How can I start prospecting as a part time agent

Question

Good morning BP Family!!

Just wanted to quickly as for your thoughts and experiences prospecting as a part itme RE agent.

I am going to go part time in order to build my base then go full time, however, I realize initial prospecting is the hardest thing to initiate when starting your business.

What are some key concepts to prospecting while only part time.  My nights and weekends are completely open.

William Yeh · Answer

Hi Austin. I'm a part time agent and have been doing OK for myself for a few years now. I've tried building my business online with a lead generation website and advertising on craigslist/fb. For me those were complete wastes of time. I would get leads and do showings only to have the prospect buy with someone else. Most prospects were also in poor financial condition.

As soon as I stopped paying for advertising, I started getting leads and closing deals. All of them came from personal referrals of friends, family and coworkers. I got the word out to my network that I was in real estate. When I would hear that someone is moving or thinking of buying a house, I'd ask them if they were working with a Realtor and tell them I'd be happy to help if they need it.

The bottom line is people in your network will trust you more than they will a random agent that they meet online. Respect that trust, give them the most prompt service they've ever gotten (respond within minutes not hours), get them a nice closing gift, and you'll be on your way to building your referral network.

As for marketing, I'd rather spend my marketing dollars treating my clients well that close with me than on client acquisition as I find it makes a stronger impact on generating new business.

That of course is just what ended up working for me. Some agents work the cold market exclusively with great success. Find what works for your and only focus on that approach.

Cheers and best of luck.

Austin Smith · Answer

Thank you everyone definitely much appreciated.  WOW!  Bigger pockets really is a family. Quick responses with amazing insight.  Thank you again everyone.

Jonna Weber · Answer

Hi Austin! It is going to take laser focus, but it is amazing what one can accomplish in an hour or two a day if you know what to do. If you haven't looked into the Brian Buffini Peak Producers course, I might do that if I were in your shoes. There are many steps outlined that can be accomplished anytime of day. Jeff is exactly right - consistency is the key in anything you do.

Wishing you the best!

Gerard DuMelle · Answer

You may want to market your self to shift workers that would be off when you are available.

You can also try for sale by owners and expired listings.  A lot of time if people work you will have to meet them at night to do your listing presentations.

You can also partner with another agent and help each other out.  Some do not like working nights and week ends.

Real Estate Rescue Team

Team Gerard Du Melle

David Hunter · Answer

market-Market-MARKET

Just like a full time agent, you need to market yourself.

Find a neighborhood you like and start farming it.  Send postcards (use the USPS's Every Door Direct Mail).  Have an offer (Home Seller's Guide).  Send out a monthly market update.

Once you start getting clients, have them review you on Angie's List.  Once you start getting reviews, you'll notice people start contacting you from there.  Not a lot, but it's a great place for high-quality leads.

Send direct mail to expireds and cold call them.

Network.

If you're free on the weekends, then ask other agents if you could have an open house on their houses.  Then you can work on getting buyer leads (and some turn into seller leads).

The skies the limit.  Just because you're part time, doesn't make it any different than a full time agent.

Jeff Valentino · Answer

Hi @Austin Smith!

That's how I started. You first need to block time to prospect-even if it's 3 hours per week to prospecting. Consistency is the key if you want to make it part or full time.

I won't post a list of ways to prospect (search will turn up many) but try a few for x amount of time then pick 2-3 areas to focus on. Pick something that fits your personality-maybe it's networking with investors at meetings or calling FSBO's and get really good at it. When you go full tike you can add 2-3 more.

Hope this helps,

Jeff

Rob Beland · Answer

Talk to everybody you already know. Let them know your story and ask that they share it with their friends & family.

How can I start prospecting as a part time agent

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