Plan with Purpose
August 2025 Industry Update
Amanda Oboza and Julie Franklin
Top 10 Takeaways
🔹 Top 5 Effective Communication Takeaways
1. Effective communication should be multi-channel.
Your messaging, visuals, and tone should be consistent across all platforms and advertising—Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, newsletters—so clients recognize your brand everywhere they encounter you.
2. Social media isn’t just random fun; strategic planning is crucial
Tools like ChatGPT can dramatically speed up tasks like creating content calendars, captions, or video scripts—but you still need to edit and apply your expertise. AI saves time, but human oversight adds authenticity.
3. Sell Yourself, Not Just Listings
Don’t flood feeds with just listings. Instead, show why clients should work with you. Share expertise, break down unglamorous but vital topics (like HVACs or property taxes), and highlight your unique value proposition.
4 Audience Segmentation Matter
Generic newsletters often flop. Invest the time and energy into segmenting your audience in a CRM (or even social media) so first-time buyers, long-term homeowners, and downsizers all receive information relevant to them. This keeps you top-of-mind instead of in the spam folder.
5. Test, Measure, Adjust – Try out messaging, track performance, and evaluate regularly to improve results.
*BONUS TIP*
Leverage Ready-Made Resources – Share content from the Greater Lansing Association of REALTORS®, NAR’s “Right by You” campaign, Photofy app, and other pre-designed tools to save time.
🔹 Top 5 Financial Planning Takeaways
6. Agents = Business Owners
If you’re receiving 1099 income, you’re not “just” a salesperson—you’re running a business. That means setting goals, tracking conversions, and treating your work like an enterprise.
7. Budget with the 40/30/20/10 Rule
Every commission check should be split:
40% → Pay yourself
30% → Operating expenses
20% → Tax savings
10% → Emergency fund or investment
This balances immediate needs with long-term stability.
8. Quarterly Taxes Aren’t Optional
Self-employed agents owe self-employment tax (~15%) plus income tax. Missing quarterly payments can bring interest and penalties. Setting aside money from every check avoids surprises.
9. Stabilize “Lumpy” Income
Real estate income spikes and dips. Base your budget on your lowest income months, not your best ones, so you’re never caught short. Use savings to smooth the seasonal rollercoaster.
10. Track & Evaluate Like a CEO
Use tools like QuickBooks Self-Employed, MileIQ, or SentriKey to track expenses, mileage, and cash flow. Monthly reviews help you catch issues early and align your spending with your business goals.
*BONUS TIP*
Know Your Conversion Rates – Track how many conversations → appointments → closings to forecast income.
Want to watch a replay and earn continuing education credit? Watch now on GLAR Academy
