Reputation is a big deal in the world of business. Businesses have lived and died by their reputations. As a real estate agent, you are most likely considered an independent contractor, which means you are essentially your own business, even while you’re under the supervision of a sponsoring broker. That means you need to build a good reputation. But how do you do this?
Give Your Clients 100%
In order to develop a good reputation, you have to put forth the effort to earn it. The first step in that process is offering the type of service that earns you the reputation you want to have. That means giving your clients 100%. You should be well informed, able to answer their questions, be good at negotiating on their behalf, and be reachable if they have questions or concerns that need to be addressed. That doesn’t mean that you should make yourself available to your clients 24/7, but it does mean that you should set reasonable expectations for business hours and availability and actually be available to them during that time.
Be Ethical and Honest
Sometimes what is best for your client isn’t necessarily what’s best for you. Your job as a real estate agent is to work on their behalf to get them the best results you can. That means helping your clients find a house that is a good fit for them, not necessarily the one that’s going to land you the best commission. It also means that you need to give your clients all the information you have on a property, even if it means that they don’t go through with a deal on it. This shows your clients that you have their best interests at heart, which is a sure way to earn yourself a good reputation as an agent.
Ask for Reviews
These days, a lot of clients find their agent online. If you want them to choose you, that means you need to have client reviews that indicate that you’re an agent worth choosing. If you’ve done what you can to give your clients 100% and you’ve proven yourself to be ethical and honest in your dealings, you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting good reviews. While some clients may leave a review for you on their own, don’t just assume they will and wait for them to do it. There’s nothing wrong with asking your clients to leave you a review or to recommend you to their family and friends when they need your services.
If you want to be a successful real estate agent, building your reputation has to be a part of your strategy. It’s one of the best things you can do to give yourself the best chance of attracting clients and building your career. Just remember, building a reputation takes time, effort, and consistency. Be patient and put in the effort, and it should pay off.
Branding can help you build your reputation by making you more recognizable, and your logo is a part of that. Read this next to learn more: Principles of Logo Design You Need to Consider When Branding Yourself as an Agent