Do you remember, “back in the day” when home buyers would simply open a newspaper to look for properties for sale or look up names of realtors in a phone book?
Well, there are people that still use the newspapers but not a phone book in their search, however, home-buyers today are definitely online looking for homes and other pieces of property.
Therefore, it is imperative for any real estate agent to use social media in marketing their businesses and listings. However, because any realtor can create a Facebook or Instagram account, it’s not always clear how to use these social media platforms as a tool to send the right message to the right people at the right time.
There are realtors who are still using old-school advertising tactics like billboards, bus bench signs and making cold calls, but most home buyers no longer search this way, in fact, many times they simply ignore it.
If a realtor wants to generate more real estate business, then he or she must be where their potential clients are and that is online. The largest demographic of home buyers in the United States are Millennials (or “Generation Y”) they have a median age of just 29 years. I remember when my husband and I purchased our first home, I too, was 29 years old.
On Sunday, my Podcast guest, R.K. Wilson, a Licensed Realtor® Myers Realty and I talked about a few tips for using social media to engage with clients and below are just a few.
Instagram is widely considered the perfect social media platform for realtors, There are more than 700 million users on Instagram.
Instagram is very user-friendly and it is mainly accessed on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, which leads to higher levels of engagement.
In promoting listings on Instagram, realtors should remember that photos tell the story on this social media platform. It is very important to post beautiful images on Instagram. Sharing 15-second video clips that showcase a house up for sale will also be a part of a winning strategy.
Without a doubt, Facebook is the king of social media with more than 2 billion users worldwide. It’s easy enough for anyone to set up an account. But how should a real estate agent share content on Facebook?
Remember to use the 80/20 rule; 80% of posts should be for the customer while 20% should be about the business and social selling. Agents should post about happenings in and around the communities like local charity events, school-related activities or new store openings, etc., because this type of community engagement helps to position you as a thought leader, rather than just a seller.
People are buying more than a home, they are buying into communities, schools, churches, events and will be making a lifetime of memories.
It may not be as widely used as Facebook, but Twitter is still a social media platform that real estate agents should be on. The volume of tweets will greatly boost a realtor’s exposure. The more tweets a real estate agent sends out, the more leads can be generated.
In addition to sharing listings, there are other types of content or pieces of information worth tweeting, like advice on moving as well as tips for staging and upgrading homes.
Real estate investors should use the platform to connect with local business people, brands and influencers. Hashtags are also very important, as people use them to search for a particular topic on Twitter.
When it comes to professional networking online, LinkedIn is the top platform. Agents and investors should use LinkedIn to establish their professional reputation online and gain much-needed exposure to local banks, investors and business owners , if you’re selling commercial property.
Sharing content including photos of new and exciting projects is one way to do so. A social media-savvy realtor also posts relevant and interesting reports, articles and blog posts and videos as well. If you want to hear more tips on social selling please listen to the Podcast interview with R.K. Wilson, then leave a comment below.
Let’s Chat > Which social media platform do you use most often when searching for a product or service?
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3 thoughts on “Social Selling & Tips for Realtors”
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I learned a little about the modern ways of buying and selling when we had to help my aging mother in law sell her home 3 years ago. I was amazed. I’m not in this field but enjoyed reading about this.
Alana, yes, it’s amazing how much home buying and selling has changed over the years. Hope all is well on your side of the world.
I am online all the time and if asked by friends & relatives, I would search for real estate on the web.