New year’s resolutions can be a hot topic. To make them, or to not make them? Yes, that is the question. At Weichert®, we believe that setting business resolutions can help real estate brokers really focus on what matters most in the 12 months ahead. We also believe in committing to just a few key resolutions so that they actually stick versus spreading yourself too thin.
So, let’s get to it. Here are three 2023 New Year’s resolutions for real estate brokers that Weichert recommends:
Resolution #1: Prioritize your agent recruitment.
At the end of the day, the success of your business rides on relationships. To build lasting relationships with clients and the community, you need the right people on your team. Recruiting real estate agents involves getting in front of the right people at the right time. It also requires a dedicated time commitment. Make sure you block time on your calendar every day to dedicate toward recruiting activities.
But it’s also: If you build it, they will come. As you prioritize agent recruitment, be sure to beef up the areas that will make them want to join your team and stay. Identify your weaker areas, whether it’s marketing support, technology, or coaching and training, and strengthen them to help boost your brokerage’s overall value prop.
Show them that you have an established brand that clients are drawn to and trust. Branding will make all the difference in showing recruits that you know exactly who you are and how you consistently portray yourself to your market. Show your value with real proof points — data that captures the number of closed sides, sales volume, and average annual commissions racked up by your team.
Look closely at your business’ infrastructure — things like people, policies, and technology. For example, in the people category, is there someone who handles all the details of your day-to-day operations, like an administrative assistant? There’s nothing more frustrating than not having printer paper or toilet paper on hand when it’s needed.
Then think hard about who you want to recruit. You can boil it down to two demographics: new real estate agents and experienced agents. There are pros and cons with both. New agents often bring an abundance of drive and enthusiasm, while seasoned agents typically have a deep client list. Use these tips to help you weigh the differences.
If securing new agent recruits is your plan, try ZipRecruiter. It’s a top-rated job search app on both Apple and Android devices, which means you’ll cast the widest net possible for new talent. Read more advice on finding newer recruits.
And make sure to tighten up your recruiting script too. This is your chance to sell your future talent to agents of all levels in a big way. Check out an earlier blog from Weichert on how to develop a killer recruiting script.
Agent recruitment is an important topic that’s always top of mind. That’s why Weichert continues to offer tips and tools, year after year, to help you. Check out our full category of agent recruiting blogs for lots of helpful ideas on this topic.
Resolution #2: Increase your confidence as a leader.
Symonds Research, a training and research company in the UK, states, “Confidence helps you deal better with conflict, improves your communication skills, can make you happier at work, enables you to take feedback better, and it can make you a better manager or leader.” If that’s not enough, having confidence just feels good!
Depending on the person or situation, confidence can vary. You may exude confidence in the tonality of your voice, while other times you’ll send a message of confidence through powerful body language, such as strong eye contact. What you say will always matter, and how you say it can shift the scales. The point is: know what confidence looks like for you.
Confidence building can happen when you remember your “why.” With your why firmly planted in your heart and mind, you’re already in a place of confidence. Then, you can think about your how’s — actionable steps to help you fortify your why, from coaching and mentoring to workshops and educational seminars.
Confident leaders often have certain traits in common. Things like integrity, self-awareness, a willingness to learn, gratitude, and courage float to the top. Think about the traits that you feel set you up to be a confident leader and then do everything in your power to develop them.
Resolution #3: Invest in the technology your brokerage needs.
Knowing which technology your brokerage needs is not always easy. Technology seems to change by the day. CRM systems, mobile apps for agents and clients, branding and marketing tools, and so on are always a part of the mix. We put together a quick Q&A to help you decide which technology you may need in the new year.
With artificial intelligence (AI) impacting every industry, it’s important to stay on top of the tech trends, so you can identify the most cost-effective tools that meet your objectives. Forbes dives into some of these technologies to look for, including AI, virtual reality, and augmented reality.
One way to integrate technology into your brokerage is joining a franchise. In addition to a laundry list of resources and benefits, most include some type of technology offering. Our myWeichert® powered by kvCORE technology platform, for example, combines AI, marketing automation, and complete mobile access to help you and your agents save time and sell more, wherever you may be.
Investing in technology can help you put everything you need in one place, compile real-time data and activity faster, and give you greater control over your day-to-day tasks. All this can build your confidence, which goes right back to resolution #2.
So, as you can see, these three resolutions for 2023 — recruiting agents, building confidence, investing in tech — can form a continuous loop for improving your business. The right people, with the right strengths, using the right technology is a formula for success.
Let us help you make 2023 your best year yet. Reach out to start a conversation.
Happy New Year from all of us at Weichert!
