At a loss for words? 25 resources to help you say the right thing

February is New Agent Month at Inman. Follow along as we go deeper on the tools, tech and tips you’ll need to survive and thrive in 2024. For curated content crafted just for first-year agents, be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Basics.

This post was updated Feb. 20, 2024.

The art of conversation is at the core of real estate. It’s a foot in the door of relationship-building, and this is a people business. But, sometimes, it’s uncomfortable to get the conversation going. You might not know what to say, or you can’t find the right in.

To ensure you’re never tongue-tied, we’ve compiled advice from the pros, including announcing your career, million-dollar prospecting plans, what not to say when negotiating and so much more.

Whether you’re a big believer in scripts or you’d rather say it your own way, these how-tos will help you figure out where to get started.

Starting your career

• Ready, set, go! Prepare your family for your real estate career
• How to announce your new real estate career without feeling pushy
• Flip the script: 5 conversation-starters every buyer’s agent needs

Broker relations

• 13 questions new agents should ask when interviewing brokerages
• 7 questions every new real estate agent should ask in the first 30 days
• 11 key questions new real estate agents should ask their broker

Prospecting and lead generation

• The real estate prospecting conversation-starters every listing agent needs in 2022
• 40 winning lead-generation strategies agents are using right now
• Need inventory? 3 circle-prospecting strategies that’ll get you more listings
• Here’s how I generated $11M in listings — in 3 months

Marketing

• 22 video ideas for explosive growth in 2022
• 22 social media post ideas for real estate agents in 2022
• 12 videos every agent should make

Presenting

• Your step-by-step, ultimate CMA presentation
• Your unique service proposition differentiates you. Here’s how to communicate it effectively
• Win ’em over! 7 steps for a fierce listing presentation

Persuading

• 6 scripts agents need for a time such as this
• Prospects on the fence? Here’s how to get them to make a move
• Master(class) the gentle art of persuasion: 10 tips for agents
• Negotiate better! 7 do-not-say words (you’ll lose)
• 10 more words to put on your don’t-say list
• ChatGPT picked favorites from 10 commission objection scripts

Reconnecting

• 6 creative ways to reboot a chilly lead
• 4 non-salesy excuses to call potential sellers
• 5 simple scripts to reconnect with your sphere