Advertising for new agents

[Holly]

Needing to grow my team as quickly a possible and in the past new agents have "found me" by word of mouth. Can any of you pass along how you've found your best agents? Historically I have only hired brand new agents just out of real estate school because they are not jaded and can be trained more efficiently. However, if any of you have hired "seasoned" agents for your team wit success or even new ones by way of advertising what has worked for you? I've thought about sending a mass email out to all existing agents or even posting an ad on craigslist for new hires, but wanted to get any input here first. If anyone has a particular ad they are using and want to pass it along, that would be great also. Thanks in advance for the feedback!

[Toby Lane]

Not sure if you have your own company or not, or if you are working for a company. A lot of agents have had luck talking with their broker to find out if there are any agents that might fit your criteria.

[jessiesc]

We've used various methods of obtaining agents with mixed success:

• Posting on our blogs - We get more responses from non agents than agents LOL
• Posting on employment websites - We get most responses from agents who've let their license expire
• Speaking with other agents with whom we do business and believe they did a good job - Most don't want to move for various reasons

But by far the 2 most successful methods are from office agents and having our agents recruit for us.

Office agents 3 types:

• Agents leaving a team and we believe they would be a good fit we approach them.
• Agents having difficulty getting their numbers up or business off the ground are good candidates as well.
• New agents joining KW interested in a team - this method is not nearly as good as the first in this sequence since they are unknown and unproven but we still speak with them and try them out if they are interested

We've brought 2 agents using the above team method - 1 our top producer, the other struggling but working on it.

We've brought on 1 agent having our agents recruit for the team. That agent is also struggling to get started.

And 1 agent having difficulty getting started.

We're still looking for 1 more agent since our admin is about to get her license and that should pretty much complete the team.

Our issue with finding quality agents is their technical ability. While we provide training on all aspects of our technology, we do have limits.

We know for example our backend training takes 2-3 sessions to really grasp well. However, when we find an agent unable to grasp the concept after the first 2 sessions or unable to do email it's not a fit for us and we let them go. This happened just this week and we had to let a new agent got before they even go started.

When we find agents who can only send emails through yahoo or a o l. We pass on them immediately, they never work out for us.

Hope this helps

[Gloria Singer]

Is there a demographic that works the best for you? I am also looking for one or two BAs and approached our office manager... she sent me the info on two people in the office with lots of experience (20+yrs) who had their business fall off over the past year or two. I did not call either of them because I fear that they are too set in their ways, and also they are both middle-aged women which is pretty much the demographic of everyone on my team including myself... I thought it might be a good idea to diversify some. Any thoughts? Also have you had luck with very seasoned agents?

[jessiesc]

Most of our agents are 'seasoned' and 'aged' lol. Don't tell them I said that

Even so, they were all receptive to our contract and ways of doing things since most of their business had slipped as well.

While experienced agents tend to be rigid, when you hit them in the pocket book that are much more receptive to changing their ways.

After all, their ways aren't working any more are they?

[OCTeam]

Ask your Title, Escrow and Lending people who are good. Many times they know who is unhappy at their current broker, looking to move or who are good agents suffering in this economy.

[Gloria Singer]

ok thanks. maybe I shouldn't be so quick to dismiss the "older" folks.

[Natalie]

When I was approached by various companies my decision was based upon who had the most, overall, to offer. Not simply commission based; we all know you can have a great commission split but if there is no incoming business there is no incoming commission… A company that had excellent marketing, technology, training and the capability of development was what sold me!

[sellinggalveston]

word of mouth is best.. but I did find many of my agents through craigslist. We are growing quickly and have 10 agents now. 5 were word of mouth and 3 were craigslist. Other were walk-ins or personal relationships. Be sure not to pass up craigslist!! Also, thanks for the post Natalie... it must be Bosses day after all!

[GreenBayRealtor]

I'm currently working on building a team as well. If your passionate about what you do and have some major things you bring to the table (Web Leads, Leads off the street) creative strategies that really aren't being used utilize those hooks to get them in the door.

I go after the agents who I've worked with in the past who have a strong line of success but are interested in taking it to the next level.

There are some great tips on this post. Thats why I love REW