Here's how you can establish a strong personal brand in commercial real estate as a mid-career professional.

- Understand what you want to be known for (where do you work, who do you serve, your why, and how you’re different) - Share white papers, research reports, or stats to solidify being the expert in your market / area - Share insights for others to learn from - specifically those you’re trying to work with - Engage with those you’re looking to connect with

To start, focus on being directionally correct. Map out a plan, start publishing your thoughts and experience, listen to feedback, and adjust as you go. Don't overthink it at this point. Pick something and go for it. You can always adjust.

Start by explicitly outlining your personal branding objectives. Reflect on what you aim to establish as your reputation within the commercial real estate sector. Is it centered around your proficiency in a particular market niche, like retail or industrial properties? Alternatively, could it be founded on your inventive methods in financing and investment tactics?

Establishing a strong personal brand in commercial real estate requires defining your area of expertise, showcasing creative financing and investment solutions, keeping consistent communication across channels, emphasising a client-centric approach, and embracing continuous learning.

I would suggest: Content creation: Establish yourself as a thought leader by creating informative content. This could be blog posts on industry trends, webinars on relevant topics, or social media posts with insights and market updates. Speaking engagements: Look for opportunities to speak at industry conferences or local events. This allows you to share your expertise with a wider audience and build your credibility.

To establish yourself as a Commercial estate expert one has to Network with the Right people and secondly you have to Market your product using Social media and after that you gotta be consistent as there is competition that will make you leave Real Estate if you slow down during your journey..!!! Commercial estate has its own niche and it’s own people who know how to trade higher priced properties and to infiltrate among them is achievement in its self…

Feeling overlooked in commercial real estate? It's time to take control of your personal brand. Here's how mid-career professionals can establish themselves and stand out: 1. Use LinkedIn to network and join groups Build your online presence and establish yourself as an expert in your field. 2. Share your knowledge on LinkedIn Don't be afraid to share your insights with the community. Use long-form posts to demonstrate your expertise. 3. Attend events and conferences Whether they're virtual or in-person, attending industry events can lead to valuable connections and opportunities. 4. Leverage your experience Your experience is a unique asset. Highlight what sets you apart and how it can benefit the industry and clients.

To establish a strong personal brand in commercial real estate as a mid-career professional in Toronto, focus on specialization and networking. Position yourself as an expert in a niche market segment, such as retail or office spaces in specific neighborhoods. Attend industry events, join local real estate associations, and leverage social media to showcase your expertise and engage with potential clients. Provide valuable insights through blogs, webinars, or podcasts to establish credibility and trust within the community. Consistency, authenticity, and exceptional service will solidify your reputation and attract clients to your brand.

What value am I generating for my life, my clients and my country with my behavior? Do I know enough? Can I improve? Do I intermediate purchases and sales interested only in my financial success rather than customer satisfaction or do I make friends who will always come to me for new transactions and will always welcome me when I have new business opportunities because they trust my knowledge and value my advice? Politeness and respect open doors and keep them open.

Defining your personal branding goals is like charting a course in a vast ocean. By clarifying what you want to be known for in the commercial real estate industry, you're essentially plotting your coordinates towards success. Whether it's your mastery in a particular market segment or your trailblazing methods in financing and investment, pinpointing your niche acts as your North Star, guiding your personal branding endeavors. It's not just about standing out; it's about carving your place in the industry landscape, ensuring that your goals resonate with your career trajectory and the value you bring to both clients and colleagues.

Network with those you can build partnerships with to increase exposure and those who would be considered your target audience. If you niche down you will find you may be the only person who helps that specific market demographic making you the go to expert and authority on the matter.

If you are hosting a networking event, spend time curating who you want to be there and why. Think: Will attendees businesses align? Do attendees already know each other? Are the attendees competitors? Is this a new group of attendees or the same attendees as last time? Some time thinking about the room you want to create goes a long way to maximizing the value of the networking.

Networking is really important in any career choice but especially in Real Estate. Personally, I find approaching networking from a place of learning can be helpful. You are going to seek those that you can learn from and get more engagement from those you network with. Approaching networking with an attitude of completion is going to do the opposite. Looking to others as a source of knowledge and a differing perspective keeps you open to new and valuable information.

Online networking is always followed by personalized connections - that's how it works for you. Make sure that you speak with your connections on a one-on-on basis, and add value to their ventures in some way.

Networking is the heartbeat of the commercial real estate realm, pulsating with opportunities and connections. It's not merely about expanding your contact list; it's about nurturing genuine relationships that breathe life into your personal brand. Engage in industry events, immerse yourself in professional associations, and interact within online forums where insights flow freely. By curating your networking efforts with precision and purpose, you sow the seeds for a community that not only acknowledges your expertise but also cherishes the contributions you bring to the table.

Be where people are — and follow up with them when you’re not. This will help you know who’s actually in and who not saving you so much time in the future.

In my humble experience, networking is not about trying to get something out from your network. The smart way of networking is about adding value to your network rather than trying to get something out from your network. With good intention in mind, you will most likely to have a group of likeminded people that will provide a support group to grow together. Hang out with lions 🦁 or eagles 🦅 and you will become one!

Posting content online is the best way to grow your personal brand, become a thought leader, and increase your long-term value in the marketplace. There's a reason why people with large followings do more deals, raise more money, and earn more money than people that don't. Your online presence is your modern resume. Treat it as such.

In my humble experience, not all contents are created equal. Contents that are trying to sell something or self promotion has very little value. On contrary, contents that are educational or add value to others are more well received and gain a lot of engagements. There is no fixed rules but a process of self-discovery of what works and what doesn’t. Find out what resonates with your audiences and continue to share your thoughts or summary of an article etc.

Make a good online impression in the commercial real estate industry by starting a blog or professional website and sharing your knowledge on social media sites like LinkedIn. For continued relevance and credibility, sustain engagement with a variety of content, promote conversation, and adjust to changes in the industry.

Consistently portraying your leadership style, values, and expertise can help build a strong personal brand. You can share your insights and knowledge through various mediums, such as speaking engagements, blogs, or social media. Being present and actively engaging with your peers in relevant communities can enhance your credibility and recognition. This, in turn, can increase the trust and interest of your network in connecting with you. By leveraging your personal brand, you can attract opportunities and establish meaningful connections that align with your goals, fostering a sense of hope and optimism in your professional journey.

Focus on Building Trust Trust is crucial if you want to establish a strong personal brand. Make sure you're consistently delivering results, following up on your promises, and treating everyone with the respect they deserve.

I didn’t realize this until recently. Having an online presence, especially on LinkedIn will help you reach the people you want to reach. It’s tough, but you’ll be amazed at the natural content you can create if you’re looking to help others while doing it.

- Write one thought piece which you can reformat to a variety of social media platforms (ex: transcribing a podcast into a short form article) to reach more - Engaging with partners and clients online - Find groups on LinkedIn or other platforms in your area (CRE groups on LinkedIn, x groups etc.) - Use Hootsuite or other apps to schedule and post content to ensure consistently; draft content on your slow days or over the weekend and schedule it in advance

Post original content on LinkedIn that demonstrates your insights and expertise. If you're not sure where to start, begin by sharing your insights on industry trends, discussing your successes, and providing practical advice.

It's about more than just sharing insights; it's about infusing your unique perspective into the discourse surrounding trends and challenges. Whether through the written word, speaking engagements, or virtual gatherings, your goal is to illuminate pathways forward, showcasing that you're not merely an observer but a visionary architect of change. By delivering substantive content, you transcend the role of a participant, ascending to the ranks of a forward-thinking luminary whose guidance and innovation shape the future trajectory of the industry. Thought leadership isn't just a badge of honor; it's a catalyst for cementing your personal brand as a cornerstone of expertise and influence.

Some other people I’ve already said it on this but post original content. You can’t take someone further than where you’re at now. Which is fine, it will just help you narrow down your audience. Being a thought leader also requires you to follow someone who’s just ahead of you.

Consistency wins, period. Rather than trying to "go viral" or be inauthentic just go gain attention, publish content that aligns with your values, interests, and skills. Take risk and put yourself out there, but stay true to you. There's nothing worse than building a personal brand that's not truly personal.

Always come back to your client, never leave them hanging in the wind. If you are busy then good clients will appreciate you and give you the opportunity to come back to them within a reasonable time. But, make sure you get back to them. Communication is key to a long standing relationship with a client.

This is something that takes a while to remember to do, but once you have a system in place, it’s super simple. Create content for those around you while including people you’ve met with and contact them as often as is appropriate.

Picking a market or sub-market and knowing it inside out will help differentiate you. More broadly it will also mean people will seek to involve you or ask your view if their work involves this specific market. Be generous with your knowledge and this will mark you out as someone they need to have on their team

Focus, focus, focus. Pick an area and topic to become the expert on. Let it be related to every research article you write, panel you speak at, event you attend, and organization you work with. Soon enough you become part of that ecosystem, a thought leader, and someone who can be relied on for their deep knowledge. Many are generalists, few are specialists.

Staying educated on the latest trends is super important. Spend time each day/week reviewing content from your peers or competition to see what's working well. Draw inspiration from those posts and make your own versions of them. You'll be glad you did.

While the basics are forever the foundation, being curious and leaning into new ideas and most importantly knowing who you are right now, right here in CRE is critical. Have you ever attended an event and it seemed like everything discussed was a great idea, yet a few weeks later, nothing really changed in your life or biz? It’s because there was no plan or accountability afterwards. Imagine how much you’d accomplish with an accountability coach! That’s what I did and it changed my life!

Adopt new tools and technologies to help you achieve your goals. Show that you're adaptable and forward-thinking. Remember, building a personal brand takes time and effort, but it's worth it. So start now, and establish yourself as a leader in commercial real estate.

Developing a robust personal brand is crucial for leaders who want to create meaningful connections. However, it's equally essential to take ownership of this process and work on it ourselves. Having a diverse range of relationships helps to create a more adaptable network. But remember, it's not just about the number of connections we have. To build a strong personal brand, you must develop a network and communicate your value, regardless of your position.

Everything in this article talks about branding your internet activity, or your social contacts, or other non-tangible things. The number 1 concern of any real estate management professional who wants to have a brand (assuming a positive brand image is preferable) is good service, clean and well kept property, with responsive service during emergencies like broken AC in the summer or broken water heaters, etc (stuff will happen) The NUMBER ONE thing to consider is what your tenants think of your character, your ethics, and your morals. Everything else will fall into place if people enjoy renting from you and they respect your efforts.

Being a master negotiator is a key skill to develop. Commercial real estate deals are much more than simple Properties exchanging hands. It involves business entities battling out to acquire productive and profitable deals. A commercial Eeal Estate professional should be able to lead them to a win win deal