The real estate sector has been in the midst of a digital transition over the last several years as more buyers begin their pursuit of a dream home or an investment property online.
For many agents, this shift meant realigning their marketing strategies to suit changing buyer behaviors – and research has shown that among the most effective ways to achieve this is by building their online presence.
In a recent study, 88% of buyers use the internet to search for homes. In terms of age groups, millennial and Gen Z buyers rely on online research the most, with 92% opting to start their property search via the internet. The report also revealed that internet usage decreased with age, with only half of the silent generation, or those aged 73 to 93, going online to look for properties.
The audience you want to reach with your marketing strategies are those looking to purchase or rent a home. This can be pretty general, but it is important to remember that you can break up this group into categories. For instance, you might target military families who are looking to rent since their residency is temporary. Another group may be in the form of young entrepreneurs who are looking to invest in properties. Whomever they may be, you will have diverse targeted groups and understanding this will help make you more marketable in your business.
If you’re not using social media, you’re at a disadvantage, because your competitors probably are. Being a successful real estate agent is all about building your brand, and one of the biggest benefits of social media is that it is ideally suited for doing just that. But social media for realtors doesn’t just increase brand visibility – it also makes it easier to network, which is another critical aspect of selling in real estate.
What are the best social media platforms for real estate marketing?
1. Facebook
Most property agents choose Facebook as the primary social media tool to market their business – and it does not come as a surprise. Facebook’s strength lies not only in its features, but also in the platform’s user demographics.
The social media landscape has changed a lot over the years, but Facebook remains the king when it comes to real estate. A Facebook business page is a must for realtors, not just because of the capabilities of the platform itself, but also who’s on it.
A large chunk of Facebook’s target audience belongs to the millennial and Gen Z bracket, or the age group that is most likely to be earning an income and capable of buying a home. The platform also boasts multiple business features that allow users to publish listing-related updates and content, communicate with clients, book appointments, and curate reviews.
Additionally, Facebook’s ad feature enables agents to directly target users who are showing an interest in purchasing a property in a particular area.
Three best practice tips for agents using Facebook to market properties: respond to comments to increase engagement, be generous with photos and videos, and keep content locally focused.
2. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is another platform dominated by the millennial and Gen Z demographic. Although it is not typically a channel used by agents to find clients, LinkedIn is an effective tool for building a network with other real estate professionals.
Realtors can also use their digital resume to demonstrate their industry experience, which is a great way to build their online presence.
To maximize the use of LinkedIn, realtors are advised to set up a profile and keep it up to date, engage with other industry professionals, join professional groups, and share industry news.
3. Instagram
Instagram is the perfect platform for posting images and videos, which help attract potential buyers. For this reason, many luxury or boutique real estate businesses consider Instagram as a primary rather than a secondary social media marketing channel. Instagram Stories feature allows agents to post quick and personalised updates about their property listings.
Instagram works great for real estate agents because it is all about images and video – the two things that every realtor needs to share to get interest in their listings. Scheduling Instagram posts on a regular basis that are targeted to your locale will help you increase awareness of your brand as a realtor.
4. Twitter
Realtors often use Twitter to find and follow current and previous customers, and other real estate professionals who they can interact and share personalized content with. Twitter also allows users to share images and videos.
How can real estate agents build their social media presence?
One of the biggest mistakes realtors make is prematurely giving up on social media when they find the platforms do not yield the expected results. That’s a mistake. Growing your business with social media is a marathon, not a sprint.
Here are three strategies that will help maximize the impact of social media platforms on the growth of a real estate business:
1. Post great content
Sharing important, relevant, and attractive content is one of the most effective ways to boost social media presence. This includes high-quality images and videos of the properties listed. Presenting interesting facts and features about a property can get potential buyers talking and increase engagement.
You won’t grow your social media presence without great content that will keep people interested, so take lots of high-quality photos and videos of the homes you want to showcase. Focus on interesting quirks and features about a house that will get people talking, like a cool mosaic tucked in the back of a breakfast nook or a uniquely shaped pool in the backyard.
2. Take advantage of hashtags
Hashtags make it easier to discover posts centered around a specific topic. The use of real estate or property hashtags can help customers find listings on a specific location, so it pays for agents to research and incorporate these in their social media posts.
3. Grow your network
When used the right way, social media can help realtors establish a good reputation within the real estate circle and open opportunities to connect with clients and other professionals. Realtors must always remember that the primary purpose of social media is to build a solid network – selling a property is often a result of the strong connections and relationships established through these platforms.
---
If you need help building your social media presence, Ubertor is here to help. Our Social Media Services can help boost your brand presence and improve overall customer engagement.