Becoming a Brand

Brand building in the Toronto real estate market is one of the most important aspects of any successful realtor’s business. Although not new, the weight given to brand consciousness is a rather recent phenomenon based on the mega successes of globally identifiable brands such as Apple, Microsoft, Google and Amazon, to name just a very few. In your own way, it is important to establish yourself or your business as more than just an individual and a service – you have to pitch yourself as an all-encompassing brand that stands for exactly what your target audience needs/wants.
 
Becoming a brand needs an investment in time and effort.
 
1 – The first thing you have to do is to establish yourself or your business as an expert in its field. If you are a realtor, then pick a few neighbourhoods and become the go-to person for information on what to do, where to go and what to see in those areas. Know the schools, the services, the community leaders and get involved. Promote yourself and/or your company as being the source for information on that area.
2- The next thing you should do is to have a cohesive identity created – this basically means that you have to create an easily identifiable logo that people will automatically associate with you and your service/company. In order to create something truly representative of who you are or what you do, it is best to put down on paper what your brand voice is, what your values are and what your mission statement is – establishing these things will ensure that you always have a consistent communications strategy across all of your marketing mediums.
3 – Another key component to establishing your brand is to be active on social media and in other promotional areas where your name and service will be seen and heard. Remember that the goal of these activities is to establish yourself as an expert in your field and not necessarily to solicit business. You have to create a forum of trust where people feel comfortable consuming your information. When your community of followers sees that you are helping them, they will be more inclined to go to you for services when they are ready.
4- Target the people who are most likely to consume your product or service. There’s no point in joining groups or communities that are not likely to ever be interested in what you have to offer. Instead, concentrate your efforts on those whom you know will one day likely becoming a loyal client.
5- Networking is key to establishing your brand. Without visibility, there is no way that you will be able to reach the heights of success to which you aspire. Be sure to shake as many hands as possible, to attend events and to talk with people who can further your success.
 
Without a brand, it is hard to get traction in today’s hyper-competitive marketplace. To really make a splash you have to work at it – but once you’re established, then you will certainly reap the benefits of being a brand.