As the new year approaches, everyone has something to say about a resolution: lose weight, get the raise, quit your job to chase that dream of being a goat herder in the Swiss Alps. But for those that are in the real estate industry, the #1 aim is almost always to be better than they were for the past year. In order to excel oneself in 2019, here are a few recommended actions.
Have a plan
What this means is to have two different plans in place, and this needs to be done sooner rather than later. The business plan and the marketing plan are quintessential to your business. Should you need some sort of assistance with a business plan, SBA.gov has several resources that are available for free to anyone starting their own career track. Even if you already have one, revise it. Things change. You change. Make sure it’s still in alignment with what you want, and if that’s changed, that’s alright. Just change the plan accordingly and in realistic terms.
The marketing plan is going to be the next most essential component of your business. It requires that a strategy be set up with a year goal, monthly goal, and weekly goal – all to attain that one aim that you have in mind. Many people have some sort of five year plan or the like, and if that’s your style, then that works for the better. Think about what you want to achieve for the next year. Do you want to afford that Mercedes you’ve been eyeing? Do you want to break $1M in sales? Write down the steps that you will need to achieve that. How do you plan on getting there? What tools (e.g. social media, PPC, content marketing, SEO, etc. (spoiler alert: you might want to use all of these in some capacity)) do you need to use or are in which most proficient in order to get there? It’s about goal building and how each small achievement adds up to the bigger picture.
A few things that every realtor needs to use in 2019 for their marketing are a great website and social media presence, great MLS photos, and marketing automation. Without the tech presence, many of those first-time homebuyers, who took 33% of the market in November 2018, are going to create a disconnect between the two of you in this growing market section. It doesn’t show that you know what you’re doing even if you’ve been at it for years. Enlighten yourself on the current tech trends that are out there and educate yourself on them. Especially in terms of marketing automation, voice, and chat bots. These will invariably save time which in turn saves you money.
What to remember here is that in real estate – much like any business – there needs to be goals, balance, and a timeline to follow. With a dash of focus and a shot of adaptability, the plan should be something fantastic to work from.
A note about balance. It is imperative to strike a relationship between your work, family, and what else is important to you: this will ensure to avoid burnout. With as many as 90% of REALTOR®s dropping out within 2-5 years in the career, to be successful is to strike that balance and keep to it.
Get Yourself Some New Clothes
This one can be taken as something different. Think about it. If 2018 wasn’t your year, switch that out with your wardrobe. Many online consignment stores will take your clothes wherein trading them in for other ones might be the trick to propel you into success. New clothes, new mindset. Here are a few retailers that would work well for your needs:
These are consignment stores, and while that will find the best deals for your budget, there are also discount retailers online such as J. Crew Factory and Zara that will have that new clothes smell but for much less money than Nordstrom’s.
STAY AWAY FROM FAST FASHION! Places like XXI are not meant to last. They are cheap, and they will make you feel cheap. Just saying.
Take a Good, Hard Look At Your Broker
The last thing to consider is your current broker. Ask yourself if you’re happy where you are and what you’re doing. Asking these hard questions when thinking of making a switch is the most important thing you can do for your own career. There are several different brokerages out there that might suit your needs much better than the one you’re currently with. Are you making as much money as you hoped to? What promises were kept, and which were broken? Then if/when you’re looking for another brokerage, ask these questions as well.
It’s tough, but if you’re not happy, then throw that broker out like your old clothes. You have to think about what’s best for you and your situation. If you don’t then who will?
Thanks for reading! Please share with your friends and let me know what some of your tips for the new year are!