Build your business the right way

Here's a question I've been thinking about...

Quick glance at the above image and what do you take away from it as a lesson on how to build a career? (Other than it clearly being obvi AI 🤖)

If you are like most Realtors, you saw marketing things like direct mail, open houses, networking, social media, etc. No argument from me, these are all very important. But look a little closer. Did you gloss over the foundation, pillars and roof of the house? Well, you prob didn’t because you are a rockstar. But MOST agents do, and do so at their own peril.

Now check out this image:

Do you notice the difference? The focus of this image is the framework and foundation of the structure. Marketing is a side note. Your business should not be any different. Think about it this way: if you were going to build a million-dollar house, what would you spend the first $900,000 on? Yup, you are right. The foundation, walls, roof, plumbing, electrical and other things. The things that are systems and processes of a home. (There is that pesky phrase again…systems and processes!) But I can assure you that without those things, nobody gives a damn that you put in pretty drapes and have a dope entertainment system. It gets attention, but a home inspector is gonna have a field day with it when it comes time to sell. In other words, once a client starts working with you they will see if you are a TikTok star or a Real Estate Guru real fast!

Realtors often get into the business saying “oh, I just love looking at real estate!” Or “I just love helping people.” Nothing wrong with that, but kinda the cart before the horse, right? We spend 90 hours in real estate jail…errr…school and we never learn how to actually sell real estate let alone how to build a business. If your bank account looks like a yoyo and not a rolling hill, you my friend, have holes in your house. So let’s do a deep dive on your career and see where the holes are at.

Do you have a CRM? How you get a client, what you do with them on day 1, day 10, day 4,550? Once you are in escrow, do you have a timeline built out of what happens when, who is told what and follow that track? You know I am gonna say it: “What are your systems and processes?? How are you building out your skill set? Are you cramming all your CE classes in the 3 days before ADRE cuts you off? You know who you are. You may think you have the work ethic, but have you ever actually tracked how much time you spend on an average file. (Try it sometime and then calculate your hourly wage, trust me, you will answer the phone a LOT differently!) What is your daily schedule, your weekend plans and your holiday time off? Planning that out on paper makes it real, makes it visual and can hold you accountable.

I have always been willing to sit down with an agent and help blueprint their career path and I find it invigorating to watch the light bulb go off in their head once they see it. That is how I envision Elevating The Standard™ in my world. If you ever wanted to do this, drop me a line. There is no pressure, just a deep dive into your business life and an accountability partner. What could go wrong?

So this week, the question that is in my head, and hopefully now yours, is: “Is my house solid, or am I a real estate marshmallow fluff peep?” Only you know the true answer to that, and only you can build the career you deserve.

Nicholas Yale

Designated Broker/Owner | Brokers Hub Realty