Real estate is an industry that is both challenging and potentially lucrative. But it can also be very competitive. 73% of buyers interviewed only one real estate agent during their home search. That alone highlights the importance of building awareness and getting in front of buyers as quickly as possible. Therefore, having a solid grasp of real estate marketing is an absolute must for anyone in the field. So, exactly how do you market yourself as a realtor?
Set Up Social Media Accounts
You probably have a social media account for personal use, but you want to avoid mixing business with personal. So, it’s always a good idea to set up a business account on social media. Setting up one or multiple social media profiles isn’t exactly hard, but it can be time-consuming. Having your logo and branding ready will make it much easier. The main question usually isn’t about how to create a profile, but more-so what is the best platform for a realtor? There are so many different social media platforms, where do you even start? Well, the first thing you should know is that you don’t have to create a profile on every social media network, and really, you shouldn’t. Instead, it’s wise to choose only the most profitable social media networks for your industry and focus on building a targeted audience there. The top real estate social networks tend to be:
However, make sure you do some of your own research. Look for groups or hashtags specific to your local area and/or your target audience. Then see if you can find a significant amount of local real estate content on that platform.
Create a Website
Creating a website is just non-negotiable anymore. It’s just as important as a business card, if not more. A website acts as the central hub for your real estate business. Your website will contain all of the necessary information, such as your bio, your contact details, and a catalog of your listings. Grab search engine traffic. People start their home search online. With a properly optimized website, you’ll have a better chance of attracting people looking for their dream home on popular search engines such as Google or Bing. Be sure to target the right keywords within your website’s content to reach search engine users. This is all a part of optimizing your site for search engine traffic, which by now we all know as SEO (Search Engine Optimization). When you create a website, make sure that it’s mobile-friendly. Over half of Internet traffic originates on mobile devices. Your website should look good, no matter how small the viewing screen. Your website is the perfect place to include listings. Share everything about a particular listing right on your website, from photos to virtual tours to neighborhood information.
Develop a Content Strategy
After your website and social media profiles are created, it’s time to publish content. It’s time to plan ahead and post with a strategy, not just when you have a new listing. Go back to your basic understanding of your target audience and yourself. Post content that is genuine, reflects your personality and values, and creates interest and attracts the right customers. The most efficient way to consistently post high-quality content is by planning ahead and using an automatic scheduler. Automation will be your best friend.
Print Business Cards
Real estate marketing is a contact sport. You’ll spend a lot of time networking face to face with prospective clients and referral sources. It’s crucial that you have a never-ending stack of business cards to pass out whenever the need arises. Printing solid, visually appealing business cards is one of the better ways real estate professionals can get their brands out and demonstrate professionalism. Business cards are easily distributable and can help you capitalize on any in-person interactions you have with potential clients. They’re essentially micro-marketing resources and serve as instant calls to action for any prospect conversations. Your business card should include the basics, such as your name, phone number, business address, email address, and website. Additionally, choose a design that stands out from the crowd.
Build Up Your Email List
You should actively create a list of contacts who wish to stay connected to you through email updates. The goal is to build a nurturing relationship with prospective leads, and the first step is getting them on your email list. Once you’ve built your email list, make it a priority to stay connected. Send out a newsletter on a consistent basis. In your newsletter, share relevant information with your subscribers. Reach out to contacts when new property listings are available. Include images of the properties that link to the full listing, a video walkthrough of the property, or a virtual staging of the home.
Set Up Paid Ads on Facebook
Facebook marketing is one of the best ways to target your ideal client. Facebook allows you to speak to three distinct audiences:
- Custom Audiences (people you already know) – You’ll upload your email or phone number list to find your contacts on Facebook. Custom Audiences allow you to nurture leads and continue to develop a relationship with them.
- Saved Audiences (people you don’t know yet) – If you don’t have a list yet, or you’re looking to start from scratch, choose the Saved Audiences option. Here you can target prospective customers based on demographics (ex. age, location, and job title), or behavior (ex. new to the area, newly expanded family, just married).
- Lookalike Audiences (people like those you already know) – In a Lookalike Audience, you can reach out to people who share some similarity to those you already know. This can be beneficial for finding prospective clients who resemble your best past clients.
Facebook ads are totally flexible. You set the marketing budget, you set the times when your ads are shown, and you decide exactly who sees your ads. As your real estate business grows, you can scale your Facebook ads and invest more into them.
Actively Seek Reviews
To prove that you’re a trustworthy and effective real estate agent, you need reviews and testimonials. Reviews provide you with the much-needed element of social proof. If you’re just starting out and don’t have clients just yet, you can collect testimonials from fellow colleagues. Even if the testimonial is more about your work ethic and less about a sale, it can still service as a powerful endorsement and seal of trust. Be sure to share all reviews on your website, in your marketing materials, and over your social media.
Marketing yourself as a real estate agent takes time but with these marketing ideas, you’re sure to wow your potential customers and attract them to your services. Creating a marketing plan will help you set goals for your marketing campaigns and develop the steps to reach these goals. Most of the time, real estate professionals lack the time, resources, and know-how to take on certain marketing responsibilities. It’s not uncommon to outsource to professional marketing agencies like Crunch Fource. If you’re struggling with website design, content creation, graphic design, SEO, or any other technical or creative process beyond your skillset, you might want to consider bringing in people like us who can address those issues for you!
