First of all Persistance! You have to keep giving yourself the opportunity to be noticed by posting, advertising, asking for referrals from happy satisfied customers, letting everyone know what you do and that you do it well. And I agree with Tony, you have to love what you do, be honest and professsional and always ask "what can I do to help YOU be successful".
It's easy to put information out to the world today, but it's hard to be noticed. Old models of advertising don't work in a modern world, but some things don't change. Establishing and maintaining a good reputation is still required. People still rely on word of mouth, even of the mouthpiece might be social media. Providing good, quality service and cultivating satisfied clients still works.
it's funny, I have read alot of the responses to this question and most of them seem to be focused on separating yourself from competitors. Which works in a retail world...sometimes...but it also blocks you from parts of the market. The true secret is in developing working relationships with competition, fostering the mentality that, while yes, we may overlap, but you may specialize in something completely different than me so let's make ourselves stronger by building a foundation between the two of us. Educating and realizing that the world needs competition to stay relevant, and there is a such thing as competitive partnerships. So while setting yourself apart from them has some value, creating a symbiotic relationship that keeps you in touch with a bigger piece of the pie should really be more of the focus. Even your competition needs a back up plan, and the same is true for you, if you needed support wouldn't you rather be able to trust and rely from someone who has experience or knows the value of having you stay relevant to the most if your industry has a slump?
Take technology for example, if it weren't for a certain technology giant infusing capital into a failing technology company; who was his main competitor, you may not be carrying around iPhones or running off of the latest and greatest Windows platform. Microsoft's Bill Gates new there was a need for competitive partnerships, and he saw the fall of Apple as something that could really damage the market for all and leave him without real competition to push his company forward, so he saved them. And now both of them are stronger because of it.
So in summary, competition is not a bad thing. Competitive relationships, and competitive partnerships are actually very good. I would encourage pleople not to "fear" their competition but to embrace it. Build a relationship with your competition. The pie is bigger than what we can see just from our front door, the only way to access a bigger chunk and continue to grow is to build relationships with those who extend beyond your reach.
Now go and extend your reach, forge a new partnership today!
A professional can have upper hand from any competition if he/she can provide a value addition to the knowledge of information gained by a lead after interviewing your competitor. This comes with complete knowledge of your profession, soft skills and ethical thought process. It also depends on your effective communication with client and completion of job in the time frame of the expectations you set upfront. This generates lot of referrals giving a edge to you.
What makes you unique? What makes you different than your competition? What is the number one thing you tell potential clients? What awards have you received? How old is your business? How did you start your business? Answer these questions and that is what makes you stand out. Don't assume people know the answers. Don't assume the price is to high. What may seem high to you may be pocket change to someone else. Do your research. Know who you are selling to. Know the answer before you ask but don't answer questions for them. Make eye contact. Have a firm handshake. Involve everyone that is at the table in the conversation. Be funny but be serious too. Make people feel comfortable and don't lay it on thick. Get to the point, don't drag it out. Everyone's time is valuable so don't be a time hog. Listen to what the person is saying. Don't interrupt. Be polite, smile. If you don't know an answer say you don't but get the question answered fast. Make each person feel like they are your only client. Work hard. Work smart and believe in yourself.
Getting noticed comes before the great smile, or your honest business practices, or even before the quality of your work is even known. To get noticed, you need to simply put yourself out there, consistently, everyday. Establish a budget for your marketing, and regardless of what happens, always keep it. Post daily to your social channels, and boost effectively. Regardless of how many likes, views, shares or phone calls you get, keep doing it. Feel free to post new and different things, and learn and evolve as to what works for your business/brand. But never stop, never get "TOO BUSY", and never think of your basic marketing as something you can cut. Consider it like a bill, you always pay the rent on your office, so don't ever stop paying your rent on Facebook, Instagram, or Google Adwords. I hope this helps.
VR Immersive Marketing ~ Ask us about the "Whole Game Approach"
For me in my business, I start with treating everyone with respect and being honest. I don't mind answering questions and explaining things so customers have a clear understanding of what needs to be done or why things are like they are so they will feel comfortable with their decisions. I never try to push anything but rather give options and take care to make sure that the customer is satisfied.
When people are buying or selling a home, this is the most expensive item for most people. To differentiate yourself one must really listen to their clients, and take the lead from them. The transaction is not about the realtor, but all about the client. Realtors need to be "servicing" and not "self-serving".
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Answers (1-10)
first love your work , second be good at it , lasted be a honest&professional business person .
First of all Persistance! You have to keep giving yourself the opportunity to be noticed by posting, advertising, asking for referrals from happy satisfied customers, letting everyone know what you do and that you do it well. And I agree with Tony, you have to love what you do, be honest and professsional and always ask "what can I do to help YOU be successful".
It's easy to put information out to the world today, but it's hard to be noticed. Old models of advertising don't work in a modern world, but some things don't change. Establishing and maintaining a good reputation is still required. People still rely on word of mouth, even of the mouthpiece might be social media. Providing good, quality service and cultivating satisfied clients still works.
Over Serve the Under Served! Create raving fans, and you will never have to worry about obtaining clients again! Even in a competitive market!
it's funny, I have read alot of the responses to this question and most of them seem to be focused on separating yourself from competitors. Which works in a retail world...sometimes...but it also blocks you from parts of the market. The true secret is in developing working relationships with competition, fostering the mentality that, while yes, we may overlap, but you may specialize in something completely different than me so let's make ourselves stronger by building a foundation between the two of us. Educating and realizing that the world needs competition to stay relevant, and there is a such thing as competitive partnerships. So while setting yourself apart from them has some value, creating a symbiotic relationship that keeps you in touch with a bigger piece of the pie should really be more of the focus. Even your competition needs a back up plan, and the same is true for you, if you needed support wouldn't you rather be able to trust and rely from someone who has experience or knows the value of having you stay relevant to the most if your industry has a slump?
Take technology for example, if it weren't for a certain technology giant infusing capital into a failing technology company; who was his main competitor, you may not be carrying around iPhones or running off of the latest and greatest Windows platform. Microsoft's Bill Gates new there was a need for competitive partnerships, and he saw the fall of Apple as something that could really damage the market for all and leave him without real competition to push his company forward, so he saved them. And now both of them are stronger because of it.
So in summary, competition is not a bad thing. Competitive relationships, and competitive partnerships are actually very good. I would encourage pleople not to "fear" their competition but to embrace it. Build a relationship with your competition. The pie is bigger than what we can see just from our front door, the only way to access a bigger chunk and continue to grow is to build relationships with those who extend beyond your reach.
Now go and extend your reach, forge a new partnership today!
A professional can have upper hand from any competition if he/she can provide a value addition to the knowledge of information gained by a lead after interviewing your competitor. This comes with complete knowledge of your profession, soft skills and ethical thought process. It also depends on your effective communication with client and completion of job in the time frame of the expectations you set upfront. This generates lot of referrals giving a edge to you.
Jagpreet Puri - www.takarra.com
What makes you unique? What makes you different than your competition? What is the number one thing you tell potential clients? What awards have you received? How old is your business? How did you start your business? Answer these questions and that is what makes you stand out. Don't assume people know the answers. Don't assume the price is to high. What may seem high to you may be pocket change to someone else. Do your research. Know who you are selling to. Know the answer before you ask but don't answer questions for them. Make eye contact. Have a firm handshake. Involve everyone that is at the table in the conversation. Be funny but be serious too. Make people feel comfortable and don't lay it on thick. Get to the point, don't drag it out. Everyone's time is valuable so don't be a time hog. Listen to what the person is saying. Don't interrupt. Be polite, smile. If you don't know an answer say you don't but get the question answered fast. Make each person feel like they are your only client. Work hard. Work smart and believe in yourself.
DO ALL OF THIS AND YOU WILL BE NOTICED :)
Getting noticed comes before the great smile, or your honest business practices, or even before the quality of your work is even known. To get noticed, you need to simply put yourself out there, consistently, everyday. Establish a budget for your marketing, and regardless of what happens, always keep it. Post daily to your social channels, and boost effectively. Regardless of how many likes, views, shares or phone calls you get, keep doing it. Feel free to post new and different things, and learn and evolve as to what works for your business/brand. But never stop, never get "TOO BUSY", and never think of your basic marketing as something you can cut. Consider it like a bill, you always pay the rent on your office, so don't ever stop paying your rent on Facebook, Instagram, or Google Adwords. I hope this helps.
VR Immersive Marketing ~ Ask us about the "Whole Game Approach"
For me in my business, I start with treating everyone with respect and being honest. I don't mind answering questions and explaining things so customers have a clear understanding of what needs to be done or why things are like they are so they will feel comfortable with their decisions. I never try to push anything but rather give options and take care to make sure that the customer is satisfied.
When people are buying or selling a home, this is the most expensive item for most people. To differentiate yourself one must really listen to their clients, and take the lead from them. The transaction is not about the realtor, but all about the client. Realtors need to be "servicing" and not "self-serving".