How to Lead with Purpose and Build a People-First Brand | Craig Witt, CEO of EXIT Realty

What does it take to lead thousands of agents, stay grounded, and build a people-first company? In this Stay Paid interview, Craig Witt, U.S. CEO of EXIT Realty Corp. International, shares his lessons from leading one of the nation’s top real estate brands through growth, change, and challenge. Craig reveals how humility, delegation, and purpose-based leadership have shaped his journey from franchise owner to CEO, and why putting people first is the key to scaling sustainably. 👉 We talk about: ✅ The balance between confidence and humility in leadership ✅ How to delegate without losing control ✅ Why every agent should think like a CEO ✅ How purpose—not profit—drives long-term success ✅ The future of real estate and the importance of raising industry standards   🔗 https://www.joinexitrealty.com/ 🔗 https://exitrealty.com/ 📲 Text “CRAIG” to 85377 for Craig’s mobile business card   ⁉️ Do YOU have a question you’d like us to answer on air? Send us an email at [email protected] or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast  

What if the best way to market your business wasn’t advertising at all—but giving back? In this episode of Stay Paid, we sit down with Mike Kirtley of Kirtley Insurance and the AC Companies to learn how he built his brand through authenticity, relatability, and giving back. From buying livestock at county fairs, to sponsoring race cars, to creating Chamber of Commerce scholarships, Mike shows how the best marketing often looks like community involvement   👉 Learn about: ✅ The simple gratitude habit that reframes your day and builds real connections. ✅ Why marketing insurance (and other “reactive” industries) is so tough. ✅ How to build brand awareness in small towns. ✅ Why relatability matters. ✅ Sponsorships and the “halo effect” of giving back. ✅ Chamber of Commerce scholarships as a branding tool. ✅ Why authenticity (jeans and boots vs. a suit) builds trust. ✅ The daily habit of sending gratitude texts. ✅ Why you should merge your personal and professional life into one authentic self.   💻 JoinTheAC.com  🙋🏼‍♂️ Mike's Agency: KirtleyInsurance.com 📲 Follow Mike: https://www.instagram.com/themikekirtley   ⁉️ Do YOU have a question you’d like us to answer on air? Send us an email at [email protected] or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast. 

Recruiting agents? You need a funnel, not just cold calls. In this week’s Stay Paid Q&A, Luke and Josh answer live calls from agents and entrepreneurs across the country. From building recruiting funnels and creating the right scripts, to overcoming slumps with accountability and visualization, to leveraging TikTok leads with the right funnel—this episode is packed with strategies you can use today.   👉 You’ll learn: ✅ How to build a recruiting funnel that consistently attracts agents. ✅ Why proof and storytelling beat promises when pitching your brokerage. ✅ The cold calling scripts that open doors instead of closing them. ✅ How to overcome slumps with environment, accountability, and visualization. ✅ Why building and owning your list is the foundation of any business.   ⁉️ Do YOU have a question you’d like us to answer on air? Send us an email at [email protected] or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast

How do you stay focused when distractions pull you in every direction? In this week’s Stay Paid Q&A, Luke, Josh, and Cody tackle real agents’ toughest questions about farming, focus, and follow-up. Discover why cookouts and partnerships work, why time blocking is critical, and why asking for referrals should never feel uncomfortable. 👉 You’ll learn: ✅ How to dominate your neighborhood with geographic farming. ✅ Why cookouts, events, and partnerships can boost local authority. ✅ How to time block, stay focused, and avoid shiny-object syndrome. ✅ The biggest pet peeves in client follow-up (and how to fix them). ✅ Why referrals and relationships always beat pure transactions.     ⁉️ Do YOU have a question you’d like us to answer on air? Send us an email at [email protected] or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast

Is AI a threat — or the biggest opportunity in real estate? In this episode of Stay Paid, we sit down with Drew Thompson, head of Real Academy at Real, to dive deep into how agents can practically use AI for content, coaching, rapport building, and sales. Learn why follower counts don’t matter, why human connection will always win, and how to harness AI as your creative edge instead of fearing it.   🧠 What we cover: ✅ Two types of AI users: copywriters vs. strategic partners. ✅ How to create “AI advisors” modeled after mentors like Hormozi. ✅ Journaling, role-playing, and critical thinking with ChatGPT. ✅ Why courses and coaching aren’t dead—they just require trust. ✅ The dangers of hallucinations, fake testimonials, and over-AI’d posts. ✅ Practical uses: research prospects before meetings, build rapport fast. ✅ Why “human verified” content may be the next wave. ✅ AI’s real impact: automating 70+ agent tasks while humans keep the heart-to-heart.   📲 Connect with Drew: https://www.instagram.com/thedrewthompson   ⁉️ Do YOU have a question you’d like us to answer on air? Send us an email at [email protected] or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast

What does it take to build a 900-agent downline? His secret? Don’t pitch. Deliver value. In this week’s episode of Stay Paid, New Jersey powerhouse Matt Curcio reveals how he went from top-producing agent to leading Real Broker’s first NJ office—and recruiting nearly 1,000 agents along the way. From running high-quality events to helping agents grow through coaching and community, Matt shares the real keys to long-term success in recruiting, retention, and leadership.   👉🏻 What's covered: ✅ Matt’s journey: from ReMax Hall of Fame to leading Real Broker NJ. ✅ Recruiting lessons from EXP and Real. ✅ Why delivering value beats pitching every time. ✅ Events, networking, and creating communities agents trust. ✅ Revenue share truths: why most agents never see a check. ✅ The importance of reputation and perception in your market. ✅ Why long-term growth comes from culture, not shortcuts.   📲 Connect with Matt: https://www.instagram.com/MJCurcio7   ⁉️ Do YOU have a question you’d like us to answer on air? Send us an email at [email protected] or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast

Real estate success is simple—but it isn’t easy. In this Q&A episode of Stay Paid, Luke, Josh, Stephen, and Cody take live calls from agents facing the same struggles you are. From finding free leads without Zillow, to breaking through Instagram plateaus, to leading a team without burning out, we dig into the strategies, standards, and mindset shifts every agent and team leader needs.   👉 You’ll learn about: ✅ How to generate free leads as a new agent—sphere, open houses, FSBOs, expireds. ✅ Why most agents fail at sphere marketing (and how to fix it). ✅ The role of standards, accountability, and team vision in building a successful group. ✅ The “messy middle” of team building that no one talks about. ✅ Instagram growth myths and why sphere engagement matters more. ✅ Local content ideas that grow your following and attract real leads. ✅ How to improve cold call to appointment conversion rates.     ⁉️ Do YOU have a question you’d like us to answer on air? Send us an email at [email protected] or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast

From HBO to high-end homes, Tom McCormack has built a career around storytelling, relationships, and leadership. In this episode of Stay Paid, Tom, co-owner and senior partner at Resources Real Estate, shares how his background in television shaped his approach to marketing, why caring about clients is the ultimate differentiator, and what it takes to compete (and win) as an independent brokerage. 📝 Topic’s covered: ✅ Tom’s unexpected career journey from television production at HBO to real estate. ✅ Why storytelling is at the heart of powerful real estate marketing. ✅ How to break into luxury markets (and leverage listings to get more). ✅ The human element that keeps agents relevant in an AI-driven world. ✅ The advantages independents have over big box brokerages—and how to compete. ✅ Recruiting and training strategies that build agent competence and loyalty. ✅ Why consistent education and training are essential for long-term success.   💻 Resource's Real Estate Brokers: https://www.resourcesrealestate.com/   ⁉️ Do YOU have a question you’d like us to answer on air? Send us an email at [email protected] or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast

Trust has a new currency—and it’s reviews 🚀 In this episode of Stay Paid, Luke & Josh sit down with Jonas Roeser, award-winning international marketer and CEO/CMO of AgentReview.net, to uncover why reviews are the future of reputation and sales. From overcoming fake reviews and handling negativity, to leveraging AI for credibility, Jonas shares powerful strategies you can use to protect and grow your business. 🗣️ Topics include: ✅ Why reviews matter more than ever in building credibility and client trust. ✅ The role of AI in scanning and ranking reviews for search results. ✅ Best strategies to ask for reviews (timing, phrasing, and frictionless platforms). ✅ How to handle negative reviews—and why responses matter more than you think. ✅ The future of online reputation with verification and third-party validation. ✅ Jonas’s journey with AgentReview.net and its mission to connect consumers with verified agents.   💻 Visit Agent Review: https://www.agentreview.net/   ⁉️ Do YOU have a question you’d like us to answer on air? Send us an email at [email protected] or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast

If you’ve ever wondered “What should I be doing right now to grow?” — this episode is your roadmap.  Bookkeeping headaches. Social media that doesn’t convert. Wondering if you should start a podcast or not. Every agent struggles with these at some point—and in this Q&A episode of Stay Paid, we break it all down.   📝 Topics covered:  ✅ How to finally get your bookkeeping in order. ✅ The truth about starting a podcast. ✅ Turning casual likes into loyal clients. ✅ Standing out from cheap PR firms.   🔗 Connect with Luke: https://www.instagram.com/lukeacree/ 🔗 Connect with Stephen: https://www.instagram.com/stephen__acree/ 🔗 Connect with Cody: https://www.instagram.com/c.cody_smith/   ⁉️ Do YOU have a question you’d like us to answer on air? Send us an email at [email protected] or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast