What do you do when the market slows and you find yourself with some extra time on your hands? We’ve got some suggestions to help you make the most of it! We’re all about setting up for success when things start to get busier again. So, buckle up and get ready to discover some practical strategies you can work on now, that will give you an edge when the market takes a turn and gets back in full swing!

Note: At the time of writing this, Phoebe is of the opinion that the market has already started to recover. 
Regardless of the timing, we believe the ideas in this article will still be helpful!

We understand that marketing can often take a backseat when you’re caught up in the busyness of your work. We’re fortunate enough now to have an in-house team that helps us stay on track. But either way, this downtime is the perfect time to prepare for busier times by strategising and refocusing on your marketing efforts. We have effectively built our brand across various platforms like podcasts, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and even TikTok. And with a little extra energy put towards your marketing, you could do the same! During quieter periods in the market, we take advantage of the extra time creating and releasing more engaging content. Think of it as your chance to get creative, refine your strategies, and establish a strong online presence. Watch the video beside (or above if you’re reading on your phone) for an example of a creative marketing video which isn’t necessarily focused on lead retention, but is another great way to get your name out there!

If you have some extra time, it’s more than likely real estate agents do too. And since they have lower market volume, now is the perfect opportunity to connect and build relationships. Forget about selling your services for a moment, and focus on getting to know each other on a personal level. This helps to figure out how you can be a valuable asset to their brand. You can cover various topics, like discussing how you do things differently in the market. But honestly, sometimes it’s as simple as picking up the phone and having a friendly chat and checking in with agents. By meeting with newer agents as well, you can equip them with the right words, scripts, and dialogues to effectively sell styling themselves. It’s a fantastic way to make meaningful connections that will benefit both parties in the long run.

During times like these, we sometimes witness unfortunate business closures. You could look at this as a negative, but we choose to take the optimistic angle. Because when the market takes a turn, a unique opportunity arises as there are fewer companies in the industry. With less companies in the field, it’s our chance to increase our market share and establish a stronger presence. That’s why we’re doing the hard work during these quieter periods to ensure we’re fully prepared for busier times ahead. We’re focusing on doing all those things that when we’re busy, might get pushed to the end of the to-do list. These are things like honing the team’s skills, and refining our processes and procedures.

Another aspect of your business that you can focus on in these quieter times is branding. And that’s not just in terms of marketing, but refining your pitch and services. During these quieter periods, you have the luxury of time to sit down and really fine-tune what you offer and precisely define your target audience. It’s about getting super clear and succinct with your value proposition to prepare for busier times ahead. Take this opportunity to evaluate your brand messaging. This includes ensuring it aligns with your unique selling points, and resonates with your intended audience. Refine your pitch to clearly communicate the value you bring and what sets you apart from others in the industry. By investing time in branding, you’ll create a strong and distinctive identity that will attract ideal clients.

This quieter period is the perfect opportunity to expand and upskill the team which helps to prepare for busier times. As we anticipate a return to busier times, especially during spring, we recognise the need for additional staff to handle the expected growth. That’s why we’re actively hiring and increasing our team’s capacity and skills now, to prepare for busier times. We’re putting processes in place and providing training to our new and existing recruits. Additionally, giving the senior staff more opportunities and responsibilities, allowing them to take on new challenges. This shift in dynamics allows Phoebe and Jake to focus on modifying their own roles. They have exciting plans on their to-do list. Things like conferences and collaborations, which they can start working on now with the extra time on their hands. And now is the perfect opportunity to finally tackle those ideas and make them a reality.

Lately, Jake and Phoebe have been fortunate enough to dedicate ample time to self-development. Attending conferences has been a significant part of this journey, allowing them to gain fresh ideas, generate new concepts, and discover strategies to enhance the team’s abilities. The beauty of these conferences is their alignment with the real estate industry and what we do. They have provided a wealth of new strategies and approaches to implement, which will undoubtedly contribute to Foxy’s growth. By investing in self development, Jake and Phoebe continually expand their knowledge and skill set, ensuring that we stay at the forefront of the field.

Jake and Phoebe understand the significance of taking time away. Despite the approaching busy season, they have made it a priority to carve out time for themselves and enjoy some well-deserved holidays in the coming months. After a period of intense busyness, they see the value in taking a step back and allowing themselves to recharge. By taking this time for personal well-being, Jake and Phoebe are not only nurturing themselves, but also ensuring they can return with a fresh mindset and renewed energy.

Thanks for joining us on the blog, I hope you’ve found some inspiration of what to do with some of your spare time to prepare for busier times! Reach out to us on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn if you have any questions or comments.