If you know anything about our company, you know we celebrate the great value books can offer those who invest in them. At a time when people are increasingly turning to online outlets to fulfill their real estate needs, we believe there is nothing more valuable than putting a book in someone’s hands.
Books hold value — they don’t get thrown away — and they’re likely to either be kept or passed around from person to person.
That being said, as a real estate agent, you can learn a lot from books written by other people.
Here are some of our team’s top recommendations to boost your success. Most of these titles aren’t specifically geared toward real estate agents, but rather working professionals in general — particularly those in sales.
1. How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling
Author: Frank Bettger
Why We Recommend It: This book is packed with practical, yet powerful, advice that every salesperson can use to make more sales.
Frank Bettger was a former major league baseball player turned insurance agent, who found great success in life insurance sales and became a Top Salesman for 20 years with Fidelity Mutual. Drawing from his personal experiences and triumphs, Bettger reveals the principles behind his success inside this book. Using anecdotes and step-by-step guidelines, he instructs his readers in the ways of a winning salesperson.
Learn to overcome your fears of selling, and discover the key to turning a skeptical prospect into an enthusiastic client. If you want to improve your sales career, this is a must-read. The strategies are simple to understand and easy to implement.
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2. The Obstacle is the Way
Author: Ryan Holiday
Why We Recommend It: We’re all guilty of getting caught up in things we can’t control. This book can help you break through that cycle.
Based on the ancient Greek philosophy of stoicism — the idea of enduring pain or adversity without a display of feelings or complaint — “The Obstacle is the Way” is a favorite of successful professionals worldwide (everyone from Arnold Schwarzenegger to the New England Patriots have gleaned advice from this book).
This book implores readers to focus on the things they can control, let go of the things they can’t, and turn every obstacle into an opportunity for growth. Holiday shows how some of the most successful people in history turned their biggest setbacks into their biggest achievements.
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3. The Perfect Day Formula: How to Own the Day And Control Your Life
Author: Craig Ballantyne
Why We Recommend It: Have you ever had a “perfect day” where everything just seems to fall into place and you feel unstoppable? Those days, we wonder why every day can’t be just as productive. This book shows you how to take control of your life and make every day like those “perfect” days.
If you’ve ever taken on too much because you just can’t say no — or you’ve gotten stuck in a rut just going through the motions — you may be limiting your potential. That’s the big idea behind this book. It gives you tools to keep a schedule and prioritize the most important aspects of your life and business.
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4. The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results
Author: Gary Keller
Why We Recommend It: Gary Keller, as you probably know, is the founder of Keller Williams, the largest real estate company in the world by agent count. His best-selling book is based on a simple concept that encourages people to focus on what matters most in their personal and professional lives.
By focusing on one thing at a time, you eliminate distractions and lessen burdens that can stress and tire you out. This book shows you that by focusing on less, you can come away with much more.
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5. Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading, and Winning the Deal
Author: Oren Klaff
Why We Recommend It: This book is perfect for anyone who struggles to deliver solid presentations — and even for those who feel perfectly comfortable presenting to potential clients and colleagues. Klaff believes that creating and delivering a great pitch isn’t an art, but a simple science.
Drawing on stories of success, Klaff explains how the brain makes decisions and responds to pitches, showing you how to remain in complete control of the entire process. "Better method, more money," Klaff says. "Much better method, much more money."
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6. Your Best Year Ever: A 5-Step Plan for Achieving Your Most Important Goals
Author: Michael Hyatt
Why We Recommend It: No matter how great our intentions, it’s easy to find ourselves caught up in the day-to-day. Our big goals continually get put on the back burner, and all too often, they’re forgotten.
With the new year just around the corner, this book can help you create a plan for success. It lays out simple tactics to ensure you have a happy and fulfilling year in every aspect of your life. This book can help you set personal and professional goals and stick to positive habits. They say a goal without a plan is just a wish. This book will help you establish the right goals and create a plan to implement them.
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7. The Ultimate Sales Machine: Turbocharge Your Business with Relentless Focus on 12 Key Strategies
Author: Chet Holmes
Why We Recommend It: This book is about just what it says: Focus! Chet Holmes implores professionals to zero in on the few essential skills that can make a big difference for their businesses, letting all the other “clutter” fall to the wayside.
By spending just an hour per week on each impact area you want to improve, Holmes believes you can boost your overall business success.
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8. Way of the Wolf: Straight Line Selling: Master the Art of Persuasion, Influence, and Success
Author: Jordan Belfort
Why We Recommend It: If you’ve seen “The Wolf of Wall Street,” you’ve probably heard of Jordan Belfort and know about his somewhat controversial success. Admittedly, we were hesitant to read this book at first, given Belfort’s reputation.
But this book is truly about redemption and how to learn from costly mistakes. Belfort lays out his step-by-step sales and persuasion system that can turn anyone into a sales-closing, money-making machine.
He gives readers insight into the step-by-step system he used to generate massive wealth, showing how anyone can bounce back from major setbacks. It demonstrates techniques on how to become a master salesperson, negotiator, closer, and presenter.
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9. Mastering the Art of Selling Real Estate
Author: Tom Hopkins
Why We Recommend It: A follow-up to his best-selling book, “Master the Art of Listing and Selling Real Estate,” this book updates Hopkins’ time-tested strategies, adding information about the role of the Internet in real estate and computer software every agent should have.
The book includes anecdotes, scripts, and numerous tactics to help you win over even the most stubborn sellers.
Even though it’s been around for a while, the tactics in this book are timeless and worth checking out.
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10. MyBooks
Author: You!
Why We Recommend Them: As a MyBooks member, you have access to 14 books that cover topics including FSBO, Expireds, First-Time Buyers, Divorce Leads, Inherited Homes, Vacant Homes, Delinquent Property Taxes and much more!
Our membership also includes:
- An author website that ranks in Google.
- Your own blog with 100+ pre-written articles.
- Social media marketing templates.
- A home value website for capturing leads.
- Training strategies on how to use your books to get business.
If you haven’t invested in becoming an authority in your market, there’s no better time to get started.
But don’t take our word for it. Just see what some of our members had to say about the difference the books have made for their businesses:
“The books enable me to compete with established agents, even though I’m newer and don’t have a fancy track record." — Jason, Smart Agents member
“I do think the book is an amazing tool to use, to help leverage and also to make sure that an agent interviewing stands out from the crowd, with regard to any other people they're speaking to. Without a doubt, it's basically taking my batting average to a whole new level." — Mark, Smart Agents member
It differentiates me from everybody else. The books turn what is a cold call into a warm call.” — Lou, Smart Agents member
“It gives me more of that expert look. Anybody that has a book, you just automatically think they're an expert.” — Ben, Smart Agents member
"Then, I pulled out the book and I showed them the book. Their first expression after that was, 'Wow. You're the one we want to hire to sell our home for us.'” — June, Smart Agents member
Joe Nickelson is a real estate professional dedicated to helping home buyers and sellers achieve their real estate dreams, and helping real estate agents stop using the sometimes-vicious tactics that weigh on their consciences. He believes that the Smart Agents books will, quite literally, change people’s lives for the better. Check out his full bio here!
