By Zipporah Porton
While experts predict 2011 will be a better year than 2010, agents will still need to work hard and focus in order to find success. Therefore, going above and beyond is the only way to really “stomp” the competition. Here are five simple tips that can help you rise to the top in 2011.
Form Great Relationships – The real estate industry is about standing out as an individual, but you also need to surround yourself with great people that can help get deals done. Find great affiliates to have in your camp, and you’re already a step above the competition. Additionally, despite the amount of Realtors and affiliates out there in Chicagoland, this is still a small and tight-knit community. Always be kind to everyone you meet everywhere you go. Everyone knows everyone when it comes to real estate, so you want to maintain a solid and respectable reputation to continually gain success.
Be an Expert. To show your clients that you are the right agent for any job, you must be an expert in the field. It is impossible to know everything about every neighborhood, building and school in the entire Chicagoland area, but it is possible to have that information at your fingertips. Even if you don’t know the answer to every question, you need to know how to find that answer. Also, if you claim to have a specialty, make sure that you have what it takes to eclipse any competition that claims to have the exact same specialty.
Listen and Learn – Like any industry, real estate is about listening to what your clients have to say, and learning from every step you take. Whether you make a mistake or have a great transaction, there is something that can be learned. Successful agents are the ones that learn from everything that they’ve done in the past. Use every experience as a chance to grow and learn. Even if you’ve completed a successful sale without a hitch, still listen to what your clients have to say. Any input they have will help you on the next go around.
Be Creative. There are thousands of Realtors in the Chicagoland area, and many use the same tactics to entice the same clients. With the market the way it is now, it takes a lot more creativity to stand out from the crowd. Make it your goal to do something that no one else is doing, and potential clients will be excited about your creative efforts. This will also keep things interesting!
Go Hard or Go Home. According to the Urban Dictionary, this tactic is defined as follows: “To go all out at whatever you’re doing at that time and if you don’t you might as well pack it up and head home.” This advice can be followed in everything you do in life, and certainly in terms of your sales techniques. If you’re not going to give it all you’ve got, then why bother trying at all?
Copyright 2011 Agent Publishing LLC