Breaking Barriers in Real Estate: Adam Day on Growth Without Traditional Marketing

As a driving force behind eXp’s remarkable growth across the UK, Europe and India, Adam Day has been reshaping the property industry since 2006 when he founded one of the original online agencies, Hatched.

In this episode of The Elevate Podcast hosted by Elite Agent Editor Samantha McLean and Digital Live’s Steve Carroll, Adam shares candid insights about leveraging technology, building influence, and scaling without traditional marketing budgets – including why agents need to “put themselves out there more…”

Key insights:

Building Without Big Budgets Adam explains how eXp achieved massive growth without traditional marketing spend, instead focusing on content creation and authentic storytelling: “I guess I was fortunate that I had a story to tell, but everyone has stories to tell.“

Technology Evolution From being an early internet adopter to embracing AI tools for business planning and communication, Adam discusses how technology continues transforming the industry. He details eXp’s pioneering virtual world platform where agents collaborate globally.

Leadership and Personal Brand Adam emphasises the importance of visible leadership in building trust: “People follow people. They don’t follow brands.” He shares practical approaches to developing influence through content and social media.

Cultural Adaptation Rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach, Adam reveals how eXp succeeds by adapting its core model to each market’s nuances: “We’ve kept the cap, the split, the revenue share and the equity, but we’ve layered in the nuances within that country.“

Embracing Change With artificial intelligence rapidly evolving, Adam urges traditional agencies to adapt: “Spend half a day a week just learning and playing with stuff…talk to the youngsters or talk to people like Glenn [Sanford].“

Links:

eXp World (Virtual Platform)
Adam Day’s LinkedIn
eXp UK Website
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Detailed Episode Guide

The Digital Evolution of Real Estate
Adam Day’s journey mirrors the digital transformation of the real estate industry. Starting in 1997, he witnessed the transition from traditional pen-and-paper operations to the internet era. His foresight in recognising the potential for online real estate services led to the creation of Hatched.co.uk in 2006, one of the UK’s first online agencies.

Building Success Without Traditional Marketing
One of the most remarkable aspects of Adam’s success with eXp has been achieving significant growth without traditional marketing budgets. Instead, he focused on content marketing, particularly through LinkedIn, sharing authentic stories and experiences. His approach centred on creating genuine connections and leveraging the power of personal narratives.

The Virtual World Revolution
eXp’s virtual world platform has transformed how real estate professionals collaborate and conduct business. Adam describes it as a game-changing technology that enables global connectivity while maintaining the personal touch of office interactions. From casual corridor conversations to formal board meetings, the virtual world has recreated the office experience in a digital space.

Embracing AI and Future Technologies
Adam shares exciting insights into how eXp is leveraging artificial intelligence and new technologies. From creating business plans in minutes to using translation tools for international communication, the company is at the forefront of technological adoption in real estate.

“People follow people. They don’t follow brands,” Adam says, highlighting the importance of personal leadership in building successful real estate businesses.

Summary
Adam Day’s journey exemplifies how embracing technology and innovation can transform traditional industries. His success with eXp demonstrates that combining personal authenticity with technological innovation creates a powerful formula for growth in modern real estate.

FAQs

1. What is Adam Day’s top advice for agents looking to future-proof their business? Dedicate time each week to learning new technologies, experiment with AI tools, and stay connected with industry innovators to remain ahead of the curve.
2. Who is Adam Day, and why is he influential in real estate? Adam Day is a pioneer in digital real estate, having founded one of the UK’s first online agencies, Hatched.co.uk, and now leading eXp UK’s rapid expansion across Europe.
3. What is eXp’s virtual world, and how does it work? eXp’s virtual world is an online platform where agents can collaborate, attend meetings, and network in a digital office space, making it easier to connect globally.
4. How has technology changed real estate since Adam Day started in 1997? The industry has evolved from paper-based processes to a digital-first approach, with online portals like Rightmove levelling the playing field for agents.
5. What can Australian agents learn from the UK’s approach to real estate technology? UK agents have embraced digital-first models, AI, and virtual platforms, proving that agents who adopt technology early gain a competitive edge.
6. Why does Adam Day believe traditional marketing isn’t necessary for growth? He has found greater success using content marketing and personal branding, particularly on LinkedIn, to build relationships and establish trust.
7. How is AI being used in real estate today? AI is streamlining processes like business planning, market analysis, and even international communication through real-time translation tools.
8. What is the biggest challenge for agents who resist technology? Those who don’t adapt risk being left behind, as consumers now expect seamless digital experiences and fast, data-driven decision-making.
9. How can agents leverage content marketing to grow their business? By sharing authentic stories, industry insights, and personal experiences on social platforms, agents can attract and engage their ideal clients.
10. What role does personal branding play in modern real estate? Adam believes “people follow people, not brands,” meaning agents who build a strong personal presence online create deeper trust and credibility.