“...There's a national magazine; it's called Canadian Real Estate Wealth . [In 2012], I wasn't a real estate agent. I was an investor; I was doing some developments. Somehow, in Toronto, the editor heard about some of the deals I was doing. I had no idea. Started calling me and saying, ‘What's your market like? What are you doing? I hear you're doing a condo conversion. Isn't a condo conversion hard? Is it kind of mainstream, or is it something that you're doing outside of what everyone else is doing?’ And they … started using me a couple of times for little segments here and there. Next thing you know, they nominated me for West Coast Top Investor of the Year, and in 2012, from Toronto to Vancouver, I won West Coast Top Investor of the Year for my developments and my community involvement. There was a whole bunch of criteria. I filled it out, left my name as a nominee and I won 2012 Investor of the Year. They did a big article on me, and that really boosted What do you think about that? A plumber, and now a real estate agent? You might be thinking, “How in the world would talking about whatever job I did for the last however many years help me be a better agent?” But it does. It connects your human side and your story to what you’re doing, and it helps people relate to you. Nobody wants a perfect, shiny story from an agent about how they're the best and the most awesome so you’d better hire them. When we share a true struggle, it speaks to people. Why is that a benefit? It builds trust and rapport. And, as you and I know, trust and rapport is at an all-time low in the real estate industry because there's so many shortcuts and hacks to try to get listings. I would encourage you, as you're building your profile online and publishing your professional bio wherever you happen to use it, tell the true story of how you got into real estate. Ask yourself these questions: ● Why did you choose real estate? ● What did you do before real estate? ● What were some of the struggles you initially faced as an agent? ● How were the struggles you faced as an agent different or similar to previous professional struggles? ● What did your previous profession or previous goal teach you about real estate? ● What are your desires and goals in the real estate business? Avoid empty phrases in your story Many agents will use empty phrases such as, “I make dreams come true.” But how does that really tell people you're going to be a good real estate agent? What dreams? Why? It’s simply too general. This is also the case when you hear something like, “I make buying a house a reality!” Honestly, nobody wants a genie who claims to have magic dust and the ability to make stuff happen out of nowhere because then there's no trust and rapport. my, let's call it, sphere of influence, or my credibility.” Tell your truth and connect with people
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