When you meet someone for the first time, do you tell them that you are a real estate agent? That could be a bad thing - here's why.

Everyone has a pre-conceived idea of what a real estate agent is. For the most part, Realtors rank just above used car salesmen in the eyes of the general public. So when you say, "I am a real estate agent", the person's mind starts reeling about the stories they've heard or the last interaction they had with a real estate agent. This may or may not be a good thing depending on whether their experience or stories they've heard was good or bad. Most likely, the stories were bad. A happy customer tells two people. An unhappy one tells 10. Even if the person has had a good experience with a Realtor, when you say you are a real estate agent you are now lumped in with the group of real estate agents that they already know. You don't stand out.

I propose that instead, when someone asks you what you do, tell them what you do, not what you are. "I sell homes to people just like you!". Of course you'd get more specific than that. You can get specific about the types of properties you sell, and you can get specific about the type of person your typical client is. In any case, when you tell them what you do rather than what your title is, you've taken away the chance for the person to put you in a category. You've given them a new category, your own.

Say it loudly, say it proudly, and say it with a smile.

"I help real estate professionals just like you use technology and the internet to sell properties!".