Marketing can play a key role in growing your real estate agency and capturing the attention of prospective clients. A study conducted by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reveals that home purchases through a real estate broker have steadily increased from 69% in 2001 to 88% in 2020. 91% of buyers would use their agent again and even recommend them to others raising demand for service provision and steady growth of real estate franchises.
Technological advancement has seen the growth of the industry and it is evident that there is a demand for realtors everywhere. But how can you reach your target market?
With stiff rivalry, you must devise both online and offline strategic marketing ventures to rise above the competition. Although realtors are very key in the home buying process, buyers are increasingly involving themselves in the process before engaging the services of an expert.
You are doing yourself a great disservice if your business is not actively engaging, liaising, or networking online.
Whether you are a startup or are an experienced agent looking to attract new prospects, here is a compilation of vital marketing ideas successful agents use to promote their brands.
1. Create a website
Gone are the days where customers wholly rely on realtors for information. Before making a purchase, clients search the internet for price comparison, product exploration, carry out their due diligence and make decisions from an informed viewpoint.
Internet technology continues to evolve altering marketing strategies and the sale of buildings. Creating a website is crucial and will give potential customers a thorough guide of all the products and services that your business offers.
The majority of home buyers and sellers begin by conducting online searches before making any decisions. As a real estate agent, it is vital to create a website to promote your services, create brand awareness, and network with prospective clients.
A majority of sellers list their property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) which is a firm that real estate agents use to network and obtain offers, information, and connections with clients.
By incorporating a Multiple Listing Service on their websites, players in the real estate industry can exchange information and appraisals pertaining sale and buying of property and grow their businesses faster.
A Multiple Listing Service incorporates databases from different localities that integrate their property listings on real estate agent’s webpages. While your real estate firm will represent buyers and sellers, you will need to pay a membership fee to gain access to the MLS.
Advantages of Multiple Listing Service
· Efficiency – information shared on an MLS guarantees transparency and competently matches buyers and sellers. Buyers know which properties are on offer and sellers gain the much-needed P.R.
· Publicity – the best way to sell a property faster is through networking and word of mouth. An MLS platform enhances greater exposure since realtors can easily search for properties that match their customer’s requirements. Most MLS listings incorporate contact information and viewing options, hence realtors close deals faster as the process is simple and efficient.
· Information – relators who are members of an MLS access invaluable information on property that include exclusive information of availability of property, features, listings, and photos. With access to such invaluable information, a realtor is advantaged and in a better position as it would be difficult to consolidate such crucial material.
· Networking – an MLS creates a conducive environment for agents and brokers to network and share information about properties on sale, offers opportunities to get buyers, and forge relationships for mutual benefits. Also, new entrants have an opportunity to get mentors and learn from seasoned experts.
· Guidelines – without proper information on rules and regulations it is difficult penetrating the real estate industry especially if you are a startup. Leaning the processes of real estate can be complex. However, an MLS gives vital information making it easier for realtors to navigate.
2. Cultivate an email marketing strategy
Email marketing is an effective strategy to build lasting customer relationships. Find ways to collect emails from your website, events, seminars, and outreach operations you plan to organize.
One way to gather emails from potential clients is by organizing events, taking contact information, and sending prospects emails in line with the actions they take.
For instance, if a customer attends your open house event, send them an email thanking them for their attendance and offer helpful information about a nearby property that is on the market for sale.
Alternatively, if they attended a seminar you organized for first time homeownership, send them an e-book about factors and tips to consider before making a purchase.
Ensure to send your email subscribers information they are looking for such as forthcoming property, new buildings for sale, vital information before making a purchase.
Offer helpful information by sending a monthly newsletter and reach out to both existing and prospective customers. Inform potential customers about the availability of new property listings by sending to their emails.
3. Start a blog
By tactfully incorporating keywords, create content that is optimized for SEO and ensure it shows up in search engines whenever possible. Use Ahrefs and Google Analytics to come up with keywords that target specific markets.
Create information using images and infographics that are beneficial to browsers and will drive traffic to your blog.
4. Create virtual tours
Virtual tours are a superb way of giving potential buyers an accurate and comprehensive preview of the property on sale saving them precious time. Clients can precisely know much about the property before booking an appointment for a visit.
Whether a startup or an established real estate business, there is a need of using clear images, short captivating videos, or virtual tours of property on sale for your marketing campaign efforts.
5. Social media
Utilize social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for customer engagement and interactions. Organize promotions, awareness campaigns, and sponsored posts and promote properties on sale.
Most social media platforms allow you to pick a target audience, set your budget, type of post, and duration of your campaign. Also, you can organically promote your products by tactfully incorporating hashtags to ensure the posts reach the proper target market.
6. Recommendations
Recommendations and referrals from friends and family are a great way to land customers. Conduct follow-ups with clients that have successfully made a purchase, send them gratitude emails, and make requests for website reviews and referrals.
7. Analyze your competitors
Research on what other realtors are up to, know their marketing strategies, ensure to avoid their mistakes but imitate their success.
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