Interview with Alyssa Brody – Broker Owner

A tenacious innovator bullish on redefining the real estate market through data-driven solutions. Bringing a multifaceted range of capabilities and expertise to the table, clients entrust her as a partner and strategic advisor for real estate transactions.

New York, NY

Development Marketing Team

Development Marketing Team | alyssasotobrody | developmentmarketingteam.com

What inspired you to start in real estate and how did you motivate yourself to keep going?

I first entered the real estate industry in 2006 after my stepfather purchased a real estate franchise called “Homevestors.” I was in college in Miami, where I was raised, and I fell in love with the hustle of the industry and the ability to generate income on investments. Working in the business taught me how to identify opportunities for investment – buying, renovating, selling, and leasing properties – all before graduating college. Upon entering law school, I decided to specialize in real estate law, which propelled my career as a broker and has given me the skills and background to be an asset in many facets of the business.

Comparing your business from back then to now, what has been the main thing that allowed you to expand your business?

One of the biggest tools that has allowed us to grow is the use of social media and digital marketing. Being able to pioneer the real estate industry through our social media presence and digital marketing campaigns has been instrumental in setting us apart from the competition.

What’s the most profitable aspect of your business, why do you think this is and how can others apply this to what they are doing?

We are focused on utilizing today’s technology to more effectively market and sell real estate. We are using real-time data to capture and convert leads, which has helped reduce the time listings spend on the market. We are also working with developers on pre-development planning to ensure apartments and condos meet the needs of today’s evolving consumer, which results in more traffic and ultimately more sales.

When did you realize you were successful/made it and how did you feel/celebrate?

I had a very successful team at a notable brokerage in NYC, and despite the pandemic, I decided to venture out and launch the Development Marketing Team (DMT). I am constantly striving to reach new levels of success, but being able to start this innovative sales and marketing brokerage has demonstrated my tenacity and drive.

Looking back, what could you have done sooner to get to that point quicker?

For me, it’s not about how quickly you make it – it’s just about getting there. Longevity is one of the biggest pillars of success. I continuously strive to accomplish something every day, no matter how large or small, and my focus is to break down barriers to accomplish even more across the real estate industry.

What should other real estate entrepreneurs reading this be focusing on to expand their own business?

The real estate industry is constantly evolving, so anyone interested in entrepreneurship should be following trends and forecasts, and be familiarizing themselves as much as possible with the industry. I also find that collaboration can be helpful to growing your own business. Teaming up with my partner Erica Sachse allowed us to form a unique brokerage that marries sales and marketing – which not all brokerages do. Having a partner or team can help spark new ideas and perspectives that can catapult your brand and business.  

How has social media and online marketing affected your real estate business? How much more success have you had now after implementing social media and online marketing efforts?

A few years ago, I decided to invest in digital marketing for my brand. I hired a young millennial to take over my Instagram and create a “virtual” network – a place where people could see and tour my listings on social media. We quickly realized this was a coveted tool and one that was missing in real estate. While other industries were quickly adapting to the positive impact of social media, brokers, and agents were still using antiquated approaches for marketing. We launched “virtual tours” on Instagram long before the pandemic, offering viewers tours of different listings. Through this digital marketing growth, I was introduced to Erica Sachse, CEO of Snaplistings, who helped co-found DMT. Erica is a digital dynamo and spearheads all the digital marketing efforts at DMT, bringing a fresh outlook on the real estate space through her groundbreaking content and outstanding audience engagement.

How did you build your team?

At my former brokerage, I spent nearly five years building my brand and starting a team. This was a major stepping stone in my career. Finding people I could trust in business and who believed in me gave me the ability to take things to the next level, eventually starting my own brokerage. Today, DMT is representing several notable projects across NYC with plans to expand into South Florida.

How did you become a good leader?

I’ve learned so much from family, friends and mentors. To me, being a good leader is about more than achieving success, it’s about influencing others to make a positive impact.

Did You Experience Failures? If So, What Did You Learn From Them?

I think we have all experienced failure in some capacity. It can either shape or shatter you. I’ve chosen to learn from my failures and turn each lesson into wisdom, striving always to move forward and never back. Also, understanding that sometimes there are elements outside of your control can be instrumental in shaping the way one thinks about failure.

What do you consider the main differences between those people who have been successful in your industry and those who have failed?

You definitely need to be passionate and have the ability to persevere during the strong markets, as well as the challenging ones, because our industry can be affected by so many external factors.

What’s Your Approach To Marketing?

Part of what sets DMT apart from other sales and marketing agencies is our unique lead generation and lead nurture campaigns. Through an entirely customized, automated process, DMT monitors behavioral interactions and various touchpoints to capture and convert leads.