Real estate agents are constantly working to increase visibility and build their network. The goal of standing out in a crowd, never easy, becomes all the more difficult when you practice real estate in an urban area with millions of potential clients. Whether you are a seasoned real estate professional, or you are just starting online real estate school for the first time, here are some ways you can stand out as a real estate agent in a large city.
1. Find Your Niche
In a small town, you'll be selling a little bit of everything. Your niche is the entire geographic area. But when you're a real estate agent in a large city, it helps to develop a specialized niche. Some agents specialize in luxury homes, others in condos or townhomes. You may specialize in a particular neighborhood, selling a variety of homes within the same ZIP Code.
Having a niche may seem limiting, but in fact, it conveys expertise and makes a powerful statement. Don't be surprised to hear from clients who want to use your services even if they are outside your niche — simply because they view you as a seasoned professional.
2. Develop a Strong Online Presence
Your professional website is your calling card, and you should design it to reflect your personality and strengths as a real estate agent. Aside from the musts of professional photography and regularly updated content, there are many ways to establish your brand.
Provide information designed to appeal to your target audience. If you specialize in selling prewar buildings, for instance, write a series of blog posts about better-known architects of that era.
Create ebooks to gift prospective clients when they sign up for your mailing list. Possible topics are how to get your house ready to be listed, how to succeed as a first-time buyer, etc.
Tailor your blog to the neighborhood you specialize in, showcasing new restaurants, district schools, and contractors you have worked with.
Use images and, where appropriate, videos to add interest and detail to your site.
3. Use Social Media to Expand Your Presence
Having a great website can help to make you stand out, but successful real estate agents also harness the power of social media. Facebook Ads and Facebook Live are great ways to promote active listings and respond to inquiries. Instagram is the perfect platform to showcase gorgeous photos of your properties. You can also use social media to highlight successful sales, including client testimonials.
4. Be Client-Oriented
Simone Weissman, a licensed real estate salesperson with Compass, credits her successful Manhattan business to good old fashioned customer service.
"Be client-oriented," she says. "Focus on your client’s needs and wants without being afraid to make suggestions they may not have considered, and above all, listen! Be patient, be in contact often, and listen. And make it fun for them to go home shopping, because it’s a stressful process, especially now. And listen."
5. Sponsor a Community Event
In a large city, there's a lot going on, so you can pick and choose the charities and events you wish to sponsor. Ideally, the causes you support will reflect the values of your client base. You might support a local school's fund drive, get involved with dog rescue, show up to help a failing restaurant, or get involved in a local food drive. Community action gets your name out and allows you to interact with potential clients — and at the same time, it benefits society.
Be a Standout Real Estate Agent
With these tips, you should have no problem standing out as a successful agent in a big city. That said, if you need even more help, try one of our real estate training courses. These give you even more tips and tricks to improve your business.