It can be a challenge to stand out in the crowd as a real estate agent, especially if you’re in a competitive market. But with the right strategy, time and effort, you can establish yourself as a leader in your market. We’ve outlined a few strategies to help you get there.

1. Make Yourself Available

Real estate is a fast-paced industry. If you don’t return calls or emails right away, you may lose out to another agent who beat you to it. Be hungry for leads and follow up on those leads. Make yourself available even when it’s inconvenient to do so.

Stick to this rule when dealing with clients as well. When clients have questions or issues, return their calls or messages as soon as possible.

The level of service you provide will have a significant impact on your reputation. Be attentive to clients and leads, and you will be rewarded with more referrals.

2. Build a Mobile-Friendly Website

If you work for a large agency, you will get a website on the agency’s domain. But if you really want to stand out, you should build your own, mobile-friendly website.

Market yourself as an individual and develop your personal brand.

Consider hiring a professional to design and build your website. Make sure that your site looks good and works well on desktops, tablets and mobile phones.

3. Get Published

Want to build credibility and establish yourself as an authority in your market? Reach out to real estate-related blogs and publications and pitch ideas for articles and posts. Write an essay on the state of the local market. Give pointers on how sellers can sell their homes more quickly. Share your knowledge.

Target publications that are consumer-focused to get your content in front of the right people. It may also be beneficial to write for agent-focused publications for networking or referrals.

4. Find Your Niche

Specializing will allow you to reach clients in your niche. How do you specialize? Here are some ideas:

• First-time buyers
• People who need to sell quickly
• Selling certain types of homes, such as beachfront or multi-family homes
• Selling in particular neighborhoods

By choosing to specialize, you become the go-to agent for whatever subset of the market you’re in.

5. Offer a Freebie to Grow Your List

Online marketing can help you generate more leads and land more clients. Establishing an email list will allow you to keep in touch with leads to keep your name at the forefront of their minds. These may be people who are thinking about buying in the next few months, or people who are ready to commit to an agent.

A list allows you to engage in email marketing, one of the most effective forms of online marketing.

But how do you get people to sign up for your list, or subscribe to your newsletter? Offer something for free, like an eBook.

Here are some ideas:

• A checklist for mortgage applications
• First-time homebuyer guide
• How to enhance curb appeal for quick sales
• Guide to fixing and flipping homes

Standing out in the crowd can be a challenge, but with some time and effort, you can make a name for yourself.