When I first went into the real estate business, other agents around the water cooler would give “the new kid” – ME, unsolicited advice on how to “make it” in this business. The one phrase that stuck was “you have to list to last”. This, as I found out quite quickly, is a mantra in the real estate business; perhaps it is in your office too. In fact, at my broker’s office there was a huge banner in the board to remind everyone as if we didn't know.

It is good advice, not only for the obvious reason, i.e. to have a house under contract but if the listing is what I call a “move up” property, in a desirable neighbourhood, most likely the buyer who will call you wanting more information on the property will also have a home to sell. Perfect for you, another listing.

But if you are starting out as a real estate agent, if you don’t carry many listings or the listings in desirable areas that buyers will contact you about, what can you do?

Well this was my problem at the time but after much experimenting and trial and error, I figured it out. I want to reveal to you the ad that that changed everything. 14 months later I was the #1 agent world-wide at my brokerage.