8 Targets of a 2013 Power Agent | Trulia Pro Blog

When I joined “the business” back in 2007, I realized pretty quickly that all agents aren’t created equal.

While it seems like an ugly thing to say, the truth is that there are major differences between the individuals that just hold licenses and the heavy hitters who excel in their local area or niche.

But, what are the differences? What separates the best from the rest of the pack? And, more importantly, how do the movers and shakers become the movers and shakers I affectionately like to call “power agents?”

Over the next few months, we’ll be answering these questions with special posts, downloads, trainings, and by profiling and interviewing some of the best in the business from around the country.

The goal: We want to help you turn 2013 into the year you become the power agent in your local market.

The first challenge: Where do you start?

On a recent call with one of our resident real estate experts, Tara Nicholle-Nelson and a few other industry insiders about the 2013 Path to Power we found that one thing we can all agree on is that the path to becoming a power agent starts with your focus.

Here are the eight areas you need to focus on and target to become a power agent this year:

1.  Profits Prosperity

Face it. While most agents join the business for a variety of reasons, the universal goal of most real estate professionals is to profit from all of the hard work they put in.

When you’re a power agent, this goal is not just about making more dollars now. To excel in 2013, you’ll need to focus on answering two key profit questions:

• How do you keep more of the dollars you make?
• What’s your plan for growing your cash flow in the future?

2.  A Bold Brand

Your brand is much more than a logo. It includes the look, feel, persona and messages that are triggered when people hear your name or see you marketing.

Tara said, “In my hometown, there’s a woman named Mary Christensen – literally every single person in town, whether or not they’re in real estate – you can say her name and they know – she sells million dollar houses in Seven Oaks. Period. Bold branding crosses platforms/media, and helps the right people call you at the right time.”

3.  Intelligent Marketing

In today’s fast paced and vastly changing marketing environment there are a ton of options for promoting your business.

All agents market and advertise. Power agents focus on making sure their marketing efforts make sense.

Jumping on the latest 15-minute tool bandwagon before moving on to the next new/big marketing tool isn’t the power approach.

“Intelligent marketing involves a comprehensive marketing plan that is committed to a course of action, setup to run as automatically as possible, and is optimized around the results it is intended to drive,” according to Tara.

To help you focus and make your marketing smarter, check out these 10 Steps to a 2013 Marketing Plan that come with an interactive worksheet to help you set and measure your goals.

4.  Streamlined Business Systems

One age-old agent issue is too many professionals waste time trying to function as the end-all be-all for their business.

Power agents know, while you may be an independent contractor, you don’t have to go at it alone.

True power agents treat their businesses like businesses.  That means, investing in the processes and professional support teams that save you time and energy and let you focus on what you do best.

To hone in on opportunities to streamline this year, answer these key questions:

• What are the most frustrating business tasks for me?
• What am I best at in business?
• If resources were unlimited, what would I outsource?

These three answers are a great start to figuring out where you could use help the most.

5.  High Close Rate

Power agents are hyper focused on getting their clients across the finish line.

That means using a mix of marketing, psychology, and stellar management skills to make sure you

• Take on clients that are serious about closing
• Work to make sure close as soon as possible, and
• Being a step ahead of the deal killers that too often siphon dollars from an agent’s pocket.

Start increasing your close rate. Check out these helpful handouts and insights to make sure your hard work has the highest ROI

• Top 10 Deal Killers and How to Avoid Them
• 6 Real Estate Niches Set to Explode in 2013
• 4 Tips to Avoid Surprises at the Closing Table

6.  Credibility Trust

If you’re going to excel in a market or area of expertise, you’re going to have to be someone clients see as credible and trustworthy.

“Power agents have earned that “trusted advisor” status that ranks up there with the family lawyer or accountant,” according to Tara.

To build that trust, your expertise has to be positioned on Trulia Voices and other places your hottest prospects look for expertise and real estate answers.

To become a power agent, this year you need to identify the key places your prospects look for data when researching a transaction and be sure you have the best presence possible in those places.

7.  Leadership Influence

On the path to power agent status, influence can make or break you. Agents who only focus on the next transaction, sell themselves short. Talk to any successful agent across the country and you’ll find they are active in their offices, communities, associations, and other areas.

Why? We all know we only do business with those we respect when we have a choice. With more options than ever today, you need to identify these key opportunities:

• What involvement has brought you referrals and clients in the past?
• Where are the top agents in your market volunteering or performing community service?

These two answers are sure-fire areas you should focus on this year.

8.  A Recession-Proof Business

Power agents are power agents no matter what’s happening in the market. Does that mean they aren’t affected by the ebbs and flows of the market? Of course not.

But, power agents are always focused on the niches and opportunities that can sustain their business in the days and years to come.

For example: In 2008, many power agents expanded their focus to include specializing in bank owned and REO-related business to survive the downturn while focusing on the clients and neighborhoods that always brought them success.

For 2013, to start recession proofing your business you need to find out, “What type of business is always going to need be done in my market? And, how do I beat out the competition to become number one in that area?”

2013 will be the year you make it. We’re looking forward to bringing more insight and tools to help make it a success. But in the meantime, what are you doing now to set yourself up to become a local power agent this year?

 

via pro.truliablog.com