Real estate is a highly competitive market. One could even say that it is a cut-throat industry that is not for the faint of heart. For this reason, it is imperative that any real estate agent who’s serious about their career have a solid sound marketing plan in place.
As a Realtor, it is important to differentiate yourself from other Realtors in the industry. After all, every Realtor in any given market is selling the same product, a house. What sets you apart from other Realtors will be the determining factor in how successful you are in your market.
With the changes in technology, marketing is much easier than it has been in the past. With the click of a little button, you’re able to reach hundreds, if not thousands, of customers in your market area. There are several tools a Realtor can use to effectively market their services and not all of them entail being a technical wizard. Business tools, such as real estate flyers, are a great example of this as they are an extension of you as a real estate agent which will help you attract new clients and sell homes.
Social Media
Social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram are excellent ways to market your services as a Realtor. There’s a great sense of satisfaction when you’ve sold a home to a satisfied customer and you’re able to post it on social media for the world to see. Social media is not only a way for you to gain bragging rights, but it is also an excellent tool to notify potential customers of your existence.
If people don’t know that you’re selling real estate, then they will not reach out to you if they’re looking to buy or sell their home. Following other Realtors on Facebook or Instagram is an excellent way to gain creative ideas on your marketing strategy. Please don’t misunderstand, this does not mean that you copy their marketing efforts verbatim. What it means, however, is you’re able to get more creative ideas on how to position yourself in your market.
Community involvement
Often, people do business with people locally in their community. If an individual is looking to buy or sell a home, they’re more likely to reach out to a real estate agent that is local to them. Getting involved in local charity events is an excellent way to stay in touch with the local community. In your efforts to connect to the local community, it is important to give back.
As your business grows and becomes more successful, it is imperative that you give back to the community that helped contribute to your success. Also, giving to charity is considered a tax deduction. The more profits you make, the more items you’ll need for tax deductions. Even though it’s not just about getting the tax deduction, it does help when Uncle Sam comes knocking at your door.
Direct Mail
Direct Mail campaigns are highly effective in generating new business. The key to direct mail campaigns is consistency and targeting. In order to make real estate postcards effective for your business, it’s important to perform them on a regular basis. Anyone who knows marketing knows that repetition is key, therefore, it is wise to conduct a direct mail campaign at least every month.
Of course, direct mail campaigns cost money so it is important to include the campaigns as part of your expense budget. These campaigns are highly effective in reaching individuals in a particular market. Companies such as Wise Pelican offer direct mail campaign services starting at $0.70 per postcard. They are a turnkey service that offers printing and mail services. They offer several templates that you can customize for your real estate business.
Real estate sites
The internet has definitely grown in popularity when it comes to marketing. Sites such as Zillow and Trulia are excellent resources for real estate agents to utilize in their business. Not only is this an excellent way to market potential houses for sale, but it is also a neat way to network online with other Realtors.
These online sites are excellent sources for listings that are about to expire. Sometimes, you have to take your marketing to the next level. Simply listing your real estate property for sale on the MLS system is not good enough. It’s best to take it a step further and utilize nationwide services such as Zillow and Trulia. You never know when your next prospective homeowner will be an out-of-state buyer.
Creating videos that sell
As a real estate agent, it is your job to sell. You’re not just selling a home, you’re selling a lifestyle. Simply posting a picture of a home online or in the MLS system is not going to generate the right kind of emotion to inspire a prospective homeowner to buy your house. A video is an excellent way to sell a lifestyle.
This is often effective when Realtors are responsible for selling homes in a developing community. Videos are an excellent way to market special amenities such as homeowners association memberships, golf course memberships or pool amenities. Videos invoke a sense of emotion that can cause prospective homebuyers to pay special attention to your listings.
Word of Mouth advertising
There’s nothing like a satisfied customer. For every homeowner you satisfy, each new home buyer will tell at least two or three other prospective home buyers about your service. Word-of-mouth advertising is free and it is the most effective form of advertising among the many that have been listed here.
While word-of-mouth advertising lacks the technical element, it does impose the human element. After all, humans are the people we’re marketing to and they are the people who will be living in the homes. Remembering things such as birthdays, anniversaries or other special dates is an excellent way to establish a relationship with prospective homeowners. People don’t care about what you say to them or what you show them.
They care more about how you make them feel. By sending a prospective homeowner a birthday card or a special letter of thanks, you’ve made them feel like they’re the most important person to you. That form of advertising is the most effective.
Local networking
It is always good to be in the company of like-minded individuals. There are local networking associations that are excellent for Realtors to bounce ideas off of other Realtors. Organizations such as the Real Estate Investors Association (REIA) are local to many areas throughout the United States.
Depending on your local market, these real Estate associations offer regular networking events that allow you to meet up with other Realtors in your area. At these meetings, you are able to discuss marketing ideas and also find potential buyers for any houses that you’re having trouble selling. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other Realtors. Even though they can be viewed as competition, they can also be your best ally when you’re trying to sell a home that’s been on the market for an extended period of time.
If you’re interested in joining a local realtor association, it is best to start your search online. An online search could yield several results of real estate associations that are local to you in your area.
Some forms of marketing for real estate agents haven’t changed. Word of mouth advertising and local networking are two of the most common non-technical ways that real estate agents are able to market their services. With social media platforms, a real estate agent is able to take their marketing efforts to the next level. Using these methods in combination can ensure your success in your real estate business.
