For those of you who were with me last week, you remember that we started to discuss ways to use social media in the real estate industry.
We reviewed the concepts found in The New Age of Real Estate Communication, written by Social Media Manager Lindsay Listanski. To see the entire piece click here. To review the abbreviated version of this article, see last’s weeks post that I wrote.
As I promised, I’m going to cover the remaining part of that document. I hope you enjoy!
TELL YOUR STORY:
Thought “show and tell” only happened in grade-school? Well– somethings you never grow out of. This is the name of the game in Social Media marketing– and a concept you want to get REALLY good at!
Stories give insight about who you are, and offers a personal touch that traditional one-sided marketing does not. It is also a great way to build trust with your customer base.
Lindsay suggests 3 things you want to ensure you do as you share your value as a sales professional: show who you are, show what you know, and show that you care.
Post a Listing:
Social Media sites can be a great place to post listings. When you share information, make sure you focus on those things that are emotionally appealing– i.e. photo of a room with natural light beaming through the windows, a lush green backyard, etc.
Post About Success:
Jeffrey Boase, and Chih-Hui Laiof Rutgers University discovered that 80% of social media posts to Facebook, Twitter and others are comprised of “announcements about one’s own immediate experiences.” Point blank — people are interested in themselves. This is a known fact, so use it to your advantage!
People want to work with those who are informed, passionate and concerned about their clients well being. So how do you tell everyone your the perfect person for them without screaming it at the top of your lungs? Share those “special moments” and the times you play an important part in your client’s lives. These defining moments are perfect opportunities to broadcast your work, without seeming boastful.
Telling someone they won their dream home over multiple offers, or handing keys over to first time home buyers are just two examples of great stories and pictures you can share.
Be The Neighborhood Expert:
Agents are well connected. Not only do they know about the housing the market, they can offer localized insight and knowledge that is not easy to find. Use this to your advantage and show your audience that you know things about your community that set you apart. I.E. best trails for hiking, cool things to do at nearby national parks, best places to find pizza, favorite family attractions, etc.
PICTURE SUCCESS: SHOW THE STORY OF YOUR WORLD:
Studies show that an estimated 60% of people are visual learners. This and the fact that smart phones make it easier than ever to share pictures, is one of many reasons photos should be a huge part of your social media campaign.
Pinterest:
Is quickly replacing décor magazines as the “go-to” place for decorating tips and ideas. Pinterest focuses on pictures, and many people now visit this site for inspirational imagery related to projects as well as design and décor ideas. Pinterest is a smart place to list homes, and as the #4 web traffic driver, a great way to get people to your personal website.
Instagram:
Similar to Twitter, Instagram is a public network where most users do not have a private profile– doing so would defeat the entire purpose of the site. Instagram is a photo based site that allows people to instantly upload photos, share and modify them with tools provided. The best way to approach this platform is to engage in other peoples worlds.Llike your client’s photos, make comments, follow those you are interested in, etc. Over time they may return the favor to you.
MEASURING YOUR EFFORTS:
A great thing about social media is the ability to track your efforts and measure things you do based upon your audience response. What do people like and respond to? What did you post that got the most attention? What did you share that no one noticed? These are all things to look and consider. Try to replicate the efforts that received a great feedback, and analyze the things you can do better.
I AM HOOKED TELL ME MORE:
Interested in even MORE social media platforms? Lindsay mentions three more sites that are worth taking a look at:
Google+:
Google has become the second largest social networking site in the world! Additionally, it is a social media platform owned by the most used search engine in the world. needless to say, its worth taking a look at.
Vine:
A very popular mobile app that allows you to take 6 second videos. You could show your listing in less than 6 seconds, talk about why your community is so great in 6 seconds, have a client make a creative testimonial, etc.
Foursquare:
Wait– isn’t this an elementary school game? Yes it is! Actually, Foursquare is also an app that allows you to “check in” at specific locations and leave tips for those who will come after you. Something like “the best coffee in town,” or “long waiting list so don’t come hungry,” are just a few examples of possible tips to leave. As a Realtor, this is a good way to show local knowledge and get your name out there.
CONCLUSION:
Social Media is a great tool that can help you strengthen relationships and build your brand. Some still question the return on investment, but the greater question is, “what is the cost of ignoring these emerging and powerful networking tools, and can you afford that?
With all the social media sites and different platforms, there is no secret ingredient to “social media success.” The best things to do is take it slow, be yourself, be consistent and above all– have fun!
- Proof a Fish is Smarter Than Your Audience - January 29, 2015
- How to Write Successful Real Estate Headlines for Increased Sales - September 30, 2014
- 16 Blogging Mistakes Realtors Can Avoid to Improve SEO - August 21, 2014
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