What do you DO?

What do you say, when someone asks you “What do you do?”

Do you reply, “I’m an estate agent”? Or perhaps you say, “I work for Downtons”? Or even, “I help people move ”?

Perhaps what you say isn’t as important as how you feel when you reply.  I’ve heard agents pre-empt any cruel barbs with comments like, “But I’m a nice one”, “Don’t shoot me” or even “Sorry!”

Do you feel a bit embarrassed when you tell a stranger what it is that you do for a living? Anxious they will take the opportunity to have a rant or a dig? And then there is the chance you’ll unleash a tale of woe from the teller.  Just as midwives get regaled with birth stories whenever they declare their profession, (a midwife friend of mine tells people she is a bookkeeper), estate agents know are probably going to hear every sorry property sale story from the person they’ve told.  Is it any wonder if you’re reluctant to admit your chosen career?

I watched the first episode of Under Offer last Tuesday with interest, along with many others in my industry.  It was kinder than I thought it would be; so far, at least.  (Excepting perhaps the London not-in-the-real-world agent.) The editing wasn’t as audience-grabbingly cruel as it could have been, and certainly not of the same all-agents-are-liars ilk that we’ve seen in previous fly-on-the-wall documentaries of this type. Some estate agents I know were approached, but turned down an offer to appear on the programme, presumably because they were concerned – rightly so – that the editing would be sensational and one-sided.  That said, the agents that were brave enough to say yes to the offer may well receive more positive coverage than they could have hoped for.

Over the weekend, I was enjoying coffee with a friend in a local café.  I told her I could spot an estate agent straight away, and mused that I thought I could even pick him out if he were in ‘plain clothes’, or walking and cycling garb, as many of the guys were in the café we were in.  She thought this was very funny, and as I started to describe the clues that would give him away (yes, we were talking about male agents only), she noted how many were actually positive traits.  For example, agents are often in a hurry, walk confidently with their head high, and are observant.  They are usually very smartly dressed when in their work outfit, suited and booted, and when you talk to them, they normally make good eye contact.  When they talk, they do so with passion, and often strong opinions, backed up by evidence and experience.

It’s not so easy to spot a woman estate agent from afar, for me at any rate.  But when you talk her, you’ll usually find she is very engaging and interested.  She may be attentive and ask you all about where you live, looking for an opportunity, certainly, but also genuinely interested in your answers.

Of course, not all estate agents are like I’ve described.  There are many who do, in fact, let the side down; who are unscrupulous and devious, and who only have their own nefarious ends in mind in all their dealings.  At least, that’s what I’ve heard.  Because I’ve never met one. I often find myself defending agents; in conversations, on social media, to journalists. I tell them that estate agents are hard-working, likeable folk who are just trying to help people and make a living at the same time.  Because it’s true.  The agents I know are genuinely warm, kind people and I’m lucky enough to call many of you my friends. Isn’t it about time you started believing that of yourselves?

People will think of you, what you think of you. If you bow your head and kick your shoes when you tell them what you do, you can’t blame them for assuming you’re ashamed of it. And witty rejoinders might be a protection mechanism, but perhaps you weren’t about to be attacked.

Next time you are asked “What do you do?” please, hold your head high.  With a sparkle in your eye and a big smile, say proudly “I’m an estate agent and I absolutely love it.” Because you do.

How do you answer that question? Please, leave a comment, let’s find out what everyone thinks on this very emotive topic!  

Sam

If you’d like to have a chat about this, drop me a line at sam@samashdown.co.uk – I’d love to hear from you.

What to read next: What they think of you

What to do next: Do you get my Supertips? They’re jam-packed full of great tips and marketing strategies just like this one, and best still – they’re free! Get yours here -> www.samashdown.co.uk/samsupertips

Speak to Sam: If you’d like to know how I think you could improve your marketing, just answer a few short questions here and I’ll tell you if and how you could be more effective.

Sam Ashdown

Sam is an industry-renowned marketing strategist to estate agents. She helps agents grow and flourish, using her unique smart marketing techniques and strategies. Sam works with agents throughout the UK to help them gain more valuations, win more instructions and sell more properties.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

First-time buyers get more market town for their money in the Midlands

Leek, West Midlands is the most affordable market town for first-time buyers, at an average £191,359 Immingham, Yorkshire and the Humber most affordable for all buyers, at £176,918 Overall, average house price in market towns now £363,456, up 5% in the last year and 24% in the last five years First-time buyers paying an average…
Read More
Breaking News

Placemaking around rail is a winning blueprint

The Government has announced that around 40,000 new, high-quality homes will be built on surplus railway land, as the Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, unlocks brownfield sites across the country for development. Richard Beresford Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “The Government has a chance to set a new standard in placemaking…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove: Average two-year and five-year fixed mortgage rates now level

Rightmove’s daily mortgage tracker shows that the current average two-year fixed mortgage rate is currently level with the average five-year fixed mortgage rate.   Both the average two-year fixed rate, and five-year fixed rate are currently 4.52% Prior to July 2025, the last time this was the case was in September 2022 before the mini-Budget…
Read More
Breaking News

UK Homemovers Relocating Over 50 Miles

UK Homemovers Now Relocating Over 50 Miles as Buyers Seek Better Value Beyond the City The latest research by GetAgent Exchange, a platform enabling estate agents to monetise out-of-area applicant leads, has found that UK long-distance movers are now relocating an average of 52 miles from their original location, rising to over 80 miles in…
Read More
Breaking News

Beach hut values soar by as much as 100%

The latest research from over-50s property specialists, Regency Living, reveals that it’s not just demand for bricks and mortar that is pushing up house prices in Britain’s most desirable coastal locations, with the average price of a beach hut soaring by as much as 100% in some seaside towns. High cost of coastal homes England’s…
Read More
Breaking News

Revealed: the most lucrative shared living postcodes

New research from COHO, the HMO management platform, reveals that the shared living market in England & Wales generates an estimated monthly rental income of £1.4bn. But which postcode areas are creating the most income from shared living? How much are HMOs making in your postcode? Find out here COHO has analysed the estimated number…
Read More