Special offer

It Doesn't Take Much More Than A Pulse To Survive In Our Business!!

Reblogger Marte Cliff
Services for Real Estate Pros with Marte Cliff Copywriting

Every now and then I speak with an agent who knows they need a bio, knows they need a website, and knows they need to begin prospecting, BUT...

The big BUT is "I can't afford it yet." They're waiting for another closing or two before they feel comfortable spending money on marketing. 

And the other "but" is... since they aren't marketing, those next closings will happen by chance, and they could be a long time in coming. I'm sure some of the agents who told me that a few years ago are either no longer in the business or are still struggling. In Barbara's market, a few closings a year mean survival - in markets with lower price points, a few closings a year mean about a $10,000 income - or even less.

My suggestion is that those agents forego some other pleasures and save the money for marketing. They could take good advice from the first time buyers Jenna Weinerman wrote about today.

They managed to save $100,000 for a down payment by cutting out small unnecessary expenses such as eating out, stopping for coffee at Starbucks, etc. 

My own method of cutting expenses is to think twice before I purchase an item. I ask myself "Do I need this? Will I actually use this?" If the answer is "Perhaps not" then I leave it in the store.

All you need to do is visit a yard sale or two to see how much "stuff" we Americans buy and don't need or use. 

All it takes is a shift in priorities - do you want to market yourself and build a good business with a large income - or would you rather let your money dribble away in 5's, 10's, and 20's for things you really don't need? 

 

Original content by Barbara Todaro 104763

I just read a post by one of my favorite ActiveRain members, Maria Gilda Racelis, titled “Do You Have What It Takes To Stay In The Business?” and I thought I’d share my opinion on a similar topic. 

It doesn’t take much to stay in the real estate business.  There are different levels of accomplishment, and most agents are “satisfied” with closing 6 or 7 transactions a year.  If an agent has a pulse, the agent can survive and do that many. 

The question I’m more inclined to present is “what does it take to be a competitor in the business?”  To compete, one needs to sharpen his/her skills.  The competition is fierce, and whether it’s a seller’s market or a buyer’s market, it takes focus.  A level market is the ideal environment for all of us.

Marketing is the key to opening the door to success.  How well we market will determine how plentiful our business will be.  Marketing properly makes the phone ring, but marketing to a focused area or niche results in working smarter.  Narrowing the target leads to more quality business. 

Everyone who is licensed has the ability to stay in the business.  Only those who learn to market properly will consistently gain strength and market share.  Marketing makes the difference!!


Copyright © 2014 The Kuney-Todaro Team - All Rights Reserved

LIKE Us on Facebook!
Follow Us on Twitter
Subscribe to Our Real Estate Listings Feed

 Visit Our Other Sites:

NewConstructionFranklinMA.com | FranklinMAHomeSales.com | FranklinMANewHomes.com

New Homes in Franklin Massachusetts

Comments(8)

Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Hi Marte.... thanks for the reblog.... everyone needs to start from the first step in real estate and that does take seed money....but with that seed money, one must start marketing....

Jul 03, 2014 03:03 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Barbara - Going on a "money diet" would do many people a world of good.

I recall one agent who was always worried about paying the bills, and always "too broke" for things like marketing. And yet... they ate out a few times a week, she bought new clothes for every season, they drove in to Spokane to see a movie or a concert... and on and on. 

Jul 03, 2014 04:20 AM
Mark Loewenberg
KW of the Palm Beaches - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
KW 561-214-0370

yes it is up to personal goals.. some happy with 7 some 77, just need to set your pace and go after it

Jul 03, 2014 04:59 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Mark - Absolutely. We all have to prioritize the time we get to spend in this life. 

Jul 03, 2014 05:10 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Suggested Marte. Just the other day, I realized that a food product I got used to spending more money on was ridiculously priced after I found a box of the same product in the freezer. The restaurant advertised hot and fresh. Even though they served it right out of the microwave, I discovered I could get the same thing for 15 cents a piece and make my own coffee at home!

Jul 06, 2014 05:13 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Patricia - One advantage to working from home is that I'm not tempted to buy luch or even coffee except on those occasions when I'm away for the day. It saves a lot of money! 

Jul 06, 2014 06:21 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Everyone has a different opinion on marketing. We have been told many times by other agents..."Blogging is a waste of time"...HA!

Jul 07, 2014 08:11 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Yes, and I recall an agent telling me that prospecting was a waste of time. Of course he was out of the business within a couple of years, but... 

Jul 08, 2014 01:10 AM