Unlock the Secret Sauce: AI Hacks, Marketing Wins, and Must-Know Real Estate Tips!

Welcome to this week’s newsletter, where I’ve gathered a mix of insights and strategies to keep you ahead of the curve. Canva just rolled out some incredible AI tools (can you spot one in this newsletter?), LinkedIn had a bit of a bug that may have affected your followers, and I’m sharing a personal story on how micro-influencers can seriously boost your real estate marketing game. There’s a lot to unpack, so let’s dive in and get you set up for success this week!

RANDOM THINGS OF INTEREST

• 🖼️ Canva AI: Canva just launched a bunch of new AI features, including its text-to-image generator powered by Leonardo’s Phoenix model. I used it in an image in this newsletter, can you guess which one?

• 🐛Did you lose LinkedIn followers yesterday? It might have been this bug One of the few platforms that we as real estate agents need to spend more time on, yet don’t.

• 🚲 Do you have a Peloton? Whether it's the bike, treadmill, or maybe even the rower? It feels like a lot of my Realtor friends are into at least one of them, if not all (I’m definitely guilty—my garage is starting to look like a full-on Peloton studio). I’ve had this little worry about Peloton shutting down, so when I heard they’re partnering with Costco, I felt a huge wave of relief. Of course, Costco has everything, and now that includes Peloton bikes. Starting November 1st, just in time for the holidays, Peloton is teaming up with Costco to sell the Bike+ in stores and online until February 15th. You can snag it for $1999 in 300 U.S. Costco locations or $2199 online, which is a nice deal compared to its usual $2495 price tag.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

MARKETING TIPS
Using Micro-Influencers to Boost Your Real Estate Business: A Personal Success Story

As real estate agents, we're constantly looking for new ways to market ourselves and our listings. But how many of us are tapping into influencer marketing? My guess is not many. Let me share a story about how I used this strategy once, and why you should consider it too. Keep reading…

Another Marketing Tip! 

Looking for more Instagram reach?
Post more carousels: According to Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, using all 20 frames and adding music will help boost your reach.

Why?
More media leads to more interaction. If users don't swipe through the first time, Instagram often shows the post again with the second slide up front—giving you a take two.
That extra engagement means more reach. Oh, and carousels with music can appear in Reels, too.

Referrals, Anyone?

California lost 270K residents last year, the most of any US state. (source United States Census Bureau)

Do you have referral partners in other states? How about agents here in California you've teamed up with as their referral partner? It's important to stay connected because the latest U.S. Census Bureau report just dropped some pretty eye-opening stats on state-to-state migration.

Texas came out on top with a massive net gain of about 130,000 new residents. Over 610,000 people moved to the Lone Star State, while around 480,000 left. California, on the other hand, saw the biggest loss—nearly 270,000 residents. Even though that’s less than 1% of the state’s population, it’s a trend worth paying attention to.

Why should this matter to you as a real estate agent? Understanding migration patterns like this can be a game-changer. Whether you're in California, Texas, or elsewhere, having referral partners in key states can keep deals flowing as people relocate. Agents in high-migration areas should be on top of this data, especially since it opens up opportunities for out-of-state buyers and sellers. Plus, staying informed about these trends allows you to guide your clients more effectively when they’re considering a big move. Make sure your network of referral partners is ready to take advantage of these shifts!

COACHING TIP

As the landscape of hiring continues to evolve, it’s essential to reconsider the criteria we use to build our teams. In my latest blog post, I delve deeper into effective hiring frameworks, exploring the timeless wisdom of Warren Buffett alongside a modern twist inspired by Elon Musk. Discover how adapting your hiring approach to prioritize qualities like adaptability, focus, and continuous learning can empower your team to thrive in today’s fast-paced environment. Don't miss out on these insights—check out my full blog post on Hiring Criteria for strategies that can transform your hiring process! 🤵🔍

FUNNY OF THE WEEK
"Hello, Police? Yeah, I’m being ambushed by 100 raccoons."

Sounds wild, right? But it actually happened to a woman in Washington. It all started when she fed a few cute little raccoons, but before she knew it, their friends, neighbors, and cousins all showed up, turning her yard into a raccoon block party. Suddenly, she had a furry mob surrounding her house, her car—everywhere.

Now, imagine you’re getting ready to sell your home or prepping for photos and an open house, and you’ve got a literal raccoon parade out front. Not exactly the curb appeal you're going for, right? Sure, the police told her to stop feeding them, but it was too late—the damage was done.

So, pro tip for homeowners: along with decluttering, staging, and tidying up, make sure you’re not attracting a wildlife fan club before showings! Trust me, it's much easier to sell a home when you’re not hosting a raccoon convention.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Want to practice with the pros? Here's your chance!

Picture this: You're sitting across from a potential client. They're on the fence about buying. What do you say? If you hesitated, you're not alone. But what if you never had to hesitate again?

That's where The SOS Dojo RED comes in.

This isn't your typical "sit and listen" seminar.

FINAL THOUGHT
A culture that loses focus on training, is unwilling to measure, and is averse to holding people accountable will always result in lost confidence and an inevitable loss of momentum.