"I did it! I made it through that 60 hour class, aced my final exam, bit my nails all the way to PSI and hugged the computer when 'PASS' showed up on the screen. YES! You can't tell me nothing now! Companies are already ringing my phone off the hook trying to get me to come sell real estate for their firm. Wait till I tell all my family and friends. Business will start coming from everywhere. I will be able to quit my job and begin building my real estate business NOW."

The challenge is to keep up that level of enthusiasm while writing an effective business plan and preparing your interview questions to determine which firm is best for you.

When the honeymoon is over and you love the company you've chosen, the training begins again. You quickly realize that everything you had studied and "aced" on that exam tells you very little about the forms and process that you must follow to help your clients buy or sell. How do you even get into the house? Who is going to hold my hand to make sure that I do all of this right? Your broker.

Your broker should be one of your best business resources.

Your broker has years of experience and training in many aspects of the real estate transaction. Your broker will also have many resources available for you to gain more knowledge and become successful. Review your business plan with your broker. This business plan should include financial planning for expenses such as association dues, MLS access, E/O insurance, marketing and advertising.

Training and education must be budgeted in the finance as well as the activity sections of your plan. Take advantage of all of the training that your broker provides, as well as attending Alpha College of Real Estate courses for the most up-to-date information in this ever-changing business.

Prospect for Clients. Your business plan will direct what marketing vehicles you will use to create your image and market your product. That product usually begins with YOU marketing yourself and your services. Take advantage of any marketing discounts that your broker has negotiated for the company and look into other effective advertising and social media options.