I would disagree about asking other Realtors.  We are a pretty cocooned bunch and I've found the greatest advice comes from people outside of our business.  You don't want to do the same thing as everyone else.  Be authentic, be your own original self.  And, don't worry about what other Realtors may or may not think of you and your business!  They are not your clients or future business.  Keep them at arms length!

Tara,

I think that Susan Emo has given you excellent advice.  I just would add that learn everything you can about your marketplace, not just the stats but the personality and lifestyles of the people who live there...A

No matter what ... never sell your soul for a dollar. Keep your clients best interest at heart all the time.  Do not do as others do and say ... do the right thing. Study hard and learn the contracts. Be authentic. Don't beg for business. Avoid the Guru Party coaching.

6 month of reserve for living..... Lots of up front investment and a risky profession that may not work for everyone.

There was a lot of participation in the recent October Challenge on this very subject.  The comment section has links to dozens and dozens of entries!

Observe and ask questions of seasoned agents.

Get a good mentor. Read lots of RE-related books in your spare time (Your Key to Open House Success, for example). Nurture your SOI (sphere of influence). 

Get a great coach, or join a great team, just took on another agent for our team tonight and have him enrolled in coaching.

Run away!  Don't look back!

Don't waste money until you are financially stable.  Fees can cause havoc.

Join a team or mentor in order to learn the ropes.

As for books ... The Millionare Real Estate Agent by Gary Keller  and  21 Things I Wish My Broker Had Told Me by Ed Cook

Learn about the community and become a connector of people to resources. Focus on others and present options so clients are able to make educated choices. Educate your clients with genuine knowledge and expertise. Best to be aware of your own strengths and talents to use time effectively. So much more...

Tara Berkoski Work for a Broker with a good training and mentoring program.

Don't worry about chasing every piece of new technology that comes down the pike. Budget your marketing funds.

I agree with others about finding a mentor.  Though, finding one that gels with your style and personality is not easy, but worth the effort.

Great answers

Best of luck. I hope you made it!

Tell everyone what you do and hand them a business card

Be yourself and be improving everyday.  

Prospect every day.

Good morning Tara. Network a lot, blog like crazy and fine a mentor.

 Good morning Tara. Nothing stands in the way of lead generation.

get out and meet people , network everything, and get your brand into peoples hands without them realizing that's what your doing

Eat mor chikin!

Hang out here at ActiveRain.  Read, read, read.  There is so much to learn here.

my best advice is to go to work for a firm where you will have a mentor, be it a broker or another agent. You can take years to figure it out or you can work with someone who will teach you how to get business and do business well.

Find a great employing broker with a mentorship program or training program. 

Find a great broker that will mentor you and meet with you weekly

Get a coach. Don't start out your career following people with bad habits. 

If you want to 'see those habits' look at the people hanging around the office.

Education, training, mentorship, keeping your eye's open and your mouth closed except to ask questions.  Do not lose sight of your goals when you get that first piece of business.  

Don't expect great success working just 40 hours a week. You have to work smart and long hours and earn your dues. It may take months to get your business flowing but know if you keep up doing what you need to do, you are building a foundation for a great career and it get easier with each year.

When you get advise from agents that are really listing and selling real estate, take the advise and do what they suggest even if it is not in your comfort zone.  Learn from the agents on AR.  They are not in direct competition with you and are sharing some excellent ideas on how to succeed as a real estate agent. 

decide your boundaries with your clients and customers early so you don't feel like you have to answer phone calls at midnight, or show homes with an hours notice.  If it loses you a client, you will probably be saving yourself future head and heart aches.

Also.  Stuff happens.  Take responsibility for the mistakes you make, but don't take responsibility for the things that others created.  You will have enough opportunities for a commissionectomy on your own issues to afford to give into others demands for your money.

Find a mentor and stick to them like glue.

Always be prospecting, generating leads, searching for new business. This will even out the peaks and valleys of income along the way and provide a good foundation for long-term growth.

Find a successful agent to mentor you or consider joining a team so you can learn from more experienced agents. It can take years to become a really productive Realtor.

Hi Tara Berkoski I think picking a niche is important based on your market, your needs, skills, sphere, ect.

Be prepared to do some serious networking and build a database.