Episode Overview In this episode, John Kitchens and Jay Kinder unpack the real reason most agents are struggling in 2025: they don’t understand marketing. From identifying “have-to” sellers to the hidden power of new construction funnels, this conversation is a masterclass in how agents must shift their mindset and skillset to thrive. Jay pulls back the curtain on what’s working right now in lead generation, direct mail, and social positioning—and how to build authority at scale without burning out. If you're doing fewer than 2 deals a month, this is the wake-up call you need. Whether you're looking to rebuild your pipeline, reignite your referral business, or finally master social media strategy, this episode gives you the blueprint. Key Topics Covered The #1 Skill Every Agent Must Master Why marketing—not selling—is the survival skill for 2025 How most agents confuse busy work with real business The direct connection between marketing mastery and freedom Think Like a CEO, Not a Salesperson Why obsessed marketers dominate even in tough markets How to spot “have-to” sellers vs. “want-to” time-wasters Why the best agents are educators, not chasers New Construction = The Scalable Opportunity Why new construction remains the best listing funnel How to position builder incentives as buyer solutions Real-world examples from agents winning this strategy Data-Driven Authority How to use KCM, Altos, and real-time MLS data to educate at scale Becoming the “daily market update” voice for your community Why trust-based content outperforms any paid ad Social Media That Converts The winning formula: Teach + Consistency + Frequency Why showing up every day creates unfair top-of-mind awareness Real examples of content that builds inbound momentum Direct Mail That Doesn’t Suck Why most agents fail at mailers (and how to fix it) The real play: saturation + frequency + a dog-whistle offer How “guaranteed offer” language still pulls in high-quality sellers From Anonymous to Authority Building omnipresence with the right messaging Why personalization wins over generic branding Case study: the “I’ve got your postcards wallpapered” moment The Power of Clear Messaging What agents get wrong with their ads and postcards How to build trust through education, not persuasion “If you confuse, you lose”—why clarity beats cleverness Resources Mentioned HoneyBadgerNation.com – Resources, community, and training Keeping Current Matters (KCM) – Data-backed market insights Altos Research – Real-time market trends 100M Leads / 100M Offers by Alex Hormozi – Marketing fundamentals Dan Kennedy No B.S. Books – Direct response marketing masterclass CHSA & CHBA Systems – Increase trust and perceived value with every deal Alex Pox YouTube Channel – A+ new construction strategy model Predictable Success by Les McKeown – Discover your leadership archetype "It’s not the best agent who wins—it’s the best marketer." – John Kitchens Connect with Us: Instagram: LinkedIn: Facebook: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥