service professionals like stagers, photographers, videographers, copywriters, and designers. Subcontracting lets you deliver quality results in areas outside your expertise—without taking on additional overhead.
The key is identifying activities that don’t require your full attention and leveraging others’ skills. Reserve your energy for high-impact priorities.
In summary, today's realtors have ample opportunities to grow using social media, events, referrals, technology, and outsourcing. Providing five-star customer service and immersing yourself locally remain the real differentiators. Testing new tools and optimizing your approach will position you for continued success in this dynamic industry. Lastly, never underestimate the power of continued education. Stay updated on changes in real estate laws, market trends, and best practices. Now, get out there and start leveraging these tips to maximize your real estate sales!
Richard Uzelac, CEO of RealtyTech Inc. and GoMarketing