BUSINESS
HOW TO WOW HOME SELLERS AND BUYERS
The key to wowing homebuyers is to transform yourself from being a good real estate agent to being an exceptional one. And the key to being exceptional is to be committed to what you do. It starts with one, simple decision—the decision to go all-in on your real estate career. What follows are the personal qualities and ways of working to develop that will set you apart from your competition and make a lasting impression on your clients. Here are five steps to take, starting with that all-important first one:
Make a total commitment to your profession. Make the decision that this is the career you’ve chosen. Forget about having some backup plan for when the going gets tough. Once you’ve committed to being a real estate professional, formulate a clear vision of your career goals, and the steps along the way that will make those goals a reality. Measure your progress on a regular basis—monthly, quarterly, and yearly.
Persist. A study once found that the most successful CEOs—all very different people, in vastly different industries—had one thing in common. When things got tough, they would persist in pursuing their goals long after others would have given up. In the face of setbacks, they were resilient, taking interim failures as opportunities to learn and grow.
Approach sales as service. Selling isn’t about being pushy and making transactions. It’s about helping your clients reach their goals, proceeding with the confidence that comes from your knowledge and experience. Selling is about knowing that you need to give in order to receive.
Create systems. Instead of relying on luck, agents who wow their clients depend on the systems they’ve set up for success. These include systems for acquiring leads, following up with prospects, and servicing clients. Systems allow you to perform consistently at the highest level.
Keep taking action. Motivation creates the right mindset. But it’s taking action that gets the results. And it doesn’t matter how big those actions are. Taking a series of small actions will build momentum—and momentum builds success in this business. So, start small. Choose three specific actions you’ll commit to doing today—then follow through and do them!
| By becoming an exceptional real estate professional who wows sellers and buyers, you’ll build a business that doesn’t just survive, but thrives. Remember to be committed to what you’re doing, persist in the face of obstacles, and be totally focused on creating an incredible experience for each and every client. |
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TECHNOLOGY
BLUESKY AND THREADS: TWO MORE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO CONSIDER
Threads and Bluesky are two new social media platforms that were designed as alternatives to X (formerly known as Twitter). Like X, they focus on written content rather than videos or photos. Conversations develop in threaded posts—a continuous, nested format. They’re similar in that they both feature text-based engagement, and their current lack of paid advertising makes for a more conversational, less promotional environment. But here’s how they differ.
Bluesky: Twitter 2.0. Jack Dorsey created Bluesky while he was at Twitter, which he co-founded. It later became independent and is now headed by CEO Jay Graber. Bluesky is a decentralized platform that allows users more control over their feeds and content, with three features that set it apart:
- Feeds you can customize. Users can either follow or create topic-based feeds, like hashtags on Twitter, but they have more control. This gives Bluesky an advantage over Threads, where the ability to customize feeds is currently limited.
- Anti-toxicity features and customizable algorithms. These enable users to shape their experiences on the platform.
- Updates in real-time. Bluesky’s algorithm is very good at delivering relevant, timely content, which makes it a good choice for users looking for immediate updates, such as journalists and academics.
The platform seems to align more with thoughtful, professional discussions—and, in fact, niche communities, such as “science Twitter,” have come to Bluesky.
Threads: a word platform from Meta. Threads was started by Meta, the parent company of Facebook and other platforms. The Threads algorithm is prioritized for discoverability and engagement, versus real-time updates, so it can feel less organic than Bluesky. Here are two features that set it apart:
- Lifestyle-aligned content. Threads tends to go toward informal, style-driven conversations.
- No DMs. Although DMs do not exist on Threads, users can do a workaround on other Meta platforms.
The Threads algorithm can push content alongside posts from followed accounts. This may be helpful for new users, but is less personal for users who have spent more time on the platform. Threads is a good choice for businesses who are into visual storytelling, or ones who wish to engage with niche communities characterized by lifestyle and aesthetics.
| Use them for different purposes. Bluesky has a Twitter feel and should be your home for real-time updates and thoughtful discussions. Threads revolves around curated, visually driven content. Use Bluesky for niche markets and business engagements. Use Threads for lifestyle-focused posts leveraging visual storytelling. On both platforms, focus on participation, not promotion; share content that provides education, insights, or behind-the-scenes looks; and watch your tone—social media is a conversation, not a pitch! |
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MARKET TIP
SEVEN STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS
With the ebbs and flows of the real estate industry, we all have to adapt and learn to push our businesses in new ways to meet client needs and market conditions. Here are seven essential strategies to help you succeed.
- Define what success means for you. It could be the number of deals or dollars closed by the end of the year, or exploring new marketing tactics, or building your connections, or expanding your team—whatever is important to you.
- Expand your job. Listen to what prospects and clients are asking for and be the answer—even if it involves entering a new niche.
- Stay out of your comfort zone. Keep leaning into new things and putting more energy into your business. So, embrace your discomfort zone. If you aren’t uncomfortable, you probably aren’t pushing yourself enough.
- Be the expert. Lead the real estate experience for your clients from start to finish. Own the entire real estate ecosystem. Integrate yourself into every step of the journey.
- Look inside for solutions. Consider what’s available to you right here and now. Grab it, make the most of it, and use it.
- Collaborate. Lean on your brokerage and colleagues. Build connections, share insights, and learn from each other. Connections can be powerful.
- Be as visible as possible. Intentionally engage with your sphere both in person and online. Plan your monthly touchpoints—such as networking events, sponsorship opportunities, and social media posts. Some old-school, in-person networking activities are still the best way to engage with prospects, clients, and referral partners, and build your business.
| You never arrive at a level of success where you can afford to stop growing. There is always the next thing to do and learn to find new ways to grow personally and build your business. The fact that you’re never done shouldn’t discourage you—it should inspire you. Shift your focus from the destination to the journey, and you’ll find the possibilities for success are endless. |
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