Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Leslie Martin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Leslie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about how you got your first non-friend, non-family client. Paint the picture for us so we can feel the same excitement you felt on that day.

Oh, that would be Ray. Back when I was just starting out as a realtor in the Metro Detroit area, I didn’t have any clients, no leads, and definitely no fancy CRM. I had just begun hosting open houses—none of them my own listings, just helping out other agents. I was completely new to the game, armed with nothing but hustle and a whole lot of drive.
And during one of those early open houses, Ray walked in. He was a divorced dad of two, just popping in on his lunch break. He was looking for something closer to work. That house wasn’t the right fit for him, but I didn’t let that be the end of it.
I stayed in touch—sent him follow-ups, checked in, kept showing up in his inbox. And about five weeks later, I get the call: he’s ready to sell his condo and buy something new.
I was so excited. We scheduled a seller consultation, I brought in a stager, lined up a great photographer—really got that Walled Lake townhome looking incredible. I went all in: knocked on doors in the neighborhood, sent out postcards, promoted the open house like it was the hottest listing in town.
And then—of course—disaster strikes. Just days before the big open house weekend, a water main breaks and floods the basement. It was freezing outside. Ray calls me in a panic.
Now, that could’ve thrown everything off. But I didn’t freak out. I drove straight over, helped him figure it out, and got a cleanup crew in there. We paused showings to make sure the home looked its best. We disclosed everything—and still, the house went under contract fast, with a solid cash offer.
While we were wrapping up that sale, we were also on the hunt for his next place. He was super specific about what he wanted, so I pre-screened every listing to make sure it was worth his time. We eventually found the perfect fit. Nailed the inspection, negotiated the deal, closed it smoothly.
That was my first full-cycle client—and I’ll never forget it. Ray taught me how powerful connection and follow-up can be. And honestly, that experience lit a fire in me. I realized that open houses weren’t just something I had to do—they were where I really shine. It’s where I connect with people. Where trust begins. And where strangers turn into clients I’ll always remember.

Leslie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Absolutely! So, back in 2017, my husband and I were in the market for a new home. There was one house that came on the market, and as soon as I saw it, I knew it was exactly what we were looking for. A family member had recently purchased a home, so I reached out to her for the agent’s contact. This agent showed us the house, and from the moment I walked in, I just fell in love. I knew it had to be ours.
However, our experience with the whole buy-and-sell process wasn’t as smooth as I had hoped. Without getting into too many details, we ended up firing that agent and hired someone else to help us with selling our home and buying the new one. The new agent really impressed me with her professionalism and the level of service she provided. That experience sparked something in me—I realized I wanted to help people like myself, going through the home buying and selling process, have a better experience.
In 2018, I got my real estate license. My first year was amazing because I had a great mentor—the agent who helped us sell our home. As time went on, I wanted to be closer to where I live, so I found a brokerage that aligned with my values. I’ve been so grateful for that move.
But then, in March of 2020, COVID hit, and at the time, I was working full-time in healthcare. My priority shifted to serving the community through my healthcare job. But as the years went on, that fire to pursue real estate continued to burn in me. So, in August of 2024, after having a real, honest conversation with my husband, I decided it was time to resign from my executive position in healthcare and dive into real estate full-time. I made the leap in September of 2024, and I haven’t looked back.
Now, what I offer my clients is a truly White Glove concierge service. From the initial buyer or seller consultation to months after the closing, I’m there to guide them every step of the way. I want my clients to feel supported, to know they can rely on me for anything—whether it’s recommending vendors for projects in their new home or answering questions long after they’ve moved in. My job is to make sure they have everything they need to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.
What sets me apart from other agents is my attention to detail and my commitment to exceptional service. I offer complimentary services with every listing, including professional staging, photography, and extensive marketing. I truly believe this is the winning formula for selling homes quickly and for top dollar.
What I’m most proud of is the advocacy I provide for my clients. I want them to feel like they are my only clients. I give them my full attention, quick responses, and all the resources they deserve during what can be a stressful process. I’m here to make it as smooth and enjoyable as possible for them.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

My biggest piece of advice for anyone just starting out is this: get over the cringe and just start posting. I know it feels awkward at first—putting yourself out there—but the truth is, no one is thinking about you as much as you think they are. So hit post!
For me, consistency and intentionality have been everything. I use Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Google Business—and I treat each platform like it has its own audience. I follow a pretty detailed content schedule. Every Wednesday, I post a new video—short-form for Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, and a long-form version for YouTube. Tuesdays are for before-and-afters of homes I’ve staged and photographed professionally—those get shared across Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram as well.
Whenever I attend a community event, I make sure to get photos and post about it. That local engagement really matters to me.
But it’s not just about posting content—it’s about being active and engaging. I make a point to comment, like, and interact with other accounts in my feed, and I always respond to comments or messages I get. On Instagram specifically, I try to post 8–10 stories a day, which also filters through to Facebook. It keeps my audience connected to me in real time.
I’ve been really intentional about growing my social media presence. That kind of all-in engagement has absolutely helped grow my business.
What’s worked best for me is being authentic and showing both the professional and personal sides of my life. Yes, I share my listings, my marketing, behind-the-scenes work—but I also let people in on my gym routine, “day in the life” content, and real moments with my family. It builds trust and connection.
I experiment with different formats—videos, carousels, stories, Lives—and I pay close attention to what gets the most engagement. Social media is always evolving, but being consistent, showing up as yourself, and genuinely connecting with others? That never goes out of style.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

For me, staying connected with past clients is everything. I want them to know that just because we’ve closed on a house doesn’t mean our relationship ends there. So I’m really intentional about keeping in touch through a mix of personal and thoughtful touches.
I send out regular mailers—things like holiday cards, home purchase anniversaries, even birthday cards. I also stay connected through texts, emails, and the occasional phone call, just checking in or sharing something I think might be helpful to them. A couple of weeks after a client moves in, I’ll usually invite them out to dinner—nothing formal, just a way to reconnect and make sure everything’s going smoothly in the new place.
One of my favorite things to do is Pop-Bys—little seasonal or holiday-themed gifts I drop off at their homes. It might be something fun for fall, a small plant for spring, or even a cute Hallmark-inspired treat around Valentine’s Day. It’s just a way to say, “Hey, I’m still here, and I’m thinking of you.”
Social media is another key part of how I stay in touch. I interact with my clients there regularly—they see me working, see my listings, and also get a peek into my personal life. It helps keep that connection strong and shows that I’m active and present in the community.
And looking ahead, one of my big goals is to host monthly client appreciation events starting in 2026. I think it’s such a fun way to bring people together and build a real sense of community around my brand. That’s something I’m super excited about and already working toward.
At the end of the day, it’s about showing people that I genuinely care—and that I’m here long after the keys are handed over.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://leslieemartin.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieemartinDTW/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeslieEMartinRealtor/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-martin-68a9a922a/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leslieemartin