IS BRANDING THE

Is Branding the Way to Take Your Business to the Next Level?

Despite the importance of finding a Realtor® that is the best person to serve their needs, a lot of people only end up interviewing one Realtor® when they’re thinking about buying or selling a home. A lot of times people make that decision based on a referral, but why not do everything you can to be the name they think of when they make the decision to hire a real estate professional outside of referrals? Especially if you’re starting out and haven’t built up any repeat and referral business yet. When you want to make your name synonymous with real estate transaction success, you might want to consider branding yourself. Personal branding, long a staple of Corporate America, is also an invaluable tool for those in the real estate industry as well. Understanding branding and being consistent about it, is one way to insure you’ll have a successful and long-lasting business. It’s up to you to make consumers think that their success in real estate is dependent on finding the perfect agent—YOU.

Branding is a long term marketing strategy that builds your carefully crafted image over time through consistent repetition. A common misperception about branding is that it’s is the same thing as marketing. While the two go hand and hand in many ways, branding is specifically about creating and reinforcing the perception of not only who you are as a person, but what your business values are, and getting that out to the world in a consistent way Everything from your logo, to your website Although it might take time and money upfront to get it right, branding is almost guaranteed to pay off in the long run. But branding is more than just having a graphic designer come in and make a logo. Consider branding more of a promise to your clients and potential clients, succinctly stating the value and expertise working with you will afford them. There are clear, tried and true methods to creating your branding. Because you have to go all in on the way you want to brand yourself, it’s important to evaluate fully before you make the leap. This all starts with an honest assessment of your business and where you want it to go, including how much time and money you’re willing to invest to get there. After that you may want to add focusing on a niche market to your branding. Regardless of whether or to your social media presence, should all line up and reinforce your brand. It’s that repetitiveness that will hammer home the perception you are trying to create. Your brand informs your marketing, while your marketing strengthens your brand. Of course then you have to do is make sure your service lives up to what you’re selling. Getting them in the door is one thing, but you’re in it for lifetime customers and referrals. Every brand is strengthened when it is built

CREATING A BRAND

on a foundation of integrity and trust. not you have a niche, another important part of branding is coming up with a memorable tagline that sells your brand or niche. All of your graphics, picture and information, should be consistent across all social media platforms, marketing materials, advertising and websites.

If you are interested in branding yourself, there are numerous books on the subject that will give you an in-depth tutorial on the process and the steps you need to take. But what it basically all comes down to is commitment. Find a brand that is true to you, one that you can commit to performing and then back it up by not only meeting, but exceeding what you promised. If done right, soon you’ll become an in-demand agent whose name is synonymous with success!

SHERRI SEMBLY

Sherri Sembly began her career in early childhood education, but was first drawn to real estate in 2014 while selling her townhome. Over the course of touring various houses and observing how her agent worked, she fell in love with the atmosphere and energy of the business. Inspired to switch careers, Sherri decided to learn real estate the right way, working her way up as a Listing Coordinator, Transaction Coordinator, Manager and eventually an Agent for Keller Williams. “Getting started, I wanted to know all the paperwork and nuances of the real estate industry,” she says. “Once I had learned the back end, I began to grow my own business.”

Since starting in 2014, Sherri has gained rapid momentum with each year. At last, she decided to take her work to the next level and opened her own franchise brokerage. Today at NextHome Forward, she serves clients all throughout the Greater Baltimore area.

When listing a home, Sherri provides a variety of marketing resources. After supplying a client with professional photography, she shares their home over a blend of targeted digital and social media campaigns, as well as signage and flyers to the surrounding neighborhoods. She also invests in personalized marketing storybooks for each seller. Meanwhile, Sherri relays her listings to her extensive professional network, generating plenty of additional buzz through her sphere.

Sherri is just as hands on with her buyers, offering them a trustworthy advocate throughout the transaction. By applying her years of experience, she can troubleshoot even the trickiest deals. Moreover, she stands for her clients well after closing, checking in to make sure they are fully satisfied in their new homes. “This business is about being more than just an agent,” she says. “My clients know they can call me if they need anything—whether it’s a referral for a contractor or help with a title issue. I’m here for them long term.”

Elsewhere, Sherri, a lifelong student of the industry, is always enrolling in classes to stay on the cutting edge of her market. Recently, for example, she earned her ABR Certification. “I’m always trying to learn so I can recognize the needs of my community,” she says. “Real estate is constantly changing, and I love uncovering new ways to inform my clients and keep them comfortable over the course of a deal.”

Outside her career, Sherri is active within her community, having previously served on the board for Keller Williams’ Red Day events. Last year, she was part of a committee that took on a school and sponsored students at Christmastime. She also participates in food and coat drives to provide help to individuals in need. When she’s not with clients or giving back, Sherri can be found spending quality time with her beloved husband and children, reading or crocheting.

Going forward, Sherri has strong plans for her brokerage. At the moment, she is focused on growing her team, with an eye toward launching another office in the future. But through it all, Sherri won’t lose sight of what matters most. “We will always want to keep our brokerage small and intimate so we can keep assisting clients in a personal way,” she says. “As a team, we’re driven to be the best we can be, and I can’t wait to see where we go—together.”

To learn more about Sherri Sembly, email sherri@nexthomeforward.com, visit nexthomeforward.com or call (443) 617-4469

JACKIE SHEARER

When Jackie Shearer was looking to set out on a new career path, she wrote down her strengths, weaknesses and goals. “It seemed that my strengths really aligned with real estate, so I decided to pursue it in January 2017,” she explains. Today she and her husband own an Elders Real Estate franchise in Yarragon, Victoria, with three people on the team. Specializing in rural and farming properties, they serve the West Gippsland area of southeast Victoria. A growing number of their clients consist of repeat clients and referrals, a testament to their superior service and dedication to getting clients towards their goals.

“I believe it’s my communication that sets me apart from others in this field,” Jackie says. “I’m a straight talker, and I focus on the relationships I’m building. We form a real bond and my clients are very loyal because of that.” By focusing on educating her clients throughout the transaction, she makes sure no question is left unanswered. “From day one, we’re talking about their property and the opportunities they have in the market, and I’m very straightforward with them on that.” She puts tremendous effort into advertising her listings, which includes preparing the property, photographing it, filming video, and more. “I’m a big believer in floor plans with every property, and we also post about them on social media and through Elders Real Estate marketing channels as well.”

As Jackie was raised on a large dairy farm in Yarragon, she is knowledgeable about these types of properties and is often helping clients determine what would suit them best in this segment of the market. One recent client said, “Jackie went over and above all other real estate agents that we have EVER dealt with (and we’ve dealt with quite a few over the years). Her knowledge of the farming system is second to none. She was keen to research facts in order to provide the best information to prospective purchasers. She listened to her vendors and she moved heaven and earth to bring a fantastic result. She persevered through tough times and continued to push forward towards her and our goal. We can’t recommend and thank Jackie enough. She is amazing. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Jackie to any buyers (who need in depth information on a property) and all sellers.”

During the few hours that Jackie isn’t working, she’s reading, traveling or spending time with friends. She’s also planning the growth of her business, including building a bigger team.

“I love the challenges this career presents, and the diversity. It’s the relationships and the people that keep me going.”

For more information about Jackie Shearer, please call +61-437-966-769 or email jackie.shearer@eldersrealestate.com.au