Like every other industry, real estate goes through ups and downs. So, as a new real estate agent, navigating the various market complexities is always a challenge. And staying on top of the game against a tide of experienced realtors is even more demanding.
But the most daunting task for any agent is generating leads. Without a stream of qualified leads, making it through the stiff competition may seem like a continuous uphill struggle. So, if you’re looking to boost leads, here are eight essential tips to help get you started.
1. Cold Calling
This is the easiest trick in the book to generate leads for any realtor. Of course, it could be a nerve-wracking experience for new agents. But once you get over the nerves, you might even enjoy it.
Now, before you make those calls, run a quick background check of the homeowners on Nuwber. It will help you get to know them better. This will be useful to personalize your conversations without being intrusive. But brace yourself to face rejections. Just remember, the more you fail, the higher your chances of landing a lead.
2. Network. Network. Network.
Networking is an essential tool for a real estate agent, whether you’re a seasoned expert or just starting your career. A growing network will create more opportunities to generate leads. So, spend most of your time nurturing relationships.
Get engaged with the community, volunteer, join a club, visit conferences, take a class, and make use of every other networking opportunity available. Of course, don’t forget to carry a good stack of your business cards and make sure you have a winning smile and a pitch at hand.
3. Target “For Sale By Owner” Listings
Some homeowners attempt to sell their properties by themselves. And their “for sale by owner” or FSBO listings could be an important source of potential leads for an agent.
But you need to approach them carefully. Sometimes, sellers opt for a private listing because of a negative experience with a realtor in the past. So, try to understand their pain points and offer solutions. Remember, even if it’s a newly listed home, private sellers could face numerous challenges. So, offer free advice and expertise. And once you’ve developed a relationship with them, inquire whether they’re open to working with you. If they turn you down, respect their wishes. But maintain regular contact and follow up after some time if the house is still on the market.
4. Build Partnerships
Having a strong network of partnerships is essential to prevent your pipeline of leads from drying up. Take, for instance, divorce lawyers. They could be a great source of referrals to get you introduced to newly divorced couples looking to sell their properties. And even lenders, insurance companies, builders, and cleaning services could all help direct you to potential leads.
So, invest your time in building a strong network of business partners. It’s also a great way to provide additional support to sellers by connecting them with essential service providers when listing a house. This could be particularly useful when tackling FSBOs struggling with the selling process.
5. Start Blogging
Very few realtors still invest in building their reputation online. This is where blogging could help you stand out from the crowd. You can set up a personal blog, publish articles on popular real estate websites, and even use a platform like LinkedIn.
It’s an excellent way to position yourself as an expert in your field. When you share content that’s valuable to your readers, you will automatically develop loyal followers. And they’ll do all the marketing for you, for free. Building up your online content assets will even help you with your search optimization strategy. This means your content could turn up when potential sellers are searching online for help and advice. And these are all prospective leads.
6. Build A Database
Building a database is essential to manage the ongoing communications and engagement with your network. It’s an easy way to keep in touch with relevant and customized messages. You can send regular newsletters, emails, and even free gifts, so you remain on top of their mind.
There are lots of effective CRM tools today to help you automate and streamline the relationship management function. These can significantly reduce costs and bring greater efficiency to the process. But avoid overwhelming your network with constant messaging. Find ways to add value instead.
7. Set Up Your Social Media Accounts
Social media networks provide the perfect opportunity to build leads. For instance, it’s a great way to share your thought leadership content, advertise your work, share a few referrals and success stories, and showcase your expertise. Besides, it’s much easier for your network to reshare your content on social platforms compared to traditional mediums. So, set up Facebook and Twitter accounts to maintain online visibility and optimize your content. And LinkedIn could be an important platform to reach high-net-worth professionals.
8. Online Advertising
Online advertising is an excellent option to target potential sellers. Compared to billboards and newspaper ads, it’s much more focused and precise. So, it could direct your content to the right audience with better accuracy. For example, you get to localize your ads and screen demographic factors like age and location. This will also ensure a better return on your advertising dollars, making it one of the most efficient ways to generate leads.
A Final Thought
Ultimately, every seller wants a real estate expert who could leverage knowledge and experience to get the best price for their property. So, as you hunt for new leads, make sure that you stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the real estate industry. And build local knowledge not just about the property market but also of local life, changing buyer needs, and shifts in lifestyle choices.
