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13
How To Finish A Year Strong (And Make Next Year Even Stronger)
December is the perfect time to look back at what you've achieved in a year and start planning for the future. While it's important to make time for family and friends, it's also an ideal opportunity to take stock. Most agents see business slow down for the last two weeks of December.
The most crucial thing: Don't just go into hibernation like a bear.
While it might make sense to take the final days of the year off, there's still plenty you could do before the calendar rolls over to 2023. Set a good precedent now, and you'll find it's that much easier to get a roaring start to the new year. Here's how to build the momentum that really makes a difference:
- Focus on Lead Generation
Lead generation is the key to growth, no matter what stage your real estate practice has reached. Make sure your real estate website gets regular updates to position you as a trusted advisor to your audience. Don't miss the opportunity to schedule open houses in December: Those who show up are much more likely to be serious about making a buy soon, and you can send a video of the event to your "no-shows." - Stay Connected with Current Clients
Even if you haven't inked an agreement in the last few weeks, odds are good you'll be carrying some of your current clients with you into the holiday season. Apprise yourself of their needs and the next steps in their process, using your real estate CRM to keep track. Make contact to be sure they feel supported, answering any questions and letting them know what your availability will be like over the holidays. - Go the Extra Mile for Your Customers
At such a bright and festive time of year, little touches can go a long way. You should avoid assumptions about how your customers celebrate the holidays (unless you've heard it from their own mouth), but it is still appropriate to send a card. Lapsed connections and cold leads will also appreciate your care. Just take the extra time to personalize each message, so your goodwill really shines through. - Set a Major Self-Improvement Goal
There's always more to learn in real estate, whether that means a professional certification or a tool like Delta Pitch. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People author Stephen Covey calls it "sharpening the saw." Set a high bar for how you'll improve your own capabilities in the new year, then make sure you take at least one hour a day to reach that goal. The rest of your business will naturally benefit from your results. - Get Familiar With Your Data
Practically every tool at your disposal now provides you with a wealth of data. This data helps you know you're moving in the right direction. It can also enlighten you so you can eliminate obligations that won't move the needle. For example, look at the engagement figures on your recent social media. If they feel disappointing, you may need to shift to a different platform or rethink the content you're sharing. - Add Something New to Your Process
Once data suggests to you what you can afford to stop doing, it's time to figure out how to fill that gap in your schedule. Don't hesitate to add something with a high potential payoff, even if that outcome is weeks or months away. For instance, adding virtual tours to your listings, hosting more open houses, or spending a few hours a week promoting your listings through pay-per-click advertising. - Decide Where You Want to Be in 12 Months
One of the most powerful things you can do to become the person you truly want to be is to take a future orientation. The goals that define your future self may seem far away, but you can make them work for you by starting at the end and working backward. Determine the end result, then break that down into monthly outcomes. Further distill those into what you need to do each week to stay on your path.
Big Results Come from Sticking to Small Changes Over Time
Anyone from any walk of life can slip into the trap of making plans for the new year that require them to wake up on January 1 as a completely different person: Relentlessly determined, focused, and more energetic than ever. That mindset is why so many New Year's resolutions fall flat.
By making manageable changes you can stick with consistently, you reap the power of ongoing results. These smaller results move your business in the right direction while proving to you more is possible — all without courting burnout on the way.
Your future is waiting to be written. Contact us to find out how marketing automation compounds the power of your time and effort.
