I took 5 listings my first week and I should have kept doing what I was doing but I was sooooooooooo green...

Allow more people to be your PR crew - get the word out.  Let people know what you can do for them!

With social media, personal email, etc have everyone you know share with everyone they know, who you are, who you're with, your contact details and how you can help.  A press release is what we would have called it a few decades ago :)

I hope all answers helped you. 

Hi. 

you got great answers. 

Build a team earlier.

Put lots more money into savings for those years real estate sales are slim.

Catherine,
Work on your team.

For you:  mentors, coaches, etc.

For your sellers: you will need a top stager, professional photographer, handy man and landscaper / yard crew. 

For your buyers: inspectors, honest and competent HVAC company, flooring company, roofer.

Track the habits of truly successful agents.

Good morning Catherine. Build your social media presence, blog like crazy and join a networking group.

This is a marathon not a sprint.

Can I say ... balls of steel.  Translated that would be do not be afraid of rejection and to that end ... do not follow the Guru party ... the same old training and coaching that teaches agents to demean and disrespect their self by doing things to other people that they do not like done to them.

RUN!  

I would advised myself to follow up & follow up more.

I would have started at a different office.

Get out and network as well as training.

Take advantage of every training class, free seminar, observe other agents and just keep going.

Don't be intimidated by anything

Take more control of how your marketing dollars are spent.

Seek out a compatible and successful Realtor to be my mentor.

Work in a team or be assistant to a strong agent for at least first year. 

1. Sign on with a good brokerage that supports newbies. Many do not, so ask what they will do to help you learn the ropes.

2. Find a successful agent who is willing to mentor you. Volunteer to be their free assitant just so ou can learn from them.

3. Work your sphere of influence and network to expand it.

4. Do NOT buy leads!

5. Spend as much time as possible learning the inventory and educating yourself about this business. Training for the license is IMO almost worthless when it comes to what is needed to succeed as an agent so you need to educate yourself. You will learn a lot just doing your first few transactions; have your broker or mentor help you learn to do it right and you'll be off to a good start.

Read all the great advice on ActiveRain.  There are hundreds of articles on how to generate business.  

Beyond that...  I'd say, don't fall for paying for leads.  Learn how to generate your own leads.  

Come up with a good business plan. Online off line. Most new agents should focus on buying not selling.  Too green to get trusted.... 

Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and advertise. 

Don't hang up the phone until they're buying or dying. Just kidding. But really. Lead generate. Lead generate. Lead generate. Hold open houses. Use social media. Door knock. Whatever strategy you like the best. Just DO IT. Everything comes down to lead generation.

List skills and resources.

Define your business

Create a business plan.

Do it.

Network, network, network!

You have some great answers already, I got a coach or mentor just because she took an interest in me and that was the best thing I did!

Get a coach so you can learn good habits.

Pace yourself.

find a good mentor.... hold onto that person and don't let go...

Call the people I know more than I did for referrals and the remind them I am still in the business

Get out the door and get more listings!

Welcome to Active Rain and the industry.