You took a smart first step, joining Active Rain. 

Congratulations. If you need help ever; tjn@thomasjnelsonrealtor.com

• DO NOT BUY LEADS! They are "magic beans" and a huge waste of money, so are any magazine or bus bench ads, etc. Build a Database of relationships and work by referral as much as you can. 
• Get your online presence going: website, facebook page, linkedIn Active Rain, YouTube, etc.
• You need an accountability partner or coach. (Ask for help, none of us do this alone).
• You need a business plan.
• Written goals. A schedule to keep you on track to achieve your goals.
• A geographic area to specialize in and focus your marketing & efforts on. (When you are new, you'll go anywhere there's work, but reign it it as quick as you can, niches create riches).

That's probably enough overwhelm for now. Stay in touch. Good Luck!

I would check out this article...a recent post w/ articles w/ advice for new real estate agents.  October newbie challenge - the results.

This has links to many articles where veteran agents gave some great advice.

Many years ago, I started collecting business cards. From Realtors, Attorneys, Builders, Accountats, Car Salespeople,Teachers,Barber,The Dog Catcher,The Garbage Collector...you know what I am getting at. I still do this. I now have over 3,000 e-mail addresses. I send out mortgage information,or holiday greeting to these 3,000 people every month,sometime more. It takes less then 15 minutes! It works...

You found a right place to learn and get advice if you need it. Be part of hte community, join discussions, sign for webinars, check resources for great tips and inpiration. Good luck!

The good news is you can find everything you need online.  Learn to research for yourself and find the information that is pertinent to you and what you want your business to be like.  What works for one may not work for another.  Good luck and congratulations on finding your way to ActiveRain!

Welcome to ActiveRain Jorge Ortega .

You are lucky - we recently had an ActiveRain contest hosted by Patricia Kennedy 

October Challenge: Your Best Advice for Real Estate Newbies

If you can, please go to the comment section with the links to the posts which gives greast advice to newbies.

Good Luck.

Try this recent AR post c/o Debbie Reynolds for a good initiation.

http://actvra.in/4KRm

Welcome aboard. You will discover your real estate journey as a professional to be fast paced, multi-faceted and ever changing. But it all starts with what you have already done.

Your BUSINESS PLAN.

In your plan you have defined your business, your preferred client, where they are located, how to reach them in addition to the number of transactions you must complete to meet the income goal in your business plan. How can anyone help you if you don't know what business you are really in?

The second step is identfying the BROKER who will aid you in implementing your business plan and will get you engaged in transactions within 30 days.

Before you sign up, ask the broker how many agents work from that office. (Agents)

Ask the broker how many transactions were completed through that office in the past 12 months. (Trans)

if Trans/Agents (average annaul transactions per agent) does not exeed 20 or is two times your business goal, you should be aware this office may not have the effective training, systems, support, compensation or market presence you need. This number is the ONLY reliable measure of the resources of the broker. Be sure to select the right broker.

Now...step three. Follow the instructions provided. You picked the broker because the numbers revealed the broker knows what they are doing. Now the test is "Can you follow directions?"

Great question and answers.

Look for a KW office and take ignite.

 I worked at Coldwell Banker for a year many years ago and they offered a full week of training, about 40 hours worth. Did you see if they offer that at your brokerage? Do not pay for training. Take all the free training you can get. Take the free classes multiple times. Also, read everything here on activerain. I've learned more here than in any classes. Good luck!!

Welcome to the industry and Active Rain ("AR") Jorge!  Last month's contest (Resources at the top, then Contests) was all about tips for new agents.  You are getting great advice here, but I do recommend reading through those for even more.

The best think is to read the blogs to get a feel for what happens on Active Rain.  When you get comfortable, you can comment on blogs and then start writing your own.  Pay attention to who the ambassadors are.  If you have a question, don't be afraid to contact one of them.  They will be excited to hear from you and help you any way they can.

Don't be afraid to ask questions.  Attend seminars and trainings, online webinars and find a great mentor who you respect and can learn alot from about the business.  I am finding also that ActiveRain is a GREAT resource and community of real estate professionals!

I wish you well in your real estate business!

Work with a brokerage that has good training, ask on eof the top agents if you can shadow them and be their free assistant just to learn the ropes, and start working your sphere of influence. Don't buy leads or spend much on marketing at the beginning, get educated and get experience.

Read the October contest blogs in response to offering advice to new agents. 

Read the posts recently submitted for the advice to new agents ActiveRain contest in October. Good luck!

Looks like you have some great advice here.  My only two cents in addition to theirs is to get out and shake some hands.  Go to new home communities and meet the sales people and blog about the inventory and communites.

Jorge Ortega Find a good agent who will mentor you and start working your Sphere of Influence.

Jorge, be honest in all your dealing &  remember that doing the right thing means you will never have to walk the well-worn path to regret. 

Welcome to this crazy business, Jorge Ortega !  If you check into, and participate on, Active Rain regularly you will learn a lot.  The expertise here is priceless and we learn from each other and share generously.  

Jorge,
The starting place is a mentor. Someone who can assess what you bring to the table and the next steps you need to take.

Needing a good broker to hold your hands. Work with your friends etc as a buyer agent.

You then will do well.

Lots of good advice here. One neat thing about this profession is everyone's approach is slightly different. It is largely what woks for YOU. But a list of names is a starting point then priortize them... according to are they likely buyers or sellers, will they be likely to referme to others?  Vist your "team"... the title people, inspectors, lenders, you plan on using and get to know them. Make at least five contacts a day... phone or in person... just do it and then add them to your list. Dont wait for the phone to ring. Take floor time. Be sure to go into the office every day... you will learn, it gives you a professional attitude and you just may get some business just by being around. Best of luck. (PS dont fall into the trap of doing it part time... you need to work real estate full time and then some)