Top 10 Dos and Don’ts of Landing Your First Real Estate Client
Welcome to the exciting world of real estate! Landing your first client as a new agent is a monumental step in your career. While it may seem daunting, finding your first client doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In this article, we will share our top 10 tips for landing your first real estate client.
Do: Build an Online Presence
One of the first things you should do as a new real estate agent is build an online presence. Create a website that showcases yourself, the areas you serve, and the type of real estate you work in. You’ll also want to create professional social media pages that highlight your expertise in real estate. It’s important to note that even if you are brand new to the industry, you can still be active online and make frequent posts about new houses on the market, industry news, etc. Prospective clients will likely explore your online presence to learn more about you so they can make an informed decision about working with you.
Don’t: Forget About Advertising
When you are trying to generate leads, you need to focus heavily on advertising yourself and your services. This can take the form of social media marketing, flyers, and email campaigns, to name a few. As you grow into your career, you may want to explore other forms of advertising like billboards. Paid social media ads are another great way to reach prospective clients and spread the word about your real estate services. Facebook and Instagram ads have proven to be very effective for some real estate agents, so explore your options and decide what type of advertising best suits your needs.
Do: Attend Networking Events
All new real estate agents should attend networking events in their area so they can meet and learn from seasoned professionals in the industry. These events are a great way for new real estate agents to gain a better understanding of the local real estate market and discover what clients are looking for when choosing an agent. When you attend these events, you can expect to gain a wealth of knowledge and expand your network by making connections with local professionals. These connections can ultimately help you secure clients, so make sure to show up, have fun, and network!
Don’t: Oversell or Overpromise
Real estate agents should never oversell or overpromise things to their clients. While it may be tempting when trying to secure a lead, new agents should never make commitments to their clients that they cannot keep. Instead, make sure you are being honest about the services you can provide for your clients and how you can help them through the home buying or selling process. By demonstrating honesty and integrity with clients, you will build a strong reputation and become a trustworthy real estate agent.
Do: Leverage Social Media
Social media is a great tool that all real estate agents should be leveraging. Instagram and Facebook are two popular platforms in the industry. New agents can use their professional social media pages to showcase local listings, share industry news with their audience, and share information about themselves. Agents should make sure that the content they are posting is valuable to prospective clients. Consider sharing tips for homebuyers, things to look for when buying a home, etc. The more value you provide to prospects, the more likely you are to secure clients.
Don’t: Shy Away
The real estate industry is competitive, and new agents need to be aggressive when they are breaking into the industry. Be persistent with your leads and learn from each experience you have with a prospective client. Demonstrating your dedication and perseverance to prospects can help secure those leads. But don’t shy away when you get your first few rejections. You won’t be the right fit for all prospects, and that is normal. Try to learn something from each interaction you have with clients and prospects so you can better yourself as a real estate agent.
Do: Use Personal Recommendations
As a new real estate agent, it can be tough to make professional connections right away. When you’re starting out, consider using personal recommendations from friends and family. Ask them to spread the word about your real estate services and see if you can get any leads through their recommendations. While this is not ideal for sustaining your career in the long term, it’s a great way to secure your first client and build a reputation.
Don’t: Forget to Follow Up
One of the most important things a real estate agent should do is follow up with prospects. Forgetting to follow up is a common mistake that many new real estate agents make. While you don’t want to be overbearing, it’s important that you show interest and dedication to your prospects’ real estate goals. Stay organized and keep all of your prospects’ information so you can easily contact them via email, phone call, or text. Follow-ups are often what helps real estate agents secure clients, so don’t forget this crucial step!
Do: Demonstrate Professionalism
Professionalism is key in the real estate industry. When interacting with clients, fellow agents, and other industry professionals, make sure you are presenting yourself well. Dressing well, speaking appropriately, and being punctual are very important qualities to many clients. This professionalism can help you win clients and gain their trust. Professionalism can go a long way and can even help you secure long-term relationships with clients that want to work with you on multiple properties. Show up as someone your clients can trust, and you will see positive results.
Don’t: Give Up
The biggest thing you need to do as a real estate agent is preserve. The real estate industry can be unpredictable and highly competitive, so it’s important that new real estate agents preserve through the rejections and challenges that they are bound to experience. Take each experience as an opportunity to learn, and ask for feedback when appropriate.
We hope that these tips help in your journey as a new real estate agent. Securing your first client is a huge accomplishment that you should be proud of. Use these tips to guide your approach to clients and make adjustments as needed. Over time, you will learn what strategies work best for you personally and for the clients you serve.
Are you looking to get started in North Carolina real estate? Contact us today to learn how Sea Coast Academy can bring your dream real estate career to life!