Thought Leadership: What is It and Why REALTORS Need to Use It
The modern agent builds a successful business in today’s market by doing more than just relying on their sales volume and years of experience. We all know that one REALTOR that loves to point out how they’ve been in the business since before you were born. 🙄
But in 2023, it’s more important than ever to establish yourself as a thought leader in the real estate industry.
But exactly what is thought leadership? I’m so glad you asked.
What is Thought Leadership?
Thought leadership is a term used to describe people who are recognized as experts in their field and who have established themselves as authoritative voices on a particular subject. For REALTORS, this means you have established your brand both in your market and in your industry as a whole.
I’m sure you can think of a few REALTORS who have established themselves as credible and knowledgeable off the top of your head. And, I’ll bet those agents have more than a feed full of just-listed and just-sold graphics. Although social media isn’t the only way you can establish yourself as a thought leader, it’s definitely at the forefront in 2023.
Why is Thought Leadership Important for REALTORS?
It Helps You Build Trust with Your Audience
When you establish yourself as a thought leader, you build trust with your clients and peers. You become the go-to person for your audience and people know they can count on you for the most up-to-date information.
It Differentiates You From the Competition
People love to talk about how the industry is saturated but the truth is most REALTORS haven’t established themselves as thought leaders and separated themselves from the sea of agents in their market.
It Attracts New Clients
Thought leadership can also help you attract new clients. When potential clients see that you are an authoritative voice in the industry, they are more likely to trust you and seek out your services.
So how can you leverage thought leadership starting now?
How to Leverage Thought Leadership Starting NOW!
Create Valuable Content
This is one of the most effective ways to establish yourself as a thought leader. This could mean posting consistently to a specific platform such as IG or TikTok. This could also mean starting a consistent blog or a Youtube channel. Or even creating a podcast. The possibilities are endless. It’s really about choosing a vehicle to share your expertise with the world and showing up consistently.
Participate in Industry Events
REALTORS who participate in conferences, workshops, and webinars to share their knowledge and insights with other professionals in the industry are seen as thought leaders. So seek out opportunities to share both within your industry and beyond. This will help you build your network and also give you plenty of opportunities to create content. Having a hard time breaking into leading roles in industry events? HOST YOUR OWN. This can be a great opportunity for you to begin to separate yourself within your market.
Use Social Media to Amplify What You’re Already Doing
You know that weekly team huddle you have? Showcase the key takeaways on your social media channels. Give your audience that behind-the-scenes look at what you’re working on, and your daily life, and flex your real estate expertise. Showcasing more than just homes in your feed goes a long way in human-to-human connection.
Get Social
In addition to posting regularly, you can also add your own commentary on other people’s posts on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Your comments position you as someone with authority if you’re adding value to the conversation or providing a unique perspective. It’s also a great way to connect with other people’s audiences.
Collaborate with Other Thought Leaders
Lastly, REALTORS who work alongside one another to showcase their unique talents, experiences, and expertise go further faster. This can help you build your network and gain exposure to new audiences.
Thought leadership is an important aspect of building a successful real estate business in 2023. By establishing yourself as an expert in your field, you can build trust with your clients and peers, differentiate yourself from the competition, and attract new dreamy clients. Remember, positioning yourself as a thought leader takes time and intentionality.
If you’re ready to build your thought leadership, but you’re not sure where to start, you know where to find me.
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