Joseph Blake Smith Shares Five ways a real estate associate can help you

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Joseph Blake Smith Little Rock Arkansas

• Joseph Blake Smith has been working in the real
  estate industry for over 25 years and is a
  trusted professional when it comes to buying or
  selling your home.

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Joseph Blake Smith Little Rock Shares Five ways a
real estate associate can help you

• Hang your license with the brokerage thats right
  for you
• Create a plan for success and hold yourself
  accountable
• Have savings that can tide you over in lean
  times.
• Learn what your customers really want and then
  deliver
• Ask everyone you know for referralsall the time

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1. Hang your license with the brokerage thats
right for you.

• Most real estate companies are constantly
  recruiting salespeople. However, these brokers
  can differ a great deal in structure, operation,
  and philosophy. So, to be successful as a real
  estate agent, you shouldnt sign with any
  brokerage until you do some homework on your
  options. You need to make sure you are choosing a
  real estate office that you like and that will
  ultimately be the right fit for you. This process
  should include scouting the area where you want
  to work as an agent, researching the brokers in
  that area to build a short list, and interviewing
  with the brokers on your list. Often in an
  interview, the focus is on the questions the
  potential employer will ask you. However, in your
  hunt for the right brokerage, you should come
  prepared with questions to ask in your interview.
  Check out this article, which features a video
  about how to interview a broker, for suggestions
  on the questions to ask and how to do your other
  research.

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2. Have savings that can tide you over in lean
times.

• At minimum, a real estate agent needs a mobile
  phone, a car (in most places), a computer, and
  wifi. These are things many brokerages expect you
  to provide yourself, along with other business
  startup costs. In addition, it might be a few
  months or so before you earn your first
  commission, and youre going to have to be able
  to cover daily living expenses. So, if youre
  thinking of earning a real estate license in the
  next year, start saving whatever you can now.
  Although there is some financing available for
  eligible agents, putting a little money away at a
  time to ensure you can cover your costs for a
  couple of months is your best option. In
  addition, if you do have to tap into your savings
  account, try to replenish if after you start
  collecting commissions. Markets have their ups
  and downs, and there might be some lean times.
  Its always good to be prepared.

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3. Create a plan for success and hold yourself
accountable.

• Once youve chosen your brokerage, youll need a
  plan for how to be successful as a real estate
  agent. You need to set goals and develop a
  business plan. Most plans cover activities for
  attracting new clients.
• Here are some additional helpful tips
• Write one or two sentences about what could make
  you compelling to potential clients. This is your
  unique selling proposition.
• Develop a budget with a focus on the activities
  that you identify as having the potential for the
  highest ROI. This will ensure efficient use of
  funds for the right reasons.
• Create a calendar to guide planning for marketing
  and networking activities like email blasts,
  social media, trade shows, print mailers, and
  paid search.
• Develop metrics and daily activities all driven
  toward helping you meet your goals.
• After you develop your plan, hold yourself
  accountable to it.

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4. Learn what your customers really want and then
deliver.

• In real estate, the natural inclination is to put
  all the efforts into sales or purchases because
  we think thats what customers want. Actually,
  its not. Customers are hungry for details and
  answers, and if you deliver them, they will
  remember and refer you. To become an expert,
  attend real estate continuing education and take
  as many professional development courses as you
  can. Experience is also a great teacher, so note
  things you learn as you work with customers and
  your broker. Also, try reaching out to someone in
  another market who knows more about a given topic
  than you. Equipped with expertise, encourage your
  customers to ask questions no matter how big or
  small. Also, advertise your knowledge by using
  social media or emails to share informationor
  see if you can have a column in a local
  newspaper, online magazine, or realty
  publication. Hold live information sessions or
  webinars because they can generate leads when you
  collect emails and follow up with useful
  information. A real estate agent who is known for
  having all the answers is poised for success.

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5. Ask everyone you know for referralsall the
time.

• Referrals are the bread and butter of real
  estate. According to the National Association of
  Realtors, 39 of sellers found their agents
  through a referral from friends or family, and
  24 used their agent twice or more. Also, 69 of
  sellers and 70 of buyers say theyd use the same
  agent again. Here are some tips for getting
  referrals that you can use at the beginning of
  (and throughout) your career
• Ask friends and family. Let them know youre
  licensed and are actively seeking buyers and
  sellers. Tell them you intend to work hard for
  anyone they refer to you.
• Keep asking. Once people have sent clients your
  way, ask those clients to tell other people. Keep
  up with past clients so youre top of mind when
  they need an agent again.
• Go above and beyond. Clients appreciate and
  remember hard work on their behalf, and theyll
  tell their friends, coworkers, and families. So
  always go the extra mile.
• Show your gratitude. Write a thank-you card to
  each referral source. For your best sources,
  consider a special token of your appreciation.

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• Thank You!