3 Ways to Enhance Your Brand as a REALTOR®
LOUISIANA REALTORS • April 18, 2017
Just do it. I’m loving it. What’s in your wallet? Nike, McDonald’s, and Capital One have this branding thing down. Whether you need new shoes, lunch, or a credit card, these major brands have created a way to stay at the top of your mind whether you are in the market for them or not. As a REALTOR® you can do the same thing; and in today’s technology driven and social media focused world, it’s never been more important.
Now you don’t necessarily need a clever slogan or catchy jingle to brand yourself; however, you do need to have the ability to be found. Roughly 75% of a REALTOR’S® business comes from referrals or word-of-mouth. When you make it easier for existing clients to share your information, and you make it easier for potential clients to contact you, you’ve enhanced your brand. Here are 3 tips to achieve exactly that.
1.) Embrace mobile:
Mobile is becoming a major part of everyone’s life. Access to communication and information is literally at anyone’s fingertips. This means that any and all of your digital efforts need to reflect this trend. Responsive websites, mobile optimized emails, and of course staying available for clients as you are out and about.
2.) Use content to become a thought leader:
3.) Be Social:
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Social media poses a huge opportunity for REALTORS®. The amount of data available allows you to target specific geographic locations as well as precise demographics. While maintaining a consistent presence is important, the real power of social media comes when you invest in a campaign or a boosted post. This is an incredibly cost-effective option that minimizes waste, allowing you to target and engage your ideal audience.
Building your own personal brand and discovering your niche as a REALTOR® is a key way to streamline your prospecting and grow your business. These are only a few ideas, but leveraging technology and embracing some best practices can make a significant difference. As a reminder, the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) released and will enforce licensee advertising come June 1. View the Advertising Guideline and Checklist
and be sure that your efforts arecompliant with the rules and avoid being cited and fined.
Discover technology Louisiana real estate agents can use to keep buyers and sellers informed, educated, and confident throughout every transaction.
Candidate qualifying for Louisiana’s November 3 election began Wednesday, August 5, and concludes Friday, August 7. The three-day qualifying period will establish the candidates for all six U.S. House districts, as well as judicial, parish and municipal races across the state. This election cycle includes several changes to Louisiana’s congressional races and election calendar. The state’s U.S. House primaries, originally scheduled for May 16, were canceled following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais. The Louisiana Legislature subsequently adopted a new congressional map that reduced the number of Black-majority congressional districts from two to one. Under the revised election calendar, the November 3 U.S. House contests will use an open primary system. All qualified candidates will appear on the November ballot, regardless of party affiliation. A candidate receiving more than 50% of the vote will be elected. If no candidate receives a majority, the two candidates receiving the most votes will advance to a December 12 runoff. U.S. Senate The November general election will feature Republican nominee U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and Democratic nominee Jamie Davis. Letlow's Senate campaign has also created an open seat in Louisiana's 5th Congressional District. 5th Congressional District Several candidates have announced campaigns for the 5th Congressional District seat: State Sen. Stewart Cathey State Rep. Michael Echols Louisiana Board of Regents Chair Misti Cordell State Rep. Gabe Firment Cathey, Echols and Firment currently serve in the Louisiana Legislature. Additional candidates may qualify before the deadline on Friday. The 5th District covers portions of northeastern and central Louisiana and extends into the Florida Parishes. 6th Congressional District Congressman Cleo Fields has announced that he will not seek reelection in the newly redrawn 6th Congressional District. Instead, Fields is running in a special election for his former state Senate seat, which became vacant following the death of Sen. Larry Selders of Baton Rouge. The newly drawn 6th Congressional District extends around the Baton Rouge area and includes portions of rural communities surrounding the capital region. State Sen. Rick Edmonds has announced his candidacy. State Sen. Blake Miguez has also been discussed as a potential candidate, although the candidate field will not be finalized until qualifying closes Friday. Federal law requires congressional candidates to reside in the state they seek to represent but does not require them to reside within the specific congressional district. 2nd Congressional District Congressman Troy Carter currently represents the 2nd Congressional District, which extends from the Baton Rouge area toward New Orleans. Under the newly adopted congressional map, the 2nd District remains Louisiana's sole Black-majority congressional district. East Baton Rouge Parish Judiciary All 15 judgeships on the 19th Judicial District Court are scheduled for election following the Legislature's creation of two new judicial election subdistricts. Each subdistrict will elect seven judges, with an additional judgeship elected parishwide. Litigation challenging the new judicial map remains pending. Judicial races are among the contests being monitored by Louisiana REALTORS® and local Political Action Teams. Judicial decisions can have implications for property rights, business activity, litigation and the overall legal environment in Louisiana. Local Elections Voters across Louisiana will also consider candidates for mayors, city and parish councils, school boards, police chiefs and other local offices. While these races typically receive less statewide attention than congressional and statewide contests, local elected officials make decisions affecting land use, zoning, permitting, infrastructure, taxation and housing policy. These issues can directly affect real estate activity and development within local communities. Candidate Lists and Election Information The candidate field will not be final until qualifying closes Friday, August 7. The official list of qualified candidates is available through the Louisiana Secretary of State's Candidate Inquiry portal. The complete election schedule, including key dates for voting, registration and absentee ballots, is available through the Secretary of State's election calendar. For Louisiana REALTORS®, the qualifying period provides an early look at the candidates who will appear on the November ballot and the races that may affect real estate, property rights, development and local communities across the state.
The Louisiana REALTORS® Board of Directors will elect six (6) LR At-Large Directors at its October 1st meeting. Qualifications and an application for the position can be found below.
