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Real estate professionals who are new to the business are in the process of becoming the best by learning from the best through a new program the Williamson County Association of REALTORS launched earlier this year. Called the Rookie Club, it is one of only four programs in the United States. It is patterned after one in Fort Collins, Colorado, and is lead by WCAoR’s 2009 Rookie of the Year, Sonia Guardado. “President J. Rene Ward asked me to start the program,” Guardado says. “We had our first meeting in February and currently have about 20 members.”

The Rookie Club offers new agents in Central Texas the unique opportunity to start their real estate career under the guidance of industry leaders. It features monthly sessions to help REALTORS build their systems while learn- ing tips, techniques and processes vital to succeed in their real estate career. In most cases, sessions are held at lunchtime the last Wednesday of the month at the WCAoR office. Rookie Club is open to any Realtor ® in the first five years of active Texas licensure. Additional members are encouraged to join at any time. Sessions will be repeated every two years, so new members will be able to catch up on any tips they may have missed. In addition to the instructional sessions, the club offers members a Q&A session with nationally acclaimed NAR instructor Pat Strong, participation in the Fall New Home Builder Series, a discount card for area businesses and access to mentorship by industry leaders. Dues are $25 for current members and $40 for future members. “Not only is it a wise investment for REALTORS, but brokers as well because it cuts down on their losses,” Guardado says. Rookie Club members Jack Beezley and Gail McClanahan, both of JB Goodwin REALTORS, say they have benefitted greatly from the program, which recently featured a session lead by industry veteran Stuart Sutton called “Show me the Money: Creating a Lead Generation System.” “This helps us get our feet on the ground quicker,” says Beezley. “Otherwise we would spend a year and a half finding out what we don’t know. It gives you a jump start.”

McClanahan says she thinks the club should help more REALTORS remain in the industry without giving up too soon. “I have heard that about 80 percent leave in their first year,” she says. “They come with certain expectations about what it will be like and this can help them put systems in place and stay self motivated so that they will succeed.” Beezley says he came to the industry with more than 20 years of other sales ex- perience, but the Rookie Club taught him things specific to real estate. “There is a certain amount of dues everyone has to pay, but it cuts down on the learning curve. It gives you the sizzle.” Both say they also like having access to movers and shakers in the industry. “When you are a new agent, you are like a deer in the head- lights and you are not likely to approach someone like Stu- art or others who have lead the programs,” Beezley says. “It would be intimidating, but the Rookie Club gives us a great avenue to be exposed to their techniques.”

Article taken from Realty Line.