If you know (or knew) what to do in those first weeks as a new real estate agent, you are among the lucky few. Most of us who remember those days remember thinking “Now what?”
We didn’t yet know just how much we didn’t yet know, but we knew we needed to get started – somehow.
My first day as a real estate agent would have made good comedy…
Real estate was slow back in 1985, so the other agents decided I could answer the phone for 
them that morning. (No, there was no secretary. This was a small firm in a small town.)
They had given me a key, so my first task of the day was figuring out where the light switches were. Then I had to find the phone…
From there it got sillier – but no worries. There were no buyers or sellers knocking down the door.
I had no clue about how to get started.
My broker said I should write to people I knew and tell them I was in real estate. Of course I was also supposed to ask if they knew anyone who wanted to buy or sell real estate. That was wise advice, but in those days I hadn’t yet started studying marketing, so I didn’t know the best way to announce my new career. Now I do know, and I’m happy to share. Just click here to go to a shopping cart where you’ll find the letter is Free.
It wasn’t easy, and if my husband hadn’t been working to support us, it never would have worked. I started in the fall and It was springtime before I received my first tiny little commission check.
After that, thankfully, I kept learning more.
How can today’s new real estate agents get started?
For now I’m going to skip the very first step – learning the things that real estate school didn’t teach.
That step, however, is vitally important, so you’ll find an overview right here. So are these 7 Essential Real Estate Success Tools.
If you want clients, you’ll have to embrace marketing.
Back when I was a new real estate agent, and for many years thereafter, the brokerage did all the marketing. Aside from talking with friends and family members, agents did nothing to promote themselves.
Today that’s all changed. Your brokerage might advertise, and some of their efforts might spill over to you. But if you want an abundance of clients, you’ll have to promote yourself.
Here’s help…
The fact that new agents need help getting started is the reason why I created a “New
agents’ website,” which you’ll find at: https://www.promotemyrealestatecareer.com/.
That website has been there for some time – I just don’t mention it often enough.
It’s filled with links to advice on getting started, plus free letters that you’re welcome to take and use – whether you’re a new agent or a 20-year veteran.
The fact that new agents (and others who are struggling) need help is also the reason why I’ve started compiling a new book, which may turn into a mini-course, depending upon what you tell me.
And that brings me to my two-part request…
First, would you please tell me whether you think a mini-course on getting started would be useful to new agents. And if so, should it be self-study or should it include assignments and possibly phone calls?
Second, if you’re a seasoned agent, would you share a bit of advice? Would you please tell me what you think is the most important thing for a new agent to do to promote themselves? Or – what is the most important thing for them NOT to do.
I would love to include a section in the new book with advice quoted directly from successful agents. Of course, unless you want to remain anonymous, I would include your name and a link to your website.
Sharing with new agents who appreciate your advice could earn you dozens of new referral partners, located across the country. After all, each new agent who knows that you are both experienced and kind enough to share advice will be happy to refer to you when they have people headed your way.
Just click here to leave some advice for me – and some advice for new agents.
Or – leave your advice in the comments section below.
Thank you in advance,
Marte
