The year is coming to an end, but that doesn't mean your business should slow down. This is the perfect time to ramp up for the coming year. Use the next week to look back on 2021, learn from mistakes and successes, and put together a plan for 2022. Keeping what works and getting rid of what doesn't will ensure that you are even more successful in the year to come.
Analyze and Get Rid of Excess. You probably added new marketing methods last year and took some risks. Take note of any new systems you implemented. Did you make money or get more leads because of these systems? Did they help streamline your business? If a system works, keep it going for the next year and make any necessary changes to improve it. Anything that didn't work, toss it aside and begin anew. If it didn't work the first time you used it, then it's missing something that you can find in another product or by hiring help.
Set Your Goals. Once you've determined what makes your business run and what slows it down, begin putting together a plan for the next year. Any gaps from programs you removed will be replaced with new or modified products and systems. Sometimes it's not about adding paid services, but rather finding help and leveraging your time. It's going to be a trial-and-error process throughout your career, but that's how you grow your business.
Look into New Marketing Methods. Not everything you implement will work for your business. If you've decided to remove some programs you used in 2021, do some research and see what other products are available—look for systems that can consolidate multiple processes to save you time. Take note of what didn't work and find products that fill that void. For example, if you used a contact database platform that helped you reach out to past clients, but you didn't have enough time to make the calls, perhaps look into a dialer to reduce the time needed to complete them. This is also a great time to revamp your marketing materials if you haven't recently.
Ramp Up Your Social Media Posting. As with systems, you have to analyze which social media platforms work best with your business and increase your outreach accordingly. If you've found that your Instagram "SOLD" pictures garnered the most attention in 2021 out of all your social media activity, find a way to push that even further so that it's generating leads and turning into profits. If your 2021 didn't feature much activity on social media, take the time to learn how these platforms work and how you can increase your business with them. Our Social Skills series is a great place to start.
Plan a Client Outreach Program. You don't want your business to be a revolving door. You want to retain the business you have and, at the same time, add on new clients. To do this, you need to have a strong outreach program that reminds your past clients that you are the best option for their friends and family who are looking to buy. You also want these clients to come back to you when it's time for them to buy or sell again. Put together a year-long plan for reaching out to past clients to remind them you are available for any real estate related needs. This plan can be a series of events or gift giving—but the key is to maintain regular contact.
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in 2017. Housecall continues to share this piece due to ongoing requests and reader interest.
excellent sugetion for 2018 we have to go to basic