The real estate market’s slight decline over the last decade has made the latest rise in sales that much more compelling, exciting and hard to let go of. Make sure to utilize this time to further your marketing efforts and subsequently your future sales.

Median sales prices have been on the rise and although we all want to see this trend continue, don’t take it for granted. It’s important to utilize the slower back-to-school season to keep your business booming, so check out these tips to keep your prospects in the pink as the busy season thins out!

Networking Events

Make sure to attend some late summer/early fall networking events if you have a chance to get out and mingle. This approach may seem a bit “old-fashioned” but it’s a classic for a reason. Referrals come from relationships. Face-to-face interaction allows you to bring new people into your orbit and build genuine relationships in a way that online interactions just can’t replicate. So get out and use this time to attend a networking event or two. While the benefits may not come to fruition immediately, it can greatly impact your referrals in the long run.

Rely on Referrals

Speaking of referrals, a study by Nielsen Co. showed that 92% of consumers trust the recommendations of their family and friends over other forms of marketing. Once you’ve landed a solid client, offer a thoughtful gift and branded materials so that it is easier for them to make a good referral back to you. From key fobs to letter openers, there are many affordable ways to further your brand into the open market and bring back new clients.

Social Media

Properly utilizing social media has become so much more than occasionally posting your listings and responding to messages and comments. The implementation of sponsored ads, Facebook Live, chat plugins and third-party apps/integrations have allowed social media to become an incredibly interactive platform for you to engage with your audience. Experiment to find what works best for your brand and use it!

Social media advertising gives you the ability to narrow your post or advertisement’s audience for the exact demographics you specify. In addition to effectively enhancing the reach of your content, they’re also relatively inexpensive. However, remember that as real estate professionals your advertisements must adhere to additional regulations. Check out this checklist if you need some help ensuring your real estate advertising is compliant and above-board.

Stay Organized

While the market and the weather may be cooling (slightly), don’t get lethargic in your time organization. There are several project management apps available to help you stay organized and ahead of schedule, such as nekst or Asana. Don’t let a slower season slow you down. Free time can always be used to further your marketing efforts and client relationships if you spend it wisely.

Analyze Your Current Data

Good organization can free up a great deal of your time, so use this newfound time to analyze past clients and their insights. How did they find out about you? What were their demographics, preferences and pain points? Be honest and evaluate your performance throughout the entire process. Consider your best successes with these clients and how you can replicate them in the future, while learning from any hiccups that may have occurred.

Follow Up

The follow up is yet another piece of timeless, classic advice. A good follow up shows your client that you truly care even after your initial business has concluded. Bring a handwritten card and special gift when your client signs the closing papers and make sure to congratulate them on social media with a heartwarming post. Help relish this incredible moment and let them know you’re not a “one and done” agent.

Effective post-business communication with clients helps build and maintain stronger relationships, which leads to more referrals. The real estate market is cyclical, so use this time to bolster your current relationships because we all know the slower seasons don’t last forever.

The school year tends to cut the hot summer selling season rather short. Parents aim to move into their new home before the school year begins to give their children some time to acclimate to their new surroundings. Agents tend to work harder leading up to the first bell in August of schools around the country—just remember to keep it up for the rest of the year!