As a new agent coming into the field, you usually face an uphill battle when it comes to getting a listing. You've got lots of competition who's been doing this much longer than you have, and it's usually pretty difficult to get someone to trust you with the sale of their home.

The only problem is that puts you in a chicken or the egg scenario, since you can't get more listings until you have the experience, but how can you get more experience if you don't have the listings?

So what can a new agent do to get listings despite a lack of experience? I'm glad you asked.

Right off the bat, you'll need to throw out some outdated thinking.

Instead of equating "new agent" with "lack of knowledge," change it around a bit and think of "new agent" as meaning an "inexperienced Realtor." In other words, as a new agent you have a pretty good idea as to what to do to sell a home (sign the paperwork, create a marketing plan, hold open houses) but you just haven't done it all yourself.

Notice the difference. You have the knowledge of what to do, but just lack the experience of having done it before.

Here's the thing: Most people aren't worried about your experience as much as they are your knowledge and how it translates to their specific situation.

Don't believe me? Think back to when you got your first job coming out of school. You didn't have any full time work experience, yet someone, somewhere hired you anyway. Why? Because you had the knowledge (through your education) on what it took to get the job done -- even though you hadn't personally done it before.

The same thing is true in real estate.

Most prospects don't care what you did to move someone else's listing, unless you can translate that knowledge into selling their home. Which by the same logic, means even if you don't have experience in selling a home, as long as you can develop a strategy that shows the seller how you will be able to do just that, the "experience" won't matter.

So now instead of focusing on the past (all the experience you don't have with previous clients), let's instead look at the future, and all the things you will do when selling a prospect's home.

Not sure what those are just yet? (After all you are new.) Just email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject "New Agent Wants Listings" and I'll send out a quick checklist of focus areas to help increase your knowledge level and get that listing.

Here's the thing. As a new agent, you've got a few strikes against you. Lack of experience, spending a bunch of up-front money, and heated competition, just to name a few. But unless you're walking around with a nametag saying, Jane Smith -- New Real Estate Agent, none of your listing prospects will know you're new to the business.

This means if you come across as the knowledgeable, organized agent who's got a drop-dead marketing plan for selling that prospect's home, they won't even think to ask, "So how long have you been doing this?" type of question.

It just won't come up.

But don't take my word for it. Give it a try and see if you don't start getting more listings from every prospect you meet.