In this Decode episode, Danielle and I are joined by Claudio Encina, one of Australia’s most respected real estate coaches. With over 30 years of industry experience, Claudio has helped agents and teams across the country strengthen their mindset, systems and sales performance.

Claudio helps us decode the relationship between sales and marketing. He provides practical insights on how they can be set up to work in sync, to deliver and maintain a steady flow of listings, even when the real estate market tightens. 

In this Decode episode, Danielle and I are joined by Grant Turner, a commercial sales and leasing specialist at Ray White Commercial CSR. 

With nearly two decades of experience spanning residential and commercial property, as well as proptech, Grant has a wealth of knowledge across real estate marketing, technology and sales strategy to share.

Grant helps us decode how commercial real estate differs from residential and how the best commercial agents are using online visibility alongside strong sales relationships to outperform their competitors.

In this Decode episode, Danielle and I are joined by Andrew Piper, an award-winning cinematographer and one of our videographers here at Hoole.

With a unique background in the entertainment industry, Andrew has worked on films for clients ranging from corporate and education to music and the arts, giving him an expert eye for capturing and creatively presenting compelling stories.

We unpack why video has become the most powerful marketing tool for real estate professionals, the three types of videos every agent needs, and how to use video at each stage of the marketing funnel to attract clients, build trust, and generate more listings.

In this Decode episode, Danielle and I explore one of the biggest shifts in online behaviour, the rise of “zero-click” search. With AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity becoming part of everyday life, property owners are no longer just typing keywords into Google. They’re having conversations with their AI and getting instant answers without ever clicking through to a search results page or website.

We break down what SEO, AEO and GEO mean, why “position zero” is now more valuable than “position one,” and the practical steps you can take to stay visible and credible in this new search landscape. From reviews and profiles to hyper-local blogs, market reports, and third-party referrals, this episode helps you get to grips with marketing your real estate business in the era of AI and how to make sure you’re not invisible.

In this Decode episode, Danielle and I are joined by Melissa Hickson, award-winning owner of Prime Residential Property Management in Melbourne. 

Melissa shares a shocking story about her Google Reviews. One that saw her 4.9-star rating drop in a number of days when over 100 one-star reviews were posted by a spammer. It's the digital version of a home invasion. You'll hear how this ambush shook her to the core, required a significant amount of time and effort to rectify, and impacted her business. 

Melissa explains why you should never take your Google reviews for granted, and how to proactively build a client review strategy that protects your reputation.

In this Decode episode, I’m joined by Julie Crockett, a buyers' agent, property investor, and founder of Australian Property Investment Solutions. 

We explore her fascinating journey from school teacher to pioneering buyers' agent in Sydney, her unique approach to niche marketing, and the practical strategies she’s used to build a successful property business. 

Listen in for practical tips on how to start, grow, and sustain a successful buyers' agency. This episode is packed with valuable insights and real-world advice you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of the Decode podcast, I'm joined by Michael Nitschke, a real estate principal who took DIY digital marketing and personal branding to exceptional heights.

Starting out with minimal resources, Michael leveraged social media and authentic storytelling to successfully build his Adelaide-based agency, Nitschke Real Estate.

Michael openly shares how he overcame his own fears of self-promotion and the myths surrounding quick-fix lead generation. Together, we explore why genuine relationships and consistent content marketing are essential in today's real estate landscape, particularly in the face of rapidly evolving technology and the influence of AI.

Whether you're a seasoned principal or a new agent looking to carve your path, this episode is filled with practical real estate marketing advice, inspiring insights, and authentic strategies to help you confidently elevate your personal brand and business.

In this episode of the Decode Podcast, I’m joined by a real estate principal whose story goes well beyond business tips or industry clichés.

At just 30, Michael Nitschke found himself suddenly leading his family’s real estate agency after losing both parents within a short period. In his book, Leading Out of Loss, Michael shares how he faced immense grief, mounting debt, and the daunting challenge of keeping the business afloat.

Through raw honesty, he turned adversity into a thriving agency in Mount Barker, South Australia. Michael’s story isn’t just for his children; it’s a lifeline for other real estate families and principals navigating the complexities of succession. In this episode, he shares powerful lessons on leadership, resilience, and what it truly means to carry a family legacy forward.

In this episode of the Decode Podcast, we’re tackling SEO in the age of AI: what’s changing, what still matters, and how real estate agents can remain searchable. Whether you’re new to SEO or ready to take things up a notch, this episode is packed with practical insights. 

I’m Melanie Hoole, and joining me on this show is Navin Shanmugarajan, Director and Founder of Blurn. Navin and I go way back – to our days working as colleagues at Domain.com.au (the ‘green team’ as I like to call them). With over 20 years of experience in digital marketing, Navin is the person I trust to help us unravel SEO and understand the impact of AI on prospects' searches for a real estate agent or real estate business.

In this episode of the Decode Podcast, we're focusing on the unique world of property management.

I’m joined by two powerhouse guests: Hayley Mitchell, a property management trainer with extensive experience growing property management departments, and Hermione Gardiner, a business coach who helps property managers start and scale their rental portfolios.

Marketing to landlords isn't as simple as dropping flyers in mailboxes or holding open homes, especially when most investors live far away from the properties they own. So, how do you find new landlord clients? Let’s decode what works and what doesn’t when it comes to marketing property management services.