Why Downtime Is so Important to Your Real Estate Marketing

August is traditionally vacation month. A cool drink, a large body of water, friends, and family all help us to recharge and regroup. This summer in particular, with its oppressive heat and divisive political climate, make that much-needed break sound better than ever.

I know you’re already thinking, “Real estate agents always have a hard time getting away.”

Maybe you’re in the middle of multiple transactions all aiming for an end-of-month closing, or working with new clients to find their dream home. Whatever it is that’s preventing you from taking that much-needed vacation, it’s still important to find some time for yourself. What does this have to do with marketing you ask?

Marketing is Not Just a Science…

Over the past 50 years, marketers have increasingly relied on data to drive their business. Surveys, focus groups, and polls all reveal customer preferences which help shape a message designed to reach a mass market audience.

The internet has taken data to the next level, enabling delivery of customized messages to a particular market segment or even directly to the individual consumer. Social media has taken data capture and target marketing even further by driving ad content based on your specific preferences.

…It’s an Art

While data may be useful, content is still king. In order to “think different” and to find new ways to deliver your marketing message, you need to to take a step back. A new perspective enables creativity. To create meaningful content, it’s important to get off the daily treadmill.

You and your clients are bombarded with a continuous stream of information. Taking a break from that onslaught allows you to approach your marketing strategy in a new way. Science has proven that daydreaming is useful. When you let your mind wander, new ways of looking at problems are able to surface. A twenty-minute nap can leave you both rejuvenated and rewarded with an idea for your next blog post, a series of instructive videos, or a new networking strategy.

Downtime is Necessary for Success

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Success requires the kind of innovation that can only come with time spent away from work. Interactions with friends and family satisfy a very basic human need. Those same interactions can also yield valuable information that can benefit your work. In order to do your best, you must have proper nutrition, regular exercise, and a good night’s sleep. In order to be better, creative, and open to new ideas, it’s essential that you have some quality downtime.

So, whenever possible, step away from the computer, turn your phone off, and give yourself a break. Believe it or not, it’ll be time well spent.