This is the second part of a two-part blog series. View our first four Realtor mistakes here.
In our last post we discussed the importance of being easy to get a hold of. But what's the point of having a phone number listed if nobody wants to talk to you? That's where number 5 comes into play...
5) Not maintaining good client communication.
As an agent, your relationships with your sellers are fundamental to business. That means that you want constant communication with your clients- throughout the listing process as well as after. It should seem obvious how important it is to keep in contact with your sellers throughout your business relationship, but even that detail can become overlooked as your day-to-day activities get more and more hectic. If you notice your sellers beginning to complain about how you never update them about their listing, it may be time to automate those updates with a client communication tool. Brivity offers a constant client communication tool, which updates sellers via email and through their personal log-in about everything you've been doing for their listing.
Don’t forget that former clients are a huge part of landing new business, as well! Referrals are the most credible form of any business, and real estate may be the most powerful example of this. Make sure to stay in touch with old clients, even if that only means a Facebook message every once in awhile.
Of course, that means that you need a Facebook...
6) Not using social media.
Are you on Facebook yet? What about Twitter? Pinterest, Instagram, Vine?
There are so many social media tools available for real estate agents, and all of them can be useful in managing and marketing your business. Having and maintaining handles on all those platforms are critical to success in today’s digital world. Of course, it’s important to understand how to use them efficiently, without coming off as being too “sales-y”. My personal advice would be to use Facebook and Twitter 70% for “connection” and “staying in touch” purposes, and 30% for more "sales-oriented" posts. Make sure to also keep a Pinterest, Instagram, and Vine to post listings and more business-focused information.
Unfortunately, there is a dark side to social media. I like to call it the “black hole” of Facebook, and it can happen to everyone, especially agents who easily lose track of time.
7) Not time blocking.
I work in an office full of top-producing real estate agents, and they all swear by time
blocking. For those of you who aren't familiar with the concept, time blocking is a term coined by Gary Keller, author of The One Thing and co-founder of Keller Williams Realty. Time blocking essentially refers to literally “blocking out” a specific, predetermined amount of time for a single task and focusing all your time and attention on that single task. I've found that time blocking is extremely efficient when you’re dealing with social media activities in order to avoid the “black hole” effect. It also works well when you’re dealing with a top-priority activity. Every year, Keller looks at his goals and asks himself, “What’s the One Thing which, when tackled, will make everything else I have to do easier or unnecessary?” He then schedules the first four hours of his work days around doing that one thing, and does nothing else. This ensures that the most important part of your day (the part before your post-lunch lethargy) is dedicated to your single, most important task.
As for the rest of your tasks...
8) Not having an efficient task list.
Okay, so you've figured out “that One Thing”. But what about the other, less crucial but still important tasks? You have to remember to do those things as well! I've talked to dozens of agents who are using paper checklists, but I’m still amazed every time I hear someone say they use a pen and pad for their task management. While a checklist may work for an individual agent who lists a couple houses every year, an integrated, automated checklist is essentially a requirement for top producing teams. If you really are interested in moving your business to the next level, it’s time to look into a task management tool.
If you’re interested in looking into a task management and client communication tool, check out my software program, Brivity. We design team integrated and property specific checklists that are sorted by due date, all while keeping your client up-to-date about everything you’re doing for their listing. Learn more.
Comments (2)Subscribe to CommentsComment