I facebook for at least an hour every morning. There. I said it. Now you know my little secret. Go ahead, roll your eyes. Scoff. Make jokes about how I must love to be up on all the latest gossip and goings-on with my 300+ friends.

The truth is, I quickly skim through the friend posts, push “like” on a few, (work that database!), share the occasional short posts that my page audience might like, and keep going until I get to the reason I’m actually there: Articles.

I read a lot of articles on Facebook. Admittedly, it is where I get almost all my news, tips and ideas. I am constantly reading articles from organizations like National Association of Realtors, Realtor Magazine, HouseLogic, The Mike Ferry Organization, Lighter Side of Real Estate, National Real Estate Post, and KCM Crew, as well as catching up on any relevant local news from our tv stations and newspapers. Basically, I am always reading, watching, and learning.

Why?

Back in 2008, a lender was talking with me about the recession we were in. My knowledge was limited, so I asked him how he knew everything he was telling me. He mentioned a show called Think Big Work Small. “It’s kind of like Car Talk– laid back, funny and informative- but for lenders and Realtors.” I googled it, watched it, loved it, subscribed and have not missed a show since.

What I noticed after watching the TBWS (now National Real Estate Post) episodes was that I learned things that carried into conversations with clients. Suddenly, I was sounding smarter, more knowledgeable, and more professional. I felt pride in the fact that as a relatively new agent, I could hold my own with the business people I encountered. I loved that I actually had something to say instead of feeling like everyone was above my knowledge level.

Now that I’m a manager, I’ve realized just how important that skill has been to not only help grow our company, but also to give our agents confidence when out in the field. I encourage the agents by sharing articles, discussing new ideas and tips, and relaying beneficial information. We watch videos, listen to podcasts, attend conferences and classes, and immerse ourselves in our industry.

Knowledge truly is power. If you don’t read and learn about your profession, you are never going to grow. You are never going to be any more than what you are today.

If that’s not okay with you, then take the time to invest in your career. Take the time to get educated. And most importantly, take the time to READ.

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Amy Gilpin Associate Broker, Manager, ABR.

Fourteen years of helping clients. Six years of helping agents. All for this crazy thing we call real estate.
Production Realty 517-879-4141 Jackson, MI Amy@ProductionRealty.com

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