How to Be Comfortable & Confident Promoting Yourself
This post originally aired as a podcast!
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When you’re a real estate agent or in the industry, one of the first things you learn is that you need to market yourself. Because how will people know to do business with you if they don’t know you?
You need to not only promote yourself on social media, through online marketing but also through face-to-face conversations. And this concept of marketing yourself might be an unnatural feeling to some.
You might be worried about coming across as salesy or concerned about what others will think. I know, I’ve gotten caught up in my own mind more than my fair share of times.
So, today we’re going to discuss some mindset shifts to make you not only more comfortable with marketing yourself but more confident as well!
Have You Ever Felt This Way?
Today’s topic, “Episode 19: How to Be Comfortable & Confident Promoting Yourself,” is one that I know resonates with many people. It doesn’t matter how experienced you are or how talented you are, or even how passionate you are. We can all fall into the trap of self-doubt. Especially in the digital world, we live in now.
It’s easy to compare yourself to other people you see on social who seem to have it all figured out. Then, self-doubt starts to creep in, and you wonder whether you measure up. On the other hand, you might see peers on social, and you cringe at how they come off. The last thing you want to do is come off as disingenuous and only focused on the sale. I’ve seen both sides of the spectrum, and I’m sure you have to.
You might also have another little voice in the back of your head. And that voice is fear of judgment. What will other people think of what you’re doing? Why does this worry about what other people believe become such a big obstacle? It’s because we let it.
The root of the problem is we’re too wrapped up in other people.
Imposter Syndrome
One of the big topics in the business world right now is “imposter syndrome.”
Imposter syndrome is the feeling you have when you want to do something, but don’t feel confident that you should.
You’re afraid people might think you’re a fraud or don’t know what you’re doing. This feeling is especially true when breaking into a new real estate marketing niche or when you’re new to the business, like many of my listeners & readers are. Then, your confidence might start to shake, and that feeds down into your marketing and, ultimately, your business.
We don’t want this!
So, how do we get out of our minds and focus on what’s important? Today’s strategies are one of those exercises that might be a journey. It’s a personal evolution where you grow day-by-day and circumstance-by-circumstance.
You’re In Control
But the good news?
Lack of confidence is a marketing problem that you are in complete control of! It doesn’t matter how big your budget is, how much time you have, what the state of the real estate market is, how experienced you are, or how successful you’ve been as an agent. You have the power to shift your mindset completely.
Instead of coming from a place of unease, rise into a place of confidence and purpose.
So, here are five strategies that you can use to become more comfortable and confident when promoting yourself in real estate.
1. Focus On Your Motivation & Why
Whenever you start to waver or be unsure of yourself, I want you to jump to strategy number one immediately. Focus on your motivation and the “why” that drives you.
Why are you doing this, to begin with?
We need to recognize what your driving motivation is and the reason you’re focused on your real estate business. If you don’t have a strong “why,” it’s going to be challenging to stay committed.
Your “why” might be your family, whether that’s spending time with them or having the financial means to support your family. Figure out what that guiding light is for you and what’s important in your life.
It’s going to be hard to shake something that you believe in strongly and are motivated to achieve.
If you’re having a day where you don’t feel confident when showing up on social, I want you to think back to that “why.” Your “why” should be greater than any temporary discomfort you might feel in the moment. Suddenly being nervous in front of the camera seems so much smaller. You’re doing this for a big reason, and self-doubt can’t get in the way of your purpose!
If you’re strongly motivated to focus on your real estate marketing for a reason, hold on to that reason. Use that reason for fuel when you start to feel unsure. Use that reason to keep you going and growing. Because confidence all starts from within.
2. Block Out the Critics
Now, strategy number two can be easier said than done. It’s human nature to worry about what other people think. Negativity doesn’t have a place here. So, my number two strategy is to “block out the critics!”
Avoid getting caught up in what other people will think of you or judge you about. Why does their opinion matter?
It Happened to Me Too!
Being absorbed in what other people thought is a challenge I found myself in.
I’m an outgoing person and comfortable with marketing. Yet, even I was caught up in the opinion of others. I wanted to do a podcast and focus on real estate marketing online for years, but I was worried about what other people might think. Now, I didn’t have imposter syndrome because I was confident in my experience as a real estate marketer. But I was just worried about what people would think because I do have a full-time job in the industry.
I was doing a disservice to myself. Eventually, I realized that I was the one stifling myself. It wasn’t other people getting in my way.
It was me.
If it’s not coming from a place of positivity or constructive feedback, then you don’t need that in your life. The key is to recognize that your dreams and passions are worth more than another person’s opinion of you. At the end of the day, what’s going to make you proud?
A Strategy To Try
One way to get over the fear of what people think is to announce to the universe what you’re doing and when you’ll do it.
If you’ve always wanted to focus on Instagram marketing but are uncomfortable with becoming your own personal brand, announce on your other social platforms the day, your Instagram is going live.
Just get that initial announcement over with, and you’ll feel so much better! Then, when you go to work on your Instagram, every post is so much easier than that announcement.
The same goes for video marketing.
If you’re not sure about yourself on video, the hardest part might be publishing it. I’ve seen so many agents film videos and not end up sharing them because they weren’t confident in themselves. The hardest part will be hitting the publish button! After that, you’ll quickly realize something - it was you all along who was your biggest critic and not the people that you were worried about.
3. Come From a Place of Service
This statement should probably be in the intro of my podcast because I mention it so many times. But strategy number three is “come from a place of service.”
Providing value is the complete opposite of being salesy. It also pivots the attention off of you and onto whatever it is that you’re doing.
It can be an uncomfortable feeling to have to constantly say, “look at me! I’m awesome! Buy or sell a house from me!” It’s also just not good marketing!
You can provide value with your marketing while still promoting yourself and your brand.
The easiest way to do this is in the form of content and education. Look at my Instagram. Almost every photo on my feed is a photo of myself. But once you take a second look, you’ll quickly realize nearly every single one of my posts is providing information about real estate marketing. Whether it’s tips or mini-trainings, I try to deliver value in everything that I post.
So, while I’m increasing my personal brand, I’m not doing it in a “salesy” way. I’m coming from a place of value and thinking about what type of content my audience - you guys! - would find most helpful.
When you pivot your attention away from yourself and onto someone else, you’ll be more comfortable with your real estate marketing. That might sound like a strange thought, but it works! You can market yourself while at the same time, being focused on your ideal customer. If you haven’t tuned in to Episode 11: Why Your Real Estate Marketing Isn’t All About You, head over there for more on this concept.
When you focus more on your customers and less on yourself, you’ll become more comfortable.
Because your passion for what you do, the customer service you provide, and you’re true care will shine through.
4. Stay Authentic to Who You Are
Lastly, confidence comes from a place of acceptance. So, my final strategy is to “stay authentic to who you are.”
You’re never going to be comfortable imitating someone else.
Your customers don’t want a cloned version of someone else. They want to work with you. Instead of mimicking what you see other people doing with their real estate marketing, I want you to think about what works for you and will attract your ideal customer. Recognize what makes you special and unique. Once you’ve figured that out, embrace it! Don’t shy away from it!
While you want to come off with a certain level of professionalism and experience in your marketing, don’t be afraid to inject your personality into it.
Embrace what makes you unique.
We want people to see you in your marketing and get a feel for who you are as a real estate agent and person. In an age of social media and video, you have no better opportunity to express yourself! People want to know what to expect when working with you, and your past customers want to engage with you - not the robot marketing version of you.
Accept that it’s ok to be yourself.
Because I promise you, being genuine and authentic is one of the best strategies that you can use in personal branding and your marketing.
Real Estate Marketing Today
It’s a strange world that we live in. It’s one where selling real estate has become developing personal brands and becoming online marketers in addition to the talent and care you bring every day to your transactions.
I think you have such an opportunity.
While you might have to step outside your comfort zone, start with baby steps. Every day is an evolution of your real estate marketing. Every day is an evolution of who we are as people. So, the next time you feel unsure of yourself in your marketing, I want you to remember these four strategies: 1 - Focus on your motivation and why. 2 - Block out the critics. 3 - Come from a place of service. 4 - Stay authentic to who you are.
Just imagine all that you could accomplish if you aren’t getting in your own way! Confidence grows over time. And before you know it, you’ll be comfortable in all that you do and able to sing your story to the rooftop.