Does anyone have any tips for a realtor just breakng into the business?

[junk yard]

I just got my salesperson license in illinois. I'm going to work at a local century 21 office. Just looking for advice and tips on how to market myself, get my first leads, and generate an early sale from my leads. Thank you

[jbsikes]

My tip would be to pray. lol Just kidding, but that's really a good idea.

On top of praying, I like running ads in the local Craigslist several times a day. This takes some education as to how to work with Craigslist, but even if you only get 1 ad in each day, you'll still get leads.

Keep great deals in front of the people ( for FREE ) and they will come to you.

I normally send people to a "squeeze page" where I ask them when are they ready to move, do they want a 2,3 or 4 bedroom, what part of town, how much do they have to put down, and what can they afford as a monthly payment. Get their phone number too.

KEEP these names in Excel or other spreadsheet.

Your leads become your name list. Your name list is one of the most important tools you'll have available in today's market. I can shoot out an email to several hundred people in a matter of 1-2 minutes, with one click of the mouse. I love today's technology!!!

This is POWERFUL!!!

One multi millionair teacher once told me: "I KEEP them on my list until they either Buy or Die!"

Remember, Real Estate is a TEAM sport. It is a RELATIONSHIP building business / job. Building relationships by providing ANSWERS to people's problems, and you'll find there's no shortage of today's housing problems.

I like working bread and butter priced homes, as they move the fastest. But if you have a good list of ready buyers built, Commercial Real Estate and High End Homes are both crashing right now, and either of these can add an extra zero "0" or two, to your check's value.

Having FUNDING sources available for yourself ( IF you too are an Investor ) and your people, is a KEY.

For instance, if you work with any wholesalers, or short salers, or landlords, or REO Flippers ... IF you can help provide Funding AND the deals ( the properties ), I bet you'll sell more. Maybe many more!!! lol

I'll provide some of my favorite Funding sources below, if, by chance, you or your people need any FLIP funding.

Have fun! Stay focused! BUILD your list, and keep in front of your people. Help them. Write not only what YOU want, but GIVE them free info about what THEY want to know, as well.

The best days to write are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. ( Friday is TGIF, Monday is Monday, and the weekend many don't care ).

The best times to run ads are at Noon, 4PM and 8PM. Some people try and put an ad in just after Midnight, as it will then be the first ad for the day, but I like working the 12, 4 and 8 better, as I seem to get better results.

Your readers ( your hot leads ) will beging to "see" you as the authority figure, and when they have a Real Estate need, who do you think they will come to ...

Oh, it's also wise to look out for the local REIA ( Real Estate Investor Association ) group, and not only join it but go to the meetings and NETWORK. Maybe you can find it on the 2nd site below.

AND get into Social Networking online.

You are in the PEOPLE business.

Best of luck to you and yours!