Where Real Estate Bios Go Wrong
Real estate bios are hugely misused by the majority of realtors.
Whether writing an About Page or a LinkedIn summary, real estate professionals often write their bios under some very wrong assumptions:
- The main point of agent bios is to list professional credentials
- Real estate bio templates work just fine because many realtors use them
- My credentials are impressive, therefore my real estate bio will automatically win clients
Bad Assumption #1 (Must Read)
The first assumption is especially dangerous. The point of a real estate bio is generating leads, not listing credentials. Mentioning professional info and demonstrating expertise are secondary. Your overarching goal should be inspiring people to contact you.
Bad Assumption #2
Real estate bio templates are a huge waste of self-marketing potential. They fundamentally misunderstand the way people consume information. They also suggest you have the personality of a cardboard box, and surely that’s not true.
Bad Assumption #3
Typical agent bios try to cram certain elements into a paragraph. These include education, employment background, community involvement, years of experience, areas serviced, hobbies, etc.
The competitor article I mention in the video praises these kinds of bios for successfully “trumpeting accomplishments.” 4 of the 5 examples for their best real estate bios are little more than CVs condensed into a boilerplate paragraph.
Yawn. That’s not how you market yourself in 2021.
Why Your Real Estate Bio Sucks
Table of Contents
- Where Real Estate Bios Go Wrong
- High-Conversion Realtor Bios
- Essential Tips for Writing Agent Bios
- What If I Don’t Have a Powerful Story?
- Steps to Writing the Perfect Bio
- Real Estate Bio Examples
- How InboundREM Can Help You
High-Conversion Realtor Bios
Potential leads are awash in a sea of information. They will not read something that does not engage them. Of course, they won’t be motivated to get in touch by a real estate bio they click off.
However, storytelling will engage them. If they feel like they already know you, they will be motivated to contact you. They should feel like they are in the middle of a conversation with a real person about their needs.
That’s why your real estate bio should be a highly-personal, mission-based story that radiates positivity and brings you to life in the reader’s imagination.
That kind of agent bio is golden. It will generate leads and make you more money. Anything short of that is probably just going to look like BLAH BLAH BLAH written in paragraphs. Your readers will gloss over it, and you won’t stand out from the competition.
Essential Tips for Writing Real Estate Bios
Every tip and trick also includes example real estate bios, both good and bad.
1. Tell a Misson-Based Story
Why are you a real estate agent? You have to answer that question and communicate why potential clients should care before you can generate leads from your realtor bio.
Later I provide some thought-provoking brainstorming questions and great real estate bio examples to get the juices flowing.
“As a veteran real estate professional, I’ve been servicing the Lake Wylie area for 15 years. I’m a proud and active member of the community.”
“My wife and I spend Sundays on our boat, waterskiing and gawking at beautiful lakeside homes. We love the sense of community that comes from tossing a football with new friends at a Lake Wylie sandbar. After 15 years, we still get excited about matching those amazing people with wonderful homes.”
True, the second example trades some “professionalism” for approachability. But the second example gets people interested and eager to contact you. From that point, you can demonstrate professionalism all day long. The blandness of the first example is a turn-off.
The digital space can rob realtors of their personality. An excellent agent bio reclaims that personal spark to great effect.
What If I Don’t Have a Powerful Story?
You may be thinking, “But I don’t have some glorious narrative about why I became a realtor. Actually, it’s just a job.” That’s completely alright. You don’t need to (and shouldn’t) present a false version of yourself.
I myself fell into my current position as the founder of IREM. In fact, I wanted to get out of real estate digital marketing. But there are still strong reasons why I am where I am today.
As I mention in the video above, I do love marketing and connecting with people. And I’m a punk at my core. I’d even call myself the rebel of the real estate marketing world.
There are companies and competitor CEOs out there who represent The Man to me. They can be sneaky and kinda unethical. They put their own profit over the well-being of their clients.
The punk in me loves providing an alternative where people can enjoy top-tier real estate marketing services without worrying about getting burned.
Use my story as inspiration. Real estate does not need to be your calling for you to have a powerful story. You can read more about this below in our step-by-step guide to creating the ultimate realtor bio.
2. Avoid Boilerplate Statements
The sentences that pop into your head first when writing a real estate bio are probably boring because they are the sentences that pop into every agent’s head.
“I strive every day to exceed my client’s expectations.”
This sentence feels copy-and-pasted from a bone-dry sample real estate agent biography. Its formal tone sounds like the agent is writing what he thinks people want to hear. That’s exactly why it rings kinda false even if it is true.
If these words came from a satisfied client, they could have a different effect. And that’s the key to exchanging boring, obvious statements for interesting, powerful ones.
What have you done to make clients feel like their expectations were exceeded? How can you communicate that in a humble way?
“There’s a huge reward in showing people homes that delight them with visions of a happy future. That’s why I throw myself into finding spaces that really speak to you.”
These statements communicate the same idea, but much more convincingly. They’re specific and personal, rather than general and generic.
Notice how there’s a reason behind the agent’s drive to exceed expectations. By letting readers into your inner life, you create well-deserved trust and connections.
3. Be Personal and Warm
Make your bio about your readers, not just yourself. Break the fourth wall and talk to them directly. Let them feel like they’re already dialoguing about their needs.
“Richard values the trust his clients place in him, and he goes the extra mile to show them.”
It’s a nice enough sentiment. But again, it’s not very persuasive because it’s so general. Basically, it violates the central rule of great writing, “Show, don’t tell.” Beyond that, this example feels impersonal because it’s written in 3rd person and refers to people as “clients”.
“I’d love to bake my famous cinnamon coffee cake for your open house.”
This example agent bio sentence shines because the reader can vividly imagine what it’s like to work with you. It shows that you care.
Notice how the word “clients” was replaced with “you/your.” Even in your agent bio, it’s important to talk about potential clients with a personal touch.
Side Tip: Baking for open houses is a great client generation technique. You can leave the recipe on a postcard alongside your contact info. People connect you with a positive memory and keep your information on hand. Read more powerful real estate prospecting techniques.
4. Include Professional Info Strategically
Of course, I’m not suggesting that you throw out professional information. Just couch your experience and achievements in a narrative. Find ways to insert your professional highlights into personal statements that elicit emotion.
“Susan Withers, based in upstate New York her whole life, is an 18-year veteran of the real estate industry and has represented clients all over Syracuse in over 150 real estate transactions.”
As boring biographical statements go, this one isn’t the worst. At least it fits a lot of head-turning professional stats into a single sentence.
It could work as a 1-sentence summary tacked at the top of a LinkedIn profile. But in terms of a realtor bio that turns readers into clients, it’s not fully optimized.
“That’s why I still enjoy helping people find their new nest-homes after 25 years.”
“My love of building relationships in this wonderful community is why my sales consistently rank in the top 1% of all Keller Williams Teams Internationally.”
“While earning my psychology degree at Rutgers, I became fascinated with the nearby architecture, especially the Georgian and Italianate homes on Montpelier Avenue.”
One gauge of a really strong bio sentence is that it accomplishes multiple things at once. The above sample (1) mentions education, (2) shows an emotional connection with the community, (3) demonstrates expertise about nearby properties.
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5. Find the Perfect Length
It’s true that about 50% of About Page visitors don’t scroll past the 300-word mark of real estate bios before clicking off. But it’s also true that many About Pages are super boring.
The more engaging your story, the more you can push past 200 words. It’s also helpful to keep sentences and paragraphs short. Big text blocks scare readers away. Try to avoid paragraphs longer than 4 lines.
It is possible to write an engaging 500-word long-form realtor bio, especially for an About Page. Ask friends and colleagues to read it and be very critical about the exact moment they get a little bored. Then spice it up.
6. Make a Video Real Estate Bio
Did you shrink at that tip? Reconsider. Keep reconsidering until you warm to the idea.
If a photo is worth a thousand words, a video is worth a million. It’s very difficult to convince my clients to create video content for their websites, but it’s invaluable.
There’s no need to hire someone to create a video introduction. Filming on your smartphone can generate a more personal and inviting video than one with a high production value. Of course there are exceptions. In many cases, luxury real estate agents should hire professionals.
New Real Estate Agent Bios
Younger realtors may feel more comfortable hitting the record button.
If you’re a new or inexperienced real estate agent, you should absolutely leverage video introductions to get a leg up on more experienced competition.
If you’re a little nervous, consider driving around a favorite neighborhood or walking in a nice park. By doing something else, you can distract yourself from performance anxiety. Including pets in the video can also calm you while also making you more likeable.
Real Estate Video Bio Tips & Tricks
- Include your pet, friends, or family members
- Record in a scenic and/or personally meaningful spot
- Even 30-second videos can be highly effective
- Have talking points, but avoid sticking to a script verbatim
- Choose a real person and imagine you’re talking to them
- Do several takes and give yourself permission to have flops
- Consider putting your video bio on your website homepage
Steps to Writing The Perfect Realtor Bio
We get it. Writing and storytelling aren’t your fortés. But you can still write a real estate agent bio that actually converts leads and generates commissions. Use this step-by-step guide as your roadmap.
1. Brainstorm
Here’s a list of questions that should put you far down the path of developing a mission-based story.
- What’s your realtor origin story? How did you end up where you are today?
- What are the experiences that formed the colors of your character? Can you remember driving around each winter to look at Christmas lights and feeling connected to your town? Did you fall in love with renovating a pre-1900s Victorian home?
- What are the psychological pillars of your character? What motivates and drives you? What life events have caused changes in the way you see the world? The way you move through the world?
- Which moments have you’ve loved most as a realtor? Which lives have you touched, and which lives have touched you?
Even if you can’t work these all experiences into your bio, the session should provide you with plenty of source material. Brainstorming is about reminding yourself why you enjoy being a realtor and infusing that vibe into your writing.
2. Professional Highlights
Keep your CV in front of you, and carefully choose the professional info you want to share.
Years of experience, awards/achievements, community service, hobbies, and education can all be elements of a high-conversion realtor bio. If you’re a top-ranking veteran in your area, you’ll definitely want to mention that.
Again, the key is to integrate your professional highlights into your mission-based story.
If you’re a new or inexperienced real estate agent, let your enthusiasm and fresh commitment to working hard shine. Lean into your mission-based story and recognize that you can bring things to the table that realtors from other generations cannot.
3. Consider Your Audience
Different markets require different strategies. People searching for million-dollar vacation homes need a different vibe than people selling a small ranch.
For example, luxury real estate can require a higher degree of professionalism. It may be advisable to use the words “transactions” and “properties” rather than “deals” and “homes”. Naturally, a CEO will feel more comfortable with that language than the owner of a little asparagus farm.
You know how to talk to your clients. Just make sure you have them at the front of your mind while you create your agent bio. Consider choosing a few specific people (especially if they represent broad strokes of your target market) and write to them.
4. Gather Inspiration
Fortunately for you, great writers borrow from other writers. You don’t need to be an excellent storyteller to produce content that magnetizes new clients. Use the sample agent bios below as a template, so to speak.
Real Estate Bio Example
I wrote my new LinkedIn bio specifically for this article to show you exactly what I mean. I encourage you to go to the 10:33-minute mark on the intro video to get my breakdown.
5. Write
Write a long-form version that works for an About Page for your website or LinkedIn. Mine is about 450 words, but you can aim inside the range of 250-500 words.
Then work as much of that as possible into a short-form version. It should be one paragraph between 50-100 words or so. Keep both on hand because you may be surprised how often you can make use of them.
Again, the gauge of a great bio sentence is whether it accomplishes multiple things. That could include eliciting emotion, demonstrating expertise, showing an affinity for the community, and many others. If every sentence plays multiple roles, you’re on the right track.
- Aim to write something powerful enough that it belongs on a website homepage.
- Trim ruthlessly. Make sure every sentence deserves the full attention of your readers.
- Remember to write specifics about your life experience.
6. Make a Video Real Estate Bio
This one can be daunting. You may be camera shy and insecure about your ability to be winsome on video. For many of my clients, it’s difficult to convince them to leverage the unbelievable power of video introductions.
But again, I can’t recommend this HIGHLY enough. Plus, it’s really not as difficult as it may seem. Even a 30-second introduction video can do wonders to encourage potential clients to contact you.
Still Not Convinced About Video?
Consider posting the video on your homepage like I do. This simple technique is responsible for about 30% of my leads. 💥 Check out the YouTube comments below for proof. Almost every commenter promises to reach out soon. In terms of digital real estate marketing, that’s absolute gold.
I watched the whole video, Robert, and found it refreshing. Why? Cause there are SO many hucksters in the real estate business, and it's so difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. Your style is much different. You're direct, thoughtful, and seem to have a very clear focus. I will be reaching out.
Watched the entire video and found it very helpful. I believe you saved me from diving into BoomTown or one of the others. I just sent you a message. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Plus you can post introduction videos to your LinkedIn profile. When visitors view your facial expressions and hear the tone of your voice goes a long way in creating trust.
Another great benefit of real estate video bios is that you can demonstrate professionalism with your appearance. Ultimately, that’s what a lot of typical, boring, overly-formal realtor bios are trying to do. But in that process, you out what really gets people excited to work with you, which is you.
Review the real estate video bio tips for some help. Then check out my introduction video below for more inspiration.
My Introduction Video
Key Takeaways
Here’s a list of techniques I use in this video that you can emulate.
- Be direct, thoughtful, helpful, transparent, and authentic.
- Tell client stories that demonstrate expertise while making it clear that people deeply value working with you.
- Relate the highlights of your professional background in story-format, making them more enjoyable to digest.
- Share your Unique Value Proposition (what separates you from your competition) in terms of how you can help people in ways that others can’t.
- Demonstrate your professional passion by talking about sacrifices you made in order to be a realtor.
- Educate your viewers about the community and local market, thereby demonstrating expertise while delivering value.
Recommended Articles
When we write an article or make a video, we aim to create the best content in the universe. Here are some more articles you might find super useful.
How InboundREM Can Help You
If you have any hanging questions about realtor bios or pushback on our article, we will happily respond to your comment. Are you worried this strategy only works for long-form bios? Did you start the step-by-step process but got stuck somewhere? Let us know!
Beyond that, InboundREM is a top provider of real estate lead generation and digital marketing services. We build cutting-edge websites and then leverage those websites to drive inbound leads to you. Our claim to fame is an impressive long-term ROI.
Schedule a meeting with me
Let’s chat about how an SEO-focused website that YOU OWN can generate high-quality leads and exceptional long-term ROI. If my services aren’t the best move for you, I’ll gladly point you in the right direction
How We’re Different
We’re also unique because we allow you to own your real estate website. Almost all similar companies lease them out. That prevents you from owning the very tool you’ve paid thousands for, but it also keeps you from switching companies. Yes, seriously.
For more information about our commitment to transparency and how we can drive high-quality leads to your digital door, get in touch!
4 Comments
Such a Great blog on how real estate professionals should build an impactful bio. And also how it can attract users. That storytelling part was also very interesting and I’m sure that I am going to try video bio on my website to educate the audience. Thanks for the information.
I read your article it’s fabulous. Some of my friends and relatives are really searching for this information. So I’m sharing these articles with them. So they too get the benefit out of this. . Thanks for sharing this article. Keep on sharing this kind of article and keep us more updated. Thank You
Explaining the concept with a comparison of good and bad example is really engaging to read. Thanks for the information
Your welcome Rupa