What are effective ways to train entry-level commercial real estate professionals in marketing skills?

Why are you learning marketing and not hiring an agency? This should be the first question you ask. Keeping the marketing in house can be beneficial, but agencies exist for a reason and are excellent resources for real estate professionals.

Before diving into training, it's crucial to understand what these emerging professionals want to achieve and where their current skill sets lie. I start by conducting a thorough assessment of their knowledge and objectives. This approach allows me to tailor the training program to fill gaps and align with their career aspirations in commercial real estate marketing. For example, if I notice a gap in digital marketing skills, I focus on bridging that gap, ensuring they're well-equipped for today's market demands.

If the young professional has zero experience, have them take a few courses/certifications to get their feet wet. This will give them the terminology and awareness to be able to run a campaign more effectively.

This is an effective approach, providing hands-on experience in marketing activities and tasks. This includes creating, executing, and evaluating campaigns, materials, and plans. Various methods like coaching, mentoring, and simulations can be used. This step helps apply knowledge to real-world situations and learn from experiences.

There's no substitute for real-world experience. I make it a point to involve entry-level professionals in ongoing projects, giving them a taste of what it's like to run a marketing campaign from start to finish. This might involve tasks like drafting marketing materials for a property listing, managing a social media calendar, or analyzing campaign performance data. Through this hands-on approach, they not only learn by doing but also gain confidence in their abilities to contribute meaningfully to our marketing efforts.

You shouldn't just have one Jr-level employee grinding away on SEO optimization in a cubicle in a corner... Marketing is creative and fun! Have a team that can bounce ideas off each other and sharpen one another to benefit culture and outcomes for everyone involved.

The commercial real estate industry is constantly evolving, with new marketing trends and technologies emerging regularly. I ensure that our training includes sessions on the latest digital marketing tools, social media strategies, and data analytics techniques. Staying current on these developments, entry-level professionals bring fresh ideas to the table and help keep our marketing strategies ahead of the curve.

Don't get comfortable. Hit the streets. Commercial Real Estate is a people business. A connector business. Don't be lazy. There are no freebies. Go earn the business the old school way! Earn it. Hustle. Perform. Be persistent. Learn something new everyday. Exceed expectations. Be thankful. Be humble. Be confident. Don't take no as the final answer. Learn all you can about commercial real estate. Study psychology. Study sales. Get busy. Thank the Lord everyday. You got this!

Send them Cold Calling. The truth is no one knows another's luck. The key is to point the recruit to the phone and the door to create a book of business. Make sure they know the product types and give them some information on active listening. Have them keep a calendar and a notebook and use them to keep track of their efforts.