How to Break Through a Real Estate Recruiting Plateau
Why Brokerages Hit Recruiting Plateaus
Recruiting plateaus are frustrating. Your brokerage grows steadily year after year, and then suddenly the growth stalls. No matter what you try, your agent count doesn’t increase.
A real estate recruiting plateau can happen for several reasons:
Turnover matches growth. The number of new agents joining equals the number leaving.
Staff bandwidth is maxed out. Managing day-to-day operations leaves little time for active recruiting.
Your message goes stale. Agents stop responding when they’ve heard the same pitch over and over.
If you’ve hit a recruiting plateau, the last thing you want to do is more of the same. Instead, try these four strategies to break through and start growing again.
Strategy #1: Refresh Your Recruiting Message
If you’ve been using the same pitch for years, it’s time to change things up.
Collaborate with your team. Hold a meeting and list the top reasons agents should join your brokerage.
Leverage your existing agents. Ask why they stay and what they value most about your company.
Identify new themes. Use this feedback to create a fresh, compelling recruiting message that resonates.
A clear, updated value proposition can reignite interest from agents who have tuned out your old messaging.
Strategy #2: Diversify Your Recruiting Channels
Relying on one or two recruiting methods limits your reach. If you’ve always used one channel it’s time to branch out.
Swap direct mail for personal phone calls.
Replace emails with social media outreach.
Test text message recruiting campaigns.
Different agents prefer different communication channels. Expanding your outreach ensures you connect with prospects where they’re most responsive.
Strategy #3: Launch Something New to Attract Attention
When agents think they already know what your brokerage offers, they may not see a reason to meet with you. Launching something new changes that.
Introduce a new training program.
Roll out a cutting-edge technology platform.
Add innovative support services for your agents.
New offerings not only add value to your brokerage but also give you a timely reason to re-engage with potential recruits.
Strategy #4: Bring in Fresh Perspectives
Breaking through a plateau sometimes requires new people, not just new ideas.
Hire additional staff to handle recruiting efforts.
Outsource parts of the process—such as appointment setting or lead generation.
Involve more team members in agent outreach.
Fresh eyes and additional bandwidth can help you scale recruiting when your leadership team is buried in day-to-day operations.
