Finish 2024 Strong and Set Yourself Up for a Winning 2025

While many agents fall into “holiday mode,” slowing down and waiting for the “busy season,” this is actually the best time to focus on your business.

The downtime during the holidays provides an opportunity to reflect, strategize, and build momentum for the coming year.

The truth is, 87% of agents fail because they don’t push through these slow times. Instead of treating downtime as a setback, see it as a chance to ramp up your efforts and prepare for success.

Remember, the seeds you plant now will pay off in the months to come.

1. Evaluate What’s Working (and What’s Not)

Take a step back and analyze your efforts in 2024:

• Review your lead generation strategies. Where did your leads come from? Was it YouTube, Google Business Profile, or community outreach?
• Go through your CRM and assess the quality of your leads. Identify what’s working and double down on those efforts.

Avoid comparing yourself to other agents. Your business and personality are unique, and that’s a strength. Focus on what resonates with your audience and stop following influencers who make you feel inadequate.

2. Create a Marketing Plan

Develop a detailed marketing plan for the remainder of 2024. This isn’t the time to slow down; it’s the time to finish strong. By pushing hard now, you’ll set the tone for a successful 2025.

3. Reconnect With Past Clients

Use this time to nurture relationships:

• Send holiday cards or personalized messages.
• Celebrate client anniversaries with automated texts or emails.
• Consider small giveaways or events, such as a holiday pie drive or toy collection, to stay top of mind while giving back to your community.

1. Leverage Content Creation

Content is king, and now is the perfect time to focus on it:

• YouTube Videos: Start that channel you’ve been putting off. Keep it simple and authentic.
• Google Business Profile: Regular updates can generate leads. Many agents neglect this free tool, but it’s incredibly effective.
• Blog Posts: Turn your videos into blog articles to boost your website’s SEO.

Batch-create content now so you’re prepared when business picks up. For example, you can record multiple videos in one day and schedule them for future release.

2. Get Creative With Giveaways

Giveaways are a simple and cost-effective way to grow your audience and generate leads. Partner with local businesses for gift cards or small prizes, and require participants to follow, share, and tag others in your posts.

3. Automate and Optimize

Use this time to streamline your processes:

• Implement automations for repetitive tasks like email follow-ups.
• Optimize your website for user experience. Check your Google Analytics to identify areas for improvement.
• Use tools like booking calendars to simplify appointment scheduling.

Take an honest look at your strengths and weaknesses. What can you improve? Whether it’s time management, organization, or staying consistent, be willing to make adjustments.

Set realistic goals for the end of the year and into 2025. For example:

• Commit to one video a week instead of trying to do too much.
• Automate tasks you struggle with, such as follow-ups, by hiring an ISA or using CRM tools.

Remember, you can’t do everything alone. Outsource tasks you’re not good at or don’t enjoy.

There’s still time to make an impact this year:

• Host open houses to connect with potential buyers and sellers.
• Participate in community events to increase visibility.
• Follow up with leads and past clients to keep your pipeline active.

Even during the holidays, people are still buying and selling. Stay active and make the most of these opportunities.

Start building momentum for the new year by:

• Developing a content calendar for YouTube, blogs, and social media.
• Refining your lead generation strategies based on what worked in 2024.
• Setting measurable goals and creating actionable plans to achieve them.

Remember, success in 2025 starts with the work you put in today. Don’t wait until January to get started—you’ll already be behind.