How (Not) to Write a Real Estate Agent Bio

It's something you likely only update if you're thinking about changing brokerages or you get a new website. If you've been in the game a while, but haven't updated your bio – now is the time.

Your bio is your opportunity to tell someone who you are and what you're about before you meet. It's a first impression, in a way. The start of a new year is the perfect time to review your online presence and get those websites and LinkedIn profiles updated, so we've compiled a list of tips to help guide you to a winning agent bio.

Don't sound like a robot. Make it human. Use language that reads like how you would speak while remaining professional. Someone is reading your bio to get to know you, not to see a standard agent boilerplate. Start building a human connection when they read your bio.

Don't write a novel. Keep it short and sweet. Provide the reader with just enough information to make them decide they want to work with you without telling your entire life story. 200-350 words is plenty.

Don't look like everybody else. Focus on unique expertise. Do you know a lot about housing for veterans? Do you speak a second language? Are you well-connected in a particular community? Play up your strengths and set yourself apart.

Don't start from the beginning. Start with what makes you the best now, and then support that with your past experience.

Don't be a stranger. Real estate is all about community. People take pride in where they live, so use that to your advantage. Talk about your local area as if you love it there and people will respond positively.

Don't start with how many years you've been in the biz. "I've been in real estate for 25 years" doesn't make me want to keep reading. Experience absolutely matters, but because of what you've accomplished and the service you provide your clients, not in the number of years. Not to mention, starting your bio this way will sound generic and unimaginative.

Don't limit yourself to text. Try a video bio. Video gives you the opportunity to show your personality and resonate with viewers as a true consultant.

Don't use gibberish. We've all seen those bios with so many designations following the author's name that you can't decipher it all. By all means, note your qualifications and don't shy away from sharing your designations, just don't make it look like your cat sat on the keyboard while you were typing. Include your professional experience in a thoughtful, selective way.

Don't advertise. There's a time and a place for advertising. Maybe they clicked on an ad to get to your website where they're reading your bio. However, your bio is an opportunity for someone to get to know you. Sure, the end goal is to win a listing, but that'll happen because they want to work with YOU.

To view the original article, visit the Moxi Works blog.