Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Danielson.
Hi Mike, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Back in the late 1990s, I worked full-time for two years as an unlicensed assistant at The Real Estate Professionals under BJ Horsman in Richmond, Texas. Real estate had always been my passion. Around the year 2000, the internet was rapidly expanding, and the MLS was soon to be released to the public. I was already in the process of completing my classes at the Houston Association of Realtors to become a licensed agent.
However, at that time, much of the media and many industry seminars were predicting that real estate agents would soon be a thing of the past. With public access to the MLS, they asked, “What would clients really need agents for?”.
Several things happened during that period. I was offered an opportunity to start a commercial printing company with my brothers in Dallas, Texas. Around the same time, my girlfriend—who is now my wife of 24 years—told me she was pregnant. My real estate career was placed on hold because, at that stage of my life, I needed “for-sure money,” not “maybe money.” With a child on the way, we packed up our lives in Rosenberg and moved to McKinney, Texas.
I went on to own Renaissance Press (formerly HEB Printing) for 21 years with my brother, JD. I don’t have anything negative to say about that chapter of my life, except that I never felt completely fulfilled. What I truly wanted was to help people buy homes—or sell the ones they were in.
Over those two decades, I watched Realtors continue to thrive and succeed. They didn’t “go away” as everyone had predicted once the MLS became public. Quite the opposite—thanks to the internet and social media, Realtors became more needed and in demand than ever before.
In 2022, I was given the opportunity to step away from the printing industry and finally pursue my true calling as a Realtor. At the age of 46, I began an entirely new career—the one I had dreamed of since 1998, when I first set out to achieve that goal. I officially became a licensed Realtor in February 2022, and I haven’t looked back since.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s definitely been a smooth road for me personally—once I decided not to follow the norm and instead do my own thing. When I first started, I briefly tried all the traditional marketing methods Realtors use to generate business: cold calling, door knocking, mailers, open houses, and so on. None of it worked for me.
In an industry with an 80% failure rate within the first two years, doing what everyone else does—and expecting different results—is insanity. I see most of the real estate world as a “sea of sameness.” So many agents present themselves in exactly the same way as their competitors, and most end up getting lost in the crowd.
I come from an entertainment background. For many years, I was a rap artist performing under the stage name PayDay in Houston and Dallas. I’ve also acted in several films, online series, and sketch comedy shows. Coming from those industries, I learned how crucial social media marketing and creative branding are for setting yourself apart from the pack.
When I began applying those same systems and marketing strategies that helped me stand out in entertainment, my real estate business took off like a rocket. The biggest struggle most new agents face is getting their name out there and building a large client base—fortunately, that’s not something I’ve had an issue with.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m most known for the parody movie posters I created to promote myself. When I first got into the industry, my brother-in-law, Javier, told me about a movie called I Love You, Man. It’s about a Realtor who, at one point in the film, has these over-the-top billboards featuring himself in ridiculous ads.
My brother-in-law knew I had a talent for graphic design and a knack for creating funny, eye-catching content outside of real estate. He suggested I try doing something similar—ads that captured that same creative energy but were tailored to this industry.
My first creation was License to Sell, a spoof of the James Bond movie License to Kill. I took the idea directly from that film. As soon as I posted the graphic on Facebook, the response was incredible—tons of positive feedback and engagement. From there, I just kept creating similar posts, and my following grew steadily.
At first, most veteran agents thought what I was doing was silly and that no one would take me seriously. But the opposite happened—my sales numbers started surpassing theirs. Before long, many of those same agents stopped discouraging me and began asking how they could use social media more effectively for their own businesses.
The truth is, potential clients want to know, like, and trust the agent they choose to work with—especially when it comes to one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives. No one wants to work with a boring “stick in the mud.” If you can show that you work hard, have happy clients, and are fun to work with, people will reach out to you.
Consistency on social media is the key to making it work for business. There’s truly no one else like me in this industry—that uniqueness is what sets me apart and keeps me top of mind when people think about real estate.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The best way to reach me is by calling or texting 972-880-4105. You can also connect with me on all social media platforms at @MikeDanielsonRealtor. I’m probably one of the most accessible and approachable agents in this industry.
These days, far too many people just don’t talk to people anymore. I usually answer my phone on the first ring—unless I’m with a client. In that case, I’ll immediately text the caller to let them know I’ll return their call as soon as possible.
Realtors are a dime a dozen these days. You can throw a rock in any direction and hit ten of them. If a potential client calls and you don’t pick up, they’ll simply move on to the next name on the list—and that’s a missed opportunity. I don’t miss opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/mikedanielsonrealtor
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MikeDanielsonRealtor
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southwestpayday
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeDanielsonR1
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC-aU-xH1VMgE4nklSA7Vhlw
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikedanielsonrealtor
