TL;DR
Getting more listings comes down to three things: building trust, staying visible, and promoting properties effectively. The agents who succeed are not necessarily doing more — they’re doing things more consistently and efficiently.
Build Relationships, But Stay Top of Mind
SourceReal estate is built on trust. Most sellers choose an agent they already know, have seen before, or were referred to. That makes relationship-building one of the most important long-term strategies for getting listings.
However, relationships alone are not enough if people forget about you. Staying visible between conversations is just as important as making the initial connection. Regular touchpoints — whether through community involvement, updates, or content — help reinforce your presence over time.
The key is consistency. Even simple, regular visibility can make the difference between being remembered and being overlooked.
Key Takeaways:
- Trust is the foundation of listings
- Visibility reinforces relationships
- Consistency matters more than intensity
Look for Opportunities in Expired Listings
Expired listings often signal opportunity rather than failure. In many cases, the issue isn’t the property — it’s how it was marketed or positioned.
Homeowners in this situation are usually open to a new approach, but they are also more cautious. They want to understand what will be different this time. This makes it important to approach them with a clear and thoughtful strategy rather than a generic pitch.
Explaining how you would improve visibility, adjust positioning, or expand marketing reach can help build confidence. Showing a structured plan, instead of just promising results, makes your approach more credible.
Key Takeaways:
- Expired listings are often motivated sellers
- Strategy matters more than persistence alone
- Clear differentiation improves your chances
Approach FSBO Sellers With Patience
For Sale By Owner listings can be valuable, but they require a different mindset. These sellers have chosen to try selling independently, which means they may not be immediately receptive to working with an agent.
Instead of focusing on immediate conversion, it’s often more effective to build familiarity over time. Sharing useful insights, offering advice, or simply staying visible can gradually shift perception.
Many FSBO sellers eventually realize the complexity of consistent marketing and buyer outreach. When that happens, they are more likely to turn to someone they already recognize and trust.
Key Takeaways:
- FSBO leads often convert over time
- Value and visibility build trust
- Patience is key
Promote Listings Early and Consistently
SourceThe first few days after a listing goes live are critical. This is when buyer interest is highest and when strong exposure can generate momentum.
Delaying promotion, even by a few days, can reduce visibility and impact. That’s why having a clear process for launching marketing quickly is important.
Effective listing promotion usually includes multiple touchpoints: social media, email outreach, and local exposure. The goal is to ensure that the property is seen by as many relevant buyers as possible, as early as possible.
To make this easier, many agents rely on systems like Xara Playbooks, which can automatically prepare ready-to-use marketing materials the moment a listing goes live. This helps remove delays and ensures every property gets consistent exposure without adding extra manual work.
Key Takeaways:
- Early exposure drives interest
- Consistency increases reach
- Structured processes improve execution
Use Multiple Channels to Increase Visibility
Relying on a single post or platform is rarely enough to generate strong interest in a listing. Buyers are spread across different channels, and each one offers a different opportunity to capture attention.
A more effective approach is to combine several channels — for example, social media, email updates, and local outreach — to reinforce visibility. Repetition across platforms increases the likelihood that the right buyer will notice the property.
This doesn’t necessarily mean doing more work manually. Many agents simplify this by preparing reusable formats or using tools that help manage content across multiple channels more efficiently.
Key Takeaways:
- Multi-channel marketing improves reach
- Repetition increases visibility
- Efficiency matters as much as effort
Stay Visible Between Listings
It’s common for agents to become highly active when they have listings and then go quiet in between. From a seller’s perspective, that inconsistency can make it harder to evaluate your experience or reliability.
Maintaining a steady presence, even without active listing, helps position you as a knowledgeable and engaged professional. Sharing market updates, tips, or local insights can reinforce your expertise.
Automation can make it easier for busy agents to stay consistently present online. For example, Xara Social Media Manager can automatically generate and publish posts across multiple platforms, while the agent is taking care of the listings and helping their clients.
The goal isn’t constant activity, but consistent presence. Even a light, steady flow of content can help keep you top of mind.
Key Takeaways:
- Consistency builds long-term trust
- Visibility should not depend on active listings
- Simple, regular updates are effective
Present a Clear Marketing Plan to Sellers
When meeting with potential sellers, your marketing approach is one of the most important factors in winning the listing.
Sellers want to understand how their property will be promoted and how you will attract buyers. A clear, structured plan helps build confidence and demonstrates professionalism.
This can include outlining your approach to visibility, the channels you plan to use, and how you will maintain momentum throughout the listing period. Some agents also use tools or systems to ensure that their marketing is consistent and timely, which can further strengthen their position.
Key Takeaways:
- Sellers value clarity and structure
- Marketing is a key differentiator
- Confidence comes from a clear plan
Final Thoughts
Getting real estate listings is not about chasing every possible lead or constantly working more hours. It’s about doing the right things consistently.
Building relationships, staying visible, and promoting listings effectively are the foundations that drive long-term success. When these elements are in place, opportunities tend to grow naturally.
The biggest shift today is not in what works, but in how it’s done. Agents who simplify their processes and remove unnecessary manual work are better positioned to stay consistent, respond faster, and present a stronger value to sellers.
Q&A
Q: How can a new real estate agent get listings quickly?
A: Focus on building relationships, targeting opportunities like expired listings or FSBO sellers, and maintaining consistent visibility. Speed and follow-up matter just as much as experience.
Q: Do I need to be active on every social media platform?
A: Not necessarily. It’s better to stay consistent on a few key platforms than to spread yourself too thin. The goal is regular visibility, not maximum coverage.
Q: Why is early listing promotion so important?
A: The first few days after a listing goes live attract the most attention. Strong early exposure can generate more interest and better offers.
Q: What’s the biggest mistake agents make when trying to get listings?
A: Inconsistency. Many agents market heavily for short periods and then disappear. Staying visible over time is far more effective.
Q: How can I manage marketing without spending too much time on it?
A: Create simple, repeatable processes or use automation tools that help you prepare and distribute marketing more efficiently. The goal is to stay consistent without overwhelming your schedule.
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