Being a successful real estate agent takes persistence, drive, patience, hard work, supreme negotiating skills and a lot of energy. While top agents are as unique as the properties they sell, there are 10 qualities and skills they have in common:

Visibility: Whether it’s blogs, open houses, or print ads, top agents know that the more prospective buyers and sellers see you out there using your sales tools and making connections, the more likely they are to ask you for help or advice. Personal connections get you the clients, and clients flow into referrals and sales.

Networking: Track what your contacts are up to, who they know and what people in their circles are talking about. You may get a lead or may be able to provide one that ultimately turns into business.

Community Knowledge: Volunteer to be on boards or committees that serve your community. Help out by donating your time or resources with area schools or businesses.  Consider sponsoring an event. Get out there and meet the people, see what makes the city or town unique, and you’ll have an advantage over your competition.

Industry Expertise: In addition to posting listings on Twitter and Facebook, be an expert in your industry. Create a blog and track and talk about real estate trends or topics. Be part of the conversation, or risk being left out.

Negotiating Skills: Writing or receiving an offer is only the first step in closing a deal. It takes first-hand knowledge of your market and being in tune with your client’s needs to help a buyer and seller understand the market value of a house, and feel comfortable with their purchase or sale. Additionally, there may be inspection issues that arise that require further negotiation. Here, the well-honed skills of an expert negotiator will separate him or her from other real estate agents.

Communication: Buying or selling a home can be an emotional time, so be straight but considerate when speaking with clients. If a price reduction is in order, or feedback about the residence is less than stellar, be truthful. Avoiding what needs to be said is never good for anyone, and the results often prove it.

Hard Work: You may have to give up many weekends and nights for this profession. Most people use off-work hours to shop around. You may be able to share the workload with a colleague or partner down the road, but when you’re building your business, you’re on the client’s time, not yours.

Branding: Consider running ads in community papers or websites, and sending out mailers with a variety of listings. Always be sure that your collateral materials are informative, eye-catching, easy to read and tell a story of who you are and why clients should hire you.  Remember, you’re creating your own brand.

Technology: The days of running listings in the Sunday paper are gone. Clients need to be able to search homes online, view photo listing sheets on their smartphones, and even click on real estate apps that give them the information they need. The technology is changing at a rapid-fire pace, so do your best to keep up with your clients’ technology demands.

Quick Response: Thanks to modern-day technology, you are always accessible. If a buyer or seller can’t find you when they’re ready to make a move, you could lose the business. This may be the hardest step to take, but it’s critical.

Embrace and embody these skills and qualities, and you will see marked results, forge a network of contacts that routinely lead to big sales and build a strong foundation for a long-term career. Remember, it takes resourcefulness and endurance to build a reputation that will grow your market share.

Amy Mizner is a principal of Benoit Mizner Simon & Co., a real estate agency with offices in Weston and Wellesley.