In my recent blog post, 5 Listing Strategies For Agents, I talked about the importance of knowing your value proposition as a real estate agent. What makes you different from your competitors? Why should they work with you instead of someone else?
The trick to standing out in a competitive field such as real estate is to know and be able to communicate this value proposition to potential customers. But first, you have to figure out what your value prop even is.
How To Determine Your Value Proposition
How are you different, and what are you doing that no other agent is doing?
Look at these three areas when thinking of your value proposition:
- Your negotiating skills,
- your marketing skills,
- and your market knowledge.
How are you at negotiating? Have you taken any classes, or furthered your education in negotiating tactics? If you’re lacking in this area, consider doing an online course, or watching some videos to brush up your knowledge in negotiation. This is a key asset that will set you apart with buyers and sellers, especially in our red hot market that we’re experiencing right now.
What are you doing in terms of marketing your listings? How does this help your sellers more than other agents? Think about things like knowledge and experience around social media, google ads, photography and video tech, copywriting, staging, and interior design. Do you just throw up a few photos of your listing on MLS and call it a day? That will not help to set you apart from other agents, but a custom marketing strategy that goes the extra mile for your client sure will.
Lastly, how is your market knowledge? Are you just winging it and doing what other agents are doing? Or, can you lean on your in depth knowledge of certain neighbourhoods, market trends, area history, city regulations, strata knowledge, construction knowledge, and more. These little details are SO important when it comes to helping your buyers find the perfect home, avoid headaches, and help your sellers get the best possible value for their home sale.
How To Communicate It To Your Customer
So know you may have an idea where your strong suit is, and what sets you apart from your competition. Now, its time to lean in to that.
Mention those courses and certifications you took in all of your promotional materials. Don’t be ashamed to drop names and show your client the value of your local network and connections that will in turn, help them out. Show them the value up front by communicating your in-depth knowledge of your market and your city, not waiting until the last moment to give away nuggets of advice.
The best way to do this is via social media. If you’re not already on social media, go ahead and use this as your wake up call and get yourself, at the very least, a facebook or instagram account. What good is knowing your value proposition if you have no one to communicate it to?
Now, you don’t want to be spammy on social media, just post to share your knowledge and, like I said, give the value up front. Providing value up front builds trust, and in a competitive market like real estate, trust is going to be the main reason why buyers or sellers choose to work with an agent.
If you need some help putting together your social media content plan, coming up with content ideas, figuring out your personal brand message, or learning the ins and outs of instagram, head over to my resources page where you can find some great tools to get you to where you need to go.
- The free marketing plan for agents
- 300 Epic Instagram Story Ideas for real estate agents
- The social media content calendar for real estate agents
- The Instagram Academy course for real estate agents
Be sure to check out my facebook group to connect with other agents and learn some great tips every week, from yours truly.
In the meantime, take care, and good luck with your value proposition!