Talk is cheap.  And maybe you don’t realize how much these excuses impact your business. There are only two options: make progress or make excuses. Here are the most common excuses that everyone else in this industry has used to avoid what needs to be done to develop their business.

Excuse #1: I don’t have the money

In this business, you have a ridiculous amount of competition and your fate as a real estate agent hinges on your ability to adapt, grow, and outperform others who are working to get the same business you are.

Money can get tight, that’s understandable but you need to be willing to invest in the future of your business in the form of rock solid marketing materials, continuing education, and tools that make you a better agent.

The truth is that as Realtors it’s a bit difficult to keep a budget; and therefore, spend money on these types of things; however, that’s all the more reason to put a small percentage of your commissions away to put back into your business.  That is how businesses scale and grow after all.

Putting money back into your business by learning new ways to refine your craft will pay off every time.  The average investment, whether it’s marketing materials or continuing education is anywhere between $100-500.  That’s less than 10% of your typical commission check. Now do you think it may be an investment worth making?  Of course it is!

Excuse #2: I don’t have time

We all struggle with a common problem: we don’t have enough time. Often times, we find ourselves exhausted and yearning for more time to accomplish goals we set out to do.

• Deactivate a social account or two
• Embrace routine and schedule time to take care of yourself
• Reduce your commitments

The toughest part of creating a new structure is holding yourself accountable. Remember that in the end, this will benefit you. I think millennial's call this adulting?

Agents work hard to network, keep up on social media and email marketing, generate leads, please their clients, and stay up to date on real estate trends. By implementing these habits, you are sure to make the most out of your day and week.

Take a few hours out of each weekday that you’re usually watching TV or scrolling through your social feeds and dig into a class, research how to run a FB ad, write your marketing plan, just do something that makes you better.  You’ve got the time, you’re just use it correctly. Here’s how to “create” more time:

Eliminate distractions

The cleaner and neater your work environment, the more positive and productive you will be!

Some people can only work out of an office, some at their favorite coffee shop, some in their room or living room, some at the brokerage office… figure out what works for you and don't settle for an environment you aren't comfortable in.

When everything you need is already all in front of you in a nice and clean area you can spend more time working and thinking deeply.

Organization and time management

Plan your day! Write down reminders, sometimes by days; by the hour; to do lists, etc. It’s really about finding what works for you.

• As soon as you get a date for something (appointment, meeting) write it down.
• Write down a list of what you need to get done during the week
• Divide your time, plan to do part of that list in chunks every day
• Learn to say NO.

Being a Realtor is all about a healthy work life balance. And because you don’t have set hours (one of the many appealing things about being a Realtor) you have to be even more cautious of how you spend your time. Learning to say no is one of the main ways to remain productive.

Excuse #3: I don’t have the tools or resources

As a Realtor investing in yourself and trying to grow your Realtor marketing you should love free resources. Here are some of the top free marketing tools that you can use to communicate with clients and build your brand.

MAILCHIMP

MailChimp offers free marketing automation. Automation allows you to stay in touch with your database without even thinking about it. Mailchimp also allows you to create email newsletters and has advanced reporting features that help you track website activity.

CANVA

No budget for a graphic designer? Canva is your new best friend.  Canva is a super simplified design platform that allows you create graphics for web or print. Blog graphics, presentations, Facebook covers, flyers, and invitations are only a few things you can create using Canva.

UNSPLASH

Discover the latest free, high-resolution photos taken by the world’s most generous photographers.  These downloadable photos are great to use with Canva to make your designs original and vibrant. Use the platform for inspiration when you need a spark.

BUFFER

Buffer is a social media scheduling platform. Simple and easy to use, Buffer allows you to track the performance of your content and manage all your social media accounts in one place. 10/10 recommend.

SPEAKING PHOTO

Previewing properties for an out of town client? Real Estate agents love using this app for presentations. You can take beautiful photos, then record audio on top of it.

JING

Jing is a free screen capture tool that allows you to add text or shapes to the screen shot. Try using it with clients to point out various contract points, home features, or areas on a map. You can add arrows, crop the picture, and more.

Excuse 4: I can’t get consistent referrals

A large majority of real estate agents are chasing leads instead of creating and maintaining relationships. Prospecting strategies are great, but should come secondary to setting up a marketing system that generates referrals and repeat business.

So, what should you be doing instead of door knocking, cold calling, or prospecting strangers?

Here are some simple ways to achieve consistent referrals

Be referable. To make referral marketing a proactive part of your lead generation activities, you need to actually be referable. Ensure that you deliver what you promise, when you promise. Your clients need to be able to speak to the value you provide.

Be an approachable expert. Stay on top of industry trends, but spend just as much effort talking with potential clients, and gaining new insights from others. Real estate marketing, technology, and trends are constantly changing, make it a point to attend a training events throughout the year.

Build relationships with industry colleagues. Make sure it is part of your marketing plan to attend networking events consistently. Mixing that in with a strong social media presence is a great way to build your brand.

Online engagement:

Authenticity, passion, professionalism on social media will easily attract and maintain clients. By showing your drive to get things done, outgoing and relationship building lifestyle, and love for your city, you are able to build trust.

• Provide content that is of interest to your audience and you'll find people looking to you for Realtor and neighborhood advice. Also share your thoughts, passions, volunteer work, things going on in your community, client photos, great restaurants in your city, etc.
• Know that on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, just because people are not commenting or 'liking' does not mean they are not watching or reading what you post.
• Video- Re-post videos that are inspiring and interest you, or, more importantly, create your own content!

Don’t let these excuses keep you from growing your business. By investing in yourself, your business will bloom.

Tired of feeling like just a number? Every Village Realtor is a partner in our shared mission to build a better real estate experience.

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