6 Tips to Prepare for the Busy Season
We’ve all seen how crazy the market has been the past year, and there’s no signs of it slowing down anytime soon. As a real estate pro, you know that your business is only as good as your planning- so how have you prepared for the upcoming summer? Here are six tips to help you get ready for the peak season this year.
Plan Ahead Down to the Details
As you prepare for the summer months, take the time to plan for what you struggle with on a regular basis when it isn’t busy season. These tasks will most likely be what bog you down the most during these months. Try to be conscious as you’re working now to see what you can do down the line to make those tasks easier for you before you receive a larger work load. For example, consider the questions you receive on a regular basis. Try to find resources or creating a FAQ yourself in the form of a flyer, pre-written email, or on your website that you can refer people to.
Automate Everything You Can
The key here is to work smarter, not harder. The more you can plan to get off your plate for busy season – the better. One of the best ways to do this is to automate processes in your business that you do repetitively. For example, if you send out thank you cards or write a certain kind of email. There are many online services that could help automate these tasks for you such as SendOutCards or whatever CRM you use. Research what tasks you find yourself constantly doing and eating up your time and do your best to automate the process.
Focus Your Efforts
With everything going on during the summer real estate market, connecting with people to keep your business growing can be a hard task. Consider efficient ways to spend time with as much people as possible. Whether it’s a group zoom call, an outside office/client event, or networking at events for your children. Your time is very valuable, and it’s imperative you make the most out of the hours you’re awake.
Stock Up
Before you get too busy, this is the time to make sure you have enough signs, business cards, and any other marketing materials you may need to maintain your day-to-day success. If you don’t have one already, it’s a great time to create a “real estate survival kit” for your car. When busy season really kicks up, this kit can help you make it through those rough days when there is no time to stop at the office. In addition to your normal marketing materials you need, consider adding items such as a folder or box to hold paperwork and files, snacks and a bottle of water, a basic tool kit (with a tape measure), and a mobile device charger (not for you, but for the clients).
Reach Out for Help
Whether you’ve got a team behind you, a support system through your company, or operate solo; now is the time to think about where you could use some help in your business. If you already have someone like an assistant that you delegate your tasks to, evaluate their tasks and their performance to see if there is anything else you can add to their workload. If you have children or teens, they can be a great help with preparing mail, hanging door hangers, and putting up signs. If those options aren’t possible, consider hiring an assistant as temporary summer help. You’d be surprised at how many young people in your area are interested in getting experience in the real estate industry.
Evaluate and Eliminate Unproductive Practices
Take a good look at the effectiveness of your current business efforts. Do you know how your current practices are contributing to your business? Consider measuring the effectiveness of your ads, emails, and other communications. You can measure the results online or create a survey for your contacts to take to see how their experience was with your process. If you do decide to do a survey, be prepared to listen and take the appropriate actions as this can be some of the best kind of feedback.
