We were lucky to catch up with Mara Benson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mara, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

I never planned on being a Realtor. I struggled at school and tried college twice, I just never enjoyed it. My father taught me to work hard. I always had visions of owning my own business, I just didn’t know what that looked like. In 1998 I moved to Arizona, met my husband and we had two children. I had my first taste of sales in the .com era, I absolutely loved it! But, with the crash I was never paid for all of my hard work. My second sales job was in Scottsdale selling CRM Software and support contracts. This was an inside sales job, I was stuck at a desk and driving in traffic to work during horrendous hours dropping my children off at a home day care. I was exhausted.

Out of the blue one day, someone suggested I should become a Realtor. I’d have a flexible schedule and could take charge of my income. That week I enrolled in real estate school. I finished real estate school in my 90 hours and over a 2 month timeframe. Then came the test taking. That has always been my challenge. My husband decided at the same time that we were going to purchase our first house. I failed my first real estate school test. My plan was to join a brokerage that I was familiar with and we became fast friends with the owner. He helped us with the purchase of our home.

Then, I failed my second real estate school test. Everyone kept asking and waiting for me to get my license. At this point, I was going in weekly to take my real estate test.

On the 12th time taking the real estate test, I passed. Yes, I passed!! I was so excited!

Helping families is personal for me, because I am a wife & a mother, not just a Realtor. Coaching my clients and supporting them as they move with their families during those very busy years is something that fills my cup. My clients deserve a home that feels good, in the right neighborhood to create new wonderful memories and I’m so grateful to be a part of that.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

https://www.flipsnack.com/858F9E66AED/the-benson-process/full-view.html Here is a link for my Process Guide

The Benson Group is proud to be one of the top 25 Real Estate Teams in the Phoenix Valley. The team is led by industry leader & Owner of Bliss Realty, Mara Benson. The Benson Group is known for their innovative use of technology and video, consistently raising the bar in real estate.

Mara is one of the Owners at Bliss Realty & also one of Arizona’s leading residential real estate professionals, with more than 22 years of experience. She is recognized and admired for her extensive market knowledge, dynamic negotiating skills, strong work-ethic, forward thinking marketing and her unparalleled service. Her innovative use of technology have earned her a well-respected reputation, not only with clients but amongst her peers throughout the industry. She maintains an impressive five star review rating and for Mara, finding a client’s dream home is not her job, it’s her passion.

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

Keeping in touch with clients & earning future clients is very important. A Realtor should prospect daily, through social media, networking events, phone, texting and even with emails. With newer technology we are trying AI and Chat GPT to help with video content and to just remain top of mind. I have a coach that also helps me come up with ideas to always improve my content and communication.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social Media can be very overwhelming no matter what your age. I personally know that my coaches would get frustrated with me because I refused to make and post videos. FYI, that took me almost 12 months to get the confidence to make videos. I also cannot speak for others but, internally I judge myself; it is the little voices that get in the way. Today I am not wearing makeup, I do not like my hair, or I just do not know what to say. So, I piled on the excuses before I even started.

The best piece of advice, for social media, just start doing it NOW, TODAY. And with anything, the more you do, the more practice you have, the better you will become. There are always things to learn about social media and the different platforms, even new apps to try out. But, if you put off doing something because you are worried about what others think, or you are worried about what to do… You are only hurting yourself.

Not doing your marketing and prospecting as a realtor each day affects YOUR bank account. Start with Facebook or start with Instagram but start. Do not pay to build an audience or followers, and do not pay for someone else to post for you, own it. Just start doing it.

Your ego will hurt you more than you know. Set a reminder in your calendar until you remember to post. Take it one day at a time. Try new things each day if you want, and if you make an error, you can fix it and repost it. It is not a big deal. Our future is social media, it is not going away.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marabenson.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marabensonrealtor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marabensongroup
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marabenson/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpE8lCDQ80PVjnORIHfy29g