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Better Real Estate Agent Bios – How to write an Introductory Paragraph

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Marte Cliff Copywriting

How should you begin your real estate agent bio?

With something that gives the reader a reason to keep reading, of course.

And what would that be? Some sort of benefit. Some aspect of your service or your philosophy that sets you apart from the crowd.

Sometimes I just like to see what other people are doing, so today I spent an hour or so browsing real estate websites and reading bios. I found a few that were excellent, and more that were… not.

One site I visited was for an agency with many, many agents. Aside from the managerial staff, every single bio began with "… is a real estate agent with…" Even worse, two in a row continued on with "Let … use her skills and experience in making your real estate transaction as stress free as possible, she is extremely knowledgeable about (name of city), and…"

So – it doesn't matter which you choose – they're exactly alike.

Every other bio on that page followed the announcement that they were real estate agents with their history – what they did before becoming agents. I do believe there's a place for that in an agent bio, as long as the skills tie in with real estate. However, unless that prior experience brings a solid benefit to buyers and sellers, it should be introduced a bit later. (One good example would be that of a former real estate attorney turned agent.)

Browsing more websites, I found dozens of real estate agent bios that began with a statement about the agent's honesty, integrity, and dedication to customer service. Since we all know that even lazy, dishonest agents say those words, that's not exactly a grabber.

On some sites, every bio began with the date when the agent joined the team. Do buyers and sellers care about that? A few were laid out in a resume'/chart fashion. Just the facts, ma'am, and way dull.

If you need to write your own bio, take time to think about how you serve your clients.

What sets you apart? What's an over-riding philosophy or hallmark of your service? If you're not sure, read your own testimonials. What do clients appreciate most about you?

Then, turn that introductory paragraph into a client-focused statement that gives your website visitors a reason to read on – and learn why YOU are the agent to choose.

If you'd like examples, visit my real estate agent bio page. Do feel free to scroll to the bottom and grab a copy of the questionnaire I use. It just might help you see how special you are!

 

 

Comments(23)

Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Tammie - I don't think anyone needs to ramble on for 1,500 words (and I have seen that kind of bio), but do say what will be important to your future clients.

Jan 26, 2014 08:04 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Well Marte, what did you think of mine....

 

 

Maybe I should think about actually writing one some day soon.

Thanks for the reminder and tips.

Jan 26, 2014 08:53 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Thanks for the inspiration, Marte.  I need to visit some of my Social Media sites and see what I said about me! .

Jan 26, 2014 09:16 AM
Peter Pfann @ eXp Realty Pfanntastic Properties in Victoria, Since 1986.
eXp Realty, Victoria BC www.pfanntastic.com - Victoria, BC
Talk To or Text Peter 250-213-9490

Hi Marte

at offices unless you submit the text, the staff will clone us into your example,  tragic but true, it is troubling when agents themselves make the same mistake

Jan 26, 2014 03:29 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Bob - Yes, that would be a good idea. At least people can read your blog and see "who you are."

Fred - It's always good to know what you've said about you.

Peter - That makes sense. I can imagine the staff getting tired of asking an agent to submit their bio and just filling the blanks with generic copy.

Jan 26, 2014 03:45 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

HA!  I chuckle when I read the statement that the agent is honest and has integrity.

Jan 26, 2014 08:17 PM
Broker Patty Da Silva Da Silva
Green Realty Properties® - 954-667-7253 - Cooper City, FL
Top Listing Broker

That is a great point Marte. Nothing is more catchy than an introductory of what you can offer to them.

Jan 27, 2014 02:16 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Lenn - I guess you know some of the kind who are neither? There are plenty of them out there. (Unless they all migrated to N. Idaho.)

Patty - The sad truth is that prospects only care about you in the context of what that means to them.

Jan 27, 2014 02:28 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

This is great advice, Marte. I am going to have to look at my bio with fresh eyes.

Jan 27, 2014 05:19 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Jane - We always need to look at our "stuff" through the eyes of our potential clients. But... that's easier said than done.

Jan 27, 2014 06:01 AM
Jim Griffin
HouseLens: Video Marketing for Real Estate - Nashville, TN

Great advice, Marte. It's really important for your bio to stand out from the pack. What about video bios? That's a product we offer, and I'm curious to know what you all think of the idea.

Jan 29, 2014 12:07 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Jim - I think video bios are a great idea - as long as they're accompanied by text.

There are still many people who won't take the time to watch a video - possibly because so many videos just go on and on without getting to the point.

And that's not the only time factor. For people like me who rely on satellite Interenet service, a 2 minute video can take 7 or 8 minutes, and some of us don't have that kind of patience.

Jan 29, 2014 01:40 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Marte , Thank you for the great tips. I am going to make improvements to my web page.

Feb 05, 2014 08:12 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Thanks Gita - leave it to me to pile on more work!

Feb 06, 2014 01:50 AM
Anonymous
PioneerTraining

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Jun 15, 2014 02:24 PM
#18
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Thank you, I appreciate the compliment.

Jun 15, 2014 03:22 PM
Anonymous
Jonas Smith

This is a very thought-provoking article about real estate bios. It may not help if you are just starting out, though.

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Jun 18, 2014 05:39 PM
#20
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Jonas - I disagree. Any marketing letter you write should be about the reader and should offer them some benefit in taking their time to keep reading. Even brand new agents have something good to offer.

Jun 19, 2014 06:07 AM
Sara Chris
Absolute Consultant Group - Toluca Lake, CA

Hi marte,
Thanks for the great information about the real estate bios. i am going to update my site. that will help me alot in writing the bios.

Sep 09, 2014 05:55 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Thanks Sara Chris . Do get a copy of the questionnaire I use . It will help you see how special you are.

Sep 10, 2014 02:57 AM