Get Noticed or Get Ghosted: A Realtor's Survival Guide to Digital Marketing

Get Noticed or Get Ghosted: A Realtor's Survival Guide to Digital Marketing

Introduction

Whether you're trying to sell a shack in the woods or a city block—the simple strategies below can help you attract more serious buyers.

This guide is designed for busy professionals, so we've included only the essential information you need to survive in the real estate industry. It starts with best practices (ordered from basic to advanced) and concludes with commonly asked questions.

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Best Practices

Ordered from Basic to Advanced

1) Manage Your Online Reputation

Clients must not only trust in your knowledge of the market but also in your integrity and commitment to their best interests.

Since your online presence is often the initial point of contact for many potential buyers, ensure that your website (and social media profiles) are polished and professional.

We also recommend actively monitoring reviews and promptly addressing feedback. By presenting yourself authentically and professionally online, you'll make a positive impression on prospective clients and increase the likelihood of building trust and securing successful transactions.

This Entrepreneur, Austin Distel, is blogging on his laptop about building a social media marketing strategy to showing bloggers how to make money on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. His business has become a technology company, selling software and day trading cryptocurrency on the blockchain.

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2. Keep Your Online Listings Current

Some realtors (the worst!) lure in potential renters and buyers by leaving unavailable listings on their websites well after they've been scooped up.

This is a terrible strategy for many reasons. First, it makes you look incompetent. It wastes time. It erodes trust. It makes your clients question every listing on your website.

While it may require some extra time to remove listings that have been rented or sold, it makes a huge difference to your clients.

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3. Run Targeted Ads

Running ads may require an investment, but it's more likely to pay off since it helps you get in front of your ideal target audience.

Facebook's ad platform lets you pick exactly who sees your ads based on things like where they live, their age, interests, and even if they own a home. This means you can make sure your ads are seen by the right people – those who are most likely to be interested in buying or selling a property.

Furthermore, you'll have options to retarget anyone who has already interacted with your content. This means you can run ads to qualified leads, reminding them about your properties. So, when they're ready to make a move, they'll remember you first.

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If you've never run ads on Facebook before, we recommend this article from Facebook's Help Center.
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4. Segment Your Email Groups

If your client is hunting for a commercial space in the heart of downtown, they're not going to be impressed with the one-bedroom apartment you sent to your entire contact list.

By segmenting your email list based on factors like buying stage, location, budget, or property type, you can tailor your messages to specific segments.

This targeted approach ensures that your emails resonate more with recipients, increasing the likelihood of engagement and conversion.

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When you segment your email list, you can personalize your messages based on the interests and characteristics of each segment. This personalized communication makes clients feel understood and valued.
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5) Add a Virtual Tour to Your Listing

"WOW—my dream home!" is not a reaction anyone has ever had after seeing a few grainy photos online. Even if you use high-resolution images shot in favorable lighting—it might not be enough to make a potential buyer take notice.

According to the research, virtual tours are far more likely to get viewers to stop scrolling and spend significantly more time looking at your listing. And, ultimately, the more time someone devotes to envisioning themselves in a property, the deeper their emotional attachment becomes.

Since most real estate agents are already aware of this fact, if you're not already using virtual tour technology—we hate to break it to you—but you're behind the times.

If you haven't taken advantage of this tool because you think it's too hard, ask yourself: is it easier to leave money on the table?

In truth, it's actually a very straightforward process. If you can hold a phone and spin around in a circle, you can handle it.

TeliportMe's virtual tour software gives potential buyers a more lifelike experience.

6. Include Drone Photography in Your Listing

Drone photography can make a shack in the middle of the woods look cinematic.

In fact, if you're trying to sell a shack in the middle of the woods, using drone photography might be the best way to showcase the top selling point for potential buyers: the secluded setting.

By providing aerial views and showcasing the property's surroundings from unique angles, drone photography can highlight desirable features such as expansive landscapes, waterfront locations, or prestigious neighborhoods. This elevated perspective can create an impression of luxury and exclusivity, suggesting to potential buyers that the property is worth investing in.

The island is only accessible at low tide and a beautiful place to stay.
Photo by Enrapture Captivating Media / Unsplash

6. Leverage SEO

Visibility can make or break a business. When prospective homebuyers or sellers are scouting for real estate services, it's crucial that your website makes it to the top of the search results.

To ensure your brand gets the attention it deserves, strategically implement keywords that will To achieve this prominence, tapping into the force of SEO is indispensable. By strategically implementing SEO techniques, you can elevate your real estate business's visibility within your local market, ensuring that it captures the attention it deserves. But the journey doesn't end there; fostering a robust online presence through engaging content, responsive design, and active community involvement can further bolster your standing and credibility in the competitive real estate landscape.

Real Estate Marketing: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What role does social media play in marketing real estate?

While many realtors aren't active on social media, others have gained massive followings. Social media allows realtors to establish their personal brand, showcase listings, connect with interested buyers, and demonstrate their expertise.

How can I build a social media following?

Focus on posting valuable content regularly. Engage with your audience by responding to comments and answering questions.

How do you tailor marketing efforts for different types of properties (e.g., residential vs. commercial)?

For residential properties, marketing emphasizes lifestyle benefits and emotional appeal through high-quality visuals and community-focused messaging, while commercial property marketing emphasizes location, amenities, and financial potential tailored to investors and businesses, using detailed data and industry-specific channels.

How do you adapt marketing strategies for properties with longer sales cycles?

Adapting marketing strategies for properties with longer sales cycles involves implementing a sustained and strategic approach focused on nurturing leads and maintaining engagement over an extended period. This includes deploying targeted email campaigns, drip marketing tactics, and personalized follow-ups to keep prospects informed and interested.

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