Building a business that’s built for sale
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Key advice: “If it’s not built for sale, it’s built to fail.”
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Build your business so it can be sold, meaning:
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You have a standard operating procedure (SOP) that anyone can follow.
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Your system is documented and systematic, not just "in your head."
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This creates a salable asset, not just a job for yourself.
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Why SOPs matter
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Without SOPs:
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You can’t easily train or delegate.
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You rely on yourself alone, making growth and sale difficult.
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New hires can fail quickly without guidance.
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With SOPs:
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Anyone can run the business to get consistent results.
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You build leverage and scalability.
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The database as a business asset
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Your database should have a systematic approach:
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How often to communicate.
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What to say.
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How to label contacts.
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Clear “rules” for managing the database.
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Without a system, when you’re tired or busy, you’ll likely skip communication, causing inconsistency.
- Reduce decision fatigue
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Build your system so it reduces thinking, especially during low-energy times.
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A clear plan keeps you consistent and builds momentum.
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Turning your database into a money-making machine
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This training focuses on maximizing your current database, not lead generation.
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Lead generation ≠ database nurturing.
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Most agents miss out on compound interest in their business by only focusing on “ready now” clients and ignoring the rest of their database.
A step-by step: Double your income through your database
1. Audit and organize your database
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“Organizing your database” means labeling contacts.
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Keep labels simple and minimal (no more than 6 total).
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Examples of labels:
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SOI/Mets: People you’ve already met, whether friends or acquaintances.
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Past Clients: People you have closed business with—may require specialized communication.
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Cold Leads: Leads from internet or other sources with no contact or interest yet.
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Referrals: Leads or clients referred from others (agents, attorneys, vendors).
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Vendors: People you do business with—important to maintain relationships here too.
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- Re-engage missing contact info:
- Reach out directly with a simple script to update info:
Example Text:
“Hey [Name], it’s Nikki Miller. I’m updating my contacts and noticed I don’t have your current email. What’s the best one to reach you at?” -
This method yields an ~85% open/response rate.
- Reach out directly with a simple script to update info:
- Remove those without contact information
2. Define your rules
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Who gets what communication?
- How often?
- By what avenue? (Call, text, email, mailer, social, etc.)
- Who is going to do it?
- How will it be updated?
3. Create your follow up system that works
- SOI Conversion Plan - 38 touches per year (minimum)
- 12 Monthly Newsletters
- 4 Quarterly Check in Calls
- 6 holiday campaigns
- 16 email/text touches
- Hot lead conversion plan - 3x3x3
- 3 touches on the first day of introduction
- 3 touches within the first week of introduction
- No more than 3 day pass without communication via text or email
- Referral agent conversion plan - 16 touches per year
- 6 newsletters
- 6 real estate education or interesting facts emails
- 4 quarterly check in calls
4. Add value, get business
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Add value first to get business later.
Communications should invite response by asking questions and telling people how to reply. -
Use storytelling to show success:
Share client wins or lessons learned (via email or video) to demonstrate your expertise and build trust. -
Invite clients to events/webinars to create natural opportunities for contact.
Communication philosophy
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Automated emails and texts are for keeping your name in front of people who are not yet ready to transact.
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Your job as an agent is to personally move hot leads down the funnel.
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The database is a long-term play to generate business from all the contacts you’ve met over time.
Best practices
- Daily habits to improve contact efficiency:
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Create your call list the night before.
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Pre-build scripts tailored to the type of contact.
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Schedule regular time to update notes and add contacts to your database.
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If unsure what content to send your database, just ask them what they want.
Asking directly builds rapport and trust because you’re showing you care about their needs. -
Deliver what your audience requests — community events, market updates, real estate advice, investment tips, etc. This makes your communication valuable and shows follow-through.
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Take detailed notes on conversations.
Remember client details (family, pets, questions) so future conversations feel personal and show you’re paying attention. -
The most important thing is to start taking action — don’t get stuck preparing forever
For more information and to connect with Nikki, check out
https://www.instagram.com/the_nikki_miller/
linkedin.com/in/thenikkimiller1
If you want to learn more about Lever, check out
https://www.instagram.com/leverbymovoto/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/lever-by-movoto/
Slide deck: