or don't answer at all...hmmm....

New agents don't know what they don't know which is why your question is so relevant.

But there exists another problem. Does this new business owner have a business plan? Yes or know to that question changes the question I want them to ask me.

No - They should ask me, "Do I need a business plan?" No new agent ever asks that question. It always how can I get a buyer or seller?

Yes - "What broker/franchise should I choose?"

Let us assume the cow is out of the barn and the agent is standing in the middle of the office wondering 'now what?"

This agent should ask me 'Where do I start?"

Then it's back to the business plan.

But instead, they ask what the best resource for leads and they hear the same non-actionable responses.

question:  what's the most important task that you perform every day to make your phone ring?  

answer:  I market online and offline every day..... and every couple of days I will Google the keyword phrases used to check on the success of SEO....

James,

Like we have stated before, get to know the people in your marketplace.  This takes meetings, coffee time, joining service groups, etc.  Everyone of our clients spends a lot of time in the field, one of them knocks on doors in the luxury sector, everyone knows him as the go-to guy in that neighborhood.  A

What does it take to find your 'groove'.

Only one... How do you get the phone to ring.

The greatest mistake I see new agents making is buying leads rather than learning how to generate their own.

 What is the best way to find buyers and sellers?

"How do you pay for all that?"

Who do you get your business started?

That sounds like a great contest topic. What a do know is the questions that are repetitively asked have little value to passing a test or preparing for a real estate career.

What I have learned over the years is that most will ask and won't do anything about or with what is shared.  Running our own business is not easy ... not just real estate business ... any small business.  It takes work. It takes patience. It takes dedication. It takes improving our game and learning non-stop.  If you thinks you'll make big bucks and not have to work, you kidding yourself. 

How to become successful.

Talk to people in person & online.

How do you do this job?  How do I get the most bang for my limited bucks?

It is always important to explore upsides i.e. where you want to go and how you will get there and when plus downsides like if things don't go well or markets change and what about incomes to stay alive as in feast or famine dynamics? Real Estate is a people thriving business. Interaction skills, problem solving, finishing what is started and not giving up all surface and challenge even the best out there. Do you have those skills? Drive? Passion? Patience?   I always prefer dialog and exploratory approach to discussions (plus Q & A) as more subject surfaces to be considered. One last thing. You mention a new agents growth & development. I get it. However this is a service business that charges premiums for service. Its about the other guy not the self. Clients and customers all want to know the answer to the famous question: What's in it for me? A service provider or product has to not only answer but perform

James Hoff The same answer. Will you be willing to mentor me?

Good answers here, James.

New agents need to know how to get their business off the ground, keep it on-going and get a system in place for organization.

Q: How do I grow my business?
A: Just like planting a seed - it probably won't spring up overnight - and it will definitely take your continual care for it to flourish.

How do I not become ine of the 90% that are out of the business within a year? And, how do I become one of the 10% that is doing all of the business? -Kasey

How do I build my sphere by doing meaningful activities?

Too many questions to list here. It's the stuff of an entire blog post.

I think the #1 question is, "How do I get listings?"

Q. How do I grow my business?

A. Prospect every day.

We often are hit with questions that belong in a Pre-Licensing Class

I can I succeed without making everyone else rich but me.

Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 nailed this one!

The most important question is how do they get paid.

Feels like we have too many Qs from soon-to-be-agents of a certain state and shockingly, they are almost always the same, rarely related to actual work. 

Talk to successful agents and ask, "Where do you suggest I find business?" 

They don't need to ask, just start contacting everyone they know