What skill sets do top producers have that differentiates them from the rest? They do more than just sell homes and help buyers become homeowners – they continually cultivate new clients, build their brand, keep their marketing fresh, invest in advertising methods that work and never stop learning.

All one has to do is view the sales numbers of the top 20 agents per county to see just how much work these agents put towards attaining the top producer title. According to Chicago Agent magazine’s Real Data 2013, the 20 highest-performing agents in the entire Chicagoland area – in other words, Chicagoland’s top producers – had a combined total volume of $1.938 billion, a giant 61 percent increase from 2012. In addition, if we assume these top 20 agents had a 70 percent split on a 2.5 percent commission, that would come out to be about $33.92 million in commissions.

But how exactly do top producers handle managing their business year after year, and staying on top of all aspects, including thorough market analysis, branded marketing, diligent use of technology and skilled time management? Delegation, communication and hard work all play a part in top producers’ businesses.