Business Planning for Brokers

business-planning-for-real-estate-brokers

Getting a Jump on the Competition

With Real Estate Coach Judy LaDeur

It is NOT too early to start planning for a successful new year ahead.  In fact, some brokers I am working with have already gotten a jump on their competition.  Are you ready to talk about putting the pieces in place before your competitors do so that you can have an amazing finish to this year and a head start on your best year ever next year? Then don’t waste another  minute! Let’s dive in!

Here are the questions you should be asking yourself:

On Business Planning:

  • Do I have a mission statement?
  • What is my platform?
  • What is it that our company does really well?
  • What are my company objectives for 2022?
  • How much do I know about my competition?
  • Is it time to create or add new tools?
  • Have I recently evaluated my compelling reasons to join? Are they still compelling? Are they still unique?

On Removing the Barriers:

  • Am I using social media in my recruiting? Is it effective?
  • Am I using text messaging effectively?
  • Do I have a recruiting page on my website with testimonials and results?
  • What is the title on my business card? What does it say about me? What about my email signature?
  • What CRM am I using?
  • How is my time management and what can I delegate?

On the Value of Your Team

  • How much income do I receive per associate on the average?
  • What is my fixed annual overhead?
  • Divide annual fixed overhead by annual income per associates to determine how many agents to break even. (Include your salary in the overhead.)
  • Determine profit desired and add that amount in.
  • How many agents do I need to be profitable?

On Setting Your Goals

  • How many recruits for the year?
  • Divided by 12 for recruits hired monthly.
  • New verses experienced?
  • What will be the market share increase?
  • How many interviews for each one?
  • 2 experienced agents and 1 new per month is a great goal.
  • How many interviews in each category do I need?
  • What action steps/ activities will I do to generate the number of interviews needed?

Click here to download a copy of my Covenant Coaching Broker Business Plan. 

Is recruiting a challenge for you?  We can help.  Join The Profitable Recruiter and gain access to 7+ hours of audio training via downloadable links, powerful recruiting letters and notes, emails, social media tips, over 30 webinars for recruiting and retention, and opportunities to network with the best of the best. Take advantage of our special offer and save 50% on YOUR New Membership with Promo Code: 50OFF.

Not sure if this is the right thing for your company?  Watch this video on demand to learn why brokers across the country are making it their turn to way to stay positioned for recruiting success in today’s market — and putting the fun back into their recruiting.  (Which is way better than dread – right?) We’re taking the guesswork out of recruiting for brokers — and they are loving it.  We can do the same for you! Questions?  Email us today.  

 

Trial Offer for Recruiting CRM

We have been asked for years for a CRM recommendation for recruiters and managers. During this time of crisis – having a system in place to stay connected has never been more important. That’s why we negotiated a 60-Day Extended Free Trial with Ixact Recruiter for all of our Profitable Recruiter Members. Then just $99/mo. save 15% with annual billing. 

Here’s an overview:

To take advantage of this special offer, simply go to www.ixactcontact.com/THEPROFITABLERECRUITER!

They’ve got an amazing support team and onboarding processes to help you get up and running quickly!

Ready to dial up your recruiting, and position yourself to attract the agents you want sooner rather than later, join top brokers from around the nation who are members of www.TheProfitableRecruiter.com. You’ll get all the tools you need each month to position yourself as the broker to join when agents are ready to make a move. Fine tuning your skills this summer? All pro members get access to over SEVEN hours of training via downloadable links including interview skills, scripts, objection handlers, and more. PLUS, you’ll have access to entire libraries of recruiting letters and notes, emails, social media content, training webinars for recruiting and retention, and opportunities to network with the best of the best.

Join today and take advantage of our special summer offer of  50% off with the promo code 50OFF any pro membership.  That’s 50% off everything you need to be in the right place at the right time when the agents you want are ready to make a move!

 

Four Things Recruiter Should Do to Before October

To Put Your Recruiting Plan in Place

By Real Estate Recruiting Coach Judy LaDeur

Smart recruiters aren’t waiting for the new year or even for the “new normal” to settle in. They are building their lists and putting systems and solutions in place to make sure they are ready to help agents move sooner rather than later! With heavy learning curves and agents anxious to find an organization where they can feel supported with the right tools and training to thrive regardless of market conditions – the time to get in front of them is right now!

Here are the four things you must have in place before October!

  1. Get organized! Do you have your hit list in a database management program? Do you have categories set up to easily locate and communicate with your potential recruits? Are you talking to the right agents for your firm?  Many brokers just jump right in and start randomly calling agents, without a specific approach or plan of action. Use this time of the year when many agents are busy with the spring market and get organized.  Review the list of agents, and add some new agents to the list that you have not yet met or talked to. Here’s an article on creating your hit list.   Don’t look at agents as they are, but rather as they could be with your organization and under your leadership.  What are the compelling reasons for an agent to join your team? You should have 12-20 compelling reasons for an agent to join. Each of your systems or opportunities should also bring value to their career. Take this time to create a visual, showing results, for each compelling reason, to be used in the interview process.
  2. Communication: Communication is one of the most important elements of the interview process. It pre-sells the agent on the benefits of joining your team.  Your communication/ marketing consists of the following: email campaign, phone calls, social media interaction and comments, personal notes and personal interaction at REALTOR events, social events and open houses. Your communication is how you build the relationship.  Most agents require at least 3 phone calls, 3 marketing pieces, and some personal interaction before they make the decision to even meet with you. Take the time to create compelling marketing pieces to get their attention. January is the beginning of winter recruiting reason.  Start your marketing/communication now so that you are ready to recruit the agents that you want, then.
  3. Positioning: Once your marketing and communication is in place, the key is to stay constantly positioned, in a positive, no – pressure way.  Not every agent is ready to make a move, but someday they will decide it’s time for a change and you want to be the broker that they think of first.  Use occasional texts, emails, social media comments and phone calls every three months to stay positioned.  One of the best tools to stay positioned are the weekly motivational emails in The Profitable Recruiter marketing platform.  Each one is motivational and inspirational, which agents enjoy recruiting and reading. Not yet a member? Take advantage of our special offer to take 50% off before October 1st with promo code 50OFF. 
  4. The Ability to Discover and Convey Value: When you are face-to-face with a potential recruit, your job is simple.  Learn what it is that they want through asking the right questions, and then present what they want in a way that conveys value to them.  Your questioning process should last 20-30 minutes.  Dig really deep to uncover needs, wants, desires and those things which they do not like at their current company.  If you ask the right questions, they will tell you what they want. Once you know what they want, present only those systems and opportunities which they indicate an interest in.  Tell them what others have experienced when they joined your team. Results show and convey value, so testimonials are great too!

Is recruiting a challenge for you?  We can help.  Join The Profitable Recruiter and gain access to 7 hours of training via downloadable links including interview skills, scripts, objection handlers, and more. PLUS, you’ll have access to entire libraries of recruiting letters and notes, emails, social media content, training webinars for recruiting and retention, and opportunities to network with the best of the best. Join today and take advantage of our special 50% off with the promo code 50OFF any 6-month or annual membership.  

Best Practices & Strategies for Profitable Recruiters

We shared some of the best practices and strategies with Brokers and recruiters from all over the globe in this webinar on demand. It was a fun session, and we so appreciate those of you who stuck with us through some technical difficulties. We love technology — when it WORKS! We are thrilled to continuously bring new tools brokers and recruiters can use to identify, interview, and hire the best possible agents for their teams. Exciting things ahead! Stick with us — we’ll help you drive your recruiting efforts — and keep your attrition low, and your team thriving!

Please watch the webinar on demand here:

Want to learn more about building your dream team in less time and with fewer headaches?  Join The Profitable Recruiter and gain access to 7 hours of training via downloadable links including interview skills, scripts, objection handlers, and more. PLUS, you’ll have access to entire libraries of recruiting letters and notes, emails, social media content, training webinars for recruiting and retention, and opportunities to network with the best of the best. Join today and take advantage of our special 50% off with the promo code 50OFF.

Navigating the New Normal

by Judy LaDeur

There is a new normal; not just a new normal in real estate but an entirely new normal throughout the world.  It’s too early to know the full impact of the Corona-19 pandemic but we do know that life as we knew it will no longer exist. There will be changes, and some of those changes are good.

How has your company adapted to the Covid-19 situation and what changes has your company made? Which of those changes do you think will be permanent?

This is what we as an industry have learned:

  • Agents are more likely to show up for zoom training meetings than in person meetings
  • In times of crisis, they need to “see you, the Broker” even if it is through video or zoom meetings and feel your strong leadership
  • How you respond determines the success of your agents and the confidence of your clients
  • Open houses can be held virtually
  • Agents love Zoom Happy hours with their Broker and peers
  • Staying in touch with friends and family via Zoom calls is fun
  • We are survivors and have the ability to pivot instantly and emerge with a new business model
  • We learned to take the necessary steps to navigate new tech tools (which we needed to do anyway) and it definitely be better positioned for business
  • Agents are, for some the first time in a long while, working ON their business, not just IN it by putting systems like CRMs in place

The #1 thing that we have learned is that communication in all forms is the vital key to keep business moving forward.

Brokerages who are emerging as the winners all have these things in common:

  • They are supplying relevant information to their agents, clients, customers, and recruits on a consistent basis
  • They are staying positive, providing encouragement, and giving solid direction.
  • They have created “safe showing guidelines” and “safe listing guidelines” to give clients and customers the confidence to move forward with their home sell or home purchase decision
  • They have a “can do” attitude and it shows
  • They are willing to do what it takes, and they are doing it
  • They are providing powerful and ongoing training and resources for agents and recruits
  • They’ve got their CRM systems locked and loaded

Another thing that all of our leaders have in common is that they each of the leaders that we have talked to confirm that they are working harder than they have ever worked, but they are seeing results for their organizations and their agents.

We are not out of the woods yet, but we have a path to follow. Keep your compass handy, stay FOCUSED and FLEXIBLE.

We are here to help!

Profitable Recruiter Members – Your May tools are launched and ready for you! Login here. 

Looking for a simple system for staying top of mind AND motivating your agents and prospective agents? Try The Profitable Recruiter.  Take 50% off any membership with the promo code 50OFF.  When you join – you and up to 10 managers can access your accountTry it for a month and see what it can do for you. 

Calm In The Storm

You can’t control the storm, but you can adjust your sails.

We are facing a crisis that we have never seen before, and from where we sit, most Brokers are doing a great job of navigating through torturous and unknown waters.

Most changes are happening with little or no notice from government agencies. Brokers and companies are learning as they go, making changes in their course as needed.

The majority of Brokers that we are talking to are working tirelessly to stay on top of what is happening and they are quickly getting up to speed, but some of the Brokers are in panic mode and feel out of control.

Let’s chart out the paths that each group is taking:

Group 1: These are the companies and Brokers who are working around the clock to implement the strategies and policies to keep agents working, and their offices running. They are trying new things, and they are talking to their peers to see what is working and what it not. The most successful companies/ Brokers all have one thing in common: they are using video and technology to communicate daily to their team and to keep the company operating. In times of trouble, everyone looks to the leader to see how he or she is responding.  It’s so important to stay calm, confident and transparent during this time. Constant communication about what you are doing, what you are researching, what you have discovered and what comes next is one of the most important things you can do right now.  Our industry has gone virtual overnight. Each state has different operating guidelines that they must follow. Some are finding ways to show homes without physically being in them, contracts are being written without physically viewing the home, closings are occurring without being physically present, listing presentations are conducted on line via Zoom, and calls are diverted to staff members who are working from home. Kudos to each of you who stepped up to the helm and took responsibility to guiding your office though the storm.  It’s not over, but the winds have calmed a bit.

For every office who is doing a great job, there is another office in the same market who is not. These represent Brokers and companies in Group 2.

Group 2: Brokers in group 2 are so overwhelmed right now, they don’t know what to do or which way to go. They are not making the necessary changes and in many cases are not implementing guidelines to keep their agents and their clients safe.  I have talked to Brokers in both groups. Group 2 is bracing for the hit and hoping they survive. They are scared, but everyone is. Again, we are all in uncharted waters, but some will fare the storm better than others.

What should you do to navigate the storm?

  • Daily video’s to your agents, or at least one video message every 2-3 days to keep everyone updated and informed.
  • Video’s to your clients and the consumer. What are you doing to keep everyone safe and what are you doing to insure the successful closing of homes under contract.
  • Zoom meetings with your staff several times per week to keep everyone updated and to stay on top of new challenges they are facing.
  • Zoom sales meetings with your team to answer questions, get their feedback, and handle any challenge they are facing in the field.
  • Create written policies to use when showing properties and for sellers or listing agents to prep a home for showing. There are simple things that can be done to insure everyone’s safety.
  • Zoom social gatherings for those who are more social. Everyone grabs their favorite beverage and unwinds with their peers online. It’s also a great way for everyone to share their ideas and what they are doing.
  • Reach out to fellow Broker Owners to share ideas, via Zoom, social media groups or via phone.
  • This is also a great time for online training. Search out training which will help your agents in today’s market, or training on any aspect of their business. Agents have more time to fine tune their skills and sharpen the blade. Keep them engaged verses sitting at home watching the news.

Some are facing greater challenges than others right now, but we are all in this together.  Let’s share with each other, support one another and look for solutions.  Together we will survive and be stronger at the end of their journey.

Join us March 31st for a powerful discussion webinar on “Managing the Change”.

Register here. 

We’re here for you during this time. We’ve adapted all of our monthly content to reflect the ever-changing climate we are in. We’re developing resources that can help you adapt as well.

For ongoing resources and stay-in-touch weekly content, join The Profitable Recruiter.  Take 50% off any membership with the promo code 50OFF.  When you join – you and up to 10 managers can access your accountTry it for a month and see what it can do for you. 

We will also be rolling out a new CRM next week to help brokers during this time! Stay tuned. 

Best of 2019 Recruiting Strategies and Solutions

A Big Thank You to all who turned out for our annual wrap-up webinar where Coach Judy LaDeur and Julie Escobar share the top strategies from the year and look forward to the new year with predictions, ideas, and insights!

Watch on demand!

On our webinar, Judy references tips from many of this year’s past monthly webinars. Profitable Recruiter members – you’ll find more than 80 webinars on demand in your membership portal. Simply log in here and click on the webinars on demand tab!

Is recruiting a challenge for you?  We can help.  Join The Profitable Recruiter and you’ll get….

A powerful, results-producing, content-rich resource for brokers to both recruit the agents that will enhance their team, and help retain their current associates with a hands-on, high-touch, compelling combination of…

  • robust weekly email newsletters to send to your agents and recruits
  • a library of completely editable letters, emails, and agent touch-points
  • a cache of social media tips to make life a little easier
  • results-producing recruiting tips and tools that get results
  • solid action plan ideas to build momentum and keep it
  • professional coaching support from one of the top recruiting coaches in the business
  • empowering profitability keys for maximizing your business
  • monthly recruiting webinars with powerful coaching and implementation tools
  • quarterly guest speakers and trainers featuring top agents sharing their successful sales strategies
  • 7 HOURS of intensive recruiting training including scripts, dialogues, objection handlers and more
  • and so much more…

A premiere recruiting and retention product just for brokers and managers.

Join today and take advantage of our special 50% off with the promo code 50OFF any 6-month or annual membership.  

Recruit Agents With Video

A HUGE Thanks and shout out to Michael Krisa for sharing his video recruiting strategies with our members and guests! With powerful insights and how-to’s it was a jam-packed hour of information!  Watch it on demand below.

As Michael said, it’s time to get your recruiting ducks in a row! (Before January rolls around!)

If you’re interested in learning more about the kind of video strategies Michael teaches, you can reach him at michael@quickpageapp.com.

If you want to know more about his video email 14-Day free trial, visit: Quickpage.io/michael. 

Continue to learn how to be the master recruiting skills and be the broker to join in your market. If recruiting is a challenge for you, we can help. Join The Profitable Recruiter and gain access to 7+ hours of audio training via downloadable links, powerful recruiting letters and notes, emails, social media tips, over 30 webinars for recruiting and retention, and opportunities to network with the best of the best. Join today and take advantage of our special offer of 50% off with the promo code 50OFF any pro membership.  

Not sure if this is the right thing for your company?  Watch this video on demand to learn why brokers across the country are making it their turn to way to stay positioned for recruiting success in today’s market — and putting the fun back into their recruiting.  (Which is way better than dread – right?) We’re taking the guesswork out of recruiting for brokers — and they are loving it.  We can do the same for you! Questions?  Email us today.  

 

Are the Disruptions in the Market Impacting Retention?

Keeping Your Team Together

By Real Estate Recruiting Coach Judy LaDeur

Today’s best agents are being heavily recruited, and the options that are being presented are enticing: Checks, marketing packages, leads, specialized branding, shiny new tools and even retirement options.  For many Brokers that we are talking to, it’s definitely more stressful than it has been in the past.  New technology and changes in the way that business is being done require that Brokers stay sharp, at the top of their game and in tune with the tools agents need to compete in a world where consumers are more educated and also have more options.

Are Brokers losing their agents to the competition? That depends. Most of our clients are NOT losing agents, or at least no more than normal. It is recruiting season, which means that a certain percentage of agents will change firms, but the question is why are they leaving, and what are they looking for?

Here are some facts with regard to why agents leave firms

  • Weak agents will always look for an easier way to make a living.
  • If the company is not staying current, delivering the tools that agents need, the best agents will leave.
  • Some agents are not prepared for retirement, which might only be a few years away. They are looking for a solution. If your company does not have a solution, you might lose those agents.
  • Agents want to feel appreciated and will leave if they feel they aren’t.
  • For some agents, it’s all about money, so they will leave for a higher split, lower fee, or a check.
  • Some agents are not willing to do what it takes to succeed, so they quit.

If you are losing 10% of your agent base per year, or more, you definitely should take steps to increase retention.

But the question today is, “Will the new startup companies in the market, or the many changes taking place, make it more difficult to retain your agents?” That depends on YOU, the Broker.

Retention is about creating VALUE on two levels. You with the agent and the agent with the consumer. Both are your responsibility.

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Do your agents have what they need to compete in today’s real estate market?
  • Are you meeting the needs of the agents and the demands of the consumer?
  • Are your agents educated about their competition, and can they show enough value to overcome objections and secure the listing?
  • Are you engaged and connected to your agents? Do they enjoy working at your firm?
  • Is each of your agents selling at least 6 homes per year?
  • Do your agents have the technology to be fully mobile?

If the answers to those questions are yes, then you are doing great. If not, what can you do to fully support the agents, and meet the demands of the consumer?

A NAR 2018 survey shows that 85% of agents want to be fully mobile when it comes to their real estate career.  They want to manage their transactions from start to finish on their mobile device. They also want what they need to be delivered fast because speed matters today. The consumer expects speed and when the agents don’t, or can’t respond fast enough, it creates stress.

The good news is that it’s still about the relationship for most agents, as well as most consumers. Here are some ideas to maintain that relationship:

  • Create a superior “high touch” experience for the agent and consumer.
  • Use videos to stay in touch with agents and clients. It’s more personal.
  • Add a Consumer Care Specialist or Agent Services Specialist.
  • Use technology to automate processes and increase efficiency, allowing them to sell more with less stress.
  • The MAJORITY of Home Sellers and Buyers still want an agent to hold their hand during the transaction.

What’s Your Action Plan?

  • Your Agents Are Your #1 Asset and #1 Clients. How can you honor that relationship?
  • They love food, fun, and recognition!
  • Now is the also the time to teach your agents who want “out” to sell their business and transfer it to one of your agents.

Let today’s changes inspire and motivate you to create new ways of doing business and propel your business to a new level.

Profitable Recruiter Members, log in here and visit webinars on demand to watch our recent webinar all about the DISRUPTORS in our industry.

Continue to learn how to be the master recruiting skills and be the broker to join in your market.  Bookmark our blog, and join The Profitable Recruiter today.  We have a full spectrum of membership benefits with all the tools, strategies and solutions you need to position yourself to win this year and every year. Our goal is for you to become the “turn-to” broker in your area for every agent.  

Join today and take advantage of our special offer of 50% off with the promo code 50OFF any 6 month or annual membership.  That’s 50% off everything you need to be in the right place at the right time when the agents you want are ready to make a move – including SEVEN HOURS of recruiting audio training!  What are you waiting for? When you join – you and up to 10 managers can access your account! Try it for a month and see what it can do for you.

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Recruiting Season Webinar

Thank you to everyone who turned out for our webinar discussing what’s working and what is NOT in the world of real estate recruiting right now. October is the time to take decisive and strategic action to recruit the agents you want for your team — and to help keep your current team members from getting recruited away!

Watch it on demand below…

Put systems in place.  Be persistent and consistent in your efforts. If you don’t have a system in place, we can help! Become a member of The Profitable Recruiter today, and put the power of done-for-you content and tools that make recruiting experienced and new agents easier, less time-consuming, and even fun.

Register today and use the promo code 50OFF to save 50% on any 6-month or annual membership. Got questions?  Email us!  We’d love to help!