3 Ways to Enhance Your Brand as a REALTOR®
LOUISIANA REALTORS • April 18, 2017
Just do it. I’m loving it. What’s in your wallet? Nike, McDonald’s, and Capital One have this branding thing down. Whether you need new shoes, lunch, or a credit card, these major brands have created a way to stay at the top of your mind whether you are in the market for them or not. As a REALTOR® you can do the same thing; and in today’s technology driven and social media focused world, it’s never been more important.
Now you don’t necessarily need a clever slogan or catchy jingle to brand yourself; however, you do need to have the ability to be found. Roughly 75% of a REALTOR’S® business comes from referrals or word-of-mouth. When you make it easier for existing clients to share your information, and you make it easier for potential clients to contact you, you’ve enhanced your brand. Here are 3 tips to achieve exactly that.
1.) Embrace mobile:
Mobile is becoming a major part of everyone’s life. Access to communication and information is literally at anyone’s fingertips. This means that any and all of your digital efforts need to reflect this trend. Responsive websites, mobile optimized emails, and of course staying available for clients as you are out and about.
2.) Use content to become a thought leader:
3.) Be Social:
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Social media poses a huge opportunity for REALTORS®. The amount of data available allows you to target specific geographic locations as well as precise demographics. While maintaining a consistent presence is important, the real power of social media comes when you invest in a campaign or a boosted post. This is an incredibly cost-effective option that minimizes waste, allowing you to target and engage your ideal audience.
Building your own personal brand and discovering your niche as a REALTOR® is a key way to streamline your prospecting and grow your business. These are only a few ideas, but leveraging technology and embracing some best practices can make a significant difference. As a reminder, the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) released and will enforce licensee advertising come June 1. View the Advertising Guideline and Checklist
and be sure that your efforts arecompliant with the rules and avoid being cited and fined.
The National Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors approved a 2026 budget with no dues increase and passed a Professional Standards Recommendation to clarify language in NAR Code of Ethics Standard of Practice 10-5, which prohibits harassment of any person or persons protected under Article 10 of the Code. A day earlier, the Executive Committee approved another Professional Standards change, revising language for Policy Statement 29 designed to ensure state and local associations can fairly and consistently enforce the Code of Ethics. Learn more about the changes. Read the revised Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Board members also approved a consent agenda to elect the 2026 officers and regional vice presidents . Christine Hansen of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., was elected 2026 President-Elect, and Colin Mullane of Ashland, Ore. was elected 2026 First Vice President. The meeting opened with a video message from President Donald Trump, who welcomed REALTORS® to Washington and thanked them for support of the House-passed tax reform. NAR routinely invites the U.S. president to address REALTORS® at the Washington meetings. Over NAR's history, nine sitting presidents have addressed the association. Board Actions Approved a series of Finance Committee recommendations, accepting the association’s financial statement, approving the 2026 operating and advocacy budgets, and keeping dues at $156. The board actions also redirect $35 of the $45 Consumer Advertising Campaign assessment to operating funds. This change positions NAR to make its next settlement payment in February 2026 and maintain a balanced budget without raising total dues. The remaining $10 for the Consumer Advertising Campaign will fund optimized, metrics-driven activities that reach and engage consumers in critical markets. NAR CEO Nykia Wright and President Kevin Sears explained the shift at the opening session of the conference . Amended Standard of Practice 10-5 to give state and local associations greater clarity in how to fairly and consistently enforce Article 10 of the Code of Ethics. The amended Standard of Practice says that REALTORS®, in their capacity as real estate professionals, in association with their real estate businesses, or in their real estate-related activities, shall not harass any person or persons based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Made a series of recommendations to the Standards of Practice to bring the language in line with the terms of NAR’s 2024 settlement. Approved a motion to make one member of the Executive Committee a commercial practitioner who has served as chair, vice chair or liaison of an NAR commercial-related committee or forum to serve a two-year term and be independent of the 10% commercial representation requirement outlined in the NAR Constitution. Approved a recommendation from the Credentials and Campaign Rules Committee to amend qualifications for president-elect, first vice president and treasurer effective Jan. 1, 2026. Qualifications for top-line officers are now aligned with those already in place for regional vice presidents. Approved recommendations from the Member Accountability Committee related to applications for volunteer leadership and the Statement of Appropriate Event Conduct. The goal of the recommendations is to ensure members found in violation of the NAR Member Code of Conduct are properly disclosed. Award Winners NAR President Kevin Sears announced the 2025 Distinguished Service Award winners James P. Cormier , AHWD, C2EX, of Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Brooke S. Hunt , AHWD, E-PRO, SFR, SRS, C2EX , of Flower Mound, Texas. In addition, the group recognized the winner of the 2024 William R. Magel Award, Anne Marie DeCatsye , CEO of the Canopy REALTOR® Association and Canopy MLS in the Charlotte, N.C., metro area. REALTORS® Relief Foundation During the meeting, REALTORS® Relief Foundation President Greg Hrabcak appealed to board members to make a tax-deductible donation. The fund provides housing assistance to victims in the immediate aftermath of a disaster; 100% of funds donated go to disaster relief. “We’ve had devastating wildfires in California, tornadoes in Missouri and Kentucky and flooding in West Virginia, and we’re still in the first half of this year,” Hrabcak said. Before the meeting ended, directors had donated more than $41,000.
Whether you’re working in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette, or anywhere in between, here’s how you can use Homeownership Month to elevate your real estate marketing and better serve your community.
Here are key insights and ready-to-use talking points to show your clients how homeownership is more than just a place to live—it's a smart strategy for long-term wealth building, especially right here in our state.
