How To Optimize Real Estate Efforts Through Social Media
The real estate industry is changing rapidly, and social media has become the new frontier for agents and brokers. But how do you use it to your advantage? How can you leverage social media to get more business, improve client relations, and build your brand?
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Snapchat, and even Pinterest have all changed the way we interact with each other and businesses. Now, consumers are more connected than ever before, so it’s time for realtors to adapt to this new world. In fact, according to a recent study by Nielsen, 70% of millennials trust recommendations from their friends over ads on TV or online. And while it might be hard to believe, they trust reviews on Yelp even more. It’s clear that there is an opportunity for realtors to leverage social media to connect with clients and grow their business.
What does this mean for you as a broker or agent?
If you want to succeed in today’s competitive market, you need to take a page out of your competitor’s book. The best way to stay ahead of the curve is to learn what works for them and apply those same strategies to your own business. You’ll also want to make sure you’re leveraging every available channel to drive traffic to your website, boost awareness of your company, and encourage people to contact you about buying or selling a home.
Here are some ways you can use social media to optimize your efforts:
- Start conversations.
You may not realize it, but you already engage with customers through social media. For example, when you post pictures of your listings on Facebook, you’re interacting with your target audience. When you tweet about a new listing, you’re connecting with your followers. If you start a conversation with someone who likes your feed, they will probably return the favor by liking or commenting on your posts.
It’s important to remember that most people don’t come to social media looking for a sales pitch. They’re just browsing. So, instead of trying to sell them something, focus on building relationships. Ask questions, share stories, and offer advice. People love talking about themselves, so if you want to be successful, try asking them questions about their lives and experiences. Then respond with comments that relate to their interests. This is called “guerrilla marketing” because it gets your message across without having to spend a lot of money on advertising.
- Give back.
In addition to helping people solve problems, social media can also help you gain exposure and build trust. Many companies use social media as a platform to give back to the community. Some examples include sponsoring local events, donating products to charities, or supporting causes they believe in. Not only will this show your clients that you care, but it will also make them feel good about working with you.
- Share useful information.
Another way to use social media to improve your business is to share valuable content that will educate and entertain your audience. For example, you could create videos that highlight the features of your properties or explain why your listings are different from others. Or you could write articles about real estate trends and techniques that will help potential buyers or sellers.
- Offer exclusive deals.
When people see great value in a product or service, they are much more likely to buy. If you want to entice people to visit your site, you can offer them an exclusive deal. For example, if you sell real estate, you could offer a special discount to anyone who visits your website. Or if you’re running a contest, you could give away a prize to the person who shares the most about their experience on social media.
- Promote events.
Events are another way to promote your business and increase traffic to your website. You can host an event on Facebook or Instagram to advertise it to your followers. You can also create an event on your own blog or website and invite everyone to participate. This allows you to share the spotlight with your guests and gain more attention for yourself.
- Use images.
Images are an important part of any social media post. You should always use high-quality photos of your listings and your office space. The best photos convey emotion and are eye catching. For example, you could post a picture of your property on a beautiful fall day, or you could show off your office by taking a selfie in front of a fancy window. Make sure to tag your location so that people can find you.
- Post regularly.
You should aim to post at least once a day. If you wait too long between posts, your audience will lose interest. However, you don’t want to be posting constantly either. The key is to strike a balance. A few well-written posts are better than a ton of short ones.
- Don’t forget about mobile.
The majority of social media users access the internet using their smartphones. According to Statista, 53% of smartphone owners use social media. That means if you want to reach these people, you need to have a mobile-friendly website. While many websites are responsive, some aren’t. If you want to make sure your site looks great on all devices, hire a web designer to create a custom design for you.
- Use analytics.
Analytics are a critical part of social media success. They help you measure the effectiveness of your posts and your campaign. You can track how often people interact with your posts, where they came from, what links they click on, and other important data.
- Engage.
Social media isn’t just about sharing content and promoting your business. It’s also about engaging with your audience. You should reply to comments left on your posts and answer questions. You can also ask your followers for feedback and suggestions. If you do this, you’ll develop a reputation as an honest, trustworthy business owner.
Final Words
There’s no doubt that social media has changed the way we conduct our lives. By creating a presence online, you can reach thousands of people at once. And by using social media to market your business, you can boost sales and attract new customers. In fact, according to Hubspot, 93% of small businesses use social media. If you want to take advantage of this powerful tool, you need to know how to use it. Take time to learn about the various platforms, discover which one is right for you, and then implement a plan to grow your business.
