Personal branding is definitely a hot topic, especially when you are in business for yourself — and that includes real estate agents. Branding is more than just logos and taglines. As an agent, your name is a strong component, and with everyone now on social media, everything you do online will become a part of that personal brand. How do you want to be seen? Here are three ways having a strong personal brand is crucial to your success:
1. Search for your name online. You would be hard pressed to find anyone in business that is not online. What is the first thing you do when you want to know more about a company? That’s right, you Google it. Facebook is another place where many go to find out more about businesses. As an agent, whether you’re a part of a small brokerage firm or large agency, your name will be what prospective clients are Googling or searching on Facebook. Do a simple Google search of your name, and take a look at your public Facebook profile and posts. You will see what others are seeing, and what you might want to change.
2. It is professional. If your brand is strong, it is uniform. You dress well (no, it doesn’t have to be a suit and tie every day, but it should be clean, pressed and thoughtful), you keep your car clean and you show up to appointments on time. Treat current and prospective clients with courtesy, even if it doesn’t pan out. When you are online, be the one sharing the information and offering your own insight. Answer questions from others pleasantly. That makes you stand out professionally above the rest, and it’s what will stay in people’s minds when they are looking for an agent.
3. It keeps you accountable. When you are actively thinking about your personal brand, you have to be accountable for the fact that as an agent you are running your business. You are an entrepreneur. No one is going to tell you when it’s time to update your headshot (every 2-3 years minimum is a great guideline), or that your website is looking out of date. No one is going to tell you that you should be posting to your Facebook page daily, or that it’s been too long since you sent out an email to your database with relevant marketing news. Be accountable; get your marketing and your business operations on a system.
As you develop your personal brand, becoming accustomed to living it daily will take some time. But as time goes on, you will gain confidence, and in that confidence is strength — not just in your personal brand, but in you. Desert Dimensions Properties has programs in place to help develop your personal brand. We have a mentoring program as well as marketing assistance for our agents to make their personal brands strong and on point. Contact us today to learn more about how we support our agents, or read 3 Things Your Broker Isn’t Telling You.