The Little Black Book Of Success

This month I am excited to discuss building your own book of business as an agent. Many try and few succeed in this industry to truly be independent from brokerage lead generation support. Let's dive in!

1. Define Your Niche:

Whether it’s in rentals or sales, identify a specific area or property type that you are passionate about and knowledgeable in. By specializing, you can establish yourself as an expert and attract clients seeking your expertise. When I was first starting out building my own book, my specialty was 1-2 bedroom apartments in Bushwick, East Williamsburg Brooklyn and Ridgewood Queens. The landlords all knew each other and by word of mouth through their employees, tenants and a story I was told about my name being thrown around at their “appliance guy’s daughter’s wedding”, I ended up creating a book of business that I still have today.?

So why did I pick this area? I lived there and I knew the neighborhood inside and out. I even moved into one of my landlord’s apartments, an amazing renovated, rent stabilized 1 bedroom with a private yard that my dog and I lived in for years.?

2. Build a Strong Online Presence:

In today's digital age, having a robust online presence is crucial. Create a professional website, optimize your social media profiles, and consistently share engaging and informative content to attract and engage potential clients. If you already have a decent online presence, do not start a new account just for real estate. No one follows it. Instead, use your current following to show off your work along with your personal brand.?

What is your personal brand? I am a real estate talent acquisition specialist and agent advisor, BUT I am also a hockey player, dog mom, frequent traveler and a person who spends way too much money on live music. That is my personal brand. When I was an agent, I was a North Brooklyn leasing expert and all of those things too. Don’t keep your work and personal life separate, but instead blend them together and show who you really are because people like to know who they are working with!

3. Network, Network, Network:

Networking is a powerful tool for expanding your business. Attend industry events, join professional associations, go to those open houses flooding your inbox with free champagne and boxed wine and actively engage with colleagues and potential clients.?

In this digital age, don’t forget about networking online. Each week I try to write a 5-10 minute LinkedIn post speaking about what I know. Use your personal knowledge and speak to your audience. Spend 5 minutes in the morning engaging on IG while drinking your morning coffee. Post a YouTube video or IG story when you are out and about. Remember that networking and building relationships in person and online is key in this industry.

4. Provide Exceptional Customer Service:

Always prioritize exceptional customer service. Go the extra mile to understand your clients' needs, be responsive, and exceed their expectations. Happy clients are more likely to refer you to others and become repeat customers.

5. Leverage Referrals:

Happy clients are your best marketing allies. Always provide exceptional service and actively request referrals from satisfied clients. I once had 2 international clients send me 6 referrals in a season because I knew how to assist them when others didn’t. They got a really nice bottle of wine from me for Christmas that year. A well-timed testimonial or positive review can significantly boost your credibility and attract new business as well.

6. Harness the Power of Technology:

Embrace innovative tools and technologies that can streamline your processes and enhance your productivity. From customer relationship management (CRM) systems to virtual tours and video marketing, technology can give you a competitive edge. A CRM will remind you to follow up when you are supposed to amongst other things. It doesn’t have to be fancy either. A google spreadsheet will do you just fine.?

7. Become an Educator:

Position yourself as a trusted advisor by sharing your expertise through educational content. Write articles, create videos, or host webinars on topics relevant to your target audience. This establishes you as an authority and helps build trust with potential clients.?

8. Stay Up-to-date with Market Trends and Embrace Continuous Learning:

In order to be a proper educator, staying informed is crucial. Continuously educate yourself on market trends, local regulations, and emerging technologies. Being well-informed allows you to provide accurate and valuable insights to your clients.:

Real estate is an ever-evolving industry, and there is always more to learn. Attend workshops, seminars, and training programs to sharpen your skills, stay ahead of the competition, and adapt to changing market dynamics.

9. Cold Calling:

Lastly, cold calling is a key strategy for building your own book of business. On the landlord side I used to scrape Streeteasy for listings that I had clients for and reach out to the owner directly to try to show their units. This strategy worked well for me, especially in the winter months when their listings were still unrented after several weeks. Cold calling, though a long numbers game will help you to expand your network and generate more leads. By reaching out to individuals who may be interested in your services, agents can identify potential clients and nurture those relationships over time. They can also lead to valuable referrals and repeat business.?

Remember, building your own book of business takes time, dedication, and perseverance. It will not happen overnight and also takes holding yourself accountable to continue the work. By implementing these strategies along the way and adapting them to your unique style, you will be well on your way to achieving tremendous success in real estate leasing and sales. Wishing you a prosperous journey ahead!

Autumn in New York

Though “Spooky Season” is over, it’s still Autumn and the leaves are still turning which means I am still going to binge watch Meg Ryan and Winonna Ryder movies and obsess over my favorite time of the year while I still can.?

One of my favorite things about this time of the year is the comfort food. Whether it’s blueberry or mac & cheese pancakes (don’t knock it til you tried it), cider donuts or pumpkin soups, right now I am in sweater weather, scented candle, fall foodie heaven. Yes, I know it was 80 degrees last week and my garden tomatoes are still coming in. It’s weird and the world is probably ending, but let’s pretend anyways.?

Here is a list of some of my favorite places for comforting and delicious dishes this fall.?

1. Your local NYC Farmers Market - You will without a doubt find me every Saturday morning at the Prospect Park Farmers Market and the first stall I will undoubtedly be at is the cider donuts, to go with my morning coffee of course! Grab a donut (or 12), a pie, pumpkin bread, hot apple cider and then start your flower and vegetable shopping. The fall vegetable haul is my favorite so don’t forget to stock up on all of your potatoes, hot peppers and root vegetables while you are there.?

2. Clinton Street Baking Company - If you're looking for a cozy brunch spot, head to Clinton Street Baking Company on the Lower East Side. They are known for their fluffy pancakes such as my go-to blueberry and seasonal flavors like pumpkin and cinnamon.

3. Le Bernardin - I still have my recent trip to Paris on the brain (no, I didn’t get bed bugs) therefore I have to include this terrific Michelin meal on my list. For an upscale dining experience, Le Bernardin offers exquisite seafood dishes and during the fall, they feature items like roasted lobster with chestnuts or truffle-infused mushroom soup. A 3 course lunch will run you $125 and a 4 course dinner $208 so either wait for Restaurant Week or plan accordingly.?

4. Shopsins - Known for both its extensive menu of unusual dishes, including items such as "Slutty Cakes", pancakes with peanut butter in the middle, and "Blisters on My Sisters", similar to Huevos Rancheros and their famous Mac and Cheese Pancake, Shopins is one of my favorite brunch spots in NYC. If you are craving something on the saltier side, get the sliders, which are without a doubt some of the best I’ve ever had. Shopsins has been a NYC staple since the 1970s? originally located in Greenwich Village, but now resides in the Lower East Side’s Essex Market.

5. Sunday in Brooklyn - Contrary to what the name might suggest, Sunday in Brooklyn is open for brunch and dinner every day of the week. The rustic three-story space boasts an outdoor patio, marketplace, private dining room and rooftop garden. The brunch menu includes both lighter bites and heartier dishes such as egg-sausage sandwiches with amazing potatoes, hazelnut-maple praline malted pancakes and more.?

Note: This place is going to show up on my December list again when they launch their “Snowday in Brooklyn” popup which has some of the BEST cocktails in NYC.