December's Top 10 Articles: A Final Look Back at 2014

Did you know that January get its name from the Roman deity, Janus? He's the mythical god of beginnings and transitions and is depicted as having two faces--one looking to the future and one to the past.

That's what our list of the previous month's most popular articles does--it takes one last look back before moving forward into the month ahead. And in December, we looked back more than usual as we revisited our most popular articles of the year. Below is our final monthly list of popular articles from 2014. Take a look to see what most interested your peers during the last month of the year.

1. 6 Words Agents Can Use to Close More Deals in 2015
When it comes to business, sometimes the smallest details can make the biggest difference—and sometimes, that detail can be as small as a simple word. We've been focusing on big-picture things that real estate professionals should be learning or doing right now to get ready to have a bigger, better 2015. But don't forget that the little things matter. Here are six simple words that can change the way you do business in 2015 and help you close more deals all year long.

2. Facebook Tightens Rules on Promotional Posts
Like many small businesses, real estate agents have been enjoying a pretty sweet deal on Facebook for a while now. In recent years, many agents have taken to Facebook to promote their businesses and get the word out about listings, sales and open houses. For the most part, Facebook has been looking the other way on these kinds of posts. But it now looks like the days of freebie promotions on Facebook are over.

3. 10 Actions that Will Transform Your Communication Skills
Congratulations! A new lead or referral has just fallen into your lap. Now the hard work begins. In order to create that all-important connection that turns a prospect into a client, you need to understand what's important to the person you're talking to. These 10 interpersonal "hacks" will help you do just that--and transform you into a master communicator.

4. Friday Freebie: 50 Wonderful Winter Marketing Ideas
The weather outside may be frightful, but your sales funnel doesn't have to be. Though the real estate market cools with the weather, remember that the best way to survive the chill is to keep moving, keep hustling, and keep marketing. If you're low on inspiration, Trulia has 50 easy marketing ideas that will thaw "any slow-market business freeze." Read on to learn more.

5. 13 Creative Resources for Real Estate Agents
Last month, we told you all about the digital basics that every real estate agent should master. Today, we're going to build on those essentials and talk about the creative basics every agent should master. But don't worry--you don't need to become a graphic design whiz! In fact, we're going to introduce you to some easy-to-use tools that take the pain out of getting creative.

6. 10 Ways to Build Client Loyalty
You know that the loyalty of your clients can be the factor that determines what kind of year you have in real estate sales. But do you know how much of a difference loyal real estate clients make to your business? The foundation of building loyalty with your real estate clients is in offering them value. Check out this list of 10 ways you can offer value and foster relationships that result in more home sales.

7. 10 Insights into Real Estate Technology for 2015
2015 is shaping up to be a big leap forward for real estate technology. Venture funding is flooding into the space, and M&A activity is at all time high--not to mention the closing of the Trulia and Zillow merger! Thanks to the proliferation of smartphone adoption among real estate agents, 2015 is guaranteed to transform the technology landscape in the industry.

8. 5 Steps to Defining Your Unique Advantage
Many agents are lost in a sea of sameness. They are in the same pool looking at many of the same prospects and hoping they will get a lucky break. That's why it's crucial for an agent to demonstrably stand out to achieve greater success. To do so becomes a matter of creating and conveying a clear impression of a unique advantage that would attract people looking for a difference-maker.

9. 4 Free Social Media Tools for Your Real Estate Business
Social media has given businesses a great way to maintain top-of-mind awareness, but there's a catch. The only way to harness its true potential is to invest a little bit of time into it. Luckily, there are some handy tools available to help businesses maximize their presence in less time than it has ever taken.

10. 3 Ways Portals Help Brokers Build Brand Awareness
When beginning their home buying journey, portals are often the first place a consumer goes. This means they're crucial in building initial awareness of your brand. This is the final article on our series on how to evaluate which portals to partner with.