How Nic Fren turned Real Estate Today into an industry powerhouse in record time

From Idea to Industry Leader: The Birth of Real Estate Today

The story of Real Estate Today didn’t begin in a boardroom with a team of strategists. It started with a single idea—one that came to Nic Fren while driving over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

In that moment, the concept of a modern, high-impact real estate publication was born.

What happened next defied industry norms and rewrote the rulebook on brand building.

in 2023, just 90 days in, Real Estate Today became New Zealand’s number 1 real estate industry publication.

When Nic launched the Australian edition in January 2025, it took less than three weeks to achieve national recognition. This wasn’t luck. It wasn’t a viral moment. It was a meticulously executed strategy that Nic has mastered and refined over the past decade—one he shares with his 1,600+ coaching members throughout 9 countries.

The Challenge: A Crowded Marketplace with No Room for Slow Growth

As a media and marketing coach, Nic often hears real estate professionals say that building a brand is tough when they have 20,000 people in a single marketplace. Yet he built Real Estate Today New Zealand from his lounge room in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.

"RETNZ was a publication no one had heard of, the logo had never been seen & I only knew a handful of people in the country. So, when people tell me how hard it is out there, I do stop and wonder if they are actually putting the work in". he says.

New Zealand, a country with 5 million people and 14,000 agents. He then entered the Australian market with a population of 25 million people and 50,000 agents (approx).

"Building a brand isn't hard with the right formula" he says. "But it does require you to work!"

This wasn’t about outspending competitors. There was no magic bullet—just a formula that Nic executed with precision.

The Pre-Launch Strategy: Engineering Momentum Before Day One

Most brands launch with little to no pre-launch strategy, hoping to gain traction over time. Nic did the opposite. His method involved meticulously curating influence, credibility, and anticipation before the publication even went live.

1. Building Relationships with Key Industry Leaders

   Nic identified and engaged with high-profile real estate professionals who could amplify his brand. By securing their buy-in early, he ensured that Real Estate Today would launch with authority.

   
   

2. Content Strategy with Purpose

   Rather than generic real estate content, Nic focused on industry-specific insights, case studies, and interviews that directly addressed professionals’ needs. He built content that leaders wanted to read and share.

   
   

3. Creating Buzz Before the Official Launch

   By networking strategically, leveraging social media, and offering exclusive previews to select professionals, he positioned Real Estate Today as something the industry needed to be part of before it even existed.

   
   

4. Pre-Launch Email and Social Media Blitz

   Nic ensured that before launch day, targeted industry leaders and professionals were already engaged through a high-impact email campaign and pre-launch social media teasers.

   
   

5. Strategic Partnerships and Early Contributions

   Securing guest contributions from well-respected industry figures before launch provided instant credibility and gave the brand an edge from the very beginning.

   
   

New Zealand Edition: Zero to Number 1 in 90 Days

• The day Real Estate Today New Zealand went live, key industry figures shared it across their networks. This gave the publication an immediate audience of top-tier professionals.

• Instead of waiting for organic reach, Nic ensured the brand was in every major real estate conversation through targeted influencer engagement.

• Industry leaders began contributing, seeing the platform as a must-follow publication.

• Within 90 days, it became the most talked-about real estate publication in the country.

  
  

Australia Edition: National Recognition in Under 3 Weeks

• Leveraging the successful New Zealand model, Nic accelerated everything for Australia.

• High-profile industry professionals were on board before launch, ensuring a strong start.

• A content-first approach meant agents and industry leaders had a reason to engage immediately.

• A carefully planned PR campaign ensured the publication’s presence was felt across multiple media platforms from day one.

• The result? National recognition in just weeks, proving the strategy was scalable and repeatable.

  
  

The Formula Behind the Success

Nic’s approach wasn’t about chasing trends—it was about executing a proven framework that works in any competitive industry. Here’s the blueprint he followed:

Phase 1: Laying the Foundation (Days 1-30)

• Identify and connect with key industry players who can amplify the brand.

• Develop a content strategy that delivers immediate value.

• Create pre-launch excitement through teasers, private previews, and networking.

• Secure early endorsements and testimonials to build credibility.

• Generate an email database of engaged professionals to target upon launch.

• Define a clear value proposition that separates the brand from competitors.

  
  

Phase 2: High-Impact Launch (Days 31-60)

• Release a high-value content campaign with insights that professionals need.

• Use a multi-channel approach—social media, industry bulletins, and collaborations.

• Engage with influencers and encourage industry conversations.

• Launch a paid digital advertising campaign to increase visibility.

• Establish Real Estate Today as a must-follow authority in real estate media.

• Implement a consistent content publishing schedule to maintain momentum.

• Develop interactive and community-driven content to deepen audience engagement.

  
  

Phase 3: Scaling & Market Domination (Days 61-90)

• Expand reach through media coverage, interviews, and industry events.

• Maintain high engagement by actively responding and refining messaging.

• Form long-term partnerships for sustained credibility.

• Adapt and evolve based on real-time audience feedback.

• Develop exclusive content series and industry reports to maintain long-term reader interest.

• Optimize the brand’s SEO and digital footprint to ensure continued growth.

• Introduce monetisation strategies, such as sponsored content and partnerships, to sustain expansion.

  
  

Sustaining Success: The Road Ahead for Real Estate Today

Real Estate Today isn’t slowing down. Nic continues to expand the brand’s reach, leveraging strategic partnerships, industry collaborations, and evolving content formats. The goal is simple: to keep setting the standard for real estate media across Australia and New Zealand.

Beyond his own brand, Nic now shares his expertise with members, helping them apply the same proven branding formula to their own businesses.

Whether you’re an agent, business owner, or media professional, the principles remain the same:

• Authority over time: Be seen as an industry leader from day one.

• Strategy over hope: Build your brand with intention, not by chance.

• Execution over ideas: Success isn’t about having the best concept—it’s about implementing a winning strategy.

  
  

The Industry is Changing. Are You?

For real estate professionals looking to establish a dominant brand, the old rules no longer apply. Nic Fren has proven that credibility isn’t about how long you’ve been in the game—it’s about how well you play it.

The question isn’t whether rapid brand growth is possible. The question is whether you’re ready to execute the formula that makes it happen.