🎉 Elite Agent turns 10 today!

GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Dearest Gentle Readers… It has been some time since I last addressed you directly, and no doubt many of you wonder if I’ve been swept away by the waves of AI and technology. While such innovations have caught my attention (and we do have a workshop in Sydney on Friday), they are far from the whole story.

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Yes, it’s me, Sam, to let you know that today marks a pretty special occasion in our business—it’s exactly ten years since our first magazine hit real estate agents’ desks around the country.

It’s hard to believe a decade has passed since our brand first began with next to zero per cent experience and 100 per cent heart. In that time, so much has changed, particularly in the past 18 months, and the rate of change is only getting faster.

As Elite Agent celebrates this milestone, we’re also looking ahead. Exciting changes are afoot, designed with you, our community, in mind. These changes aren’t just about keeping pace with the times but about creating even more value and ensuring that every piece of content we bring you helps you stay informed and ahead of the curve.

This begins with a new mission statement for Elite Agent, which you can read more about here.

Today’s read time: 4 minutes, 28 seconds.

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TODAY’S FEATURE

A sense of purpose - and weirdness…

The lessons we gained from Tim Duggan at last year’s Elite Retreat inspired Elite Agent’s new and expanded mission statement.

In case you missed it, Tim wrote a book called “Cult Status”—How to Build a Business People Adore. In this book, he notes that “Consumers have changed, and the businesses forming around them are principled, purposeful, and creative.”

From building a community to embracing your “weirdness,” Duggan offered attendees many insights for leaders looking to build a strong brand identity.

Focus on Community

One of the most important strategies for building a ‘cult’ following is creating a community around your brand. Duggan emphasises the importance of building a loyal following of fans who share a passion for your products or services.

By creating a community of loyal followers, you can generate positive word-of-mouth and establish a strong brand identity that resonates with your target audience.

To build a community, Duggan suggests creating opportunities for interaction and engagement with your audience.

This can include hosting events, creating social media groups, and offering exclusive content to your most dedicated fans.

Embrace your ‘weirdness’

Another key strategy for building a cult following is to embrace your unique qualities and stand out from the crowd.

Duggan encourages businesses to embrace their “weirdness” and be true to themselves and their values. By being authentic and genuine, businesses can create a distinct and memorable brand.

To embrace your “weirdness,” Duggan suggests getting creative with your marketing and branding.

This can include experimenting with unconventional messaging, imagery, and packaging to capture the attention of your target audience.

By standing out from the crowd, you can create a memorable brand that resonates with your fans.

Leverage social media

Social media can be a powerful tool for building a cult following. Duggan suggests using it to engage with your audience, share behind-the-scenes content, and foster a sense of community.

Duggan recommends creating a content strategy that aligns with your brand values and messaging to leverage social media effectively.

This can include sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of your business, highlighting customer stories, and showcasing your products or services creatively.

You can find more “cult status” lessons here. Dive deeper with Tim on building a real estate agency people adore here.

ICYMI, last week we covered some tips on how to spot hidden money laundering risks in real estate.

SMART SNIPPETS

REA Group Doubles Customer-Facing Teams in Major Restructure
With plans to double its customer-facing teams and streamline agent tools, it’s safe to say there will also be a fair bit of change at realestate.com.au from October 1. Here’s a rundown of what’s happening, who's reporting to whom, and how these changes aim to enhance service delivery across the real estate sector.

Investors flee rental market
Australia's rental market is facing a shake-up as property investors head for the door. New data shows 14.1 per cent of investors sold at least one property in the past year, up from 12.1 per cent last year. Rising costs and new taxes are driving the exodus, with 65 per cent of sold rentals snapped up by homeowners. Experts warn this trend could further tighten the already strained rental market.

Government urged to do more to fix housing
Industry experts are calling for coordinated action from all levels of government to address the crisis. The Housing Industry Association reveals that taxes and government charges make up half the price of new homes. They're pushing for increased housing supply, more public housing investment, and a fresh approach to housing-related taxes.

From break-ins to bond deductions* When theft strikes at a rental property it’s distressing enough, but it’s even harder to come to terms with if the thief is your tenant. It’s not just about replacing missing items—it’s also about navigating insurance claims with some finesse! Whether it’s a burglar swiping air conditioners (yes, really!) or tenants making off with a PlayStation, landlords have a lot at stake. EBM RentCover explains that helping a landlord through the process is like being a detective: you’ll need police reports, repair quotes, and even proof of what was stolen.

SOUND WAVES

Where are all the groovers at?

Today’s curated listen is about performance in the workplace, and why dancing between after a board meeting is good for the soul (and productivity).

Read the original article from Research in International Management here

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Babies might be captivated by jangling keys, but if this agent wants to close a deal, it’s time to put them away! 🗝️😩

@madison.humphreyy

This place has a pool #fyp #trending #SeeHerGreatness #realtor #realtoroftiktok #comedy #pov #povs #skit #acting #relatable #leasingagent ... See more

Seen an Agent On Social we should include? Let us know here (email link)

Wishing you a productive day

Elite Agent is crewed by Mark Edwards, Catherine Nikas-Boulos, Rowan Crosby, and Samantha McLean. We aim to uplift the real estate industry by delivering forward-thinking, hype-free news and education that fosters knowledge and fuels ambition.

If you see a * beside a story, it means it’s a sponsored post. To enquire about advertising with us, visit eliteagent.com/advertise.

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