Credibility continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing new real estate agents and investors. More often than not, it represents their biggest hurdle on the path to success. While to some, credibility is nothing more than a poor misconception, others can struggle gaining traction in their community.
So how can you gain more credibility in the San Diego real estate market? More importantly, what steps can you take to win in such a competitive market?
Whether you are getting back into the game, looking to take it to the next level, or are ready to hit the ground running; here are 6 tips for building credibility as a San Diego real estate professional:
1. Blog
Blogging is one of the fastest, easiest and highest ROI ways to build credibility for all San Diego real estate professionals. It can be as cheap or as expensive as you like. You may choose to write yourself or have a content writer do it for you. However, whichever way you go, blogging offers incredible flexibility, tackles multiple objectives simultaneously and each post can continue to deliver benefits for years. It’s a one stop solution for enhancing credibility, raising awareness, web traffic, position branding and lead generation.
2. PR
Those looking to make a big splash and rise to the top quickly can now easily leverage the media. Crafting and publishing your own press releases is a powerful way to get in the headlines and establish authority. Done correctly, a press release can generate significant exposure for your brand.
3. Build Your LinkedIn Network
LinkedIn has many uses for San Diego real estate investors and agents. It’s a great tool for recruiting, making strategic partnership connections, and even generating leads. Some may find that their LinkedIn profile even out ranks their real estate website and blog on Google. However, being one of the first places people will go to check you out it isn’t going to look great if you only have a handful of connections. So be proactive about adding new contacts each week and race towards that 500+ goal.
4. Dress the Part, Speak the Part
There are two things that can instantly separate professionals from wannabes; looking the part and speaking the part. Grab a good real estate education book and get the jargon down so you at least sound like you know what you are talking about. Don’t look bewildered when it is thrown at you in conversation. Dress the part too. However, ‘dressing the part’ isn’t always what people think. In some areas and circles, a suit may be expected to be taken seriously. In others, it might make you look more like a low level bank clerk. Know the difference, but also be wary of betting on your outfit to close deals.
5. Author a Book
Adding “published author” to your resume is a sure fire way to add a lot of credibility and perceived expertise quickly. It can be a lot of fun too. Fortunately, with numerous self-publishing options like Amazon’s Create Space and HP Mag Cloud this has become more affordable and easier than ever. Just don’t let it become a distraction or excuse not to get out there and close deals.
6. Get Speaking Engagements
Whether it is giving low level pitches to groups in real estate offices, title companies, mortgage broker’s offices or hitting the Chamber of Commerce; being the speaker can definitely help to catapult credibility.
