No matter how much experience you have, developing a plan to grow your business can be daunting and challenging. To help new and experienced REALTORS® navigate the current real estate landscape, we launched a new series on REAL TIME, called The Working REALTOR®. The series is focused on industry tips for REALTORS®, from REALTORS®.
In the first episode of this new series, which aired in May, we discussed how to build your name. Building on that conversation, this latest episode offers insights on how to keep the momentum going and grow your business.
To help us dive into this topic, we were joined by REALTORS® Nene Akintan from Oakville, Ontario, Steve Saretsky from Vancouver, British Columbia, and Ruth Alexander from Calgary, Alberta. The trio discuss their early career lessons-learned, unique business strategies, social media, community engagement, and what the future has in store for not only themselves, but also the real estate industry. Here are some of our key takeaways.
Take the time to choose the right mentors
Each guest agreed, choosing the right mentor, especially early on in your career, is important for your development as a new REALTOR®. “You really have to align yourself with a real estate brokerage that shares or mirrors your branding and your goals,” said Alexander about her own early career. Saretsky added, “I think it’s just surrounding yourself with people that you can learn from, that are willing to be helpful”. Finding a brokerage that aligns with your values and goals is a great way to start your career off on the right foot.
Make yourself visible, don’t be a “secret agent”
Another common theme of this episode was making yourself visible as a real estate professional, with Akintan warning against being a “secret agent”. Our guests explored various strategies for enhancing your presence in local communities. This included utilizing social media and digital platforms as a REALTOR®. We also delved into setting practical expectations and objectives while planning your business and dedicating time and resources to online endeavors.
More traditional community networking strategies were also discussed, like joining community groups or boards and getting to know the people in your own circle. Akintan reminds listeners to “let everybody in your sphere of influence know that you are a REALTOR®,” in a classy way.
Have a passion for professional development? Check out our course offerings for REALTORS® and brokers on the CREA Learning Hub.
Be generous with your knowledge and expertise
As a REALTOR, one of your biggest assets is your expertise. Our guests each remind listeners of why you should share your knowledge, and generously, to help build your career and your community.
Saretsky suggests there’s a misconception in how many REALTORS® and individuals approach social media. Instead of asking, “Does it work for me? What do I gain from it in terms of leads?” Saretsky believes that this perspective is flawed. He proposes a different approach: Give first, and as you continue to give, you’ll gradually see more returns in the long run. Our guests agreed, creating digital content with a consumer-first mindset is one of the best ways to establish yourself as a knowledgeable expert and access unexpected opportunities.
Akintan takes it one step further with her extensive in-person community work. “The act of doing that, the act of helping people in the community build, the act of helping REALTORS®, mentoring them, and doing things like that actually has made my business expand exponentially,” she said.
Looking to learn more about REALTORS® making a difference in their communities? Visit REALTORSCare.ca.
Learning from other REALTORS® with REAL TIME
Whether you’re just starting your journey in real estate, or have extensive experience, this episode of REAL TIME is packed with advice and insights to enhance your business. Listen to The Working REALTOR® series and other episodes of REAL TIME, wherever you find your podcasts, or at CREA.ca/podcast.
