If you want to become more successful as a real estate agent, you must strive to be among the best that the industry has to offer, and that means consistently brushing up on your business practices – regardless of how long you’ve been working in the field. Here are 10 tips to help you advance your career.

Learn what your customers really want and then deliver

Good communication is important in all types of business, but in real estate, it’s imperative. A client doesn’t want to work with an agent who is too busy to take the time to listen to them.

Actually, it’s not. Customers are hungry for details and answers, and if you deliver them, they will remember and refer you. You may prefer to use email to communicate with clients, but your client may prefer a phone call instead. At the start of your client-agent relationship, ask the client their preferred mode of communication: phone, texts, emails, or in-person meetings.

Share your stories and experiences

When you share stories and experiences with your clients, you’re engaging them and building trust. You’re letting them know you’ve “been there, done that” and have the experience and knowledge to guide them through that same experience. You’re also engaging them and bringing them into the conversation.

Always follow up

Following up with interested prospects is integral to being a successful real estate agent. As a best practice, always contact your client about two days after you have shown them around a property. You should also keep following up until your client makes a decision one way or the other. If you’ve hosted an open house, call or email the leads on the sign-up sheet a day or two later. If someone mentions an interest in buying or selling in the near future, make a note of the names and get back in touch a short time later to see how things are progressing.

A real estate agent who is known for having all the answers is poised for success.