You studied, you took the classes, read the books, watched the videos. You immersed yourself in all things real estate, and you earned your license! Now the real work begins. As you step into your new career, it’s important to learn from the best practices of those who came before you. Your first 30 days as a real estate agent is the best time to establish routines, make connections, build the foundation of your business and set yourself up for long-term success.
Here are a few things to do in your first month on the job to help you start strong:
Get Organized
Real estate agents are multi-taskers, but multi-tasking only works when there is a system in place. Being organized will help you stay focused, save money, and avoid mistakes. This includes creating a clean, organized, and dedicated space to work, whether it’s your desk at a brokerage or a home office. Some ways to keep your space organized include:
- Bring in file cabinets or another file system, and don’t let piles of paperwork fill up your desk.
- Update your desktop computer so files are organized and accessible in a way that makes sense to you.
- Use the two-tray system: one tray for things that need to be done and one for things that are complete. This is a visual reminder of what needs to be done and reduces the number of tasks that are halfway done.
- Keep a notebook on your desk and use it instead of post-its or random scraps piece of paper that you’ll probably lose.
- Find a designated space to keep office supplies–they don’t need to take up space on your desk.
KEY POINT: Use your first 30 days as a real estate agent to create organizational systems that will help you stay focused and productive.
Begin Building Your Network
Real estate is a people-centered business, and the more people you know, the more potential for business. Start meeting new people, attending events, and get connected with your local chamber of commerce. Some other ways to meet new people in the community include:
- Create business cards and introduce yourself to local businesses.
- Start volunteering in the community or join a club or team in your area.
- Create a professional Facebook page and engage with your audience regularly.
- Attend professional networking events.
- Ask your friends to recommend you to their friends/family.
KEY POINT: Spend your first 30 days as a real estate agent helping people, serving others, and introducing yourself. Get involved in everything that you can, and get used to striking up conversations with strangers.
Make a Plan and Set Goals
A business plan is essential for any business, and real estate is no exception. Even before day one, you should create a detailed and informed business plan that outlines your mission, goals, and action steps to reach the goals. A solid business plan will include:
- Business summary
- Target clients
- Sales plan
- Market analysis of your area
- Real estate marketing strategy
This may look like a lot, but if you tackle each section one at a time, your result will be a comprehensive business plan that will help guide all of your decisions. Done correctly, you can run all of your decisions through the filter of your business plan to ensure it is aligned with your long-term goals and values.
KEY POINT: Use the time in your first 30 days as a real estate agent to solidify a well-research business plan to guide your activities.
Keep Learning
You may be tired of studying, but if you’re going to be successful in this field, continued education has to be a part of your long-term plan. Find podcasts by real estate agents that you respect, read books by notable authors, attend seminars, sign up for webinars, and invest in online courses and classes that will help you grow.
A Few More Things…
You’re going to be busy and maybe even overwhelmed your first month as an agent, so you might as well be busy with things that matter. Find time in your first 30 days to:
- Make business cards and other business collateral
- Research CRM software
- Identify a mentor
- Create a social media presence
- Define your sphere of influence
- Create a marketing plan
- Create a vision board
Mbition offers classes for new and seasoned real estate professionals that cover a wide range of topics including inspections, appraisals and everything agents need to renew their current licenses. A lot of learning happens out in the field, but to make the best out of your first 30 days, find a way to incorporate professional development and continued education into your career, not just in the beginning.
Final Thoughts
You’re entering a fast-paced industry that offers freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to make money doing something that you love. It will challenge and excite you, and it will be a learning process. Set yourself up for success by maximizing your first 30 days as a real estate agent, and signing up for one of Mbition’s innovative online courses.