Success often looks effortless, at least on social media. Scroll through any agent’s feed, and you’ll see flashy listings, closed deals, and motivational quotes. But behind the polished posts is a reality many agents know all too well: the constant grind, client ghosting, and deals that fall apart at the last minute.
Eric Simon, better known as “The Broke Agent,” turned this struggle into a brand, proving that humor and authenticity could resonate more than another “Just Sold” post. What started as a frustrated agent venting online became a real estate media empire, now known as BAM (Broke Agent Media).
In this episode, we’ll dive into Eric’s unconventional journey,how he went from failing at open houses to building one of the most influential real estate platforms today. If you’re looking for ways to grow your brand, connect with your audience, and make real estate content actually engaging, this is a story you won’t want to miss.
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Turning Real Estate Challenges into a Thriving Media Empire
Back in 2015, Eric Simon, now widely known as The Broke Agent, was just another young real estate agent struggling to make it. He was sitting at open houses every Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday, making cold calls, and door-knocking, yet getting nowhere.
Meanwhile, his social media feed was flooded with successful agents posting their latest closings, luxury listings, and inspirational quotes.
“I thought I was the only one on Earth struggling in real estate. I saw nothing but success stories on social media, and it made me feel like a failure,” Eric said.
Frustrated and feeling isolated, he created The Broke Agent, a brand that humorously exposes the struggles of being a real estate agent.
What started as a creative outlet became a viral sensation, and today, The Broke Agent is a full-fledged real estate media empire that produces podcasts, blogs, and courses for realtors worldwide.
His journey from a burnt-out agent to a real estate media mogul holds powerful lessons for any realtor looking to grow their brand, create engaging content, and stand out in a crowded industry.
How The Broke Agent Started (And Why It Blew Up So Fast)
Before he got into real estate, Eric had no interest in the industry.
He worked as a marketing assistant at The Laugh Factory Comedy Club, helping promote stand-up shows and writing social media content. Real estate was meant to be a temporary job, but after working at Hilton & Hyland, a high-end brokerage in Beverly Hills, he got his license and jumped in—only to realize it wasn’t as easy as everyone made it seem.
Instead of getting leads, he found himself struggling to generate business. He spent countless hours sitting through awkward open houses, making cold calls, and feeling like an imposter while watching other agents thrive.
So, he did what came naturally, he started venting about his real estate failures online.
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Why The Broke Agent Took Off
✅ It was the first of its kind. Every other real estate page focused on success—Eric was the first to make fun of the struggles.
✅ It resonated with agents. 87% of agents fail within their first five years—his content spoke to a massive audience.
✅ It tapped into humor. People love relatable, funny content, especially when it highlights an industry’s hidden truths.
Agents who felt isolated now had a space where they weren’t the only ones dealing with client ghosting, failed deals, and the anxiety of checking their inbox.
Within months, The Broke Agent brand exploded, proving that real estate professionals were eager for relatable and entertaining content.
From Memes to Media Empire: Turning Social Media into a Business
Once The Broke Agent gained traction, Eric had a choice to make—use the brand to attract real estate clients or turn it into a full-time business serving realtors.
He chose the media route, knowing that the people who followed him weren’t home buyers or sellers—they were other agents.
“When you call yourself The Broke Agent and post about how incompetent you are at real estate, you’re probably not going to get much business.”
Instead of fighting against it, he leaned into his audience and built a business around them.
Expanding to Multiple Platforms
Right from the start, Eric posted content across multiple social platforms:
- Instagram (his main platform)
- Facebook & Twitter (for wider audience reach)
- Snapchat & Pinterest (for additional engagement)
- LinkedIn & TikTok (to test new audiences)
One of his smartest moves was using the same handle, @thebrokeagent, on every platform. This made it easy for agents to find and share his content, leading to massive organic growth.
Launching Podcasts & BAM Media
After building a loyal audience, Eric launched The Over Ask Podcast, where he and co-host Matt Lionetti interviewed real estate agents about marketing and lead generation strategies.
Following its success, he co-founded BAM Media (Broke Agent Media)—a full-blown real estate content hub featuring blogs, newsletters, and multiple podcasts.
“We’re building the ‘Barstool Sports’ of real estate—entertaining, informative, and industry-specific,” Eric explained.
Today, The Broke Agent generates revenue through several channels:
- BAMx Memberships – Paid subscriptions where agents get social media templates, scripts, and marketing courses.
- Sponsorships & Advertisements – Companies pay to promote their products to his audience.
- Live Conferences & Virtual Events – Like BAM Camp, an in-person event for real estate professionals.
What started as a joke about struggling real estate agents is now a multimillion-dollar media company that continues to grow.
What Real Estate Agents Can Learn from The Broke Agent’s Success
Embrace Your Niche
Instead of trying to market to everyone, Eric focused on serving a specific audience—real estate agents. This allowed him to grow faster and create highly targeted content.
Be Entertaining
People don’t want constant sales pitches. They want content that makes them laugh, teaches them something, or inspires them. Engaging content keeps people coming back.
Don’t Just Post to Post
Too many agents create robotic, uninspired content because they feel like they have to. Instead, find your voice, be real, and post content you’d actually enjoy seeing.
Expand Beyond One Platform
If you’re only on Instagram, you’re missing out. Sharing content across multiple channels helps build a multi-platform presence and reach a larger audience.
Use Lead Magnets to Build an Email List
Eric grew his email list by offering free Instagram strategy guides. Agents can apply this same strategy with local market guides, moving checklists, or home-buying cheat sheets to capture potential leads.
What’s Next for The Broke Agent?
Now, Eric and BAM Media are focused on:
🔹 Growing their podcast network (covering real estate news, marketing, and industry trends)
🔹 Expanding BAMx memberships (offering even more exclusive content for agents)
🔹 Hosting more live conferences (like their sold-out BAM Camp event)
Their goal is to become the #1 media company in real estate.
Want to Learn More? Listen to the Full Podcast Episode
In this episode, Eric dives into:
- How The Broke Agent started and became a viral brand
- Why most real estate agents fail at social media
- How he turned content creation into a full-time business
- The mistakes realtors make when trying to grow their audience
Listen to the full episode now to learn how to build a real estate brand that stands out.
Connect with Eric
To listen to more of our podcast episodes, visit The #RealtyHack Podcast Page. The #RealtyHack Podcast is also available to listen to on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Music, and your other favorite podcast directories.
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