I just finished reading a great aricle on Inc.com about how to jump-start your business. They list 25 ways to jump-start your business. After reading it, there are 5 that jumped out to me that really apply to real estate agents and brokers.
1. To Focus on Truly Urgent Matters, First, Clear Your Schedule
As an agent or broker, you don’t work 9-5 Monday-Friday. Sometimes you need to put down your cell phone and as Brad Inman says, “look up!” Feeling overwelmed? Clear your schedule – to really refocus on what you should be paying attention to. It may be time to say ‘no’ to some things, and even to some clients. See point #2 below.
2. Shed Your Problem Clients
I have witnessed first-hand agents who are so desperate for a paycheck that they hang onto the wrong type of client until they are completely drained and end up comprising way too much. The sign of a successful agent is the ability to walk away if needed. Ask the tough questions: “Are they worth it? Are they being realistic? Are they keeping me away from other opportunities?”
3. Turn Freebies into a Search Engine Optimization Play
Search engine optimization can bring more traffic to your site and in the end, hopefully more leads! The most effective way to optimize your site is to encourage other sites to link to yours. How? Offer something free! What is your specialty? What are you REALLY good at as an agent? Marketing? Staging? Getting a home ready? Negotiating? Whatever you are really good at – write a “white paper” on that topic and give it away free. People love free and it will help optimize your site.
4. Turn Tweets into Cash
According to the Inc article: “Rose Associates, an 80-year-old real estate agency in New York City, searches key terms such as “moving to New York” on search.twitter.com. Whenever another Twitter user types one of these top phrases, a member of Rose’s marketing staff sends them a message offering real-estate listings or related service. The result? A hundred qualified leads a month.” Why couldn’t you do something like that for your local area? Simple!
5. Find Some Amazing Interns
More often than not, agents don’t need a full time assistant. They need help when they have specific lisitings – help with marketing, or they need an extra body to be at their listing to meet to photographer or inspector. Maybe they need help for 2 months to get their “digital life” organized – their database, their computer, their files. Why not search for an intern? Check with your local colleges first and then use your social networks to see who may have a someone interested. It’s a great way for them to get experience (sometimes even college credits!) Last but not least search on Craigslist or LinkedIn.
Do you have some great tips to share that helped jump-start your business? I’d love to hear about them! Please let me feedback or comments below.
Written by: Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Inman News
