Real estate is a competitive industry, which means that finding some way to set yourself apart from your fellow agents can occasionally feel like a lost cause. An effective real estate promotion is just a matter of putting a unique spin on a tried-and-true technique. Just a small change can return major results.
There are several simple strategies you can use to stand out in a crowd and promote your real estate business. Here are seven tactics to set you apart.
Employ vivid images in your marketing.
A picture is worth a thousand words and that’s especially true when promoting real estate. Clients want to understand exactly what they’re getting, and there’s no better way to do that than through the use of full-color photography.
Remember that there’s more to a great photo than simply pointing and clicking a camera. Make sure you invest time into proper lighting and decorating your home in an appealing way. You may want to enlist the aid of a professional photographer, particularly if you’re selling a high-end property.
Maintain a solid social media presence.
More people than ever engage with brands on social media, and it’s a great way to keep your community updated with the latest news, deals, and other information related to real estate. That doesn’t necessarily mean you need to maintain a presence on every single social platform; that’s not a realistic goal and you will end up spreading yourself too thin.
Focus on the biggest, most important networks: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram (if images of your properties are particularly share-worthy). Make sure those social media pages are easily accessible from your website, and engage with your followers on a regular basis. Be sure to provide valuable and informative content, not just a bunch of sales pitches.
Use professional real estate presentation folders.
Presentation is everything. When you have important documents to share with your clients, don’t just hand over a messy stack of loose sheets; use company folders or binders that feature your real estate business’s branding and contact information. This way, clients can access everything they need from one handy package and easily get in touch with you if they have any questions or concerns.
Make sure that your presentation folders are properly sized for the materials you plan to use. Don’t try to cram legal size paper into a letter size folder, for example.
Create a memorable business card.
Your business card is one of the most important weapons in your marketing arsenal. You’ll want to have some on hand any time you meet with clients or attend a networking event. You’ll also want to ensure that your card uses a personalized design that stands out among your competition in some way, be it a distinctive font, an unusual stock, or even a die cut that defies the standard rectangular shape.
Try to design your card in such a way that recipients will hold on to it even if they aren’t necessary in the market to buy or sell a home. You will be surprised how many consumers call you back, sometimes even months or years after you first provided your card to them.
Add a live chat option to your website.
Users love to receive answers to their questions in real time, which makes live chat one of the most effective ways to create conversions on your website. That doesn’t mean you need to personally sit at your computer and field questions 24/7. There are many services such as ReadyChat that can handle it for you.
On top of increasing conversions, this can help free up your own time (that you might otherwise spend responding to calls) so that you can focus on the rest of your business.
Accentuate things outside of just the house.
As real estate agents, we sometimes forget that we’re not just selling a home, we’re also selling a location. Make room in your listings and other marketing copy to highlight interesting things to do in the area where you’re selling, whether that’s an annual marathon or a fun art festival.
If the home is within a short driving distance of major shopping or dining centers, mention that as well. Schools are a major consideration for many people with families; make note if the property is within the district of any well-respected schools.
Always follow up with your clients.
A home is a big purchase, but keep in mind that this probably won’t be the last time in their lives they require a real estate agent’s services. Plus, they can always recommend you to their friends and family. This is why it’s so important to follow up with clients and thank them for their business. You may even want to mail them a yearly birthday or holiday card so that you remain in their memory for years to come.
source: NAR