1) Shut out the bells & whistles and focus on the basic fundamentals of good business, sales, and service

2) Don't let the market dictate how you operate.  Stick with consistently good habits, and don't let a buyer or sellers market shake you from them

3) Expect things to be difficult, or get difficult, and don't let the difficulty shake enthusiam, optimism, and desire to learn and get better

Ginger Harper, I couldn't have said it better than Barbara Todaro and Anna Banana Kruchten, CRS! 

Another tip - When you first start, there's typically not a lot of business for you. Consider this a 40-50 hour work week and spend that time wisely...WORKING!  Work your sphere, market yourself, network and educate yourself on the business and the community.  

learn to market online

learn to market offline

improve your networking skills....

it's all about marketing.... 

Call everyone you know

call everyone  you know

call everyone you know

and then start all over again.

Run Forest, run 

Here is the bath room.

Here is the gym.

There is the exit door where low volume producers get escorted out.

1.  Get a good coach or mentor for your first year.

2.  Write a business plan and a budget.

3.  Have a marketing plan set up and use a % from each closing.

Ginger,

I second Barbara Todaro 's answer

Beware of the quicksand, the fire swamp and the ROUSes.  What's an ROUS?

1. start taking GRI courses and learn right off the bat HOW to build a business and not just sell houses.

2. learn how to market from an expert - on and off line

3 prospect prospect prospect

1. Make your calls, your phone is your best friend.
2. Become an expert online marketer
3. Dont buy leads.

Choose 3 from the items on this blog post for new agents

It isn't easy and you have to work hard and smart. Be sure you are adequately funded. Do everything you can to become an expert in a neighborhood or field.

Get a mentor
Build a database and work it
What Barbara Todaro said

Listen, Learn, Repeat.

Before you interview, make sure you have the achievement drive, positive energy and coachability to be successful. Look for a sponsoring broker with the attitude that will propel you forward and can mentor you to be successful.

Learn how to market yourself and learn the skills to list and sell.

You are off to a successful career.

Business plan

Time management

Prospect every day

Build a database and stay in contact.

Build a referral network and work it daily.

Stay on the phone until your appointment schedule is full.

Learn, ask for referrals, find the right RE company

1. Have a business plan and follow it.
2. Build a database / CRM and engage it.
3. Network for new leads, don't buy them.

1. Start with a Database

2. Imput and touch you SOI

3. Select a Niche OR very specific Geo Area to become the LOCAL EXPERT in

1. IF we don't get the first transaction underway within 30 day AS SPELLED OUT IN THE NEW AGENTS BUSINESS PLAN, time to plan the exit.

2. This is a business, not a hobby. Activity MUST lead to money.

3. Go deep, not wide.

Parked and reading...

Ginger Harper - I'd rather share three words - 'Just Do It'!

Work their sphere, find a mentor and learn the inventory.

Barbara has answered.

Ask a lot questions as in assume nothing

If you don't know say so and then you will know

Practice your people skills you are going to need them

Ginger Harper 1) Get into a good mentoring program; 2) Get into a good training program; 3) Write a business plan and work your plan.

Market, prospect, give great service in everything you do

1. Get a CRM right away.

2. Shadow an experienced agent.

3. Start learning everything you can about your market--neighborhoods, sales, builders, etc.

Keep good records of everyone who contacts you, and stay in touch with those you have closed.

Find a great mentor

Avoid the Guru party

Do the right thing no matter what

1. You are a Fiduciary, learn what that means
2. You represent the best interest of others, always do that
3. Promote & Upgrade the status and meaning of being a Realtor at all times

1. Learn to say "No"
2. Use "No" more frequently than "Yes"
3. "No" does not mean "maybe"