Your real estate agent bio is one of the most important documents you’ll ever write or have written.
- It presents the image you want the world to see.
- It showcases your expertise and abilities while letting your personality shine through.
- It gives potential clients reasons to like you, trust you, and even identify with you.
Should you write it yourself?
Only if you write well and can resist the urge to say “I, I, I” throughout the document – and if you have the ability to show prospects why you’re the agent to choose – without sounding like a braggart.
Should you hire the cheapest writer you can find?
Only if you don’t really believe the document is important.
That’s a little like saying “Should I hire the real estate agent with the lowest commission?” The answer is “Only if you don’t care about premium representation.”
Naturally, you don’t want to over-pay, but you don’t want to hire the writer with the lowest rates unless you’ve seen samples of the work and believe that he or she is going to present you in the best possible light.
Price matters, because you have a marketing budget, but it is not the only question agents should ask before hiring a writer – whether it’s for a bio, a home page, a buyer or seller page, a brochure, or anything else.
When real estate agents need a bio, what questions should they be asking, and how do I answer those questions?
Question: Can I see samples of your work?
My Answer: Of course, visit my agent bio page, where you’ll find links to several bios I’ve written.
Question: How do you learn enough to write about me?
My Answer: Through my agent questionnaire and follow-up emails and/or phone calls.
Question: Can you write a persuasive bio for a brand new agent?
My Answer: Yes, I simply combine your personality and enthusiasm with your education and the experience and expertise you’ve gained from other employment, volunteerism, or the school of life. I do have a separate questionnaire for new agents.
Question: What’s your turn-around time?
My Answer: My agreement states a 3 week deadline, but I try to be finished in half that time.
Question: What if I want changes?
My Answer: You can have them. Once the bio is finished you have 7 days in which to ask me to add, remove, or change something.
Question: What does it cost and how do I pay you?
My Answer: At this time, an agent bio is $325 and I ask for 50% up front and the balance when I submit the copy. You can pay by Pay Pal, a check in the mail, or a credit card. I’m NOT the least expensive, and I am by far not the most expensive.
Of course, all of that, including the price, is on my website…
But I don’t blame anyone who writes or calls to ask. Sometimes it’s just easier, and sometimes agents want to see how quickly I’ll respond to their inquiry. In this day when good service is a surprise, I understand that.
Others like to call and get acquainted before deciding if I’m the right person to write for them – and that’s not such a bad idea either.
Meanwhile… I really enjoy it when agents call. Whether it’s to talk about their bio or some other writing project, to ask questions about my prospecting letters, or just to talk.
So if you have the urge to call, do it! I’m not always at my desk, but I’ll call you back if I miss you.
NOTE: If you really can’t afford to hire a writer, but know you need something on the company site, visit me on Active Rain and read these 20 or so articles about writing real estate agent bios.
