Why systems are important in a real estate agent's business
Why are systems important in your real estate business? Let me put it simply. Systems = Freedom. I know you may not want to hear that, but it's true. The more structure that you have in your business, the more flexibility and freedom you give yourself as a business owner. And that's what you are, a business owner, not only a sales agent drifting from sale to sale.
I know at this point, you may want to click out of this article and go read something else because it sounds like a lot of work, but please just hear me out if you will. Running a business is a system. Marketing is a system. Selling is a system. You use tons of systems every single day and you may not even know it.
You've even constructed your own systems within your business. You may not even know you already have, but I can guarantee that if you've been in this business for any length of time then you have a certain "way of doing things." That, my friend, is a system. You possibly need to put it on paper step-by-step, but you're already doing it.
Just the word "system" can give an agent that gut feeling that makes you want to throw up, but I have some great news for you! Getting your systems in place means that you can replicate them. "What's so great about that?," you ask. When you nail down your systems, you can teach them to someone else. (Ahem, let me clear my throat), that someone else could be your assistant!
What does an assistant give you? More time and more freedom!!! There is so much that you do that can be delegated to someone else. No, not the tasks that are required to be completed by a licensee legally of course, but all that other busywork. By reducing the administrative tasks, it frees you up to do the tasks that make the needle move within your business.
So what are some systems that you can develop if you haven't already?
First, you could implement a system for how clients are handled. Do a step-by-step checklist of tasks that sellers require and also do one for tasks that buyers require. These checklists can also be added to your listing and buyer presentations so your clients understand what is happening behind the scenes when they hire you.
A second system that you can implement is a marketing system. (I am a HUGE advocate for having a synergistic marketing system in place, but that conversation is coming in the days ahead so keep a watch out for it! (Update - See my Resonate Program that does all this for you!)
Your marketing system includes all the types of marketing that you do. This could include print marketing like newsletters, brochures, postcards, etc. It could also include digital marketing like social media, DMs, email blasts, text blasts, etc. Let me clarify that there is no right or wrong way to do this, it's your business. Your marketing strategy will include what services and marketing that you want to provide. However, putting a system in place to have your marketing consistent is key to generating new and repeat business and referrals that come to you.
A third system that you should implement is for closing the transaction. If you've ever questioned whether or not you've missed anything prior to a closing date, then this system will remove that burden from your precious mind. This system should walk through your closing process one step at a time. It should also cover any post-closing tasks, ie. sending a thank you card, mailing postcards, posting on social media, etc.
These are only 3 examples of a multitude of systems that we use within our real estate businesses every day. While they certainly don't cover everything, they'll definitely get you headed in the right direction.
Once you get just one system in place, you'll be able to see how much of it could actually be delegated out. Most likely, you're wasting your precious time performing tasks that keep you in a cycle of "too busy" or "overworked" and I definitely don't want that for you. Your time is precious and finite, it's your most valuable resource and should be treated as such. Start tomorrow with just putting together a checklist of your seller process, then your buyer process, etc. It'll come to you faster than you can imagine and then you'll have a repeatable process in place!
Keep Shining On ~ Your Real Estate Coach,
Amanda
