If You Were Mentoring A Brand New Agent, What Advice Would You Give?

Every seasoned agent would probably do things differently if they could start their business fresh. They'd channel their knowledge, time, money, and effort into areas that experience has taught them to be effective in generating leads, converting them to prospects, and closing transactions.

Realtors can't begin anew, but they can help to mentor new agents entering the profession. Now is a difficult time to become a real estate agent. New agents don't have the luxury of time and a rising market to bail them out of their early business mistakes.

If a brand new agent approached you for advice about building their real estate business, what would you say?

I posted this question on Trulia and received a number of frank answers from experienced agents:

• Annette Lawrence in Palm Harbor, FL warns against broker promises and slick brochures and recommends finding a good mentor;
  
• Judi Monday in Green Valley, AZ suggests having a first-class website and lead capture system;
  
• Rob Hughes in SE Pennyslvania wrote a long answer with many good points.

ActiveRain members have posted to their blog with their thoughts on what they would tell a new agent:

• Michelle Gibson from Wellington, FL wrote a post called I'm a New Agent how can I Compete?;
  
• Margaret Woda from Crofton, MD wrote Advice to New Maryland Real Estate Agents;
  
• Bonnie Erickson from St. Paul, MN wrote Advice for New Agents;
  
• Julie Escobar from Tampa, FL wrote What Every New Agent Needs to Know ... Part II;
  
• Liz and Bill Spear from Mason, OH wrote So You Want To Be A Real Estate Agent? Some Unsolicited Advice;
  
• Nickolas Underwood from Lawrenceville, GA wrote The New Agent Survival Handbook;

If a new agent approached you to become his or her mentor, what advice would you give?