How to Build a Small Business Like Ryan Serhant Builds a Real Estate Empire
I watched Owning Manhattan the other day and I thought I would take some lessons I learned from this show and apply it to my photography business. These tips and lessons can be used for any business, so just switch out the photography word for something else, but the same concept.Here is how to build a small business like Ryan Serhant Builds a real estate empire.
First, let me give my thoughts on the show. I love it! I know some of it’s scripted, but it’s also real life if that makes sense. I love that it’s all about real estate. Yes, there is drama outside of it, but 80% of the drama is about real estate, and I like that. Also, I love that the show is diverse. It’s been a while since I’ve seen diversity to this extent on a high-powered show. I need season three, and I’m also going to buy his book Branding like Ryan Serhant, so I can learn and grow even more.
In the show, you notice that they get their clients from networking. Networking as a business owner is so important. If no one knows who you are, how will they buy? Social media is great, but getting out there and meeting people in person and building that list is even more important. You get to see people and talk to people outside of social media. You should be attending at least 2 events a month. Find local events and even travel for a few.
Have a social media presence that showcases more than work. Ryan does this great! He shows his personality a lot on social media, and that makes him relatable. People want to work with folks who are relatable and people-friendly. Now, I have never met Ryan in person, but he seems like he likes to have fun and showcase that. Meaning if I happened to come into a million dollars one day (I’m manifesting it) and I wanted to work with someone who isn’t snooty or uppity, I would definitely call Ryan because I don’t want to work with anyone who can’t laugh and have fun.
My photography style should be recognizable. I’m not there yet, but you see that blue S everywhere and you instantly know it’s Serhant. You know his brand even if you glance at it quickly. People should know your brand. You know who does a great job with this? The Dry Bar…look at their social media and see what stands out? Pick a color or a font and brand all of your things with that so you can stand out.
Ryan makes everything theatrical. On this season you saw that where they did broadway for a listing. It got sold and got talked about. That’s how you want your business to run. Make it big….then go bigger. For my business I can do client galleries like a movie, or I can make their sessions feel like a warm hug. Whatever I do I need to do it bigger and better. Make others say wow.
How you look matters. I saw a tik tok with Ryan and a guy and he was talking about how he dressed. Ryan said I would never look like that. How you dress matters. How your website looks matters. Now I dress in sweats when I take photos because jeans are constricting, but I think I can step it up and wear nice matching sweat outfits in the winter and figure out a uniform of some sort for the Summer.
Build a team and delegate the things that you truly don’t want to do so that you can focus on what matters the most. I know that in the future, I would want someone to run my social media (mine is private as of now because I don’t have time to run it) for me, so that I can just take the pics. Eventually, I want someone who can edit for me because my goal is to take the photos.
Don’t be afraid to ask others for help. I saw this a lot on the show where folks helped each other with listings and showings. Ask for help when you need it, and if they say no, move on. Someone will help you out.
Watch season 2 on netflix and follow Ryan on social media he is a wealth of information and you can learn a lot from him to apply to your business.
