Building a personal brand is something that Realtors® have been doing for decades. Real estate professionals know that who they are is a huge part of what they sell. They build up their personal reputations, maintain constant professionalism, and project an image of success – all to gain the trust of potential clients so they can gain business and close deals.
Many times, this process is very time-consuming. Having professional photos, a nice car, networking and handing out business cards can take a lot of time, effort, and money. Fortunately, your everyday life also impacts your brand. Here are three ways that you, as a Realtor®, can use your everyday life to build your brand.
Live Your Values When No One Is Looking
You might think this is a no-brainer, but it’s really not. Your personal brand should be who you ARE, not who you pretend to be in front of clients. Determine your most important values, and make sure you live them out even when no one is looking. Can I tell you a little secret? Even when you think no one is looking, someone always is. Whether it’s your child, your spouse, or the person you let in the lane ahead of you, your daily actions impact how people see you.
Living your values day to day will make your actions consistent and predictable, which clients love. Even more, the person you are habitually is the person you will be under stress and when things are tough. When you can live your values in those situations, you’ll make an amazing positive impression.
Be a Realtor® AND…
Some professionals separate their personal life from their professional life. They help coach the 4th grade soccer team, and half the parents of the squad don’t know what they do for a living. To be a successful real estate agent, you have to combine your personal and professional lives. This means people know you as head of the PTA – AND an agent. People see you as a member of the neighborhood association – AND an agent.
I’m not saying you have to be obnoxious – please don’t! But, don’t be invisible as an agent, either. When you can present yourself as a Realtor® AND the other roles in your life, a world of opportunity opens up. People who know you informally in other arenas will think of you when they need help with a real estate transaction, and if you have strong relationships in your community, you could easily be top-of-mind without spending a dime!
Value Relationships in Every Area of Your Life
Some professionals are sweet as can be when they are wining and dining a potential customer, but they become very different in a long supermarket line. As a Realtor®, take the time and effort to value relationships in every area of your life, both formal and informal. In real estate, probably more than any other profession, informal relationships are the basis for the formal deals that are made.
The way to do this is to honestly care about the other human beings that are part of your community, life, and interactions. You don’t have to be wealthy – just a smile, a patient attitude with a new clerk, or noticing that someone needs help carrying a large bag of dog food can create a brief, positive relationship. And the next time you see that person, they will greet you with a smile, remembering your previous kindness. This can lead to referrals or direct business, and all you have to do is be kind.
Some types of work allow you to get away with being two different people depending on whether or not you’re in the office, but real estate isn’t one of them. Fortunately, that gives you amazing opportunities to incorporate branding into your day to day life without having to spend a single dollar. By living your values when no one is looking, presenting yourself as a “Realtor® AND…”, and valuing relationships in every area of your life, you can use your daily life to build your real estate brand.
Comments(3)