PENNSYLVANIA 6-20-22

PENNSYLVANIA EDITION

CONNECT BEYOND REAL ESTATE

IS FINDING A NICHE MARKET RIGHT FOR YOU?

TO ATTRACT FUTURE CLIENTS

FEATURED AGENTS

DAN RITTER HOWARD GOTTLIEB

Welcome Home:

WORKING WITH RELOCATORS IN TRANSITION

HOW TO CUT DOWN ON DIGITAL DISTRACTIONS

AND UP YOUR PRODUCTIVITY

COVER STORY

JOSEPH & BRENDA MARINELLI

ouses with Dan Ritter tion: “I’ve ale, everyng I could s with his his license ession, but OR® was a

PENNSYLVANIA EDITION

DAN RITTER

HOWARD GOTTLIEB

industry, and beyond. “It’s a macro and For Howard Gottlieb, real estate a micro thing.

We want to reform 21 the person they wo 7 11presented the perfect opportunity comnuances of to every transaction; but also, as a plan to achie bine his entrepreneurial spirit with an industry, howhis do we change our repu- es state of the love of people. The moment Howard his properties, tation for the better? It’s a level of ethics, became an agent, there was nothing that sales price for h and a consistency, that allows people to would stand between him and success. transaction, Ho have more trust toward us.” He and his He began learning as much as he could staying in touc team also work tirelessly to improve the from the experts around him, includlet clients kno city of Philadelphia as a whole, parting his uncle, who was an independent questions and o nering with organizations like Project broker. “After he passed away, the busiHOME, an organization thatGOTTLIEB provides Those who w DAN RITTER JOSEPH &broker, BRENDA ness was sold to another who HOWARD MARINELLI supportive programs hous- to spread the ow mentor, taught me how to grow,” he explains.

Onceand he affordable was er hesitate individuals and families lly Homes ready, he set out oning hisfor own, and eventually be- wrestling “Howard is a seasoned pr JOSEPH & BRENDA with homelessness; and MANNA, which elphia. He came an investor of Keller Williams Real Estate edge and experience was CONTENTS packages and delivers nutritious, freshly made meals currently serve both thein Langhorne, MARINELLI Pennsylvania, where he remains buyingto experience. When different counties in Pennsylvania and New JerNew Jersey, with sales intoday.nine Serving southeastern Pennsylvania and immediately recognize th sey. New When Dan his says, “My goalCONNECT is make illion in volume.

If 2022southern 4) WELCOME HOME: 18) Jersey, team consists of always himself,toBEYOND est at the heart. He was able t process better for everyone involved,” he really means n and his team will break WORKING his WITH REAL ESTATE TOusATTRACT wife, a buyer’s agent and an assistant. the pros and cons of the “everyone.” d to expand to accommo- IN RELOCATORS TRANSITION FUTURE CLIENTShe showed us. His honest er agents. I don’t want aNearly all of his business comes from referrals make us feel very confiden Everyone … including himself! passion for each other9)well, and weand repeat IS FINDING A 23) Dan’s HOW TO DOWN ONwith sev clients, as he’s solidified his status as CUT Weeducahave worked MARKET RIGHT DIGITAL DISTRACTIONS AND is, witho tion manifests in his ongoing amateur career asthe a baker, ld love toNICHE be selling less,a trusted regional expert.

Howard’s knowledge past. Howard YOU? is unparalleled, which recently inhim a YOUR trip a PRODUCTIVITY baking school in used. Thanks a raining forFOR them.” and culminated has even ledUP to to opening have ever Paris, where he real learned traditional French and running his own estate school. “My part-baking techI were he teaching at another school, DuringtoHoward’s off hou niques.and In 2022, is looking forward to continuing s knowledge and exper-ner Nadine open up entertaining our own,” heguests explains. community grow histobusiness, with his newly through his h members to his clients: “Iand decided licensing coursesexpertise, offer students the unique he serves as chairm Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 baking and traveling with where his husmponent of working withTheiracquired to learn| www.topagentmagazine.com from agents with decades of Borough Business Assoc band, Byron. e buyers. I want them toopportunity mag@topagentmagazine.com experience.

He also owns whatsoever a referral brokerage relaxTopatAgent theMagazine Jersey Shore, oing on, so that when No portion of thiswe issue may be reproduced in any manner without prior consentand of the publisher. published

by Feature GA, Inc. Although Licensed precautions areInsurance taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, Top wasPublications a Pennsylvania Agent. play guitar. one is in a isAgent good place.”

Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors.

Howard is committed to doing everything poslly requires Toa subscribe significant or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. in the U.S. sible to alleviate his clients’ stress and make the Offering him the freedom s his repeatPublished and referral pproach things a little bitprocess of buying or selling enjoyable. Whether be where he wants, Howa other path. “It’s su we do 2as problem solv-they’re working with a first time homebuyer or an in any Top Agent Magazine job isn’t to sell a houseinvestor, Howard and his team get to know each in, and I just love what I d

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Welcome Home:

Working with Relocators in Transition People stage moves for all sorts of reasons.

From the joyous and pre-planned, to the unfortunate and unexpected, new chapters begin with the help of an agent. When you’re working with buyers from a different region, state, or country, the typical complications of a transaction can be compounded. So, what’s a savvy agent to do?

For starters, envision the big picture. Relocators have extra obstacles between them and 4

their dream home. They don’t necessarily know which neighborhoods are ideal for their lifestyle, what they should budget for utilities, what type of homeowner’s insurance is ideal, or how they can tour, let alone close, on a house from afar. All in all, it’s a tall order, but if you can manage a relocation transaction successfully, you could tap into a sizable pool of clientele. Think of it this way: if you’re the shining star of a relocator’s moving process, their word-of-mouth praise could be

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exponential. Likewise, a winning reputation within that client’s corporate sphere could lead to lucrative, stable referrals and partnerships for years to come. Here are a few key ways to help clients navigate the relocation process with minimal stress and maximum results.

Create a full-scale timeline for you and your client that makes expectations clear.

Moving is already one of life’s biggest stressors, but relocations have a dozen more moving parts that your average deal. Consider creating a master-plan of sorts to help you and your client visualize the steps required to achieve success in the midst of a relocation.

Even from afar, your client will be able to refer to the roadmap you’ve set. Likewise, this makes sure you and your client are on the same page regarding expectations, timelines, and checklists. Assemble an articulated, overarching gameplan also helps demystify the process and lower stress. Instead of clients wondering what’s next, what’s needed, who to call, and when to be ready—handy guidelines of your own devising will be at their fingertips.

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Attune your communication style so that nothing goes overlooked or miscommunicated.

Establish early on how your client prefers to communicate and which methods should be excluded. Also, make sure to outline what timeframes are ideal to communicate in, and how often they expect to hear from you with status updates or follow-ups. Some clients might prefer a more hands-off approach that lets you manage most details behind the scenes with updates only when progress is made. Most clients in the midst of a serious relocation, however, will prefer to be in touch more frequently. Customizing is key. If they prefer text messages and emails over calls, that’s a helpful detail to know from the outset. If they prefer face-to-face video chats or can only speak after business hours—those are also key parameters to work within. The less mystery and hassle, the better.

Be a local resource with vetted recommendations and vendors on-hand.

Relocating homeowners may not know the best neighborhoods and their amenities, or where the best school districts are, which areas are high-traffic, or where their dollar might stretch a little further. Identifying your clients’ goals can help narrow this field, but you’ll also want to be careful not to overwhelm them with information. After all, they’re taking on a huge life transition and making a move as an outsider. You’ll want to serve as a onestop-shop who can remove some steps and stress from their organizational obligations.

Have a contractor who can get a head-start on home projects while clients make the move?

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Excellent. Or, perhaps you can provide an out-of-state agent referral so that clients can sell their existing property in a timeline that works in conjunction with their new purchase. Make yourself a community expert and a connector, and you’ve won a client— and their referrals—for much longer than a single transaction.

Think outside the box when weighing variables.

Relocations aren’t your typical transaction.

You’ll need to do a bit more planning to avoid pitfalls along the way. For instance, have you considered how you’ll tour homes with clients if they live hundreds of miles away?

Are there time zone differences to factor in?

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If clients are relocating from another country, are there any special visa or naturalization considerations? How will their belongings travel? Are there pets to relocate? There are plenty of questions to ask and plan for, but the key is to be communicative and thorough up front. The more information and planning time you have, the smoother the transition will go.

There are certified real estate agent designations you can pursue that set you apart for your experience when it comes to relocations, but in lieu of those—arm yourself with the planning details and methods that will make your client a raving fan. In the process, you’ll up your game, create a happy client, and hopefully field similar business for years to come.

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DAN RITTER Five years ago, while touring houses with his husband for their home, Dan Ritter had a moment of simple inspiration: “I’ve worked in sales – retail, wholesale, everything – this feels like something I could do.” After a few conversations with his REALTOR®, Dan obtained his license and joined not only the profession, but the very team that his REALTOR® was a member of.

From client, to colleague, and now mentor, Dan is the leader of the Best Philly Homes Team at Keller Williams Philadelphia. He and the four agents on his team currently serve both the greater Philadelphia area and New Jersey, with sales in 2021 combining to clear $26 million in volume. If 2022 continues at its current pace, Dan and his team will break $35 million, and will likely need to expand to accommodate. “I like working with newer agents. I don’t want a massive team – we all know each other well, and we have a good dynamic; but I would love to be selling less, and doing more coaching and training for them.”

Dan’s willingness to share his knowledge and expertise extends beyond his team members to his clients: “I really love the educational component of working with clients, especially with first time buyers. I want them to know and understand what’s going on, so that when we get to the closing table, everyone is in a good place.”

While this approach occasionally requires a significant time investment, Dan attributes his repeat and referral success to this sacrifice. “We approach things a little bit differently. We approach what we do as problem solving, as opposed to sales. Our job isn’t to sell a house – it is to overcome the hurdles associated with buying or selling a house. How do we find exactly the right property? How do we finance our clients? In short: how do we make this experience as non-disruptive and collaborative as possible?”

This combination of collaboration and education has helped Dan make a positive impact on the real estate Top Agent Magazine

industry, and beyond. “It’s a macro and a micro thing. We want to reform the nuances of every transaction; but also, as an industry, how do we change our reputation for the better? It’s a level of ethics, and a consistency, that allows people to have more trust toward us.” He and his team also work tirelessly to improve the city of Philadelphia as a whole, partnering with organizations like Project HOME, an organization that provides supportive programs and affordable housing for individuals and families wrestling with homelessness; and MANNA, which packages and delivers nutritious, freshly made meals to nine different counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. When Dan says, “My goal is always to make the process better for everyone involved,” he really means “everyone.”

Everyone … including himself! Dan’s passion for education manifests in his ongoing amateur career as a baker, which recently culminated in a trip to a baking school in Paris, where he learned traditional French baking techniques. In 2022, he is looking forward to continuing to grow his business, entertaining guests with his newly acquired baking expertise, and traveling with his husband, Byron.

For more about Dan Ritter, call 215-627-3500,

visit BestPhillyHomes.com, or email dan@danritterhomes.com www.

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Is Finding A Niche Market Right for You?

A lot of Realtors® take the ‘jack of all trades’ approach to their businesses, and some are extremely successful with doing it all and doing it well. But taking that approach can also make it hard to stand out if there are a lot of agents in your area taking the same approach.

If you’re looking for a way to stand out from the rest, finding a niche market might be the way to go. Although it might sound limiting at first, with the right branding and marketing, your specialty and expertise may help you lock up a market after you become well known for being the ‘go to’ Realtor® in a certain demographic. Having a niche helps you target your marketing, making it more effective, until eventually people are seeking you out as you build your reputation as the foremost expert in your particular niche.

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Despite the benefits of taking on a specialty, it’s still something that only a small percentage of Realtors® do, which means you have a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor in your area by being ahead of what is sure to be a looming real estate trend.

You want to claim your stake on the niche that best fits not only your passions, but something that fills a void in your market.

If this all sounds good to you, the next step is finding your niche! Here are a few things you need to consider:

There are two approaches to having a specialty, one that is truly your all-consuming passion or a sort of revolving niche, one that changes with the market 9

In addition to creating a thriving business, finding a niche may even unlock a hidden passion. Does your area have a large historic home inventory? Are you passionate about helping first time home buyers realize their dreams?

Having a personal connection to what you specialize in is always a great way to start out. If you’re passionate about something, you’re almost guaranteed to have the work ethic it takes to have success in a niche market. Once you hone in on a niche, make sure the market data backs up your focus.

Another approach is changing with the market. If you’re truly an expert in a few areas of the business, it might be good to have sort of a revolving niche. In a down market you might specialize in short sales and foreclosures.

When things pick up, you may take your innovative approaches and start applying them to luxury homes.

Whether you take the consistent niche approach or the flexible one, it’s really all about figuring out what best suits you and your market.

Fill a void in your market Maybe you don’t have an instant passion for one particular niche. In that case, there are several areas you can consider. A lot of it will start with really researching and analyzing your market and having a good eye for what future trends will be. Is there a certain demographic that is surging in your area? Cater your business to serve them. Maybe you are fluent in Spanish and your area is seeing a rise in a Latino population, who are emigrating from other countries. Or perhaps, you live in an area that has a larger retirement population. There 10

are numerous demographics that truly need expert real estate advice. Be the one to fill it.

You can also focus on a particular neighborhood or gated community. Helping people navigate the ins and outs of a particular HOA can be a lifesaver.

Are you already serving a niche?

Of course, sometimes you may already have a niche and are unaware of it. Maybe you are already dealing with a lot of first-time homebuyers. Look over your sales records and see what might already be there, then make it official.

Figure out why you’re drawn to that area and then nail down the reasons you’ve excelled with that niche and use it to create a marketing plan and branding.

Find ways to really sell your expertise Once you figure out your niche, get the training, designations, and certifications that will enhance your expertise. Another way to let it be known that you are the ‘go to’ Realtor® in your particular niche is to become a resource online. Create a website with informative blogs and marketing information. Make a mark on social media where you can link back to your site, so potential clients can actually interact with you.

There is a lot to consider when you’re thinking of going the niche market way with your business, but if you consider everything carefully and focus in on something you can be passionate about, the rewards could be a major win for you and for your clients.

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JOSEPH & BRENDA MARINELLI

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JOSEPH & BRENDA MARINELLI Clients seek out Joseph and Brenda again and again for their genuineness, thorough approach to real estate and negotiation skills.

After years of owning an auto body shop, a motorcycle accident put Joseph Marinelli on a different career path — one that lead him straight to real estate. He closed up his shop, got his real estate license and joined his wife, Brenda, who 12

was already a REALTOR®. Together, Joseph and Brenda are the dynamic-duo with proven results.

Overseeing eight agents, Joseph and Brenda specialize in new construction Top Agent Magazine

and land development, custom and luxury homes. They consider themselves generational agents, meaning they often sell to multiple family members. “We rarely sell to only one person in a family. Once we have worked with the kids, they recommend us to their parents, or vice-versa,” Joseph says. This not only provides great referrals, but it’s a way of really getting Top Agent Magazine

to know their clients on a personal level.

Clients seek out Joseph and Brenda again and again for their genuineness, thorough approach to real estate and negotiation skills. “We are sympathetic to all of our clients while being professional and providing the best results.” Joseph also has extensive knowledge around the mechanics 13

of a home. “Some REALTORS® don’t know the difference between a water heater and a boiler,” he explains. “I’m not a certified home inspector, but I put clients’ minds at ease with my ability to point out the imperfections that matter.”

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With all 5-star reviews from previous clients, customer service is of utmost importance to Joseph and Brenda. Their lines of communication are always open to give their clients peace of mind. “I find that people I work with really enjoy

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frequent updates — they want to know what is happening behind the scenes, even if there is no major news,” Joseph explains. While they use MLS and social media to get the word out to prospectives, it’s the personal attention they provide that really keeps clients coming back.

While their work keeps them busy, Joseph and Brenda are actively involved in their local community, specifically their church and children’s activities.

They have three young children with a large extended family and believe spending quality time together is essential to bringing added happiness to their lives.

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Every year, the couple’s goal is to double their production from the previous year.

They have plans to continue to grow their team and eventually, to be the top real estate agents in Pennsylvania. At the moment, though, they are focused on helping clients achieve their dreams.

“I love seeing our clients’ faces when I hand them their keys,” Joseph says. “It’s one of the largest purchases they’ll ever make and having the stress of it behind them and the excitement of moving in is the best feeling in the world. Contact us for proven results!”

To contact Joseph & Brenda Marinelli, please call 484-942-8166 or email Joemarinelli12@gmail.com

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CONNECT BEYOND

REAL ESTATE

to Attract Future Clients What kind of content are you sharing on your blog, website, and social media? Does most of it have something to do with buying or selling a home? While sharing the latest market information or tips on how to qualify for a mortgage, or when someone should buy or sell is important and demonstrates your value as a REALTOR®, it shouldn’t be the only subject you cover. If you only focus on real estate, you’ll be missing the chance to connect with future clients that might not be ready to move just yet. By sharing a lot

of industry-heavy content, you are only going to appeal to those who are currently in the market rather than a broad base of potential clients.

To pull in those other future clients you want to provide fresh, interesting content that will appeal to those possible future clients that aren’t quite ready to move yet. However, you also want to still tie this content back into your business goals.

So, how do you share content that will speak to a wider audience, but also still be relevant to your business?

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Talk About Your Philanthropic Activities

The philanthropic work you do to support your community says a great deal about who you are as a person. Many people will be attracted to working with you because of the charitable works you are involved with. While you may be hesitant to share these efforts because you feel it may come across as bragging, you also need to remember that sharing information about the charitable organizations you support will actually help those organizations. Many of them have small marketing budgets, so any free exposure you can give them helps to promote their cause.

In fact, they want and need you to promote them.

And you can promote them without coming across as a braggart. Focus your content entirely on the organization. Talk about why you support them, how they help the community, and how others can also get involved. This turns what could have been bragging into something that benefits everyone. n

Your Local Community

We humans are connected to each other through our community – our local sports teams, parks, churches, schools, and much more. What better way is there to connect with people in your community than to talk about your community? Demonstrate that you are an expert on your community, and bring that community to your followers. Share information about a local event; perhaps even share the actual event through live-stream video. Interview city officials to get the low-down on the latest development project. Share information with your followers about things they didn’t know about their community. Consult with local historians or the historical society to share interesting information about your community that your followers will want to read. You could even turn it into a series of podcasts or videos. n

Use Your Creativity to Connect

Find creative ways to engage your followers on the topic of real estate. Try engaging your followers in an interactive project such as posting photos of interesting front doors. Doors are the entry point into our homes as well as our private lives. The way we adorn our front door can give someone a sense of our style and personality. Ask followers to submit photos and choose one to post each Friday. Make sure to watermark each photo with your logo at the bottom and include an inspirational quote that ties back to the importance of home. You could also ask your followers to provide a little story or caption to go along with the photo that tells something about them and their home. These kinds of projects are interesting and unique, and clearly connect back to your business. n

Share Your Hobbies

Are you an adrenalin junkie who has bungee jumped from some of the tallest bridges in the world? Are you a foodie that grows your own organic vegetables and fruit? Do you have a Top Agent Magazine

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secret passion for photography? Everyone has hobbies that they enjoy outside of work. When you look past the surface people become quite interesting. People also happen to find interesting people interesting, and tend to remember people based on their distinctive traits. We humans love discovering a person’s behind the scenes story, the mind behind the face. While you don’t want to talk too much about yourself, sharing pieces of your personal life and things that interest you can be a great way to connect with followers. By sharing interesting facts about your life, you will find that many followers will feel a strong, personal connection to you based on your hobbies and personal interests. n

Divulge Interesting Experiences

This is somewhat similar to the idea of sharing your hobbies. Sharing some of your more interesting personal experiences such as a fateful conversation with a stranger or an exciting adventure you had while in another country can be a great way to connect with followers as long as it also relates to some kind of life or business lesson. Talk about experiences you’ve had with clients or purchasing your own home. Experiences that relate to your business are great ways to connect with future clients in a manner that goes beyond the world of business. n

What and Who Inspires You

No matter what you’ve chosen to spend your life doing, you didn’t get there alone. You may have had a mentor that made a special impact on your life or someone already in the business that you looked up to and who perhaps inspired you to get into real estate. You may have found inspiration through a love of architecture or design. People want to know why others do the things they do. Sharing who or what influences you in your personal and business life is a great way to connect with followers. Recognizing that you didn’t get to where you are now by yourself shows humility, and talking about those people that had an influence on you shows others that you stay connected to the world and people around you.

Connecting with potential clients is something that is essential to any REALTOR’S® business. If you’re doing the work to create interesting blog posts and make those connections, you want to make sure that you’re sharing the right kind of content to draw in those future clients. It takes a lot more than simply providing the latest market news. To get the most out of what you share, you need to provide a wide array of interesting content

that will draw in a broad range of followers.

Providing the right kind of content can make all the difference when it comes to connecting with future clients and building the right kind of relationship with them right from the start. Connecting through your website or social media and sharing more than just real estate advice will help you build confidence and trust with future clients before you even meet them.

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HOWARD GOTTLIEB For Howard Gottlieb, real estate presented the perfect opportunity to combine his entrepreneurial spirit with his love of people. The moment Howard became an agent, there was nothing that would stand between him and success.

He began learning as much as he could from the experts around him, including his uncle, who was an independent broker. “After he passed away, the business was sold to another broker, who taught me how to grow,” he explains. Once he was ready, he set out on his own, and eventually became an investor of Keller Williams Real Estate in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, where he remains today. Serving southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, his team consists of himself, his wife, a buyer’s agent and an assistant.

Nearly all of his business comes from referrals and repeat clients, as he’s solidified his status as a trusted regional expert. Howard’s knowledge is unparalleled, and has even led him to opening and running his own real estate school. “My partner Nadine and I were teaching at another school, and decided to open up our own,” he explains.

Their licensing courses offer students the unique opportunity to learn from agents with decades of experience. He also owns a referral brokerage and was a Pennsylvania Licensed Insurance Agent.

Howard is committed to doing everything possible to alleviate his clients’ stress and make the process of buying or selling enjoyable. Whether they’re working with a first time homebuyer or an investor, Howard and his team get to know each

person they work with, and tailor make a plan to achieve their goals. He utilizes state of the art technology to market his properties, achieving the highest sales price for his sellers. Even after the transaction, Howard remains available, staying in touch throughout the year to let clients know he is ready to answer questions and offer guidance.

Those who work with Howard never hesitate to spread the word. One client said, “Howard is a seasoned professional whose knowledge and experience was evident throughout our buying experience. When you work with him you immediately recognize that he has your best interest at heart. He was able to identify and convey to us the pros and cons of the different properties that he showed us. His honesty and integrity helped to make us feel very confident in our buying decision.

We have worked with several different RE pros in the past. Howard is, without question, the best we have ever used. Thanks again Howard.”

During Howard’s off hours, he stays active in the community through his homeowner’s association, where he serves as chairman, and the Langhorne Borough Business Association. He also loves to relax at the Jersey Shore, go out on his boat, and play guitar.

Offering him the freedom to do what he loves and be where he wants, Howard can’t imagine himself in any other path. “It’s such a great industry to be in, and I just love what I do.”

For more information about Howard Gottlieb, call his office at Keller Williams Real Estate at 215-757-6100, Ext. 112, his cell at 215-630-7278, or email howard.gottlieb@comcast.net Top Agent Magazine

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Graham Harrop Graham Harrop Cartoons Cartoons

Putting the power of humour to work for you!

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How to Cut Down on Digital Distractions

and Up Your Productivity As a real estate professional, staying tethered to your phone and computer are likely par for the course. When your office is on-the-go and you’re fielding round-the-clock questions from clients, it’s only natural that you’ll be drawn to your phone for professional updates. From refreshing your inbox and engaging with clients on social media, to drafting email blasts and coordinating with colleagues by text message— Top Agent Magazine

it can feel impossible to untangle yourself from the worldwide web.

As a professional, you may not be able to withdraw from the digital world completely, but there are a few techniques you can use to limit your extraneous digital distractions and streamline the time you spend online. After all, it’s entirely common to faithfully begin one task and then

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get unexpectedly drawn down the digital rabbit hole. To save yourself time and virtual burnout, here are a few ways to unplug, recharge, and make the most of your time online and off.

Focus on one digital task at a time.

While multi-tasking may seem like a sound approach to productivity, this method usually results in surface-level progress across a few tasks, rather than reaching the finish line on any.

Instead of opening multiple tabs and trying to do it all at once, hone in on one digital task at a time. Have emails to return? Allocate an hour to work exclusively on this to-do list item. Need to post a new blog entry? Pencil in a dedicated half hour. If you focus on one task a time and exclusively devote your energy and productivity to it for a set period, you’ll make a far bigger dent in your list of duties for the day.

Give yourself a curfew.

In the real estate business, the hours may seem never-ending, but if you don’t want to slow your productivity with fatigue, you’ve got to set some boundaries. Try setting up a digital curfew for yourself and put your phone away after a certain hour. Devote an hour or two before bedtime to time away from your computer and your phone—read a book, prep your lunch for the next day, or try a round of mindful meditation. Carve out space and time to disconnect from your technology and stick to the habit. By morning, you’ll be refreshed and ready to dive back in.

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Mute social media notifications and create dedicated check-in times instead.

Instead of taking a reactionary approach to social media—waiting for the dings and pings that lure you back to your screen—try muting some of your social media alerts and instead dedicate three timed windows per day to check-in on your timelines and engagement. If you’re constantly interrupted at unexpected intervals when someone likes a post or leaves a comment, your whole workflow can be derailed. Instead, unchain yourself from the instant gratification of responding to every buzz and beep your phone emits. Systematize your professional social media life and you’ll stay organized and on task.

Keep your inbox organized.

While it may take some time and effort to create a sorting system for your email inbox, it can go a long way to limiting distractions and stress. Create folders and an organizational flow and every communication will have a place and a priority.

That way, when you open up your inbox and have to go digging for old emails or exchanges with past clients, you won’t have to waste time sorting or feel overwhelmed by the clutter. If everything has its place, you’ll have an unobstructed, streamlined canvass to conduct business from.

Digital distractions don’t have to derail your day or sap your productivity. Email, internet, social media—all are tools to be commanded. With the right planning, understanding, and consistent execution, you’ll be able to wield the power of each without the downside of distraction.

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