7 Tips for Guiding Your Agents Through NAR Lawsuit Uncertainty

NAR LAWSUIT UNCERTAINTY

This year has felt like a rollercoaster for real estate professionals. Record-high home prices followed by rising interest rates. Bidding wars replaced by cooling demand. And now, the industry faces a new challenge: the recent NAR commission lawsuits and their potential to restructure the way agents do business.

With all this uncertainty, it’s natural for agents to feel shaken. As a leader, it falls to you to provide steady guidance.

Here are seven tips:

  1. Remain calm and project confidence. Your agents look to you to set the tone. If you appear flustered, they will become more anxious. Show that you have a steady hand on the wheel.
  2. Communicate frequently. Don’t let agents speculate and gossip. Be transparent about what’s happening and what it means. Hold regular meetings to answer questions. Silence breeds unease.
  3. Put changes in context. The lawsuits will take time to resolve. Any changes will likely be gradual. Reassure agents that there’s no immediate effect on their business.
  4. Shift focus to fundamentals. In uncertain times, smart agents focus on the basics: lead generation, marketing, customer service. Remind your team that these core activities drive success despite outside forces.
  5. Find opportunities. Change brings opportunities, whether it’s refining your value proposition or attracting new agents. Focus on how your brokerage can adapt and improve.
  6. Project positivity. Your attitude is contagious. If you act scared, agents will too. Share why you’re excited about the future and the success you see ahead
  7. Be their anchor. Agents will sway with every market shift and news article. Your job is to ground them through the ups and downs. Be their voice of reason.

Real estate is constantly evolving. As leaders, our jobs are to provide steady guidance in both calm and rough seas. By relying on fundamental leadership principles, brokers can help agents thrive through uncertainty. With the right support, your team will ride the rollercoaster we’ve been on and emerge stronger than ever.

For more great ideas on giving your agents the best resources possible, while attracting awesome new agents, join The Profitable Recruiter.  Take advantage of our special 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 – including SEVEN HOURS of recruiting audio training!  What are you waiting for? 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. 

Change Your Thoughts and Change Your Results

Recruiting Mindsets for Success

By Real Estate Recruiting Speaker and Coach Judy LaDeur

Recruiting remains the #1 challenge for most brokers and managers. Why? For many it feels overwhelming. Especially in today’s world of global distraction!

What can help? Keep it simple. Recruiting is just a process. It’s about building relationships, and being there when the time is right for an agent to make a move. It does not have to be stressful or even difficult. Here are a few reminders:

  • You can’t make someone move if they are not ready, which means they are not rejecting you.
  • Most agents need to like you and trust you to place their career in your hands.
  • What that means is that you should spend more time building the relationship and less time worrying about how to get them on board.
  • It’s just real estate! Combine the Art of Farming and staying in touch with your clients to build your system and stay positioned. When they are ready to move, it’s just like working with a buyer!

You can’t make anyone move until they are ready, but once they are ready, if they trust you they will work with you. What’s the secret to selling a home to a buyer in 1-2 showings? If you ask the right questions, understand that they are looking for and know where to find their home, it’s easy!

The same applies to recruiting.

Here are some tips that you can follow, as well, which should make it easier to get the agents you want.

The entire interview process needs to stay focused on what they need and what is best for them, not you. A very common phrase that many of the brokers in our coaching program hear is “You were the only broker who took the time to ask questions about what I needed, and what was important to me. That’s why I choose your firm.” Sound too easy? It’s true! When they come into your office, tell them that your goal is to find out what is important to them, and to determine what their needs are so that you can help them make the best decision for their career. Then spend 20-30 minutes just asking questions in a very reflective way, and think carefully about what they are saying, and what they are looking for.  Think of it as solving a problem. Pretend that they are a friend who has come to you for advice, and your goal is to help them make the right decision. If you focus on them, you will be less inclined to try to sell them. You will be amazed at how easy it is to hear what they need, or want. After you have asked your questions, and assessed their situation, you should present only those systems that address their needs, and solve their issues. After presenting the “right systems”, watch their body language, and ask yourself, “Are they sold?” If so, very calmly, and very confidently, smile, sit back in your seat, and say “When you came in today, I said that my goal was to help you make the best decision for your real estate career. Based on everything that we have discussed here; it seems as though you’re right. You’ve gone as far as you can with your current company, so let’s take you to the next level in your career. We have a transition packet that is designed to make your move as smooth as possible.” At that point, you should begin reviewing compensation as well as those details that are necessary to make the move. After you have presented the necessary details, smile and say, “I’d like to invite you to join our team!”.

When you hear stalls and objections, don’t panic, and don’t try to talk them into joining. Just keep asking questions.  Two-year-olds are great closers. Why?  They just keep asking questions, until they hear the answer they want. Here are some great responses to the objections you hear at the end of the interview. “Why?” “Why not?” “Why do you feel that way?” “What makes you say that?” “Why would that keep you from making a move today?” “Really? Hum.”  “How would you propose that we solve that problem?” Here’s a sample of how it works. If you ask them to join, and they say they can’t do it today, just smile and say, “Why Not?” You’ll be amazed at how often they say, “I don’t know”. You would respond with “I don’t know either, so let’s do it!” You have to keep smiling, and keep it fun. If they say they can’t move because they are good friends with the broker, you might say, “Really? Hum…”(smile) and make them justify that statement before going further. After that you might ask, “If someone approached your broker and offered to buy their firm for a lot of money, would they consult you prior to making their decision about selling their company?” You’ll have to practice it a few times to get into the habit of asking verses selling, but you should see great results.

Recruiting is vital to your success and survival as a company. Start with a few small steps, and move forward from there. If you need help building relationships with the agents that you want, the absolute best tool in the industry to stay positioned is The Profitable Recruiter.  We’ve got the strategies, tools and training that make connecting with agents incredibly simple – and amazingly effective.  Our brokers tell us we’ve made recruiting fun again for them.  We tell them THAT’S THE GOAL!

For more great ideas on giving your agents the best resources possible, while attracting awesome new agents, join The Profitable Recruiter.  Take advantage of our special offer of 50% off with the promo code 50OFF any pro membership.  That’s 45% 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. 

 

 

 

 

Creating Your Fall Recruiting Hit List (Don’t Wait)

Overcoming One of the Biggest Recruiting Hurdles Brokers Face

Hands down, one of the biggest obstacles brokers have to kick off their recruiting efforts is building the list.  It’s a little funny because most of these same brokers would be first in line to teach their AGENTS the importance of building THEIR list – their farming/prospecting pipeline.  In a time where competition is high, and recruiting isn’t a ‘should do’ but a ‘MUST do’ – it’s time for all brokers to ‘walk the same walk’ that they encourage their agents to walk.  In other words – build your list! And don’t wait until October to do it!

Here are three great places to start:

  1. Competitors:  List ten companies in your market that are at an equal or just below market share level comparatively to your office and identify the 5-10 agents you would most like to recruit from each and put them into your database.  Jot down any facts you know of these agents; the more information you have on the front end – the easier it is to identify their hot buttons during your marketing and, eventually, in your interview.
  2. Your Agents:  Some brokers find this a little tricky, but here’s a great approach for making that conversation easier. Here’s a sample dialogue for you:  “Hey Bill, I’d love for you to do me a favor.  Take out two of your business cards.  Now flip the first one over and write co-broke on the top for me.  Please share the name of an agent with who you really had a great co-broke experience within the last 90 days.   Awesome – now, flip the other card over and write One Desk on the top.  Now, if you don’t mind sharing  the name of the person who, if we ONLY had room for ONE AGENT in our market, you’d think would be a great fit for our office and you’d be proud to be associated with – who would that be?”  Then you can quickly discern who the top agent fits would be by comparing all the cards from your agents. Follow up with these agents is a very ‘warm’ recruiting call.  “Hi (name) – I asked my agents recently to let me know if we only had ONE desk, who their top choice in the market would be to fill it.  Your name came up seven times! I’m very impressed.  I’d love to make a little time for us to get to know each other better and discover how we might be able to make that happen!”  You won’t get all of them right away – but put those in your database as well – with an identifier as “co-broke” or “one desk” and stay in touch!
  3. Your local board:  The agents most likely to make a move fall into the 1-7 year category.  We’ve shared strategies and dialogues before for recruiting those 12-24 month agents that are usually great prospects.  Look at the top 200 agents in your market and find common denominators that would make them a good fit for your company.  A good rule of thumb is for every 100 agents on your prospecting list…10 should be top producers, 20-30 new agents, and everyone else should fall into that mid-range producer level.  The last group will have the most turnover and the highest potential for recruiting.  Put them all in your database with identifiers for the level they are at and their time in business – as well as any other information you can find.

Now, start marketing!  Connect with them all via your weekly eNewsletter.  Next, segment your top hit list (A-Group) and send lumpy letters to these top 25 or so per month.  Stay in touch, follow up, and be present in the marketplace.  Recruiting is all about POSITIONING yourself to be the broker agents WANT to call when they are ready to make a move!

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 Pro 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.  

The Power of Sprint Goals

sprint-goals-for-real-estate-recruiters

Ready to create absolute focus for the rest of the year? Put sprint goals into place. Sprint goals are short-term goals that are accomplished in 30 days or less. They are short-term because they adapt well to the constant changes that we see in our lives and industry. Throughout the end of the year, for agents, it’s about creating listing inventory. Competition for listings across North America is steep, and listings are the name of the game now more than ever.

For brokers, it’s about recruiting the best possible team members as we head into the new year so that you can end 2023 strong and come out of the gate quickly in 2024. Sprint goals are 1-2 sentences. They are simple, measurable, and attainable. They also have action steps. It could be as simple as, “I will speak to at least five agents per day, five days a week, for 30 days.”  “I will compliment and connect with at least two team members per day for 30 days.”

This is the time of year to keep your agents focused on setting those short-term goals. Set sprint goals for the office that they can achieve as a team and reward their success.

Recruiting can sometimes seem daunting, but sprint goals help put some fun into it. Create a reward system for yourself each week you stay on track and committed to making those goals a reality. Stay positive, present, and clear on what you want to accomplish – then go for it.

We are here to help!

Want to learn how to increase your market share and build an extraordinary team?  Bookmark our blogand 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 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 – 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.

 

Smart Strategy: Recruiting the Second Year Agent

recruiting-second-year-agents

Guidelines, Action Plans, & Dialogues

By Real Estate Recruiting Coach Judy LaDeurhandshake close Judy

Did you know that agents who have been in the business for 12-24 months are the easiest to hire?  Why? Most new agents do not know what to look for in a brokerage, but if they made the wrong choice, they usually make a move in their second year.  Since they are not settled into their office yet, they are not as loyal as those who have been in the same office for years. They are searching for a better option. So, why not give them one?

Here are some guidelines for hiring this type of agent, as well as the advantages to hiring them.

Hiring Guidelines:

  • You need to interview them carefully, since some of these agents should not be in real estate.
  • You need a coaching and/or mentoring program in place.
  • They need lots of education and training.
  • You need to hold them accountable.

Advantages:

  • The majority of all agents who go on to become top producers will make their first move within their first two years in the business.
  • This is the easiest way to get in front of a lot of agents to fine-tune your interview skills to be ready for recruiting season
  • If you get them early, you can keep them for life with the right support.
  • They are very loyal to you once you get them since you rescued their real estate career.

Action Plan:

  • Determine which agents in the marketplace have been in the real estate business for 24 months or less. You should be able to get that list from the state or board. If not, you have a little research to do.
  • Call using the dialog below.
  • Implement a program to welcome all new recruits in your area. You can follow the guidelines of my “Welcome New Agent” system, which is: send a letter to all new recruits to welcome them to the business, follow up with a phone call to introduce yourself, then follow up 3-4 months later to see how they are doing, Add the ones who are up and running to your hit list and build a relationship with them.
  • Implement a mentoring program.
  • Organize weekly coaching sessions.
  • Hold new and newer agents accountable for the first 90 days.
  • Gather statistics and testimonials from agents who join and do well with your company.
  • Someone needs to be responsible for a program. If it is not you, then you need to get someone to run it for you.
  • In the interview process, these agents need/are looking for: marketing support, a strong name in the marketplace, coaching, training, mentoring, business planning, and a proven way to build their business, as well as testimonials of others who have succeeded with your firm.

Dialog to get them in for the interview:

“Our records indicate that you are fairly new to the business. Is that correct? How long have you been in real estate? How is your real estate career progressing?”

“The reason for my call is: A NAR survey of top producers indicated that approximately 87% of all agents surveyed made their first move, their first year in real estate. Have you made your first move?”

If yes: “When did you make your move? Who did you start your career with? Because you have made your first move, statistically speaking, you’re on your way to becoming a top producer, so I would like to set up a time for you, and I should get together so we can start to build a relationship. Most agents will make 2-3 moves in their real estate career, so we would like to give you some info about (your company name) now so that when that time comes, you will know enough about us to know if we are a good option for you.”

If no: “Are you making the kind of money that you thought you would make when you got into the real estate business? What type of personalized coaching, mentoring, and training have you received?

If you knew that you could take your career to the next level and make the kind of money you hoped you could make by making a move to (your company name), would you make the move?  (If yes) Let’s get together and see if you can.”

Set an appointment to come in that day or the following day if possible. The sooner they come in, the better the results.  Don’t forget that the best time to call agents is 9:00-10:00 am at their home. Have fun and enjoy your results!

By the way – once you get them into the office for an interview and you feel like they are a great fit – don’t forget to try my signature “handshake close”.  It’s getting AMAZING results for my recruiting coaching members all over the world.  If you’re a Profitable Recruiter Member — login to your audio training and learn how it works!

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 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 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!

 

 

 

The Opportunities in Change

The Opportunities in Change real estate recruiting

The Cyclical World of Real Estate Sales

By Judy LaDeur

The world — and the world of real estate — is one of the cycles. And certainly, we are in a stage of change right now in markets all over the globe. Change can be a little intimidating for some agents, but with the right mindset, tools, and training — it presents opportunities at every turn. How you deliver the possibilities and help agents navigate change is powerful.  Perception is reality. As the Broker, you are the captain of the ship. The person in charge of the information that is distributed, as well as how it is perceived. You are also responsible for the routing of the journey. As the captain of the ship, if you saw that there was a potential storm on the horizon, would you alter your course? Would you start to make plans and prepare? Of course, you would. A real estate office is no different. Regardless of what happens in the market, there are things on the horizon that you should be planning for today.

Things that you know will happen, such as:

  • Some agents are feeling ready but anxious about change.
  • Most agents are struggling with a correcting and shifting market, higher interest rates, and uncertainty. This makes it easier for them to change offices. That makes you vulnerable as a Broker but also creates opportunities as a Recruiter. What are you doing today to prevent your agents from leaving, and what are you doing to position yourself as the Broker agents think of when making a move?

When you look forward, you can be better prepared for whatever the market does. Here are a few tips to help navigate through any storms on the horizon.

  1. Schedule training for your agents designed to support their business, adapt to change, foster a strong finish to the year, a sense of confidence, and the tools they need to thrive.
  2. Host some fun events, or contests, to keep your agents focused on business, even in these challenging times!
  3. Create marketing pieces for your agents to use to position themselves in front of their clients for new listings.
  4. Remind your agents that there is no better time to stay consistent with their Monday morning messages to their clients. Stay top of mind for additional business opportunities.
  5. Don’t forget to send your Monday Morning Motivation Messages to your recruits each week. Once we head into the holidays, it is especially important for you, as the Broker, to stay positioned with potential recruits.

And don’t forget, there are always changes and cycles in this business. You can change the size of the wave, but you can learn to surf! 

Want to learn how to increase your market share and build an extraordinary team?  Bookmark our blogand 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 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.

 

7 Steady Strategies for Today’s Real Estate Recruiters

7 Strategies for Real Estate Recruiters

Real estate recruiters face the constant challenge of attracting and retaining top talent in a highly competitive market. To stay top of mind with their prospective agents, recruiters need to implement effective strategies that build positive relationships and foster growth. In this article, we’ll explore seven things that real estate recruiters should be doing right now to stay top of mind with their prospective agents.

  1. Regular Communication: Recruiters should be regularly communicating with their prospective agents through email, phone calls, and other messaging channels to provide updates on market trends, new properties, and industry news.
  2. Personalized Outreach: Recruiters should customize their outreach to each prospective agent based on their interests, background, and experience. This can include sending personalized messages or inviting them to industry events or networking opportunities.
  3. Social Media Presence: Real estate recruiters should have a strong social media presence across multiple platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. This will help them reach a wider audience of prospective agents and share relevant content.
  4. Offer Training and Development: Recruiters should offer training and development opportunities to help prospective agents improve their skills and knowledge of the real estate industry. This can include webinars, seminars, or workshops.
  5. Be Responsive: Recruiters should be responsive to prospective agents’ questions and concerns. This shows that the recruiter values their time and is committed to building a positive relationship.
  6. Show Recognition and Appreciation: Recruiters should show recognition and appreciation to prospective agents who demonstrate exceptional performance or potential. This can be done through public recognition, incentives, or bonuses.
  7. Create a Positive Culture: Finally, recruiters should create a positive culture that fosters teamwork, collaboration, and support. This will attract and retain top talent and help build a successful team.

Lastly, real estate recruiters need to stay proactive and innovative in their efforts to attract and retain top talent. By implementing the seven strategies outlined in this article, recruiters can build positive relationships, provide value, and create a culture of support and growth. By staying top of mind with their prospective agents, recruiters can build a successful team that delivers exceptional service and results in the competitive world of real estate.

Recruiting is about staying top of mind. The more contacts you make CONSISTENTLY, the more recruits you will have. Need help? Join The Profitable Recruiter.

In addition to the weekly emails, the recruiting platform is loaded with scripts, lumpy letters, seasonal letters, notes, social media content, and various other recruiting tools each month. We also have seven and a half hours of intense recruiting training and articles with some of the top brokers in the country and industry experts sharing their tips for success on our blog. Check it out at www.TheProfitableRecruiter.com

Join today and take advantage of our special offer of 50% off with the promo code 50OFF for any 6-month or annual membership.  It includes up to 10 manager seats per 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! In addition, you can add up to TEN managers for each membership. Questions? Contact us today at 813-957-2989. 

Get a Step Ahead of the Competition

Refocus on Recruiting Now

By Judy LaDeur

If you’ve been biding your time to kick your recruiting into high gear, it might be time to re-think your game. Put systems in place NOW to attract, connect, and engage with the recruits you want, and you’ll be the broker to beat in this competitive market.

Here are five guidelines for recruiting the experienced agents that you want:

#1: Remember that it is not what you do that makes the agent move; it is what their broker or company does or does not do that makes them move or motivates them to look at their options. It is what you do between now and then that causes them to call you when that day comes. That is why it is so important to keep your mailings going out on a regular basis. You never know when something will happen to make them unhappy. With regard to your mailings, keep in mind that your marketing pieces are designed to educate them as to what your company has to offer.

#2: Your marketing pieces should also create curiosity and desire to know more about your company, your results, and your systems.  Testimonial letters from your agents make great recruiting letters. Do not try to sell them the entire company in just one letter. Each letter should focus on one unique thing about your company and should show the benefit to the agent, as well as the results that your agents have had by utilizing that system. Your marketing pieces should appeal to the emotional agents as well as the logical agents. Emotional agents like things that are cute, fun, humorous, and emotional in content. They also relate to success stories about other agents. Logical agents like their letters to be factual, business-like, and to the point.  You should alternate between emotional and logical letters so that you are relating to everyone. You should have a marketing piece that goes out one time every two weeks. The marketing piece can be a letter, postcard, email, company newsletter, or anything that educates the agents in the marketplace about what you have to offer. Look to your Lumpy Letters and seasonal letters in your system for done-for-you pieces.

#3: If your results are slowing down, look at your hit list. With new agents coming into the real estate business every day, your hit list should constantly be updated. At least 30%-40% of your names should be agents who have been in the business for less than one year. Statistics show that most successful agents make their first move during their first year in the business. I believe that is because they do not know what to look for in a company when they are newly licensed, but the good ones learn quickly who the best companies are for them. Those same studies show that most agents are with three companies in their real estate careers and stay with the second company for an average of 7-9 years. That is when they are building their career. So, if you do not get them before their first move, you may be waiting a while. The majority of the agents on your list should be agents who sell an “average amount of real estate for your area.”  Averages vary quite a bit, but usually, an average agent is someone who sells 1-3 million per year. An average producer is usually more willing to look at their options somewhere else. You should have 30%-40% of your hit list as average producers.

#4: You must follow up on your letters with phone calls. If you make the calls, the agents will come in. I recently held a class on developing phone skills with managers who did not regularly call the agents in their area. In just two hours of calling for appointments, the managers booked over 50 appointments. The challenge these days is finding the agents and not getting the appointment. For this reason, I recommend that you call the agents in the morning. You should talk to at least three agents per day to keep your pipeline full.

#5: In addition to sending out letters and making phone calls, you should do whatever possible to stay face-to-face with the agents in your marketplace. That includes Open Houses, Broker Tour and Luncheons, Broker and Realtor Functions, invites to special events that your company is holding, or just stepping out of your office and saying “Hello” when an agent stops in for a key.

Remember that recruiting is a contact sport. The more contacts you make, the more recruits you will have. Need help? Join The Profitable Recruiter.

In addition to the weekly emails, the recruiting platform is loaded with scripts, lumpy letters, seasonal letters, notes, social media content, and various other recruiting tools each month. We also have seven and a half hours of intense recruiting training and articles with some of the top brokers in the country and industry experts sharing their tips for success on our blog. Check it out at www.TheProfitableRecruiter.com

Join today and take advantage of our special offer of 50% off with the promo code 50OFF for any 6-month or annual membership.  It includes up to 10 manager seats per 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! In addition, you can add up to TEN managers for each membership. Questions? Contact us today at 813-957-2989. 

 

Put PAST Agents on Your Recruiting Hot List

Now is the Time for Action

By Real Estate Recruiting Coach Judy LaDeur

A lot has changed in the last couple of years. It feels like everything in some ways, doesn’t it? For many agents, this was a time to re-evaluate their entire career and the way they do business — and that includes where they hang their license.

Just as agents are finding tremendous success picking up the phone and contacting everyone in their sphere to reconnect, check-in, and ask how they can help — now is the perfect time for you, as brokers and recruiters, to do the same with the agents who have left your company over the past ten years.

For some of those agents who thought the “grass was greener” elsewhere?  Many have found out that it is just as hard to mow somewhere else.  That leaves an opportunity for you to open the door again and invite them to see what they’ve missed in their time away and what you are currently doing to help agents shorten learning curves, fire on all cylinders, effectively use technology and system tools to connect with clients and customers virtually — and what you are doing to support agents during this chaotic time.

Which of your good agents did you lose over the past 10 years? Do you want them back?  Pick up the phone and call them.  But first, give some thought to the qualities that the agent has, or a funny situation that occurred when they worked for you. Which sincere compliment can you give that agent? Why did they go to that firm? Are they missing out on brand awareness, resources, tools, training, technology or broker support? Maybe you’ve set up a new training system, or mentoring program, or added marketing tools?  Is your agent production through the roof?  Are they making more money than the average agent in your market?   We are in the midst of a strong and emerging market.  These are excellent times to build your office and increase your market share.  Ensure that you are a part of the celebration by working today to change your future in a positive way!

Next, reflect on the relationship – and genuinely make the first part of your call about checking in. Seeing how they are doing. Learning about what — if anything — they need or might be struggling with. Let them know that you care and that you are there. In that conversation – they might realize that now is the perfect time for them to “come home” — sometimes the PAST can be a great part of a new FUTURE.

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 season? All 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 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!

Do Recruiting Incentives Work?

Yes, But…

By Real Estate Coach Judy LaDeur

The simple answer is “yes”, BUT some incentives work better than others, and it all depends on the behavior pattern of the agent.Handshake after a job recruitment interview

Most brokers use money, or financial incentives to motivate their agents to help them recruit. The problem with that is that most real estate agents are emotional decision makers, who are motivated more by what you do for them than what you offer to them in the way of money.

Let’s look at what agents do on a daily basis. If they like their loan officer, they refer them to everyone. Why? Because they are paid to refer business to them? No. It’s because they want everyone to have a positive experience when they are buying a home. Many real estate companies have their own in house lenders, and ask agents to refer the business to them. Some even have financial incentives. Does an agent use their loan officers just because they can get paid, if they have a loan officer that they feel can do a better job for their clients? No. They also refer attorneys, inspectors, etc. For an emotional agent, when you offer to pay them to secure their support, it does not feel good to them. Some say that they even feel guilty about getting paid. There are real estate organizations who offer incentives to recruit, but when I ask them how well it works, they admit that most agents do not care if you are paying them to recruit.  You might be asking yourself why I said that recruiting incentives work at this point. As you recall, I said yes, but…

Let’s look at what works and for which type of agent. If you have a driver personality, or an analytical/logical personality, that person is motivated by money. They actually prefer money over other types of incentives. This allows them to spend it the way they want. Statistically, 10% of agents are drivers and 5% are analytical, so 15% of agents will be motivated by the money. However 85% are not!

How do you motivate the 85%? What do they want? Recognition! When they are happy in their work environment, and they truly feel that it’s the best place to work, they will invite others to join.  When they give you a referral, they are just looking to be recognized in a personal way that shows you care.  When an agent gives you the name of an agent who might be a good member of your team, send a thank you note to their home that says, “Thanks so much for helping us build our team of associates with agents just like you! I really appreciate it.”  After the agent comes in to the office for an interview, give the referring agent an update. If the agent joins your team, do something special for that agent.  When I say “special for that agent”, I am referring to something that tells them that you know what is important to them and that you care. If the agent is a driver, they probably would like a financial reward, so that’s’ fine. But chances are they are emotional, so think about what they like.  Maybe it’s a day at the spa, or a certificate for dinner at a nice restaurant, or a really nice bottle of wine.  Perhaps you have box seats to a sporting event and you know that agent enjoys sports. Whatever you give them, put it in a card and say “Thanks so much for recommendation of (Agent Name). They are a great addition to the team and I could not have done it without your help!”  There’s no need to announce that you are offering incentives. Make a habit of asking who they would recommend, and follow up. Once you have recruited them, present them with the note and gift. You will be amazed at how quickly they give you another referral. Why? Because they enjoy working with you, and they appreciate the recognition.

Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics said, “Every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, ‘Make me feel important.’  If you can do that, you’ll be a success not only in business but in life as well.” She was known for the way she made people feel. What will you do to show your agents how much you appreciate them when they refer an agent to you?

Want to learn more about building your dream team in less time and with less 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.