When it comes to jobs, the real estate and mortgage market is crowded. For you in this industry, this comes as no surprise. It may be a low barrier-to-entry job (meaning it’s easy to jump in because of the low start-up costs and the ease of getting licensed), but being successful isn’t a given.
Turning a lead into a paying client is a whole new ball game! Standing out this this crowded marketplace can be difficult.
How to Stand Out in a Crowded Market!
More and more people are entering the field of mortgage and real estate. In fact, millennials are starting to enter the industry in growing numbers. In September of last year, KTAR reported that there was an increasing number of millennials joining the real estate work force, especially here in Phoenix. Can we blame them for wanting to join the industry we know and love?
With more and more people trying to sell houses alongside you, there’s one question you’re probably asking yourself: How can I stand out in a crowded market?
5 Keys to Standing Out
How can you make a name for yourself. How can you get your name and brand recognized throughout the community? Here are 5 consistent ways you can stand out in a crowded market!
1. Social Media
As has been stressed multiple times on these blogs, being present on social media is VITAL for your success (and for standing out)! In fact, if you’re trying to up your marketing game, not being on social media is a big mistake.
Social media is a great tool to connect with new people and/or old friends and acquaintances (*hint hint* – potential leads). It also helps you get your name, face and brand in front of people. The more they see you, the more they’ll remember you, and the more likely they are to reach out to you when they’re ready to buy and/or sell a home.
Want to really stand out?!
VIDEO is the secret! Using it on your social media is a must! According to Hubspot, 500 million people watch Facebook videos every day, and 74% of web traffic will come from videos! It’s the key to standing out on social media, as not everyone is willing to give it a shot. CLICK HERE to read more about leveraging video!
2. System and Process
Want a sure way of losing potential leads? Ignore them! No one likes to be ignored!
If anyone gives any sign of interest in buying or selling a home, you need to hop on that RIGHT AWAY! The longer you let it sit, the more you run the risk of losing their interest and business.
This is why it’s so important to have a system and process in place to help you stay on top of your game! Find a CRM that can help you automate emails and can organize all your potential leads.
It’s also important to have a system in place for communicating during the processes of home-buying and home-selling. Make each of your clients feel like they matter. (CLICK HERE to learn more about fostering business relationships and why it’s so important in mortgage and real estate.)
3. Effective Website
As professionals, you know that first impressions are important. Whether it’s with a person or with a home, people will make decisions about someone or something within the first few seconds.
The same goes for your website. If your website isn’t clean, friendly and easy-to-use, people will leave pronto! Make sure that your website is mobile-friendly and appeals to all kinds of users. Make it user-friendly, easy-to-understand and visually appealing!
Having a website that fits this criteria will definitely help you stand out in crowded market!
Want some help setting up an efficient process? LET US HELP YOU! Not only will we help set up your website, but we will help you with your social media too!
Our consistency and expertise will help you manage your time so you can spend more effort on the important things.
If you’d like more information on this program Sun American Mortgage offers, and how we can help with your social media, contact Jeff Boulton – [email protected], 480-467-1069.
CLICK HERE for more details on our Marketing Program.
4. Find a Niche
I always tell my clients, “Narrow and deep is the way to traction, not broad and wide.”
As much as you’d love to, it’s nearly impossible to appease everyone. You need a target audience – a group to focus on.
Pick a geographical audience by picking a city or two or a few different zip codes. Want to get more specific? Go for a certain community.
Or pick a demo-graphical audience. Want to focus on first-time home buyers? How about retirees?
Or maybe you focus on a certain style of home. Do you like the southwestern architecture unique to the desert? Maybe you like the trendy look of the white-cabinet kitchens and wood floors.
Whatever you want to focus on, having a niche in Marketing is the key to standing out! It helps keep your content focused and helps you really reach that target audience, instead of trying to get everyone (which just won’t happen).
5. Be CONSISTENT
This is the MOST IMPORTANT part! Consistency is key! Without being consistent in these other four areas, your likelihood for success is minimal. People don’t buy homes every day, every month or even every year. It’s not something that takes one day. So why should you only do these things for a few days or a few months? A key to standing out, is always being there.
Don’t give up on it; be patient. As people continue to see your name and face out there consistently, they’ll think of you when they’re ready to buy. If you want to stand out in a crowded market, it’s going to take a little extra work.
