This article is the first in a series of social media articles specifically focusing on social media for realtors and the real estate market.
As a Realtor, you may realize that social media should be an important part of your business marketing plan, but you may not be sure where to start. While social media may not be at the top of your priorities’ list, it can help you connect with your clients in fun and inviting ways, and ultimately help you grow your business.
The social media market has an overwhelming amount of platforms with more seemingly coming up every month or so. All of them are vying for our attention and business. It can be difficult to determine which ones to invest your time in. Yet there are certain platforms Realtors can focus on to ensure your market is being reached effectively.
Whether you’re new to the social media game or a well-experienced player, here are a few things to keep in mind when focusing your attention on social media.
Expertise Level: Easy
While it’s hard to believe, Facebook has been around for more than 10 years. Its audience has changed from college students to those in their mid- to late-30’s and upward, i.e. the age group that tends to be buying houses. It’s a good idea to have a solid presence on Facebook.
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How to be Active on Facebook:
- Create an agency Facebook page (keep your personal page personal).
- Post new listings on your page, including pictures and links.
- Link to articles about staging a house, market data, neighborhood profiles, etc.
- Connect with your past and current clients.
Expertise Level: Easy to Medium
Instagram can be intimidating, yet it’s as easy as taking a picture. This platform is being touted as being the go-to for 2015. Since it’s 100% visual, Instagram provides a way for your clients to see your properties as they scroll through their feed.
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How to be Active on Instagram:
- Create an agency Instagram account (this will involve you having to sign in and out of your personal account, but it is more professional to have a dedicated page for your company).
- Take pictures of your new listings, including its neighborhood qualities as well as interiors and exteriors.
- Use 3rd-party apps like PicStitch to make collages of the various images of your listings.
- Ask your current clients to follow you to keep up to date on your most current listings.
Expertise Level: Easy to Medium
Pinterest is all about sharing (‘pinning’) things that catch your eye — and your client’s eyes. In a couple weeks, we’ll expand on how Realtors can get the most out of this platform, but for now, here are a few techniques to use it.
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How to be Active on Pinterest:
- Create a business account.
- Craft boards that are relevant, such as home listings, neighborhood profiles, staging and interior decorating information.
- Share your pins with your clients.
YouTube
Expertise Level: Hard
Now, YouTube is for those of you who have mastered the other platforms and/or you like to be on camera! This platform takes a little more time as creating videos usually involves some editing and audio work, but YouTube also makes this easy with built-in editing software.
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How to be Active on YouTube:
- Post virtual tours of the houses.
- Do a time-lapse video of prime neighborhoods.
- Interview satisfied clients.
These are just a few ways to use the platforms available to connect with your clients, but they are also the most popular and the most effective in reaching your audience. Building an audience on social media takes time, but the effort can produce excellent gains.
Remember social media is about interaction – get involved in your online community and build up your brand through your past, current and potential future clients. If you need help building your social media community online, Seapoint Digital can help with inbound marketing strategies and online campaigns. Reach out to us today.
