Trust is the thing. It’s the bomb. It’s the key to success as a real estate agent. You won’t even get the opportunity to serve people unless they feel they can trust you. So work out the logic on that - you should learn how to help people trust you - even before they meet you. Right?
This episode is about that. I’ve been reading the book, “How To Build A Storybrand,” by Donald Miller. It’s an amazing look into the fact that everyone is living out their own story - and those of us who make our living offering services to others need to learn how to understand their stories. When we do, we’ll be able to offer them exactly what they want and need, to their delight.
What’s that got to do with building trust with those who haven’t even met us? Listen to this episode and you’ll find out.
Yes, shame on me! I’ve done it myself. We all tend to speak about the things we’ve done to get a win for our clients. We talk about the credentials we’ve earned and the things that make us a better choice than the agent down the street (or in the next office). But there’s a problem with that approach.
Our customers don’t care.
Really, they don’t care. They aren’t interested in those things nearly as much as they are interested in knowing if we understand them and can help them get what they want and need. When you’re able to do that, you are able to build trust with them - which is what enables them to choose you as their real estate agent.
The first thing most people do when they are looking to work with a company or individual is to check out their website, right? When they go to YOUR website, what do they find? It might interest you to know that most people visit the “About” page immediately upon landing on your site.
Why is that? They want to know if you are the kind of person they can trust.
Building trust with people is key and sadly, most of us agents don’t know how to do it well. So here’s a bit of homework for you. Go to your own “About” page and read it. Does it make you out to be the greatest thing since sliced bread, or does it resonate with your potential customer’s needs? If you honestly say it’s the first of those options, you have some work to do.
Building trust with people happens over time, as you consistently communicate your message. So it makes sense to ask, “What message am I communicating?” and “What message SHOULD I be communicating?”
People who are looking for a real estate agent aren’t necessarily looking for the best agent - even though they may say they are. What they are really looking for is a person they believe will best understand their wants and needs and be able to help them meet those wants and needs.
That’s where the content you share on social media, on your blog, via Snapchat needs to demonstrate that you understand homebuyer (and home seller) needs. It’s a subtle shift in your messaging that could make all the difference when it comes to building trust.
How many times do your customers give you an exact description of the type of home they are looking to buy and then wind up buying something that doesn’t match that description at all? It happens a lot. Why? Because there are deeper issues at play, things having to do with lifestyle and way of life that they aren’t totally clear about initially.
Listen to this episode to hear my example of how you can build trust with people by tapping into the lifestyle needs they don’t even know they have. It’s a sure fire way to enable them to trust you more because of the way you care for them in the home buying process.
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching website here
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
“Neil, what do I need to do every day in order to be a successful real estate agent?” If I had a nickel for every time I’ve been asked that question I could probably retire. The reality is most new or stuck agents don’t know what they need to do on a daily basis in order to be successful. Sure, the big picture is to sell houses, but what are the things you need to be doing on a random Tuesday to make that happens? You’re in luck my friend because that is what this episode is all about.
If I were a betting man I’d say that there isn’t a single successful real estate agent out there who isn’t using some version of the three pillar system. Seriously, if you don’t have a sphere of influence, chase, and attraction pillar what are you doing? These things are the foundation of your business because they help you develop a clear and effective business plan. Without clarity and consistency, you WILL fail. Not sure what the three pillar system would look like in your business? Press play to find out!
As a new or stuck agent, having a schedule void of appointments may be a regular occurrence. It’s in those moments you are probably wondering “What can I do to change this?!” If you already have a clear business plan from your three pillars the answer is simple. Day blocking! Use the plan you already have by picking specific days of the week to work individual pillars. By doing this week in and week out you will create the consistency you need to be a successful real estate agent. This episode is full of examples of how day blocking can turn an empty schedule into a productive one.
Remember when you were a kid and your parents would mark the wall to record how tall you were getting? Okay, maybe they didn’t do that, but for a lot of kids that was the easiest way to prove they were growing. Your real estate business is no different. By using things like engagement and lead trackers you will not only be able to see your growth but also diagnose the source of it. Tracking your business can also be an enormous source of encouragement because it allows you to see how far you have come and can motivate you for the future.
It’s not enough to simply have a business plan. In order to become a successful real estate agent, you have to understand that plan and why it works for you. Don’t just run with something because your buddy Neil said so. You have to work in accordance with your strengths. Being successful is not a one size fits all formula. It requires a level of consistency that is unique to who YOU are as a real estate agent. That’s why I love the deep work we are able to do in Agent Rise Bootcamps. It’s time to start focusing on what’s driving YOUR business and take things to the next level!
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching website here
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Agent Rise podcast on Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes)
After last week’s episode, you may be feeling like building a real estate database is too daunting of a task. You know you need a database, but getting to 300 people in your sphere of influence feels a lot like climbing Mount Everest. Fear not! While 300 is the ultimate goal it’s by no means where you need to start. In this episode, I’m going to give you all the tips you need to develop a manageable real estate database for your sphere of influence and show you how to get to the top of the mountain.
Have you ever sat for an extended period of time looking at the work that needs to get done as if to will it into completion? Yeah, I’ve been there. I think we all have. The reality is that your database won’t build itself and you NEED that database. If you’re like most real estate agents out there your sphere of influence is what is driving your business. Having a database of those people is the tool you need to cultivate leads and maintain relationships with your sphere of influence. Don’t freak out because this episode is full of tips to help you get started. Just press play and get inspired!
The other reason you might be stalled out in starting the database for your sphere of influence is that 300 people seems incredibly overwhelming. If you are a new or stuck agent I completely agree! I believe your database should ultimately contain 300 people, but by no means do I think you should start there. If 50 people are all you can reasonably mail to and maintain relationships with then that is the perfect number for you RIGHT NOW. Stick with the number of people that you can stay consistent with. I would rather you have a database of 50 people that you can really love on than 300 people you basically ignore. From there you can add more people as you gain more confidence in your ability to effectively reach greater numbers.
In this episode, I share a personal story about when my younger self almost bit off more than he could chew. It’s a fantastic story so make sure you listen in order to get all of the juicy details. However, I want to talk about the reason why I told that story. Too often in real estate we see successful agents as goals and we try to be them as fast as we can. We take shortcuts where we should have taken more time. We try to run a marathon when we’re only ready to run the first mile. The goal isn’t to be successful as quickly as you can. The goal is to to be successful as long as you can and the only way you do that is by remaining disciplined, staying consistent, and maintaining the right pace.
A big part of building your real estate database is filling it with the right people. However, I guarantee that most of you reading this have some of the wrong people in your sphere of influence and it’s time to fix that. You have to know, like, and trust the people on your database. These should not be people you are trying to impress, but rather people who you are trying to include in what you are doing as a real estate agent. Stop adding entire neighborhoods and stick to the neighbors you already have relationships with. You will save yourself so much time and money if you do. Start assuming the role of quality control for your database and only put people on it who want to see you succeed.
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching website here
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Agent Rise podcast on Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes)
I recently asked the Agent Rise group what their “Top 5” sources are for acquiring leads. I was blown away because all but ONE person said that their sphere of influence was at the top of the list. This insight has established my whole trajectory for 2019 in what I want to accomplish in my own real estate business as well as the kind of content I want to bring to the Agent Rise Podcast in the coming year. Today I want to help you get a game plan for your sphere of influence so that you can take control of what’s driving your business.
I am still SHOCKED at the number of agents I talk to who still don’t have a database. A lot of us get caught up in the day to day noise and all the other “stuff” our business can generate rather than focus on the thing that’s actually driving our business. It’s the equivalent of polishing your car instead of fixing its busted transmission. No matter how much wax you put on it the car still won’t drive! Your sphere of influence will make or break you as a real estate agent and without it, you will crash and burn.
When deciding who to include in your database there are some very obvious choices. Clients past and present are among that group. However, there are some crucial people you need in your sphere that you are probably overlooking. Think of your database in terms of a wedding invite list. Your nearest and dearest can be huge lead generators because they are your biggest fans. Even if they don’t live in your area don’t count them out! My Aunt Barb has sent me five revenue-generating clients from a different state. Other overlooked additions to your database could be old classmates, neighbors, and even your podiatrist! The point is anyone you interact with could help you sell your next home.
Common real estate agents are the ones who spend all of this time and energy building a database only to do NOTHING with it. Seriously, why?! Going back to my car analogy, it’s time to put down the turtle wax and get your hands dirty doing the work that will drive your business. That beautiful database isn’t there just to take up space on an Excel spreadsheet. Make it work for you! Send out mailings. Invite people to client appreciation events. Shower your sphere of influence with gifts. If you love on the people who help make you successful I guarantee you will stay that way.
I get asked all the time about the number of people needed in a database to make it effective. Shooting from the hip I’d say 300 is a fairly healthy number, however, quality is far more important than quantity. 50 solid influencers are FAR more effective than 300 people you barely know. When I transitioned back to real estate sales I ended up gutting most of my database because a lot of my contacts weren’t worth the cost of postage for the mailers. I’m sure they were lovely people, but they weren’t MY people. They weren’t going to generate leads because I lacked the influence on them that would persuade them to exhibit influence for me. You have to be in their sphere in order for them to be in yours. The bottom line is don’t be afraid to take people out of your database just so you can have a bigger database. FInd your people and stick with them!
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching websitehere
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Agent Rise podcast on Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes)
Having a clear real estate business plan will help you become an uncommon agent in 2019. The “play it by ear” mindset is common and is the reason most agents fail in real estate after five years. Don’t let that be your story! On the first episode as the Agent Rise Podcast,I’m going to tell you EXACTLY what I’m doing with my real estate business in 2019 and why it’s going to help all of us get to the next level in the new year.
Don’t worry folks! Names might be changing around here, but the essentials are not. In order to be successful as a real estate agent, you still need a sphere of influence, chase, and attraction pillar. Do you know what those are? If you do, do you know how you’re going to make them work for you in 2019? This is why having a clear real estate business plan is crucial to making this year your best year ever. You can’t achieve your goals without clearly understanding what you are going to do to get there. Let’s get clarity and get going!
Cheesy? Yes. Important? Still yes. While your three pillars are essential, not all pillars are created equal. The whole reason I shifted away from the Onion Juice brand is that it was founded on the idea that the other two pillars should take a back seat to your attraction pillar. And while being a media company that also sells real estate is fun, it’s not always functional. You need to chase business. More importantly, you NEED to love on your sphere of influence. That’s why my clear real estate business plan for 2019 is all about my sphere of influence. Want to learn more? Hit play on this episode.
Everyone I’ve talked to in the Agent Rise Facebook group has told me that the number one thing driving their business is their sphere of influence. This is where leads become clients people. This year I’m committed to doubling down on my sphere of influence. So much so, that I’m diverting money from my chase in order to do just that. Please don’t hear that your chase isn’t important from that sentence! I’m also going to declutter my chase and double down on open house as well. It’s going to be a big year! Are you ready to go big and sell homes?
Guys, I almost became a hypocrite. I had all these plans to blow up my attraction pillar in 2019. Then that little Neil voice from Episode 161 started ringing in my ears and I realized how distracted I was. The amount of time and energy I was about to dump into my attraction was SCARY. Can anyone relate? Have you caught yourself letting your attraction become your distraction yet in 2019? It’s ok to admit it. This is a safe place. The key is to get a clear plan to work smarter and not harder on your attraction pillar. You’ve got to find your cadence in things that can manageably grow your attraction without sucking massive amounts of resources. Easier said than done? Take a listen to this episode to help you break out of that limiting mindset.
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching websitehere
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Agent Rise podcast on Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes)
The Best Of The Onion Juice Podcast (Part 2) - Episode #171
Ladies and gentleman, it’s time to say goodbye to the Onion Juice Podcast. No, these tears are not from ACTUAL onion juice. It’s because this marks the end of an era. THANK YOU for helping me take something weird and make it popular. Of course, the podcast itself isn’t going anywhere. Just the name. So join me after the new year for the very first episode of Agent Rise with Neil Mathweg. But for now, enjoy the conclusion of the best of the Onion Juice Podcast!
If you take a close look at who is liking and sharing your content online, you will find that less than 50% of your sphere of influence are the ones on Facebook or Youtube. Across all of my media platforms, most of the likes and comments come from photographers, videographers, and foodies. I love those guys, but they are not the ones who will be referring me or sending me leads. After over a year of hosting the I Love Madison Show, I JUST got two POSSIBLE leads that may turn into business. If I was relying on ILM for all my business, I would be starving. The vast majority of the clients I have worked with come from my chase pillar and my sphere of influence. If you don’t have a database, that’s where you need to start. An excel spreadsheet and a mailing list. Simple.
You have an enemy that does not want you to succeed! That enemy only has power as long as you let fear run your life. That enemy wants to steal, kill and destroy everything that you are working on, and he uses fear to do it! To overcome that, it requires to get angry at the enemy (not at each other, mind you), call him out and strip him of his power! If that sounds like I’m preaching, good! You know best where fear has been given free reign in your life or business. Maybe it’s hiring a coach, or hitting a sales goal. As you eliminate fear, your confidence grows, and your way of thinking starts to shift.
I know there are STILL areas in your life and business where you are not doing all that you can do, you are not working in excellence. How do I know this? Because there are areas in MY life where I am taking the same approach. It’s not just a real estate thing, it’s a human thing. Often, we rest when we could be sowing seeds. Just because you sent an email or posted a new ad on Facebook does not mean you are done. Ask yourself, what do you want your “harvest” to look like? What do you need it to look like to see your life vision realized? Whatever picture you have in your head, you have to sow seeds accordingly and harvest accordingly.
For real estate agents struggling to market themselves and attract more customers, Jason Kotecki said on Episode 109 that the key to success is to be your unique, authentic self. Instead of only thinking of yourself as an agent, remember that you are also an artist, and artists use their art to attract people. You’re thinking “dude, I can’t paint, and singing is an ABSOLUTE NO,” so how does that work? Jason reminded me that being yourself, allowing your personality and humor to shine is the best way to build relationships. “If you are watching and copying another person’s approach, chances are you are a second-rate version of the person you are copying, instead of a first-rate version of yourself,” he said. Take your JOB seriously, but don’t take YOURSELF so seriously.
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching websitehere
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
As we prepare to say goodbye to the Onion Juice Podcast, let’s take a stroll down memory lane at some of the best moments we’ve shared Juicers! I’m not gonna lie, I got a little teary-eyed putting the content together for this episode because it has been an incredible journey getting to this point. I am so thankful for every moment. From starting with a little microphone in a closet at my house to gaining great sponsors who believed in my vision enough to take a chance on this show and invest in the content production. And YOU! Onion Juice would be nothing without everyone who has listened and supported the podcast from day one. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the best of the Onion Juice Podcast!
Onion Juice was all about shaking up the real estate industry. On Episode 14, I spoke with a couple of guys who are definitely doing that. Eric and Wes of The Broke Agent talked honestly about the good, bad, and ugly of real estate and said things that I honestly wish I had the guts to say, simply because it’s true. That kind of authenticity has given the guys a great impact on the market as well as quite a following on social media. In this clip, you’re going to get a taste for what they’re doing and hopefully hear some ways you can adjust your approach to social media and help your business get a lot more engagement.
On Episode 35, I reminisced about listening to singer-songwriter Michael Shynes perform. I noticed that what made him really compelling was the little stories he told before each song. He pulled people in by sharing his story, sometimes some very personal and unflattering details about his past. That’s how you connect with people! Tell your story. People don’t want to listen to you promote your business, but if you can open up to them, let them know who you really are, that’s where powerful connections happen. A realtor can draw inspiration from the artist’s model on so many levels!
That’s what I first thought when I was handed a document from my mentor that told me that I was 100% responsible. I mean, there are things that happen in the world that I can’t control. Things that I can’t change. How can I be 100% responsible? You know, maybe 85% or something, but not 100%! I read through the document over and over and over - over the course of 8 months - and the truth of it began to sink in. The results that I want to see happen in my life are not dependent on anyone or anything besides me. I AM 100% responsible. So are you, my friend. It’s time for us to get over ourselves and start doing what only we can do. Relive this awesome moment from Episode 42!
Yes, there are tried and true things that work in the real estate industry. But more and more these days they are becoming “tried and untrue.” That’s because the culture has changed and sales methods that used to work simply don’t appeal to the customers who we’re dealing with these days. That means you’ve got to adapt. You’ve got to quit looking at what other agents are doing to drive their success and determine who you are and what fits YOU. I’m convinced that as you learn who you are and begin operating in your areas of strength you’ll find the real estate business to be much more enjoyable and profitable.
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching websitehere
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Onion Juice podcast on Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes)
For three incredible years, I’ve been the host of the Onion Juice Podcast. From day one I set out to make content that challenged the status quo and helped real estate agents achieve their potential by doing things differently. Oh don’t worry, none of that is going to change! What IS changing is the Onion Juice name. Believe me when I say that I love it as much as you do, but the mission has outgrown the name. There is a new season on the horizon Juicers and I can’t wait to tell you about it!
“Neil, why in the world would you change the name of the Onion Juice Podcast?!” If this is your reaction to the name change announcement I totally get it but hear me out. When I started Onion Juice three years ago I did it to help real estate agents stop chasing business and start attracting it through an attraction pillar. Over the last 100 episodes of this show, I have steadily moved away from attraction pillars even going as far as to say they can be a distraction. Don’t get me wrong! I love being a media company that also sells real estate as much as anyone, but if you only have an attraction pillar your business will fail. You need healthy sphere of influence and chase pillars to really thrive in our industry. That’s not the message Onion Juice was created for which is exactly why it’s time for a change.
If you’ve been listening to the Onion Juice Podcast over the last few months you’ve probably noticed that my focus has shifted away from real estate methods and on to the mindset of a real estate agent. Not that methods aren’t important because they totally are! However, without the proper mindset all of the best methods in the world will only be half as effective. Things like discipline, consistency, and goal setting are becoming the core of this show’s content and after much thought and feedback from listeners, I’ve decided that the Onion Juice brand is too small to carry that message. We’ve outgrown it! I say WE because this has never been my show. It’s OUR show and I’m so excited to take the next step in this journey with you.
I am blown away by how many listeners of the Onion Juice Podcast do not have a database. Seriously! It’s a problem. The reason most agents don’t have a database or why they don’t do anything to help their sphere of influence is that they spend all of their energy on social media content and attraction pillars. If you aren’t doing vital things like making phone calls or working with consumers because you are producing your latest video, you my friend are distracted. Stop trying to win popularity contests and start building your business! Let me be clear: attraction pillars aren’t bad. They just take too long to be effective when you need results right now. I couldn’t even imagine myself saying that last part three years ago. I’ve changed! This is why the Onion Juice name is changing too.
I am SO excited for the clock to strike midnight on New Year’s Day because this year is going to be one to remember. New podcast name. New logo. It’s all happening! If that wasn’t exciting enough, the next round of Bootcamp is coming as well. Don’t worry though! We’re not going to end this year without saying goodbye to the Onion Juice Podcast in a big way. This episode also contains all of the ways you can become an uncommon real estate agent in the coming year including a very special event happening in 2019. You don’t want to miss a second of this action-packed episode!
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching websitehere
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Onion Juice podcast on Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes)
If you’re anything like me, the idea that discipline equals freedom feels like a very foreign concept. In fact, up until three weeks ago I would have told you that the two have little to do with each other. Childhood taught us that discipline is what happens when we do something wrong and forever associated the concept with negativity. It’s time to break that mindset! The reality is that without proper discipline as a kid I would not be the person I am today. Let me show you how embracing discipline will bring freedom to your life and real estate business.
I was recently reminded of a Denzel Washington quote that states “Dreams without goals remain dreams.” How true is that! You can’t achieve your dreams if you don’t have goals and you will never reach your goals without discipline and consistency. They are the sticky mortar that holds your dreams together. It’s easy to dream about the future and get excited by the success you would like to have in your real estate business. Sadly, dreams are all those ideas will ever be. Don’t just start something out of excitement and give it up out of a lack of discipline. Be an uncommon agent and follow through with your ideas!
Whether we like it or not, discipline equals freedom because of the opportunities it creates. Money is such a great example of this. The more disciplined we are with our finances the more opportunities we have down the road. If I save my money now and sacrifice what I want to do in the moment I’m going to reap the benefit of financial freedom later. The same is true for your real estate business. If you are disciplined in what you need to do and when you have to do it your whole world will open up with different opportunities. You will be able to spend time doing what you want to do if you are focused on doing what needs to be done consistently.
Ok, I get that downplaying the role of motivation in your real estate success can be confusing. Let me ask you a question though: How often do you feel motivated? Seriously. How often do you allow motivation to determine your workflow and what would your business look like if your success wasn’t determined by whether you felt motivated or not? This is another key reason why discipline equals freedom. Discipline allows you to work hard long after the motivation to do so runs out. Imagine the amount of time you would save by being disciplined instead of trying to find things to keep you motivated. You can afford to let motivation run out, but you can’t afford to lose your discipline.
Have you ever fallen asleep on a long car trip? You doze off while Steve is driving and when you wake up he is sitting right next to you in the back seat. “Who’s driving this thing?!” Obviously someone is driving, but for that brief moment of terror and confusion you’re not sure if the next few moments will be your last. This example is silly, but it’s an unfortunate picture of the common real estate agent. You HAVE to know what’s driving your business! Whether that’s taking self-inventory, getting some kind of coaching, or both it is essential to know the factors contributing to your success. From there it’s time to step on the gas and stay consistent in doing the things that will propel your business forward. Just don’t fall asleep at the wheel!
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching websitehere
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Onion Juice podcast on Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes)
Are you struggling to stay disciplined as a real estate agent? I won’t lie to you friend, remaining disciplined is NOT easy. The majority of our struggle is wrapped up in the lie we’ve told ourselves that discipline is a bad word. It’s not! Actually, the more I think about it the more I have come to realize that self-discipline and self-love are the same things. Today I want to tackle the negative vibe around the word discipline and show you how vital it is in loving yourself and growing your real estate business.
Parents who love their kids will discipline their kids. It’s a fact we can’t avoid because we know without our direction they will not reach their full potential. Even if that means making them do things that they don’t want to do in the moment. I hate to break it to you realtors, but we are no different. If you want to achieve your desired level of growth you are going to have to stay disciplined. This isn’t some crazy perfectionist manifesto. It’s a call to love yourself by doing the things necessary to reach your full potential as a real estate agent. Let me help you break of your limiting beliefs around discipline so you can begin to love yourself consistently.
Self-awareness is the key to success. I didn’t come up with that, but I’ll preach it all day long. Allowing something to hold you back simply because you are not aware of it is a poor excuse for falling short of your goals. It is vital that you identify the barriers that are holding you back and stay disciplined in doing the things necessary to break through them. This is why I always pair clarity with consistency. Knowing really is half the battle. You can’t love yourself properly if you are not willing to discover the things that are hurting you and your real estate business.
“What in the world does salad dressing have to do with growing my real estate business?” Everything, my friend. Everything. My personal weight loss journey has taught me that even the smallest compromise can stall success. Like putting too much salad dressing on a salad, a lack of consistency in your decision making can derail your progress and prevent you from reaching your goals. Learning how to make the right choices on a day to day, hour to hour, and minute by minute basis is the key to understanding why staying disciplined is loving yourself. This episode is designed to show you how even the smallest of decisions can have the greatest impact on your real estate business.
Some of you might believe there is no harm in letting off the gas every now and then. You may even believe compromise is a healthy reward for consistency. Well, it’s not. It’s a recipe for mediocrity. Think about it this way: If self-love is consistently making the right choices in order to achieve your goals then why would occasionally making bad decisions be good for you? Loving yourself is being willing to do what is necessary in order to grow your business. It’s making the phone calls you need to make. It’s putting in the work even when it’s inconvenient. I understand that you may not even know where to start. Let me give you the resources to stay consistent and do even the difficult things well.
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching websitehere
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Onion Juice podcast on Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes)
Do you have what it takes to reach your real estate goals? Almost every agent I know has an idea of what success looks like for them. I’m sure that even as you read this you are picturing what it would look like to reach that eagerly desired place. So what’s holding you back? Seriously. If I had to take a guess it would be that you are believing lies about yourself and your business that are keeping you from achieving your true potential. Limiting beliefs are putting a ceiling on your profits and growth. NOW is the time to take a hard look in the mirror and break out of the common mold! Let me help you eliminate the limits on your real estate goals.
If I were to tell you that the path to reaching all of your real estate goals is an easy one I would be lying to you. It’s not. However, that path is far from an impossible path to walk. It just takes discipline. Yeah, I said it. You have to begin making good decisions for yourself and your business consistently without indulging in distractions or taking the easy way out. I know how difficult that can be. My personal weight loss journey has taught me that making the right choices daily is difficult, but it’s also critical to my success. This is true for you too! Stop making discipline a bad word and start doing what is necessary to get your business healthy and growing.
It’s easy to get lost in the vast world of real estate marketing strategies. Like I’ve said before, the problem with having so many different approaches available is that most of them work on a limited basis. You can end up functioning more like a scattered shotgun when you need to be a laser-focused sniper rifle. Targeting the right tactics is what will get you to your real estate goals. You will never have to guess if you’re headed in the right direction if you use your three pillars to develop a clear plan. Let me show you how to go from being lost to establishing a legacy with your real estate business.
It’s CRAZY to me how many new or stuck agents are not interested in coaching. I get wanting to figure things out for yourself, but friends, let’s work smarter and not harder. An outside perspective can be a game changer in developing an effective strategy as well as providing the accountability needed to stick to it. This has never been more clear to me than in my own journey to lose weight and get healthy. For the first time ever, I have someone coaching me and that has given me the skills I need to not only get results but also stay successful. This is why I do what I do. I rarely have an agent come to me with a flawless business plan. There are always a few blind spots that I can help them correct in order to get to the next level. Today I’m going to help you see some of the things you’ve been missing so that nothing will hold you back from achieving your real estate goals.
“Neil, no one is doing the things you’re telling us to do.” I hear that all the time. It’s easy to get discouraged when you are working twice as hard as the agent next to you. Here’s the thing: While they might be working to build today, you are working to build tomorrow. Having a clear plan, working off of a three-pillar system, and remaining consistent are all things that build a legacy and not just a paycheck. Eighty percent of real estate agents drop out of this business and that is the last thing I want for you. Not only that, but I want you to thrive in the real estate business and not just survive. That will only happen if you commit yourself to being an uncommon real estate agent for the long haul. But you’re not alone! I’m here to help.
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Real estate success is something every agent wants and few actually achieve. Most realtors are either just starting out and nowhere near where they want to be or they’ve been at the same place for a while and can’t seem to reach the next level. In any case, they feel stuck and don’t know how to move forward. The absolute WORST thing you can do is to keep doing the same things that got you stuck in the first place. It’s time for a shakeup! Let me help you break out of the habits that are holding you back so you can find the success you were meant to achieve.
“Let’s get together after the first of the year” is a response I wish I never had to hear again. Sadly, I know that it will be used to put off the steps necessary to achieve real estate success time and time again. It might as well be the stuck agent’s mantra. I get it. The holidays are a crazy time and it’s easier to start something new on January one than it is to do so while drowning in a sea of grandma’s sweet potato casserole. But can I suggest something to you? How you end this year is how you are going to start 2019. Wouldn’t you rather hit the ground running? Don’t let the end of the year keep you from your new beginning. Let me give you the tools to make 2019 your best year ever.
Life as a new real estate agent can be pretty overwhelming. There is so much to do and so many avenues you can take to grow your business. The problem is most of them work. I know that doesn’t sound like a problem, but hear me out. Most strategies will grant you some level of success. However, a few clients here and there isn’t the kind of success you set out to achieve. If you’re doing too much of EVERYTHING then you are doing NOTHING well. Stop cluttering your life with all of the wrong things and start going after the three pillars that will actually grow your business. Your sphere of influence, chase, and attraction pillars will help you get the kind of success you’re looking for and I’m the guy to help you master them.
Even experienced agents need to clear out the clutter and focus on what’s important. The struggle for someone who has been in this business for a while is that the clutter isn’t on your calendar. The clutter is in your mind. The experience of a past failure creates the foundation for lies that will do nothing but hold you back. Telling yourself that a strategy doesn’t work just because you tried it once is a quick way to limit your success. Did you spend enough time? Did you execute your plan effectively? These are all questions an outside perspective can help you answer honestly. That’s where I come in. Let me help you tear down the limiting beliefs that are holding you back from the next level of real estate success.
Les Brown once said that the richest places in the world are graveyards because of all of the unreached potential they contain. That statement is especially true for complacent real estate agents. Too many agents I know reach a point where their results start to outweigh their efforts and they get comfortable. They decide to ride that wave of easy business off into the sunset. I beg you my friend, resist that urge! If you let off the gas now you are missing the opportunity to grow personally and bless other people as a leader. Through clarity and consistency, you have an opportunity to make an impact and achieve true real estate success. Start living like few people are willing to live so you can do the things few people will get to do.
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching websitehere
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Onion Juice podcast on Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes)
Do you have what it takes to be an uncommon real estate agent? No seriously, do you? SO many real estate agents are common because they just do what everyone else does. That’s why eighty percent of agents leave this business and only one percent are successful. Honestly, that makes me angry. Stop being okay with being okay! Today is the day my friend. I want to help you break out of the common herd mentality and start becoming an uncommon real estate agent.
I’ve had the privilege of teaching numerous agents how to be uncommon and watched as they experienced a business breakthrough. The reason? I was able to help them get a clear plan for their business that implemented systems which created predictability. “But Neil, how could you possibly create predictability in real estate?” I can hear you asking that question all the way from Wisconsin. Of course, there are things in this business that are unpredictable. Inspections can cause delays and financing can fall short. I get it. I’m a real estate agent too after all. But there are ways of setting expectations and coaching your clients where even the craziest of situations can have a process. Stop figuring it out as you go along and let me help you become uncommon.
If I’ve heard it once I’ve heard it a thousand times: “I will take time off when I can.” The only thing that promises is that you will almost NEVER have a day off. The reality is you NEED boundaries in your life. My line in the sand is that Sundays are for church, family, and that’s IT. If that sounds crazy to you it’s probably because you are operating out of fear and scarcity and not abundance. Stop assuming your clients will reject you for prioritizing family and rest. Almost none of them will! If anyone does, you probably don’t want to work with them anyway. In my experience, your clients will respect you for having boundaries and see you as the real deal because you are an uncommon real estate agent.
“Neil, EVERYONE is doing it.” I know. I did it for a long time too. I, like you, scrambled from April till June hoping my closings during those months would help me break even on my taxes. I don’t even want to think what would have happened if something fell through. You shouldn't either! Start planning ahead for tax season by factoring your losses, expenses, and taxes into your actual profits. Use a monthly budget to pay for everything as you go and stop budgeting with guesses and prayers at the end of your fiscal year. That’s what common agents do. You want to be an uncommon real estate agent, right? Thought so.
The number one reason someone says no to my Bootcamp or coaching is the fear of success. I can’t tell you the number of real estate agents I’ve interviewed who tell me they are afraid to go to the next level because “It might actually work.” They are afraid that they won’t be able to handle the workload that success might bring or any potential failure after the fact. I have one thing to say to that: STOP. Stop letting fear define your future. Stop letting what might happen keep you from what should happen. No one sets out to be a common real estate agent, but so many let fear take them out from the beginning. That doesn’t have to be your story and I want to help you write your story. Let me show you how to conquer the fear of success and be an uncommon real estate agent.
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching websitehere
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Onion Juice podcast on Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes)
I recently had a coaching student ask me about making a growth Investment. He said, “Neil, if you had $10,000 to invest in your business where would you put it?” This is a great question! Most people, my coaching student included, would think to put that money into their attraction pillar. After all, isn’t that what will grow your business? You BET it can! But if you are a new or a stuck real estate agent that is NOT where you should be putting your money. Today I want to show you the best areas to make a growth investment for your real estate business.
I always say that attraction pillars are like recess in elementary school. Who doesn’t love recess? There is a lot of fun to be had. However, that fun can steal valuable time and money you just don’t have as a new or stuck real estate agent. What you need to invest in is your chase, which honestly, is the heart of our business. An effective chase will generate solid leads and actual revenue that you can use to build your team and reinvest back into your business. Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry! I’m going to give you all the ways you can stop wasting time and start making growth investments.
So many well-meaning agents find themselves trying to BE other successful realtors because they think that will make them successful. Even I have tried to replicate the magic of the people I admire. Adopting certain habits and even strategies of thriving realtors can be helpful. This is why I do coaching in the first place! But if you spend all of your energy and resources trying to copy the latest attraction sensation you are missing out on your greatest growth investment: YOU. Being yourself and working within your own skillset will save you a TON of time and keep you from letting your attraction become a distraction. So just be you! Because you my friend, are awesome.
Are you a new agent who doesn’t have a clue where to start? Or have you been at this real estate thing for a while and you just feel stuck? It’s likely that you don’t have a clear gameplan and I want to help. Bootcamp is starting up soon and it is designed to declutter your strategy and create a tailored approach to how you should be running your business. Let me help you create consistency in your approach and your revenue stream through six weeks of live teaching and an hour of Q and A each session. Join me to learn the things that have allowed me to make quality growth investments in my business. Sign up for the next Bootcamp!
After great feedback from the Onion Juice Facebook group, I discovered that there is a desire from a lot of you to go deeper. You don’t just want to listen to good ideas, you want to learn how to do the things I talk about on this podcast. Of course, Bootcamp is one way you can do that, but it can only go so far. There is a whole world of other content you need to know and I want to teach you. I’m about to launch a paid Facebook group that will offer monthly e-courses based on the needs of the group. Learn about what YOU want to learn about! Short of one-on-one coaching this will be the most tailored experience I’ve ever offered. Make a serious growth investment in yourself and sign up for this group before it starts.
[0:35] What would you do with $10,000 to make a growth investment?
[1:16] A successful attraction pillar does not always mean revenue
[6:47] The best investment to grow your real estate business
[10:45] Don’t let your attraction create an identity crisis
[13:54] 3 ways you can invest in the growth of your business
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching websitehere
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Onion Juice podcast on Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes)
“Neil, my real estate business has slowed down, what do I do?” Just this week, I have heard from 3-4 agents who feel defeated, and are noticing that the real estate rollercoaster has started to bring some extreme, unexpected dips. I know a few of you are terrified of this, so today I want to encourage you, and give you some rock-solid tips to avoid the extreme dips.
Ninety days ago, something happened to cause this unexpected dip you are experiencing right now. At the end of July, you may have taken a vacation, settled into your summer routine, did a few less open houses, or skipped your newsletter because you were in the middle of closing 3-4 deals. Things may have been crazy busy, so you let a few things slide off your plate. Now your plate is empty, and you are hungry. Before blaming the market, take a hard look at the last 90 days, they have a direct effect in the present.
If you are experiencing an extreme dip, it’s probably because you have not been working within your three-pillar system. Are you chasing every day, does your sphere of influence know you care about them? Are you attracting business? These things are not just random, one-time strategies. These three things make up your entire plan, and most of them (with the exception of the attraction pillar) must be done every single day. That’s where a clear plan comes in. It will work, but only if you do.
I know that the market is not always going to be on an uphill climb. You will experience lots of ups and downs, but extreme dips can be prevented when you are consistent. You NEED to get a clear plan, remove the shiny object syndrome, and declutter your business. You have heard that “casting more nets” is an option, but you can’t pay attention to all of the nets, especially when you are closing multiple deals at the same time. This is why the three pillars are so powerful.
How do you keep your foot on the petal, even when you are busy? This requires a plan that will almost run itself. This is also why you need a coach. Working in your strengths is not just about your personality, it’s also about leveraging the strengths already around you. I can teach you how to do that. The goal is to make your business extremely predictable! Let’s talk about how you are positioned, and how I can help you avoid the real estate rollercoaster!
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching website here
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Onion Juice podcast on Apple Podcasts(formerly iTunes)
Is your attraction pillar becoming a distraction? The attraction pillar is the fun stuff...social media, Facebook ads, YouTube Videos, LinkedIn Content, among other things. I say all the time that we are media companies that happen to sell real estate. But, for many of you, your attraction pillar is actually distracting you, and your sphere of influence and your chase pillar are suffering. If this is you, I want to help you course correct, and learn how to balance your attraction, your chase, and your sphere of influence.
Shoutout to Zach and Ally from The Reality A to Z, who said “don’t let your attraction pillar become a distraction,” which inspired me to record this episode! Great advice, guys!
I would love to work on my attraction pillar all the time, who wouldn’t? It’s fun to create and content and Vlog and host events. I think many of you feel the same way. The problem is, your attraction pillar can actually distract you from the work that needs to be done in your chase pillar and your sphere of influence. I know several of you that have amazing attraction pillars, and those will eventually bring you more business...but for now, you have to chase it.
If you take a close look at who is liking and sharing your content online, you will find that less than 50% of your sphere of influence are the ones on Facebook or Youtube. Across all of my media platforms, most of the likes and comments come from photographers, videographers, and foodies. I love those guys, but they are not the ones who will be referring me or sending me leads. After nearly a year of hosting the I Love Madison Show, I JUST got two POSSIBLE leads that may turn into business. If I was relying on ILM for all my business, I would be starving. The vast majority of the clients I have worked with come from my chase pillar and my sphere of influence. If you don’t have a database, that’s where you need to start. An excel spreadsheet and a mailing list. Simple.
Imagine that you put one hundred people in a room, and give ten of them mics and a message to communicate. Who do you listen to? Probably the person with the loudest mic, or best message, right? How do you sort through all the noise? That’s social media right...Now imagine you have the same number of people, but only one mic. That’s kind of what creating content on LinkedIn is like right now. Only 1% of people are creating content...the rest are consuming. LinkedIn has this unique position of being both an attraction pillar, as well as a chase pillar...at least for now....
After your newsletters are sent out, your open houses are done, and your sphere of influence knows they are loved, you can take a recess. The attraction pillar is your recess. What content can you create to highlight your personality and passion? It’s time to publish that post, write another article, make a guest appearance on a podcast...the list goes on. This is your reward for making sure your chase pillar and sphere of influence are solid!
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching websitehere
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Onion Juice podcast on Apple Podcasts(formerly iTunes)
In the real estate industry, networking is the lifeblood for your business. If you are not a natural networker, this just might be the episode that you need to hear! If networking comes easy to you, this episode will also set you up for success! I have learned that networking is not just about the people you meet, but also about how much value you can bring to a conversation.
For a long time, I hated networking. I always thought real estate networking was just about how many people you can meet. I didn’t always want to talk to people, the ones I did talk to did not always turn into business, one and on...I read a quote on LinkedIn from Oleg Vishnepolsky that said “networking is not just how many people we meet, its how many people we help, recommend, and introduce to others.” I love this perspective, andI think this is a much better approach to networking for business.
Networking does not have to be a game of back and forth, coordinating schedules and indecisiveness about what coffee shop to meet in. If you are trying to network more, I highly recommend using a scheduler app like youcanbook.me or calendly (there are others, just google scheduler apps). These apps make it easy to set your appointment schedule, gather name and contact information, and choose a meeting place. I use youcanbook.me to get those ever-important face to face conversations. Once a person selects an available time, it automatically gets added to my calendar, and sets a notification!
I know a rolodex is a little outdated, but It still denotes having all of your contacts in one spot, so i’ll reference it! I think Oleg Vishnepolsky is right when he said “networking is not just how many people we meet, its how many people we help, recommend, and introduce to others.” With that in mind, how can you leverage your list of brokers, roofers, plumbers, contractors, cleaners, and painters to help you network better? Share them. In my newsletter and on my LinkedIn, I advertise that I have an amazing list of referral partners. Anytime someone on my list refers me, I ask them if I can publically thank them on LinkedIn. I take a selfie, write a thank you note, and mention them in the description or comments. This actually drives more referrals, because the people on my list know that they are appreciated!
Here’s what I would recommend...go through your list and create a “top 25” list. Once you have that established, reach out to them once a month (I am starting to do this on LinkedIn) to share knowledge and pass referrals. If you are an influencer in your community, your referrals are powerful!
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching websitehere
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Onion Juice podcast on Apple Podcasts(formerly iTunes)
So many of you real estate agents are grinding and hustling all the time, but you are not taking care of your own minds. You are plagued with worry and stress, and your families, peace of mind and quality of life are suffering as a result. The truth is, it doesn’t have to stay this way. There has already been provisions made for your peace of mind, but it requires one simple action on your part.
So many agents I know are caught up in the fear of what they do NOT have, the money they are NOT making, on and on. They are riddled with thoughts that distract them, they drink way to much alcohol, and worry all the time. This worry then leads to a lack of action, which only compounds the problem. Fear is like paddling upriver in a canoe, but dragging an anchor behind you the whole way. It makes it tough to move. Can you relate? What can you do?
Just because you are very familiar with fear does not mean that fear has authority over you. In fact, it’s the opposite. You have the authority to command fear to leave. It doesn’t matter if you are a person of faith or not, you still have that authority. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Many realtors and coaches believe we want results right now, so they teach techniques that will generate as much business as possible in a short amount of time. The one area they tend to overlook is building relationships with people. It takes time to build trust, so that does not fit into the “right now” scenario. The truth is, the most successful agents will tell you that 80% of their business comes from their sphere of influence. THAT is why relationships are the most important thing you can do to build a successful business.
Three weeks ago, I launched the first Neil Mathweg boot camp, and I and seeing amazing results from those in attendance. We are talking about how to develop a clear plan, working within your strengths, and the three-pillar approach to growing a business. I am not stopping there though, there is plenty more inside! If you are interested in joining a boot camp, check out neilmathwegcoaching.com!
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching websitehere
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Onion Juice podcast on Apple Podcasts(formerly iTunes)
Giving your real estate clients what they really want is a much better way to do business than just cold calling them to “stay in the loop.” This week on the OJ, we are going to take a closer look at what it means to provide value (even when you don’t have a house to sell yet), and why you NEED to be operating in a plan that is congruent with your strengths. If you are a new listener, or you have been a member of the OJ nation for a while, this episode delivers some powerful action steps you can start implementing today!
I know you have all used the lame follow-up call to stay connected to your clients. You know, the one where you call and say “ Hey, I just wanna stay in the loop.” You know it sounds lame, your clients know it’s lame, and there is little chance they will call you back. I wouldn’t call you back...YOU wouldn’t call you back. No value has been given, so they don’t have a reason to engage. Instead, I use this approach. “Hey it’s Neil, I just found out about a brand new listing that goes on the market Monday, and I think it’s a perfect match for what you are looking for,” I say it with excitement in my voice, and wait for them to call me back. Usually, the wait is not very long...
My friends Mark asked me this week, “is cold calling really the best way to generate leads?” Mark is hearing from several people that successful real estate agents just have to cold call clients. I disagree. Mark, what you need is a plan that is congruent to you and your strengths. Instead of cold calling as your chase pillar, I think that Open houses, Facebook Ads and Internet leads are a better way to get warm leads. Our goal is to use these platforms to generate search criteria, then you can go find what they are looking for.
A few of you have asked, “what else can we do to provide value if we don’t have a house yet?” The short answer is to figure out what they need and provide that. Are your buyers pre-approved yet? If not, connect them to your mortgage guy. Since most realtors will do this, it’s nothing special. A better question to ask is if they are a first time home buyer? If they are, connect them to someone who offers first-time buyers home grants! That’s a rockstar move. Maybe they need to sublet an apartment before they buy a house...you can post on your Facebook followers that a client has an apartment available. This leverages your connections and offers value to the client. As you gain experience, you will start to collect a network of contractors, trash removal guys, estate sale companies, cleaners, even pet adoption agencies. At some point, a client of yours will need one of these services. This is how you can provide value before you hand them the keys to a new house.
The cool kids have learned that I provide a ton of free content for you to leverage, and it’s all found on my facebook page. Go to neilmathwegcoaching.com, this will take you right to my shiny new facebook page where you can get access to videos, templates and other resources!
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching websitehere
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Onion Juice podcast on Apple Podcasts(formerly iTunes)
As an agent, you have probably been trained to “check in” with your clients every couple of weeks. Even if you don’t have a house or a buyer, you don’t want to lose them, right? So you cold call, leave a mumbled message about checking in, and ask them to call you back…[cue crickets]. After listening to this episode, that practice should be a thing of the past. Instead, give your clients exactly what they want!
Your buyers don’t owe you anything, regardless of how much you call them. You can spend a lot of time spinning your wheels, or you can provide value by giving your clients exactly what they want. Here is the secret formula: Buyers want houses, sellers want buyers. It’s not about calling them just for the sake of calling, it’s about finding them a house. If you lose focus on this, the best plan, strategy, and systems will just be a hindrance to you.
If you are attending to cold leads, it’s important to remember that those consumers don’t want you (even though you are awesome), they want a house, plain and simple. You may have friends and family that declare they will only work with you, as a result of your sphere of influence. If you are working cold leads though, the best way to “warm them up” is to get their criteria, then go find a house that fits. If you know someone who is selling their house, you should abandon the dried out, weak approach of “Let me know if you want me to come over and tell you what’s it’s worth…” Instead, say “Tell me more about your house, I am working with 67 buyers in the area right now, and I think several of them would be interested.” That gets attention and moves the relationship forward. If you are distracted by the “67” number I just mentioned, message me, I will explain how that’s even possible!
Clients have learned that saying “I am already working with an agent” is a great defense mechanism, and usually gets agents to leave them alone. Sometimes it’s true, they are working with an agent, but sometimes that “agent” is their wife’s brother’s cousin’s friend, and chances are, that guy is not providing value. If you match houses to their criteria, they will eventually want you, because no one else is giving them what they want.
Do you have leads that have been sitting around for a while? Do you feel the need to call them, just to make sure they are still planning to use you? It’s time to provide value! Remember, buyers want houses, sellers want buyers. Go crush it!
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching website here
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Onion Juice podcast on Apple Podcasts(formerly iTunes)
When you wake up in the AM, besides getting through your urgent, HAVE TO to do list, are you super clear on what non-urgent, but essential activities you need to be doing to grow your business?
I'm going to be helping you with what may be keeping you from doing those key activities day in and day out that are essential to creating that massively successful business you had in your sights when you went into real estate.
Whether its being distracted by shiny objects - what sounds like the next best thing that will blow your business up, or just being afraid of what it will be like when you ARE successful (sounds silly, I know, but its a thing for so many. It was for me, and I can talk you through that), we'll be exploring it all, and coming up with solutions that will put all that behind you.
Or maybe you just don't have the basic systems in place that allows you to handle your everyday transaction tasks with less stress and fanfare. You know what I mean. The smallest things can get blown up when not anticipated, or handled in a timely manner.
My systems I created the year I did 93 transactions WITHOUT a team or assistant made that year, and that success possible.
Click here to register for Bootcamp - https://m.me/neilmathwegcoaching?ref=w3104540
Today, the Onion Juice Podcast turns three years old! Episode 156...wow! Thanks to all of you who have made the OJ a regular part of your week, that means the world to me! Over the past three years, I have talked about a lot of different subjects, featured a lot of guests, and recorded so many fun moments. Today, I open up the juice bar for a few questions, and we go behind-the-scenes to talk about how I started the OJ, what the production looks like, and how I manage work, life, family, social media and the I Love Madison Show, all while still selling real estate!
Nell, thanks for this question! You are looking at another real estate agent in your area who is (successfully) using YouTube to market his business, and that has convinced you that there is no more room in that space. First, I would encourage you to come up with a clear vision, then work inside that vision! After that, launch your channel! Pretend like that other agent does not even exist. Don’t watch his videos, they may just discourage you. The reality is, that agent does not have complete domination in your market. Focus on your voice and your brand, produce searchable content, and you will attract clients that want to work with you! There are a few OJ episodes you can listen to where I talk about YouTube best practices, check out the resources section for the links!
Some of you have asked, what social media platform provides the best RIO? I would say, it depends on where your sphere of influence is. For 75% of you, Facebook advertising is a great place to start. This is also the most trackable, as you will be able to tell exactly how much you spent for each lead you generated. In my coaching program, I walk you through exactly what campaigns I use on Facebook, so if that is an area you want to grow in, reach out! As many of you know, I am also a huge fan of LinkedIn. The other 25% of my clients come as a result of the relationships I have built on LinkedIn. I didn’t leave any room for Instagram, and there is a reason for that...
Three years ago, some friends and I sat down to brainstorm ideas for a real estate podcast...The Onion Juice is the result of that conversation! When I first started, I was recording in my basement, with one mic and GarageBand. I would do all of the editing and production myself and hoped that the content I was producing was useful. After about 30 episodes, I purchased a better set of gear and set up a recording studio at the office. What used to take me all weekend to produce an episode now takes about 90 minutes...I plan my content the day before (sometimes), then hit record at 2:00 pm every Thursday like clockwork! After that, I send the audio to Podcast Fast Track, and those guys edit and post the finished product to my website!
Several of you have asked “Neil, how do you manage everything, and still have time to sell real estate?” By everything, they mean The Onion Juice Podcast, the I Love Madison Show, selling houses, being a dad of three and a husband, and leading my team. The short answer is delegation. I have the most amazing team of people, from my two buyers agents, a part-time admin, my co-host Caleb Jahr (I Love Madison), and the Podcast Fast Track Team. I also work within a system. Everything I do has a system. The reality is, when I was first building these systems, they took a lot of time. The first trinket always does, but after you have used the system several times, you will find it gets easier and faster!
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching website here
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Onion Juice podcast on Apple Podcasts(formerly iTunes)
Every real estate agent wants to see the snowball effect in their business, but are you snowballing in a positive direction? Often, negativity and doubt can build up, causing your momentum to shift in a negative direction. Sometimes, that negativity can come from a spouse...Today on the Onion Juice, I share how a clear vision is key, but inviting your spouse into that vision is crucial.
I am stoked to announce that the Neil Mathweg Coaching Facebook page is live! You can go to neilmathwegcoaching.com to find the link to the group. Once you are in, there is a free email template I created for writing offers. The year I created this, I had no assistant or support team, yet I was able to do over 90 real estate transactions! This is STILL the system I use, and now it’s available to all of you!
Momentum can be a fun thing unless you are moving in the wrong direction! One of the biggest causes of negative momentum that I have seen in the business is doubt and negative things you hear, then start to believe. Sometimes, this negativity starts with your spouse. Let me be clear before you run out and yell “I told you so...” If your spouse does believe in and support your work as a real estate agent, it’s probably because you have not invited them into the vision.
I understand the pressure that can come from a spouse who does not understand what it takes to be a successful real estate agent. I understand because I lived it. I had not invited my wife into the vision I had created for my company, so it often looked like I was not doing anything meaningful. Your sphere of influence, the chase, and the attraction pillar are all necessary tactics, but it can be hard to explain to your spouse if they have no idea the value of each. Have you ever experienced this? Hosting an open house sounds like forward momentum (as long as it works), but what about creating a Vlog or producing videos? The truth is, real estate can be all consuming, and dangerous for a marriage. The best way to thrive in both is to develop a clear vision, then invite your spouse into that vision.
At the end of September, I am officially launching the Neil Mathweg Coaching Boot Camps! Part of the training will include what I mentioned above...working according to a clear vision, and inviting your spouse into that vision. Each boot camp will live online training that will last six weeks long, with two hours of training each week!
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching websitehere
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Onion Juice podcast on Apple Podcasts(formerly iTunes)
You might be doing all of the right things to generate new real estate leads...you have a clear plan, you are staying consistent, you are pounding the streets, making calls and sending emails. You have worked hard to sow the seeds. Now, the harvest is ready; the leads are waiting, people are lined up to buy or sell a house, but you are sleeping through the harvest...
So many of you agents have worked hard to sow the seeds that will bring you new business, but what are you doing while you wait for those seeds to mature and turn into profitable fruit? More importantly, when that fruit is ready to be harvested, are you giving it your full attention, or are you sleeping through the harvest? As agents, it’s easy to fall prey to the idea that we post a few ads or send an email, then just sit back and wait for something to happen. We get lazy, complacent, we make excuses, then wonder why we are not seeing more growth, more profit, etc...
I know there are areas in your life and business where you are not doing all that you can do, you are not working in excellence. How do I know this? Because there are areas in MY life where I am taking the same approach. It’s not just a real estate thing, it’s a human thing. Often, we rest when we could be sowing seeds. Just because you sent an email or posted a new ad on facebook does not mean you are done. Ask yourself, what do you want your “harvest” to look like? What do you need it to look like to see your life vision realized? Whatever picture you have in your head, you have to sow seeds accordingly and harvest accordingly.
Many of you are limiting your success by the words you speak. “Things slow down in the fall,” “we sell fewer houses this time of year…” Sound familiar? These statements give you an excuse to “sleep through the harvest,” so to speak. They normalize a negative mindset in which you have no control of the outcome. In reality, you have the knowledge, experience, and authority to operate in success and excellence. The harvest season operates on YOUR schedule! If you are struggling with this, the best way I have found to combat the fear and the doubt is to cultivate a lifestyle of gratefulness!
I just launched the Neil Mathweg Coaching Program Facebook page, and would love to see you guys on there! Once you are in the group, look for the “Offer to Purchase” template I pinned to the top of the page. This is the exact template I use when I send an offer. My whole team uses it, and now, for the first time, it’s available to all of you OJ listeners! I will also be sharing more information about the boot camp launch shortly!
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching website here
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Onion Juice podcast on Apple Podcasts(formerly iTunes)
Juicers, today we are going to take a hard look at the areas of your life and business that have been affected by fear, and how you can find the courage to move forward. I have listened to the thought “this might not work” over and over, I’ve struggled with days were no deals closed, the effort far outweighed the results, and the expenses were more than the income. Some of you are living this life right now, and it’s crushing your spirit and killing your joy. When the last of your courage is spent and you want to toss in the towel, what can you do? Join me for this hard-hitting, honest conversation...I think you will find it helpful.
This last week, I have been resting on courage. The word has come up in several conversations and emails. The question that has been on my mind is this: How do we find the courage to keep going when we want to give up? Seth Godin wrote “At some level, "this might not work" is at the heart of all important projects, of everything new and worth doing. And it can paralyze us into inaction, into watering down our art and into failing to ship.” So, how do we find the courage to overcome this? We borrow it.
If fear is paralyzing you from moving forward, I want to offer a couple of solutions. The first is the idea of borrowing courage. There have been so many moments when I did not think being an agent was going to work out. I was stressed, angry, desperate, you name it...and yet, in a moment of grace, there has always been someone to pull me aside to encourage me and tell me I had what it takes, to let me borrow some of their courage until I could find my own. I eventually did, and now it is available if you need it. If you are listening to this episode, and you need to borrow courage, please reach out to me!
I have talked about the concept this on previous episodes, but I feel this is a great time to mention it again. If you are living according to your needs, you will always be stressed and always scrambling to meet those needs. That is no way to live. I encourage you to live according to a vision. For me, I have to remember, especially on “bad realtor days,” that my clients or deals are not my sources of provision. My faith reminds me to look to God, the true source of my provision. I never want to forget how I am blessed and taken care of, and that is, in part, the vision I live my life by.
Simon Sinek says “To overcome our challenges, all that is required is the courage to ask for help.” I know that for many agents, this is the hardest thing to do. We are expected to know everything, especially if you have been an agent for more than a few years. This last year, I have made a habit of asking questions, and it has been an empowering experience! I have been a real estate agent for seventeen years, and there are still situations that arise that I am not sure how to handle. The idea of “fake it till you make it” is terrible advice...all it really takes is the courage to ask for help.
Our sponsors:
You can find my personal real estate coaching website here
And connect with me on ANY of the following social channels. I LOVE social!
And finally, if you would be so kind - leave a rating and review for the Onion Juice podcast on Apple Podcasts(formerly iTunes)