Inman

5 tips to stay busy during off season to help you in the long run

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During off-seasons and downtimes, it’s easy to get lazy.

The winter months, holidays, and rainy days turn a busy office into a quiet one. Remaining productive during slow times keeps you active until it speeds up again, and it gives you a leg up on the competition.

Here are a few tips to ensure your spring real estate season is a prosperous one:

Update your marketing materials

Review your online, offline and social media marketing strategies.

Does it need tweaking?

Analytics and user engagements say a lot. Begin by updating all your social media profiles with the latest information. Tweak both personal and professional profiles. Ensure your online persona matches your personality, and create a marketing strategy around that.

Next, update and print new business cards and marketing materials. Send out an email and/or newsletter to your contact list to touch base before the busy season. And don’t forget to update personal and professional websites and blogs.

Be consistently networking

Get in touch with your contacts by picking up the phone or sending out a quick email.

Any top clients, like those who you’ve been working with during multiple transactions or any that have referred you to a friend, should be visited in person if possible. Grab lunch or coffee to catch up.

Don’t forget to freshen up your customer and contact databases with current contact information. And while you’re at it, touch base with your sphere and fellow real estate professionals.

Learn something new

The downtime is a great time to take a free real estate course, learn the latest technology, join a webinar, and/or implement a new strategy. The new skill or information becomes helpful when business picks up.

Get current on local market trends, community hot sheets and any new state or federal laws and update any contracts based on those changes.

Get out of the office and socialize

Make yourself commit to networking events, social gatherings, local agent caravans and speaking engagements.  Socializing in a professional setting connects different industries together, encourages meaningful interaction, and builds new customer and client relationships.

A different atmosphere is a good way to recharge your batteries and remain productive simultaneously.

Be proactive

It’s important to create weekly and monthly to-do lists. Use the first opportunity to complete something on the list. Unexpected things happen, and if an emergency or a leave of absence is necessary, being proactive will ensure your company doesn’t fall behind when you get back.  It is also a good habit to have to remain ahead of schedule.

Tonya Jones is a writer who specializes in real estate. She has written various content for Textbroker, My SEO Articles and Blogmutt.