From Reality TV Star to Digital Real Estate Mogul

Ryan Serhant has transformed from a struggling actor into one of the most recognizable faces in luxury real estate and digital content creation. Born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Topsfield, Massachusetts, Serhant initially pursued acting after graduating from Hamilton College with a degree in English literature and theater.^[1] His journey into real estate began in 2008 when he needed to support himself between acting gigs, earning just $9,000 in his first year before eventually closing his first major $8.5 million sale.^[1]

The turning point came in 2010 when Serhant auditioned for Bravo's "Million Dollar Listing New York" and was selected as one of three featured real estate agents.^[1] The show premiered in March 2012 and ran for nine seasons, establishing Serhant as a household name in luxury real estate television.^[1] His television success expanded to include the spin-off show "Sell It Like Serhant" in 2017 and most recently, Netflix's "Owning Manhattan," which premiered in June 2024.^[1]^[2]

Building a Content Empire

Serhant's YouTube channel, launched in July 2013, has become a cornerstone of his digital presence with 1.44 million subscribers and over 159 million total views as of June 2025.^[3] The channel features 446 videos covering real estate advice, sales training, and behind-the-scenes content from his business ventures.^[3] His content strategy focuses on educational material, with the channel categorized under Education on YouTube and averaging 11.39 minutes per video.^[3]

Beyond his main channel, Serhant has created an entire content ecosystem. He founded LISTED, a dedicated YouTube network for real estate content featuring his firm's agents, which has accumulated over 33 million views and 181,000 subscribers.^[4] The content produced by SERHANT. Studios, his in-house marketing and production company, averages over 100 million impressions per month across all platforms.^[5]

Social Media Influence and Reach

Serhant has leveraged his television fame to build a massive social media following. His company SERHANT. has been recognized as "the most followed real estate brand in the world," with over 6 million followers across all social media platforms.^[6]^[7] This digital presence has been instrumental in his business strategy, using content to drive lead generation for his real estate brokerage.^[8]

Industry publication Inman recognized Serhant as part of their 2024 Global Real Estate Influencers list, highlighting his role as a "powerhouse" taste-maker with millions of social media followers.^[9] His influence extends beyond traditional real estate marketing, as he demonstrates innovative approaches to property sales through social media advertising and content marketing.^[10]

Educational Content and Digital Courses

Serhant has monetized his expertise through educational platforms, creating comprehensive sales training programs. His "Sell It Like Serhant" course became the number one selling sales course on the Thinkific platform, reaching students in 106 countries.^[10] In April 2024, he launched "Sell It," a multi-dimensional sales training platform designed for solopreneurs and enterprises, featuring expert-led courses, live training sessions, and personalized coaching.^[11]

The educational platform addresses the growing gig economy, with Serhant's research showing that over 80% of American entrepreneurs believe higher education had little impact on their career success.^[11] His digital education platform now comprises more than 14,000 members across 110 countries, demonstrating the global reach of his content.^[12]

Podcast Host and Media Personality

Serhant hosts multiple podcasts that extend his influence in the digital content space. "Big Money Energy," an iHeart Radio original podcast, features interviews with successful entrepreneurs and self-made individuals, focusing on their paths to success and business strategies.^[13]^[14] The podcast maintains a 4.6-star rating on Apple Podcasts with episodes featuring high-profile guests from various industries.^[13]

His second podcast, "Business of Influence," co-hosted with Andy Klaric, focuses specifically on the creator economy and features interviews with top influencers who have successfully monetized their online presence.^[15]^[16] The show aligns with his expertise in personal branding and demonstrates his understanding of how influence translates into business success.^[15]

Entrepreneurial Ventures and Innovation

In September 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Serhant launched his own real estate brokerage, SERHANT., which he describes as "the first brokerage designed for the marketplace of tomorrow."^[17]^[18] The company operates as a content-to-commerce, mobile-first real estate ecosystem with an in-house film studio for organic lead generation.^[8]

Under his leadership, SERHANT. has expanded rapidly, growing to over 500 people across 19 states and becoming one of the fastest-growing real estate firms in the United States.^[19]^[18] The firm achieved remarkable success in 2025, crossing $1 billion in closed and in-contract sales within just the first 35 days of the year.^[20]

Technology Integration and AI Innovation

Serhant has embraced artificial intelligence to revolutionize luxury real estate marketing through his platform S.MPLE, an AI-powered system designed to streamline property transactions and enhance client experiences.^[21] The platform integrates advanced data analytics with user-friendly interfaces, providing real-time market data and predictive pricing models for the fast-paced Manhattan luxury market.^[21]

Content Strategy and Brand Building

Serhant's approach to content creation follows what he calls a "content matrix," focusing on providing value to audiences while highlighting different aspects of his personality and expertise.^[22] This strategy has helped him maintain consistent branding across all platforms while keeping content fresh and engaging.^[22]

His content consistently emphasizes authenticity and real-world application, moving beyond traditional real estate marketing to create educational and entertaining material.^[22] This approach has distinguished him from other real estate influencers by focusing on practical sales advice and business strategy rather than just property showcases.^[22]

Speaking Engagements and Thought Leadership

As a sought-after keynote speaker, Serhant commands speaking fees between $50,000 and $100,000 for conferences and events worldwide.^[23] His speaking topics include real estate sales strategies, personal branding, building successful sales careers, and creating positive business change.^[23]

His expertise has led to regular appearances on major media outlets and contributions to publications like Forbes, where he writes about real estate trends, sales advice, and social media marketing.^[18] Recent media appearances include interviews discussing his Netflix show "Owning Manhattan" and his innovative use of AI in luxury real estate.^[24]^[25]

Published Author and Brand Extensions

Serhant has authored three bestselling books that extend his influence beyond digital content. His titles include "Sell It Like Serhant: How to Sell More, Earn More, and Become the Ultimate Sales Machine," "Big Money Energy: How to Rule at Work, Dominate Life, and Make Millions," and "Brand It Like Serhant: Stand Out From the Crowd, Build Your Following and Earn More Money."^[8]^[26]

These publications have established him as a thought leader in sales and personal branding, with "Sell It Like Serhant" receiving particularly strong reception from readers and business professionals.^[26]

Recent Achievements and Market Impact

Serhant's career reached new heights in 2025 when he closed a $200 million property sale, marking the most expensive transaction of his career as a seller's broker.^[27] The deal was completed while he was traveling to Miami, demonstrating his ability to conduct high-stakes business remotely.^[27]

Throughout his career, Serhant has closed nearly $10 billion in sales and maintained a 94.7% closure rate, positioning SERHANT. as the #6 brokerage in New York City within just two years of operation.^[2] His success has contributed to SERHANT. becoming one of the most recognizable names in luxury real estate, particularly in Manhattan's competitive market.^[28]

References

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