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Why taking on a part time job could be good for you & your clients!

So I have been thinking about taking on a part time job recently, but not so much for the reasons most people believe. Sure the extra money will be nice, but hear me out!

I am a fairly new Realtor in my area, so I am not at the stage in my career where I am handling a huge amount of clients. I have some, but not an overwhelming amount.

My current listings are being marketed in the newspapers, as well as online, but I just feel like there is more I could be doing.

My mother and grandmother always tell me that I need to get out there and mingle with the world, & talk about Real Estate where ever I go. I do that as much as I can, at the gym, at the stores, etc.

If I had a part time job where I worked directly with the public, I think I would meet people outside of my circle. People I wouldn't normally come into contact with at the gym (since you have to have a membership), or at Walmart (since it's normally a meet and greet with someone from school), etc. Being at some place different, working just a few hours of work, might help me expand my sphere, and help me with my business. Maybe I will see people I have not spoken to in ages, maybe not, but I know that on a daily basis I will see people I have never met before.

If I can strike up one conversation with a stranger a week at my part time job about Real Estate over the year, that's 52 more potential clients than I had at the beginning of the year. That sounds like some pretty good odds to me. The same goes for talking about my listings. They are going to get some more exposure in real life (not through the paper or web).....

That has to be a good thing, right?

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Posted by Tony Favata on 01/20/2009 10:11 AM

Comments (16)

Part Time Job in the Sales Strategies / Tactics Channel

part time job, realtor, sellers, real estate clients, listings

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16 Comments on Why taking on a part time job could be good for you & your clients!

JAN

Tony, our broker shared this with us. During these times you need to do what you can to survive. If that means taking on a part time of full time job then do it. You are right you will meet more people. If you look at the percentage of actually full time agents you will surprised. It is very low.

Tony - I agree with increasing your sphere it is imperative but it has been my experience that Realtors who work other jobs are not taken very seriously because they don't devote to Real estate in entirety. I know in my office for newbies like yourself, they get out with flyers in neighborhoods they want to market and start knocking on doors and/or leaving the flyers with stats, company and Realtor info. It seems to work for them but you have to do it consistently just like all your other market...Honestly, I would not want my clients to know that I had to take a job working part time at Sam's or Walmart. Thank goodness it hasn't... Good luck!!

If you're looking to expand your sphere of influence...and money isn't really the motivation for taking on the part time job...then I would recommend getting involved in the community through other avenues.

Join a group of some type that does community service, join a professional group, Join a social group, get involved in your local chamber of commerce, or school district......there are many ways to meet people that place you in a more positive light and keep your schedule free for your business.

The moment you become a part-time worker you just became a part-time Realtor and will never be taken seriously by the public unless you lie in a listing interview...

And the listing appointment asks..."So, Tony...do you work full time in the business...where are you ranked within your company...how many sales have you made in the past year...of those sales, how many did you bring the buyer to the seller?"

How do you work part-time and answer those questions?

Tony, I think taking on a part-time job would allow you to expand your circle of influence--I'm going to start substitute teaching in the next couple of weeks and I'm looking forward to the opportunity of talking with the teachers and staff about real estate. I also agree with Laura's comment that joining a professional group or one that does community service could be a great way to meet people as well.

Have a great day,

Anne Rains

Tony, when I first started on the 100% commission plan I did take a second job delivering pizza's (i did this in college and you get to know the neighborhoods and you find FSBO's your normally wouldn't find)... I noticed that while I was splitting up my time it was harder to get more things accomplished as a Realtor... Ultimately I had to quit the part-time job because it ended up interferring with what I wanted to do.

I agree with the other agent's here that say that your client's will not view you as a full-time agent with another job. They want to know they are dealing with a successful Realtor who only has time to sell their home.

If you need the money I would suggest doing BPO's that pay anywhere from $35-$50 a piece. You will get really good at valuing a property and when done efficiently you can bring in an extra $3500/month!

Good Luck!

Tony, if you aren't taking a part time job for the money, I would suggest you forget the job. You can expand your sphere of influence by joining the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary, Lions Club, etc. Do some community service, real estate seminars, speaking at various events, etc. There are many way to expand your SOI without getting a part time job. You may find the part time job will eventually take up too much of your time that you could spend working with clients.

Patty- Yeah, I can believe it!

Suzanne- I had never thought of this perspective. I send out a lot of letters, walk neighborhoods handing out flyers, sit at fairs, etc. So I am doing all of that. I just need to be doing more. Keep me busy!

Laura: Awesome points. I am going to talk it over with my team and see what they think!

Michael: Very true. This part time job is looking to be a bad idea now. I was thinking I would only work like twice a week, no more than like 8-12 hours.

Anne: I had thought about the subsitute teaching thing myself, but no schools around here are hiring for that because of money siuations!

Nick: Yeah I could see where delivering pizzas would get in the way. The time of day you are working, people want you to show them houses!

Michael Setunsky: I am going to look into all those types of activites, thank you!

Thank you everyone for being honest here! As a new agent I rely on everyones feedback within my office and on here! I really do appreciate it!

I totally agree 100%

I have ran into the same thing. I recently got a part time job at Costco, and the job there is just to talk to customers. Real Estate always comes up, and even though im not handing out cards, i do make sure they get my name, or even website.

Great strategy.

I will play devil's advocate here. How will your new boss feel about you talking to people about real estate on his or her time? Just sayin.

Be careful going part time guys. It sounds good that people will talk to you about real estate and that you will be able to convert them....but think about their impression after they leave you. Are they totally impressed or if the need came up would they look to a full time realtor.

I understand there are many situations where others need to take on odd jobs...but be careful about using that as a platform to promote business. There is good advertisement and bad advertisement. Make a friend...build some value/trust...then introduce them to the real estate game once you get some extra cash and get back in the game.

Nothing wrong with what your doing...but remember that realtors fight to prove to everybody out there that they just don't "hang their license in case they run into someone"

Best of luck.

Tony... you are young... enjoy life also.. extra money or not, it is a great way to network. I think bartending is a great way... I met a bartender at a bar I go to every now and then in Philly, who is in his early 30's... does well at real estate and even has a wife and a kid... but does it twice a week for socializing, money, and for networking... anything in particular? In any case, good luck with it... Ps.. I only read two comments and Laura has a good point also... community service. better yet, how about habbitat for humanity. Or any organization that helps build homes for families....

jeff belonger

JAN

Tony: I'm with you on both sides here. I've considered the "second gig" but not to meet people..mine IS the financial part! But, I don't think people will take me/you seriously in real estate if you work another job. Now, that said, it could be different, given the times we are in.

I meet tons of people through networking events, business organizations and my neighborhood association. I've become involved in these organizations (I begin HOSTING a networking event next week, on a committee in the business organization and on the Board of my Neighborhood association) and that takes time, but it's paying off in people knowing WHO I am and WHAT I do....REAL ESTATE!

If you don't need the extra money (yet) I'd go the networking route, and build and cultivate those relationships. They will go a long way in your real estate business.

Tony,

I agree that extending the people you come into contact with on a daily or weekly basis is a fantastic thing, however I don't think by getting a part time job somewhere else is a good things. You don't want your clients seeing you there thinking " how much could this guy be focusing on real estate if he has this job also" Think about joining a rotary, community group, or just going to local restaurant/ bar a couple times a week to strike up conversation. I like the intent, but I don't think getting another job is the right way to go.

I also see the other side of them looking up a full time realtor. I think that all realtors have hit tough times. The business I have found through networking at a second job, they see a determined young man with a great work ethic.

JAN

Josh: Thanks for the support!

Rich: I am not going to talk about real estate with every person I come into contact with. Its impossible. But whether I take this job or not, when the chance arises for me to talk about Real Estate I am going to take it. It doesnt have to be a 30 min speech. Just a short thing.

Casey: Good points. I know I have a lot to think about before I take it.

Jeff: I have thought about doing something like that. That is what Kayla ( I know you are familiar with her ) is doing.

Thom & Ray: Volunteering somewhere seems to have more benefits on my scale right now than getting this part time job.

David: I am seeing this pretty clearly now. I am definitely weighing my options more now & seeing it from both sides

Josh: Thats what I was hoping for. Determination, good work skills, etc.

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