After passing your Chicago broker exam, do this next!

The First Step Every New Chicago Real Estate Broker Should Take After Passing Their License Exam

Congratulations—you passed your Illinois broker exam! That’s no small feat, and you should be proud. But now that you’ve got your license, the big question is: What should you do first?

Here’s the truth: it’s not building a fancy website. It’s not ordering a box of 1,000 business cards. And it’s definitely not scrolling TikTok for realtor hacks.

I’m D.J. Paris, host of Keeping It Real—the nation’s most listened-to real estate podcast—and Vice President of Business Development at Kale Realty in Chicago. Over the past 14 years, I’ve coached thousands of brokers and interviewed more than 700 top-producing agents across the country. Almost every one of them gives the same advice when I ask: How did you start your business?

The answer is simple: focus on your sphere of influence.

Why Your Sphere of Influence Is Everything

Your sphere of influence—the people who already know, like, and trust you—is your most powerful business asset as a brand-new broker.

Think about it: friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, your barber, your yoga instructor… anyone who’d recognize your name if it popped up on their phone.

Here’s why this group is so critical:

  • People hire agents they know. Most buyers and sellers don’t pick a random broker—they choose someone they trust.

  • Referrals are king. More than 60% of clients work with an agent referred by a friend or family member.

  • It’s free. Building this list costs nothing but your time and attention.

How to Start Building Your Sphere Today

You don’t need fancy tools or expensive ads. Here’s how to get started right now:

  1. Make a list. Go through your phone, social media, LinkedIn, and email contacts. Write down every name you can.

  2. Put them in one place. Whether it’s a spreadsheet, a free CRM, or even a notebook, consolidate your list.

  3. Reach out. Don’t pitch—just share the news. Try something like:

    “Hey, I just passed my Illinois real estate exam and I’m officially a licensed broker here in Chicago. If you or someone you know is thinking about buying or selling, I’d love to help.”

This one step alone lays the foundation for your first deals.

The Takeaway

If you’re a new broker in Chicago, the smartest first move isn’t marketing gimmicks—it’s building your contact list. Your first clients will come from people who already know you, not strangers online.

So, before you buy a domain name or print glossy flyers, spend 30 minutes today compiling your sphere. That one action will jumpstart your career and set you on the path to becoming a top producer.

👉 Action Step: Open your phone right now, and start your list. Your first referral is closer than you think.