Level Up - From Agent to Entrepreneur

Developing Talent

Developing talent is an important part of going from agent to entrepreneur. How do you connect with your talent on a level that actually resonates with them and their needs? What are the three things we track to make sure what we’re doing is actually working? How do you check in and stay in contact? On this mini-episode, we talk about developing talent, helping people grow and building top producers from scratch.

Tracking our numbers is going to tell us how we’re doing with our lead generation activities and the conversations we’re having. -Greg Harrelson

Takeaways + Tactics

• If you can leverage a person’s strengths, you can get to revenue more easily.
• You’ll be able to leverage their strengths faster than you can strengthen their weaknesses.  
• Every transaction is going to come from a conversation.

Most people’s first instinct when it comes to developing talent is to try and get people emotionally invested and fired up by the possibilities they see for that person. What you should actually do first is connect with them on what’s important to them. Honor them by showing that you actually want to know them. When you get into their world you will understand them better. When you do that, their mindset changes, they gain confidence and they become more coachable. This will get you to more income, faster.

Finding the Shortest Path to the Cash & Putting Your Marketing on Autopilot w/Doren Aldana

Most people spend so much time working “in” their business that they don’t get to work “on” it and fail to grow. What strategic structures should you put in place if you want your business to generate more leads and referrals? How do you stop putting out fires and actually start working towards growth? How can you put your marketing on autopilot? On this episode, we do a crossover with Local Domination podcast host Doren Aldana to answer these questions.

The best referral partner is someone who your ideal client is talking to, working with, or building a relationship with before they talk to you or have need for your services. - Doren Aldana

Takeaways + Tactics

• When thinking about referral partners, consider: Who has the highest capacity to send you the most leads most often? Who is working with your ideal clients before they start working with you?
• Always carve out time to work on your business, not just in it.
• The contacts in your phone are a database already.

At the start of the show, Doren shared on the 3 buckets of business success and the importance of remembering that you’re in the marketing game. Next, we talked about finding referral partners and how to build a database if you don’t have one. Towards the end, we talked about how to focus less on putting out fires and more on creating a long-term vision.

We also discussed:

• How to maximize your repeat and referral business
• Working “on” your business vs. working “in” your business
• How to mine leads from your social circle

If you want to grow with the future in mind, you have to remember that “Return on Time” can be even more important than “Return on Investment”. If you actually want a business that sets you free, spend more time working on it-- not just in it. One of the most powerful things you can do is set up a system that takes people from suspect to prospect, prospect to client, and then from client to evangelist.

Guest Bio-

Doren is an entrepreneur, host of the Local Domination podcast and the founder of Testimonial Engine. Go to http://mytestimonialengine.com/ for more information.  

The Fast Track to Success: Outbound Prospecting, Moving Your Business to Another Town & Chasing Transactions w/James Festini

A lot of agents focus too too heavily on how much they are earning, rather than the number of transactions they are doing. Why is this a big mistake? How do you do outbound prospecting in high volumes? How can you undermine your competition to become the top agent in your market in 5 years? On this episode we talk to the Beast Mode prospector himself, James Festini.

There’s only two ways you’re going to make money in this business. You’re either going to go out and get your money or you’re going to spend money to have it come to you. - James Festini

Takeaways + Tactics

• The magic formula in real estate depends on how much money you’ve got to spend.
• There’s a right and wrong way to work in real estate and it has a lot to do with your scripts.
• The end game for most logical real estate agents would be to get enough money to start buying real estate.

At the start of the show, James shared how he got started and how he was able to pack up his business and move to another town. Next, we talked about how to overcome the resistance to prospecting, and why he doesn’t want to be passive about getting leads. Towards the end, he shared why you need to become a human pop-up ad.

We also discussed:

• Goals for 2018
• The end game for most logical real estate agents
• Chasing transactions vs. chasing commissions
• How to get on the fast track to success

It is possible to triple your income through strong branding and intense prospecting. Such action is going to cause a massive breakthrough in spite of yourself, because of the sheer volume of contacts. You’re not going to overcome your prospecting fears sitting in your office thinking about them. You actually have to get into action and realize your fears weren’t real in the first place. To really succeed, your goals should be oriented towards number of transactions rather than how much you earn.

Guest Bio-

James is an agent who has been serving Southern California since 1993. To get in touch, email james@JamesFestini.com. To watch his coaching videos go to http://youtube.com/jamesfestini or follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

Resources-

InfusionSoft for real estate. Get up and running fast with our Real Estate Package! 9 pre-built Infusionsoft campaigns, all ready to go.

Connect on Facebook. Follow Greg for more motivational content to take your real estate business to the next level

Likeable Influence: How to Use Content to Drive Millions in Revenue w/Dave Kerpen

There’s very little content creation in local markets in the real estate field. How does good content marketing set up your authority and generate long-term business? What drawback of sales does content solve instantly? How does good content get lost in bad titles? On this episode, we are joined by best-selling author and content marketing guru, Dave Kerpen, who shares his practical tactics to becoming an authority in your market.

Content is this amazing way to demonstrate who you are, your reputation, your credibility, your knowledge and your expertise to so many more people at once. - Dave Kerpen

Takeaways + Tactics

• Sales can only scale so much because you typically talk to one person at a time. With content, you can prospect to hundreds or thousands of people at once.
  
• Your content should do one or more of these things: educate, entertain, and inspire.
• Your title needs to be emotion-invoking and action-driving.  
  
• Take off your marketing cap, and put on your consumer cap. Ask yourself what would make you take action as a consumer. Then create that content.

At the start of the show, Dave shared why content marketing is the ultimate strategy for touching more than one person with one piece. Next, we talked about the effect content can have on a real estate business, and how you can get the attention of property owners. Dave also gave content ideas for real estate agents who want to establish themselves as local authorities.

We also shared on:

• How much time you should commit to content marketing
• The importance of a very strong headline that delivers on its promise
• The power of LinkedIn

Media used to be magazines, TV networks and newspapers. Now YOU can be the media and put out content that positions you as an expert and authority. Content marketing gives us so many opportunities to stand out, but very few take advantage of this. Use your content to make it easier for you to be likeable and remarkable. It will represent who you are and build a brand that will carry you into other businesses, careers and opportunities. The ultimate ideal is to be the definitive resource for your target market. If you do it right and you don’t give up early, it will become a lead machine for you.

Guest Bio
Dave is the chairman of Likeable Media, a NYT Best Selling Author and a Global Keynote Speaker. Learn more about him on https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/0_3Rybz0r6MIU0pCkbHDrMi8?trk=mp-details-footer-follow.

How to Build a High Retention Profit Machine with Leverage & Recruitment w/Jon Cheplak

We’re in the most over-trained and over-skilled business, but people still aren’t doing what they need to do to succeed in real estate. What’s holding people back from growing in the business? How do you transition from managing people to managing the systems that manage the people? Why does everything start with trusting yourself? On this episode, we are joined by superstar coach, Jon Cheplak who shares on the critical pieces that drive productivity and profit in a real estate business.

People don’t believe what they’re told-- they believe what they experience. Create an experience of what it’s going to be like when they join before they join. -Jon Cheplak

Takeaways + Tactics

• The ceiling of a company or team is their capacity.
  
• Trust yourself and pour your energy into your own systems and processes before you do anything else.
  
• It takes 14 contacts on average before an experienced agent makes a move.

At the start of the show, we talked about how leverage creates the freedom to scale up. Next, we talked about the relationship between trust and capacity, and how to get people to trust you in a tense environment. Jon also talked about the importance of going into response mode and not reaction mode when things don’t go right. Towards the end, we discussed why developing leadership is such a tough job, and why you should ask how you’re going to replace yourself in your business.

We also spoke about:

• Why you need attach to the process and detach from the outcome
• Filters for an incoming agent
• Why revenue producing leaders have to be recruiters

Finding people to work for you is easy, but finding the right talent that you can train to become leaders in their own right is hard. When you can find someone who demonstrates commitment and grit, you’ve found an important resource. When you trust yourself and pour yourself into your system, it’s inevitable that other people will trust you and your process too. People who are happy with your leadership work better, won’t leave you and will actually recruit for you. Recruiting is an inside-out job before it’s an outside-in job. How you carry yourself and communicate with others will play a large role in attracting talent to your team.

Guest Bio
Jon Cheplak is recognized for his success in real estate leadership and recruiting. He’s a speaker, coach, trainer & consultant for top real estate companies. Go to www.threesecretstoprofits.com for access to Jon’s resource of building profit, or go to http://www.cheplaklive.com/ for more information.

Ready, Fire, Learn: Leadership, Building Emotional Fitness and Succeeding Through Other People w/Adam Hergenrother

Most entrepreneurs think the best way to learn is to consume as much knowledge as possible, but the greatest learning comes from taking aim and getting into action. Why is “failing forward” such a powerful teacher? Why is it so important to hire an assistant now, instead of later? On this episode, we are joined by Adam Hergenrother who shares the mindsets, actions and behaviors that have been instrumental to his success.

There’s never going to be a perfect time to hire an assistant. -Adam Hergenrother

Takeaways + Tactics

• When hiring the right people, it should create a value of both time and money.
• There’s no real learning without experience
• Confidence is an asset

At the start of the show, we talked about how Adam got started and the amazing story of how he turned his life around. Next, we talked about the importance of being willing to invite failure if you want to move forward. Adam also talked about why there’s never a perfect time to hire an assistant, and the one thing that gets in the way of the growth of entrepreneurs. Towards the end of the show, we discussed how to build up the emotional fitness to handle the problems that will come your way as you grow your business.

We also discussed:

• The factors that make hockey stick growth possible
• Why confidence is an asset
• Why there’s no real learning without experience
• The chemistry of a transformation

You are better off taking a shot and learning from failure than you are analyzing and never making a move. Success looks like a whole series of failures, so learn to invite failure. The good stuff’s on the other side! The only way to get hockey stick growth is to invest in the platform of models, systems, accountability and the x-factor: people who execute. To get to the next level, you must be all-in.

Guest Bio
Adam Hergenrother is Founder and CEO of Adam Hergenrother Companies. In less than ten years, Adam has built this rapidly growing company through his commitment to thinking big and never giving up. Fearless and purposeful; unconventional and systematic, Adam sets a seemingly impossible goal then quickly gets to work on closing the gap to achieve it: no limits, no regrets. Go to herggroup.com for more information.

How to Lead at a Higher Level w/Tom Cafarella

A lot of team leaders make the mistake of obsessing over who is consuming their coaching content. What metric should you actually be paying attention to? How do you get people on your team to buy into your coaching? If you want to level up, do you bring on more people or do you go deeper on training the ones you have? On this episode, we are joined by Tom Cafarella to discuss how he can get his brokerage to reach their goal of doubling their conversion ratio.

You have to lead the current people at a higher level, before bringing in more people to lead. -Greg Harrelson

Takeaways + Tactics

• The first part of script memorization is muscle memory
• When coaching: Be attached to what you’re delivering, not what people are consuming.
• Set standards based on an agent’s activity-- not an agent’s production.

At the start of the show, we talked about how Tom built a machine of motivated seller leads, and why the first key to success is taking action. Next, we talked about a process for memorizing a script and how to create validation by investing in a few select people. We also discussed why it’s necessary to have 10 people buy into your coaching.

We also discussed:

• Why the coach has to appear first
• Why you should change up one thing in your accountability system
• How to coach the people you have at a higher level
• Tom’s lead sources

When you are trying to level up and increase your conversion ratio, hiring doesn’t solve the problem. You have to lead your existing team members at a higher level first. It can be easy to get caught-up obsessing over whether enough people are consuming your coaching. As the leader, ask yourself what activities are going to make the agent successful and hold them to those activities. If they’re not willing to live up to at least one small standard, you need to talk to them about whether they’re a right fit for the company.

Guest Bio

Tom is the owner/broker of Cameron Real Estate Group. He is an investor, trainer, residential team leader and seller lead gen expert. "Cameron Real Estate Group was founded in 2004, and began working with homeowners facing mortgage related issues in 2007 when the Boston real estate market began its decline. For more information go to http://www.tomcafarella.com/ or Realestateinvestingiseasy.com.

How to Eliminate Resistance to Prospecting & Lead Generation

People are looking for a method of lead generation and prospecting that feels comfortable to them. However, this comfort is dictated by bias---not reality. How do you get inspired to make a breakthrough in your resistance to prospecting? Why do people struggle to say they are salespeople? How do you use contribution to get over the monetary motivation? On this episode, we discuss the real reason people resist prospecting and how to overcome it.

I got over a resistance to prospecting when I changed my perspective. -Greg Harrelson

Takeaways + Tactics

• Contribution goals can be more effective than monetary goals.
• People don’t want to say they are a great salesperson because they associate sales with something bad.
• Change your goal from “how much money you want to make” to how many families you want to help and that will make the job about contribution.

At the start of the show, we talked about why people are always looking for a lead generation method that feels comfortable. Next, we talked about the power of shifting your mindset if you want to get better at lead generation. We also talked about why people don’t want to be associated with being good at sales.

We also discussed:

• How to change your goals from money to contribution
• How to change your perspectives of prospecting activities

It is impossible to successfully overcome hesitation towards prospecting and lead generation without a mindset shift. For most people, the resistance comes from wanting to be comfortable and not wanting to face the limiting beliefs they have about selling. When you change your goals from “make money” to “make a contribution”, you will overcome the fear of being good at selling. When you change your perception of that activity, your comfort level will greatly increase.

Resources

InfusionSoft for real estate. Get up and running fast with our Real Estate Package! 9 pre-built Infusionsoft campaigns, all ready to go.

Connect on Facebook. Follow Greg for more motivational content to take your real estate business to the next level

 

How Kevin Mills Did 40 Deals in His First Year & 180 Deals His Third Year While Working Sellers

For most people when the market drops, their cash flow also drops. How do you build a business that can allow you to prevail through a downturn? Why is it so important to learn the steps of business the right way? How do you make sure you’re reserving enough time to work on the business and generate leads? On this episode we are joined by Kevin Mills who shares how he’s been able to continuously double his business.

 

Skill is less desired in a hot market because the market will sell the property anyhow. -Greg Harrelson

 

Takeaways + Tactics

- 95% of your business is going to come from follow up so put time towards that.

- Prep time is a servicing task, not a generation task.

- As you do more years, typically the percent increase goes down.

At the start of the show we talked about how Kevin got started and what motivated him. Next we talked about why his way of doing business is so duplicatable and predictable. We also talked about the importance of learning the system the right way, and why optimizing is so important. Towards the end of the show, we talked about the importance of constantly increasing leads, and what keeps Kevin motivated.

We also discussed:
- Why skill becomes more crucial in a downturn
- The importance of follow-up
- The difference between servicing tasks and generation tasks
- The process of mastering the dialogue

It is necessary to learn the system of running a successful real estate business the right way. Doing so will give you a nice trajectory and high volumes. Doing business the way Kevin has done it won’t just mean that you’re profitable now, but that you’ll be sustainable for the future, even when a downturn takes place. If your strategy is based on paid leads and your cash flow drops, you’ll have less money to invest in the lead flow which can knock you down if the market shifts.

Guest Bio

Kevin Mills is a North Myrtle Beach Real Estate agent in the CENTURY 21 Greg Harrelson team. Go to http://www.c21theharrelsongroup.com/ for more information.

Distractions, Momentum & Opportunity: How To Clean Up in a Distracted Market

With everything happening in the world right now, the consumer is more distracted than ever. How can this cause a shift in momentum in the market? How do you offset the potential losses? How do you bring attention back to what’s important and have the right conversations with your clients? On this episode, we discuss how to maintain momentum, even when people are focused on everything that’s happening in the world.

When the distraction of the consumer increases, the answer for the agent is to actually decrease distraction and increase their number of contacts. -Greg Harrelson

Takeaways + Tactics

• There are distractions you can control and distractions you cannot control.
• Right now, the market is so good that it’s even rewarding people who aren’t skilled or efficient.
• Media companies monetize distraction.
• Don’t communicate about the transaction, communicate the motivation.

At the start of the show, we discussed the various things that are distracting the consumer, and what it has to do with the news. Next, we discussed what would go wrong if the both the consumer and the agent are distracted. We also talked about the power of showing people that you really care, and that you want what is best for them. Towards the end of the show, we talked about how people attract business by treating people like they are already your clients.

We also discussed:

• How to get better at asking good questions and listening
• How to increase your activity when the market slows down
• How distraction creates inactivity

Distractions give people a sense of uncertainty. When people feel uncertain, they tend not to make a lot of decisions. If the consumer’s distraction and inaction is coupled with the agent’s inactivity, this can have a huge impact on the market. As an agent, it is your job to limit distractions by having better conversations. In the face of a distractions, keep your client focused on their motivation. Remember: people’s motivation isn’t “to sell a house”, but to acquire the benefits that come along as a result of the sale. If you want to succeed in this distraction-laden market, decrease distraction in your interactions and increase your number of contacts.