Riley Smith, President of The Riley Smith Group
What does it take to be the #1 Top Producing Team in Coconut Grove for seven years and counting? After sitting down with Mr. Riley Smith for breakfast, at his favorite local haunt Greenstreet’s, I surmise it has much to do with tenacity, a systematic approach to doing business and authenticity. Riley – whose for sale signs dominate Coconut Grove – is delightfully down-to-earth and candid about his successes, and challenges, in the business. His popularity undeniable, our table was a frequent pit stop for passer-by traffic exchanging greetings and setting up appointments. Riley quips, “Welcome to my office.”
In South Florida there are 41,000 realtors according to the Miami Association of Realtors, and that number is on the upswing. “Staying relevant and competitive requires an edge,” says Riley. Among the many things he preaches, and practices, is ongoing education through respected local and national institutions, market mastery and content marketing.
Premiering his blog almost a decade ago, Riley was a pioneer. He saw opportunity with the burgeoning forum and created a place where he could share data and help customers to better understand the ins and outs of buying a house in the Grove. Today, he and his team manage four blogs: The Real Estate Coconut, Coral Gables Real Estate Vault, Brickell Condo Blog and Unlock Key Biscayne Real Estate, as well as a digital newsletter and social media pages. There are numerous benefits to creating the content, says Riley. For one it helps him and his team, remain current and knowledgeable. It’s a great tool for SEO and empowers buyers and sellers with valuable information.
Born and raised in Coconut Grove, Miami’s oldest neighborhood, Riley has a keen understanding of the area’s rich history. His relaxed and low-key demeanor is quintessential Grove and that translates well with locals looking to list their properties. He also lives a lifestyle that’s indicative of the area, including boating and dining out. As a marketing expert, I often work with brands to create activity that connects them with target audiences — Riley is doing that organically.
“You’re as good as you’re team,” is a message heard often in the world of business. Riley has carefully curated his, creating specific job roles with clear goals. He’s created an environment of open communication and diversity. And most importantly, he leads through example. Together, The Riley Smith Group has grown significantly in the last five years to a team of a dozen.
With new development activity on both the residential and commercial front, the Grove continues to reinvent itself. “It’s an interesting and complex market, with different communities,” says Riley. As it evolves, I’m looking forward to seeing how Riley and his business do so as well.
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