Congrats! You passed your prelicense real estate test, and that was no easy task. Now it's time to focus on why you took the training in the first place: to become a successful real estate agent with the flexibility to build your own career.

So what's next? Here's the best part: Being an agent is actually very simple. Now here's the hard part: You're new, so the essential relationships and infrastructure you need to make your new career profitable are in their infancy. But don't worry — we've compiled the must-have tips you need to get your career on track right from the get-go.

1. Learn the ropes by picking the brain of your broker — or a mentor.

   One of the most valuable things in the real estate business is experience, which is the one things a brand new agent is going to be in short supply. How to fix this? Find someone who's invested in seeing you succeed, and then bend their ear. This might be the broker you're hanging your license with or a top producing mentor, but either way, make sure they're: a.) interested in seeing you become successful and b.) have a career path that you'd like to emulate. Once you've solved those two, the following questions will be good areas to get the conversation — and ideas — flowing:

   • Where do you spend most of your time? Is it worth it?
   • Where should I focus my budget?
   • What marketing strategies work for you?
   • What challenges am I going to struggle with?
   • What experience in this business taught you the most about real estate?

2. Try handwritten notes — seriously.

   Getting to the part of your career where you have more offers than you have time to dedicate to them isn't something that just happens. Growing your sphere of influence takes dedication, time, and yes, handwritten notes. One of the first things you can do as a new real estate agent to make a big splash is sending out handwritten notes to your friends, family, neighbors, and ex-co-workers. And before you say that you're focusing on Millennials and don't think it would work on them — studies actually show that they are major fans of the handwritten touch. So get out to the networking functions, the volunteer opportunities, and all of the parties you can get yourself invited to. And then send everyone you meet a little handwritten note afterward. It'll go a lot further than you think.

3. Enroll in your sales postlicense training.

   Sales prelicense training was the first step to becoming an agent, and the immediate next step in your career is your sales postlicense training. Within one year of hanging your license with a broker, the State of Georgia requires that you complete a postlicense training course. Because your first year as an agent is going to feel like a whirlwind, prioritize this training on your calendar so that you don't forget about it in the shuffle of everything else that you have to do. With a school like Capitus, you can complete your training in the classroom or online, so there's plenty of options for fitting this requirement into your busy schedule. Want to find out more? Give us a call or email us and we'll help you make the choice that's right for you.

4. Turn your failures into opportunities.

   You're going to make mistakes — you might not get any leads from an entire week's worth of marketing and networking dedication, your open house might be completely empty, or you might be struggling with the everyday tasks of being your own boss, marketing director, accountant, and more. That's okay, as long as you learn how you should do better the next time around. Don't have any leads? Try creating, or improving, your website and social media game — that will work for open house attendance too (Instagram anyone?). Trying to figure out how to manage everything on your own? Craft a detailed business plan if you haven't already, and outline exactly what resources — time and money — you'll need to be successful and get everything that needs to be done crossed off your list.

5. Always know your contract.

   You're helping your client make one of the biggest decisions of their lives — and they're looking to you for guidance on what choices make the most sense for them. You need to be able to speak with confidence on each different part of the process, guide your client where they need to go, and be able to answer any and all questions that they have. Being confident and prepared will set the tone for this client, and whomever your client speaks to about the process. So think of your future prospects with each current client because hopefully they'll be your client again, and also refer you to everyone they know. After all, real estate is definitely a word-of-mouth kind of profession, so make sure all the words about you are great!

   You're newly licensed and excited to get started — and we're equally excited to help you along the way. From learning how to create your own business plan to looking ahead to your postlicense course, we hope this guide will help you build the real estate career you've always wanted. When you're ready to complete your continuing education requirements, or specialize with a designation, feel free to reach out. We look forward to being your partner in success.