Chicago’s Sean Cochran Writes Real Estate Songs as ‘The Cowboy Realtor’

Growing up in the 1980s with a dad who worked in the record industry, Sean Cochran has always loved music and often wrote rap songs after school in Bolingbrook, Illinois. 

More than 30 years later, Cochran continues to write lyrics, this time as a real estate agent in the Chicago area. Known as “The Cowboy Realtor,” he has created country music-realty parodies and real estate-related videos that have gone viral with more than 11.5 million views on YouTube, Facebook and TikTok. 

“After a month at eXp Realty, I said, ‘I’m going all in on social media,’ said Cochran, who joined eXp Realty in October 2018 as a new real estate agent from the recruiting and mortgage loan industry. “I posted on Facebook, real estate post after real estate post, until people either stopped following me or bought a house.”

He had considered other brokerages but decided to join eXp Realty because it is cloud-based and offers agent equity awards.

“Living in Chicagoland, considering the weather we get, I did not want to have to drive into an office,” Cochran said. “The people and the support I have gotten since my first day have been amazing. Coming into any organization as a new team member can be intimidating. I immediately felt the love here. And it was all through a cloud environment. Then, when I finally got a chance to hug everyone at my first live event… it was like we we’re all best friends!” 

Sean is trying to help other eXp real estate agents get started in social media, too. At EXPCON 2021, he presented a breakout session titled “How to C.R.A.S.H. Your Social Media,” which covered how to generate leads through Facebook, TikTok and Google Maps. For the eXp Seniors Network, he taught an online class, “How to Generate Leads With TikTok.” 

“Branding and social media have helped me tremendously as a Realtor,” said Cochran, “so I’m designing a training program for Realtors, getting them over their fear of being in front of people.”

Learn more about Sean Cochran 

Years in real estate: Since 2018

Gross sales and transactions: $11 million for 49 transactions (from Oct. 2020-Oct. 2021)

Brokerage history:

• eXp Realty (Oct. 2018-current)

Main territory: Chicago and the surrounding suburbs

Main focus: Residential/first-time homebuyers 

Number of people on team: 1

Accolades, accomplishments & awards:

• Cochran is widely known for his branding and social media presence. He goes by “The Cowboy Realtor” and has more than 275K followers on TikTok. He has more than 11.5 million views on his videos and more than 17.5 million views on his pictures across all social media platforms.
• eXp Realty ICON Agent Award for 2020-2021
• Articles in HousingWire and Inman

Is there a significant experience you can share since you joined eXp?

“Hitting ICON just recently has been the best experience for me. Not only do we get recognized for our hard work helping families buy and sell homes… but we get awarded with up to $26K of stock! Just for doing our job! It’s crazy! But… crazy is good!”

What is one thing about eXp that surprised you?

“I was surprised at the amount of help other agents are willing to give. When I was new, I had a ton of questions. I was always in Workplace picking everyone’s brain. And there was a plethora of people willing to help and give guidance. That surprised me for sure.”

Have you had any experience or success in eXp’s global revenue share or commercial businesses?

“The revenue share is such an amazing opportunity; it’s hard to quantify. No other company gives us this chance. We can essentially agent attract worldwide and be paid to do so. I have not had experience with the commercial side… but… I am taking the commercial certification course!”

What kind of collaboration have you experienced at eXp?

“Gosh, where do I start? I have collaborated with fellow agents on some of the video work. I have collaborated with other agents from all over the U.S. via referrals. I have collaborated with other agents helping me pick up slack when I was unable to be three places at once. The collaboration here is just aces!”

Best tip to share with other agents:

• Take every single deal you possibly can. 
• Answer your phone!
• Post on social media more! And after you finish posting… post again!
• Do more video! And don’t worry about how you look. You look fine.
• Do something to set yourself apart from the other agents in your market.
• Create a slogan and hashtag. Use it everywhere! Mine is “Stop Making Your Landlord Rich!” #smyllr
• Don’t overproduce your content. Be genuine.
• When climbing the ladder of real estate success, make sure to reach back and help another agent over.
• Have fun!

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