Episode Overview

Podcast: Your Daily Real Estate Podcast with Tristan Ahumada
Episode: 783 – Why Smart Agents Ditch Five Platforms for One
Date: January 21, 2026
Host: Tristan Ahumada

Main Theme:
Tristan Ahumada breaks down a streamlined, modern approach for new and experienced real estate agents to grow their business and simplify their daily efforts. Rather than juggling five or more online platforms, agents should focus on maximizing results on one or two high-impact channels, create compelling local content, use free and low-cost tools, leverage technology like AI, and consistently build authentic relationships through old-school and cutting-edge tactics.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Picking the Right Platform (00:00–01:15)

• Agents often feel pressured to cover every major online platform.

• Tristan's Take: Focus on what matches your strengths and interests, then commit.

  "People gravitate to online. The most visited websites in the world gravitate to Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, ChatGPT, X, and Reddit… Think about where you would gravitate based on what you’re great at." (Ahumada, 00:24)

• Instagram is Tristan’s preferred starting point:

  • Popularity is rising, especially as political issues on TikTok push users toward Instagram.
  • Double posting possible: Instagram can auto-post to Facebook.

• Actionable Advice: "I would not start with five platforms, I’d start with one." (Ahumada, 00:42)

2. Content Focus: Local News and Data (01:15–01:55)

• Posting about local news is an effective way to stand out.

• Emphasize what matters to homeowners, not just recycled national stories.

• Consistent local content establishes you as a community resource.

  "Explain what’s happening in the community that affects homeowners. Because now you start creating a sense of who you are because you’re showing up enough for people." (Ahumada, 01:30)

3. Building a Newsletter Ecosystem (01:55–02:40)

• Pair social presence with a simple, free newsletter.

• Recommend Substack:

  • Free, easy to use, acts like social media, blog, or newsletter.
  • Direct users from Instagram or in person to sign up for more local insights.

  "I wouldn’t complicate it and I would keep it free… I’d use Substack… it’s a blog, it’s a newsletter, it’s whatever you want." (Ahumada, 02:11)

4. Leveraging AI for Efficiency (02:40–03:30)

• Start with free or existing AI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude) to create:

  • Local buyer and seller packets
  • Custom presentations and PDFs

• Use AI to generate value-added content for giveaways.

• Match AI to your brokerage’s offerings, especially if they provide Gemini or other tools.

  "I’d go to ChatGPT and I’d say, ‘Hey ChatGPT, I work this area… create packets for them specifically.’ And then it would create these presentations or PDFs…" (Ahumada, 03:04)

5. Open Houses and Door Knocking (03:30–04:50)

• Open houses remain effective for in-person connections:

  • Participate with your brokerage or partner agents if allowed.

• Door-knock around open houses to invite neighbors and collect contacts.

• Use AI-generated handouts with relevant stats or local insights for leave-behinds.

• Consistent goal: grow your database and newsletter list.

6. Scalable Monthly Giveaways (04:50–05:45)

• Run affordable, repeatable giveaways to incentivize newsletter sign-ups or participation:

  • Example: $100 monthly gift card (Amazon, Visa, or local business)
  • Tie entry to concrete actions: newsletter signup, attending an open house, participating in a game.

• "Gamify" open house visits (e.g., find a hidden item and post a photo on social).

  "Look, you’re doing a $100 gift card a month, not a day, not a week. And this way it’s scalable because now you’re attracting people." (Ahumada, 05:35)

7. Old-School Lead Generation with New-School Practice (05:45–07:10)

• Continue to pursue expired listings and FSBOs.

• Use AI to role-play tough calls, practice objections, and refine scripts:

  • "Set up an AI chat with ChatGPT and say, ‘Hey, be an expired, be hard on me, give me seven objections…’"

• Self-coaching: record your calls, listen for tone and confidence.

  "Those people that have a great tonality and connect with the right dialogue and don’t stutter and have great confidence, connect with people better that are trying to sell their home." (Ahumada, 06:55)

8. Targeting Landlords: The Low-Hanging Fruit (07:10–07:50)

• Use Propstream or similar tools to find local small landlords (2–3 properties).

• Reach out to those likely feeling overwhelmed or tired of being a landlord.

• This represents a valuable but often overlooked group of potential sellers.

  "That is a low hanging fruit. When you combine all of those and you show up consistently, here’s the thing: you’ve got to show up every day." (Ahumada, 07:38)

9. Calendaring, Consistency, and Going All-In (07:50–09:17)

• Prioritize consistency:

  • Open houses: 3-4 per week if you're new.
  • Newsletter: Weekly if not more often.
  • Instagram: At least daily posts.

• The key is daily showing up—online and in-person.

  "If I’m all in on this, that means I’m consistent and I’m showing up and I want you to do the same." (Ahumada, 08:57)

10. Leveling Up—No Matter Where You Start (09:17–End)

• This process works if you're brand new or want to push further as an experienced agent.
• Inventory your strengths and create a simple, focused daily plan that matches where consumers gather.
• Tristan offers a downloadable outline of his steps; reach out via Instagram for a copy.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Explain what’s happening in the community that affects homeowners. Because now you start creating a sense of who you are because you’re showing up enough for people.” – Tristan Ahumada, 01:30
• “I wouldn’t complicate it and I would keep it free… I’d use Substack… it’s a blog, it’s a newsletter, it’s whatever you want.” – 02:11
• “I’d go to ChatGPT and I’d say, ‘Hey ChatGPT, I work this area… create packets for them specifically.’” – 03:04
• “Look, you’re doing a $100 gift card a month, not a day, not a week. And this way it’s scalable.” – 05:35
• “Those people that have a great tonality and connect with the right dialogue and don’t stutter and have great confidence, connect with people better that are trying to sell their home.” – 06:55
• “That is a low hanging fruit. When you combine all of those and you show up consistently, here’s the thing: you’ve got to show up every day.” – 07:38
• “If I’m all in on this, that means I’m consistent and I’m showing up and I want you to do the same.” – 08:57

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–01:15: Choosing your platform, go with your strength
• 01:15–01:55: Power of local news and personal branding
• 01:55–02:40: Newsletters and Substack as foundational tools
• 02:40–03:30: Leveraging AI for client packets and presentations
• 03:30–04:50: Open houses, door-knocking, and building lists
• 04:50–05:45: Affordable monthly giveaways, gamifying engagement
• 05:45–07:10: Using AI for expireds/FSBOs scripting and confidence
• 07:10–07:50: Finding and targeting small landlords
• 07:50–09:17: Consistent calendaring and going all-in
• 09:17–End: Advice for agents at all levels; access to a detailed outline

Summary Takeaway

Tristan Ahumada encourages agents to simplify, focus, and show up where their individual strengths and their prospective clients are—both online (especially Instagram and newsletters) and in person (via open houses, door knocking, and landlord outreach). Leverage AI to save time and increase your effectiveness, but always build genuine connections. If you’re starting out or stuck, follow a tight plan—commit to it daily and level up over time. To access his full outline, message Tristan on Instagram.