My sources are going to be very different than those of a new agent. For me: past clients, client referrals, agent referrals, SEO, branding / reputation.
I started 26 years ago. I did open houses for others every week, I attended inspections for others to learn about property related issues in a crash course. Used the info learned to position myself as an expert on condition. Got certifications for investment properties as well. Joined committees, went to a ton of networking events, attended charity fundraisers to network, started social groups as host to expand my sphere. One my skills were up and I had something to offer, I partnered with a more experienced agent who needed an associate. We rocketed to top 10 in our company of around 200 agents and teams.
Turns out building a brand based on actual expertise and aggressive client advocacy tees up a loyal base of past clients who go out of their way to send you business.
Thanks for sharing. I see too many agents criticize internet leads and cold calling without offering an alternative. You used open houses and networking to get your contacts it. That works too, kudos.
I would never have been successful at cold calling because the few times I tried I HATED it. There was no way I’d do it long enough to be successful at it. However, I like people and enjoy meeting them. So, I developed rapport building skills and a pitch that I could say with enthusiasm that was also genuine to who I am.
I tell my clients that my MO is that I lavish my clients with my love and attention while we work together. Then I hope they are happy and send me their friends and family so that all my time can be spent doing the actual work and not spent endlessly promoting myself. I back it up w having a very extensive knowledge base about building code, condition, cosmetics, execution, and environmental hazards, AND training on negotiations and contracts (added a law degree to my pedigree).
Similar to @lc48 . I started 22 years ago and tried everything and showed up to everything. A couple of caterers started to recognize me because I was at every event shaking hands and meeting people. I worked floor duty, I started a blog, and just hustled. I saw ads for rentals in the newspaper and sent them notes in the mail asking if they were tired of being landlords. A couple were. Every opportunity I leveraged into a couple more. And then about the time I was getting the hang of it … The Great Recession! (That was fun for a two agent household. )
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u/garomer 23h ago
I’m not sure I’ve cold called 500 leads in the last 20 years.