7 Ways to Set Yourself Apart in Real Estate (& Build a Standout Business!)

What does it take to succeed? Relentless hard work? A “never say never” attitude? While all these attributes are extremely important to succeed, there is more to success than what meets the eye. Success is often defined as a blend of skills, research, and flawless planning. It’s an ongoing process.

The definition of success has changed with time. While people still measure it via a few preset parameters, it goes well beyond what’s tangible and visible. While there are endless ways to succeed in life, there is one underlying principle that’s responsible for each and every success story that’s out there.

And that principle is — if you want different results, you have to do different things.

Yes, you’ll have to work more than you ever have. Yes, your comfort zone will become something you remember from a vague, unsuccessful past. But have you ever wondered why one particular business seems to skyrocket to success while others do nothing but fail, even if they’re in the same market? I can promise you that both will have worked equally hard on their businesses, but there’s something else that defines success.

Well, there are billions of theories out there, trying to answer this question. But all of these theories are symptoms, like bad cash management or poor hiring. However, there is one magic element that most businesses conveniently forget to look at or are simply too scared to practice. Businesses fail because they don’t dare to be different.

Being different and doing things differently not only sets a business apart, but it also gives it a distinctive edge. Enterprises or individuals like this refuse to conform to the norms set by society. These norms are often obsolete and fail to contribute to their growth, so why bother? These unique companies seldom follow the crowd and almost never shy away from showcasing their true self. People who choose to do things differently are often the unsung heroes who make change happen and actually make a difference.

Enterprises that dare to be different are known to stay true to themselves and don’t compromise their core values. They bring raw, unrestrained ideas to the table that are often revolutionary in nature. It’s what I care about with most of my businesses. Each and every one of them is different from its competitors — if not by business model, then by branding. They are not some huge multi-billion dollar enterprises. However, when you dare to be different, the size of your enterprise seldom matters, and that’s the beauty of it.

When you’re living in a world where everything is available on the fly, with a click of a mouse, your company disappears in the masses. We know that in order to stand out in an ocean of real estate investment turnkey companies, we needed to put our game face on and tread through uncharted waters. It’s why our service is different from our competitors and why yours should be as well.

So now that you’re all inspired and pumped to stand out from the crowd, let’s get into the nitty gritty details. Before we do, though, ask yourself these questions. Are you willing to try doing things a little different? Are you ready to let go of the training wheels? Make no mistake, being different is hard work, and you can’t simply rely on tried and true methods. If the answer to all these questions is a resounding yes, then I have some super-easy and foolproof tips for you. Take notes!

7 Ways to Set Yourself Apart in Real Estate (& Build a Standout Business!)

Be courageous.

Stop being a “yes” man or “yes” woman! While it is awesome to say yes to challenges and opportunities, it is important to know where to draw the line. Most people are too scared to say no, and though it might seem like the best possible answer, they never really use the option.

Put your foot down where you think it is important to do so. Have the courage to give your opinion on the matter and give people your thoughts and ideas. Got something new you thought of? Share it. Have an opinion? Raise it. Always give a voice to what you have in mind, even if it doesn’t match with what the others might have to say. Actually, especially when it doesn’t match with what others expect.

Be a leader.

Being different makes you a leader. People who decide to be different and decide to do things differently often have what it takes to lead people. So don’t be sacred of being one. Put your point forward with confidence and guide people. Also, ensure that you make your coworkers/business partners/teammates see why you believe in it so passionately. Make them feel your passion.

Don’t be afraid to keep pushing the idea and guide others to understand it better. Always remember, respect and love your idea enough that it spills over all uncertainties and fears. Lead those who co-believe in the idea and aren’t afraid of doing things a little differently than the usual. You’ll have to sell people on it, but with passion and drive, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Grow thick skin.

People often don’t like things that are “different.” At least, your peers won’t like it. People who refuse to walk with the herd have to listen to a lot of unwanted feedback and opinions. It’s because of this that you need to grow thick skin and let none of this ever bother you. Believe me, as soon as you take a different path, it’ll seem like you’re running uphill the entire time.

Don’t ignore everything, though. Take the feedback that can actually help you get to where you want to be, and discard that which is nothing but toxic. Let no one pull you out of your path to success. Inspire and live inspired.

Be true to who you are.

One trait that most doers and successful people have in common is that they are 100 percent honest with themselves. They know exactly who they are and do not claim to be anyone different. This is important. Unless you know who you really are from within, you cannot make a difference. How could you possibly better yourself if you don’t even know where to start? It’s like that quote from Aristotle: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.”

Let go of the pressure and take time to get to know who you are. When you are true to yourself, it gives you the time to concentrate on things that are actually important. So, just be who you are and carve a niche for yourself.

Stop beating around the bush.

Time is precious, and in a lot of cases, time is money. So stop wasting your time. Whether it’s in business or you’re just voicing your opinion, make a habit of coming straight to the point. Quit beating around the bush. People who tend to beat around the bush are viewed as unclear and uncertain people and often disappear in the masses. However, those who dare to say what they want to say and pave their own way never vanish. They won’t let that happen.

Be a believer.

How many times have you doubted your decisions? Don’t worry, it’s normal. But if you have set out to be different, then you definitely need to break free from this habit. Yes, you should learn from your mistakes, but what happened happened. There’s nothing you can do about that except fix it now and make things happen. Stop doubting and start believing.

Even your mistakes will only positively influence your life. Have faith in your abilities, and most importantly, trust yourself. If you don’t believe in your idea, why would anyone else? Speak out what you have on your mind with confidence. Put forth that brilliant idea that just occurred to you on your way to work.

Let every experience be a lesson.

For those willing to learn, every minute of the day brings important life lessons. When you decide to do things differently, you will often find yourself venturing into unknown territories. Some may have done things like you, but none will ever have done what you’re doing right now. It’s a good idea to make a habit out of always making a mental note of the situation and all the lessons and experiences that come with it. Remember, there are very few people out there who have the courage to take a detour from the way things are done.

In order to succeed, you need to be different and you need to be proud of being different.

In a sea of lookalikes, dare to be different, dare to be you. Take your chances because if you want the results to be different, then you have to do things differently. It’s as simple as that.

What do you do to make sure you — and your business — stand out from the crowd?

Let me know with a comment!

Note By BiggerPockets: These are opinions written by the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of BiggerPockets.