Why Offering Services First Might Be Smarter

Let’s Challenge the Assumption

“Services are temporary. Products are the goal.”

That’s not always true.

Services aren’t a stepping stone.

They’re a different model.

And for certain problems, especially in real estate, they’re the smarter choice.

Services Work When Personalization Matters

Services make sense when someone needs:

• Personalized guidance, not generic steps

• You to actually do the work

• Real-time feedback and adaptation

• High-touch support to break through friction

If the outcome depends on context, market, positioning, experience level, static instruction won’t always cut it.

Real Estate Examples That Fit Services

For agents, services are powerful when offering:

• Done-for-you website or landing page setup

• One-on-one coaching to refine listing presentation messaging

• A VIP strategy day to build a premium offer

• Consulting to audit and restructure a seller funnel

• Hands-on campaign setup inside Meta Ads Manager

These aren’t generic problems.

They’re specific.

And specific problems often require specific support.

When to Skip Services

Services aren’t for everyone.

Skip them if:

• You don’t want to trade time for money

• The problem can be solved with clear written or recorded instruction

• You burn out from live calls

• You want income detached from your direct involvement

If your energy drops with back-to-back sessions, forcing yourself into a service model won’t end well.

The Hidden Advantage of Services

Here’s what many agents overlook:

Services clarify your thinking faster than products.

When you work directly with clients, you:

• Hear objections in real time

• Spot patterns across markets

• Refine your messaging naturally

• Discover where people actually struggle

That feedback loop is powerful.

It sharpens your positioning in ways a course built in isolation can’t.

Not Better. Just Different.

Services aren’t “less scalable.”

They’re optimized for:

• Depth

• Speed of revenue

• Precision

• Transformation

Products are optimized for:

• Leverage

• Reach

• Automation

Both work.

But they solve different kinds of problems.

Final Thought

Before building a course, ask:

“Does this problem require direct involvement?”

If someone needs adaptation, accountability, and personalization, services may be the smartest format.

If instruction alone solves it, build a product.

Match the format to the problem.

Not to the idea of what sounds more scalable.