In my opinion, we're all part-time - isn't that why we chose this business in the first place?  I've found that people with other jobs are far more efficient with time managment - the same as a parent with 6 kids compared to 1 child!!! 

For me, I didn't want to work more hours so I decided to increase my average sale price instead.  To make more money, and not work more hours, it was a no brainer for me! 

Money in the bank to fall back on.

Eve

Along with all the other comments, I'd like to say that you should keep adding valuable content to your blog as often as possible... every day for a while, if you can.   Over time, it can be your least expensive, long term investment in generating leads and agent-to-agent referrals for you.

Pal up with listing agents with excess listings and offer to hold open house events. You will quickly grow a list of prospects and perhaps even sell a home!

the one important task to master is marketing....learning to make your phone ring without spending unnecessary $$$ for paid lead generation....most are junk leads.... if you can make your phone ring with online and offline marketing, you'll soar with the eagles.... 

Have enough money saved up so that you can make the transaction and not worry about paying your bills.

Just do it. Consistency and persistence are the keys. Everyone has an access to a blueprint to become a successful agent, but very few act on it. 

Blog like your life depends on it, make sure that you are the agent that Google finds when someone searches for any neighbhorhood in your target area.

Same process when wanting to eat, sleep or go somewhere...Just do it

Commitment and money in savings for at least 6-12 months to live on and spend on your business . Develope a business plan to go full time and then it initiate that plan into action. Whatever plan you have be flexible to change on a moments notice and I hope you have a thick skin for rejection .

Honestly I don't know how people do this work 'part time'.  I think they must have another job and just not try to get more business. ..I suppose if you start out doing it part time, that's the norm for you.  I need a full time income so that's why I work seven days a week at times.  In this business you can work a lot of hours that you don't get paid for..so it feels like part time pay!

I did this after 8 months of working part time.    The market was very good, and had a good sphere, so was easy.  Be sure to have enough money in the coffer being jumping in full-time.

First I would ask yourself why you want to make the change?  Do you need the money?  Do you want the money?  Although I enjoy real estate and offer great and knowledgable service to my clients I have found it is not the most important thing in my life.  I cannot commit myself to it with the same level of passion I do other things.  I believe to be a Mega Agent I would have to give up the things that I like about myself and make me the success I am in other areas of my life.

The answer is easy - you have to just jump and in and do it!

I tried in the beginning to be a part time agent - I failed until I went full time.

Just make sure you have a finanancial backup to pay your bills for at least 3-6 months longer if possible

I don't have the personality or desire to be a mega agent.  I could be wrong, but I'm guessing you don't either, from some clues I've picked up in your question and responses.

If you really have your sights set on mega agent, start by hiring the right people to work for you.  You'll likely need a good assistant, a marketing manager and a showing agent to start.  Plan on spending big with little returns for a year or so as you build your brand and don't get bogged down in the minutia of each deal or client...let your team handle that.  Your focus will be on building your business. 

...or, scrap the mega agent idea and commit yourself to personally servicing your clients and prospects while scheduling 2-3 hours of prospecting time each day.  Focus some time on making new connections for future business but also spend some time maintaining the relationships with clients you've already served.  This can still lead to an enjoyable full time career and a good income.

I'd like to add - KNOW YOUR MARKET!!!!!  When you're out making contacts, many people will ask "how's the market in the XYZ subdivision?"  If you respond with, the last time I looked, it was ABC - improving values, declining, over supply of active listings, whatever it is you know about that particular market.  Then, ask for an email address or cell phone so you can send him or her pertinant information.  Their first response may be OH NO - I'll get bombarded with emails.  Tell them you will send them information one time or once or month or whatever they want and set them up with WHAT THEY WANT - not what you think you need to do for marketing.  Your contacts will grow!!!

Why the focus on "mega" agent? Focus instead on your concrete goals, whether those are units sold, GCI or even taking a family vacation. There are a million ways to define success. You have to know yours. 

Lots of good responses here and Susan Emo's is one of the best!

Make sure your website and database will provide the support you need and get on the phone and make calls until your schedule is full.

You have been given some excellent advice in the answers I have read. Here's to your continued success.

Good morning Richard. Blog like crazy on a consistent basis and participate with as much networking as possible.

Richard Lowery - join a great company where someone can help you with team building.

First step - part time to full time, though.

I think it always works better when you just ditch the day job and jump in!

Work smart and don't try to be all things to all people. Find a niche and get really good at it and be known as the expert. Get the word out and people will want to do business with you.

You may consider being part of a team...not sure how much experience you have....one step at a time...get comfortable and find a niche that works for you on your own or part of a winning combination.

Great replies listed by experienced agents.  I need to implement a few of these.

I cannot offer any help here.  The term "mega agent" turns me off like a light switch.  I am, always have been, and always will be a boutique broker. 

Jump in running with both feet.  Open houses are a good start.  Get some buyers under your wings, treat them well, and they will tell everyone they know about you!  If all else fails, get a very flexible part time job.  You'd be surprised how many buyers you can get just through co-workers.

It is either go big or go home!

In my book you are full time unless you hold down a second job.  To get more business, you need business and clients.  Hold open houses for people, get listings, bug your sphere of influence.

Do what matches your personality and make a plan.

"...for gaining traction.." "to mega agent" "on a path that makes sense"

Richard, the right answer to your question relies on path you defined in your business plan.  Without a plan, the path selected does not lead where you want to go.

Next is, "What do you have to offer?" Please don't say a FREE CMA.

Are you running a heart centered business or one based on expertise?
The answer to that question is essential in creating a message to the homeowner that both you and they can believe.

Read my last two blogs addressed to newbies and students and create YOUR story. After that is all about using every available conduit to enable others to accept your invitation to transformation or outcome.

The conduits you use depends on what you have the most of, time or money. The resources you have is also defined in your business plan.

Will you be well-capitalized enough without the income source that was keeping you 'part time' or will you just scale back? If you're leaping, make sure you can afford to do a LOT of image marketing to get your name out there.
If you need to gradually transition, I would agree with those who undoubtedly will suggest you partner up with a heavy hitter, or join a team, to ramp up.
The first step on the path TO ME is to exceed expectations on EVERY transaction - make EVERYONE happy from your client to the co-broker to the title and escrow and lender and vendor. Impress them with your professionalism, communication skills and attention to detail and do it with a smile and lots of cool.  Lather, rinse, repeat.

Contact more people!

Implement "scalable" processes...

Richard Lowery - Just curious..what makes an agent "mega" in your opinion? A large volume of sales per month? Being well-known in the industry?

Agreed. How ya gonna get more business?

Get a plan, a formula, tasks to make it happen.  Systems is the key.

Then .... who's gonna do it? Not you because you'll be listing all that property. 

That is the goal of any agent.

Great question and the answers

The only suggestion I have is to avoid being a mega agent

Having always been full time I cannot give you my personal advice.  Many others have offered their thoughts.  See Kenneth J. Jones