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As more potential homeowners look for properties online, it’s important for you as a realtor to be able to reach out to potential buyers in the digital space.
According to an article in Forbes.com, 94 percent of millennials begin their search for homes online.
In the Philippines, 67 million of the country’s 103 million-strong population are active Internet users as of 2018, with all of them active on social media. In turn, social media advertising spend in the country amounted to $701 million as of May 2019, a 32.9 percent year-on-year increase.
Now is the time for you as a realtor to reach out to potential buyers in the digital space.
Here are ways to establish a solid digital presence and make sure potential property owners find you.
Start with a website
Your website should be easy to navigate so users can easily browse through and locate the information they are looking for. Make sure your “About Us” section and contact details are constantly updated.
Drive more traffic to your website by incorporating search engine optimized (SEO) keywords into your content; these are phrases that enable users to discover your website through search engines such as Google. There are a lot of online resources on SEO basics, or you can work with an SEO specialist to help research keywords relevant to your market.
As more and more customers are on the go, make sure your website is also mobile device-friendly.
Invest in quality content
Searching for real estate is a very visual experience; potential customers want to see what the property looks like and they should be able to imagine what it would be like living in it. Beautifully styled photographs, infographics, and highly engaging videos will help bring your unique selling propositions to life. Moreover, the more appealing the content, the more likely it is to be shared.
A rule of thumb for content creation: 80 percent of your content must be informative while only 20 percent should be promotions-related.
Up your Facebook game
The social networking site has evolved to become an important marketing tool for realtors. It’s not as simple as creating a page; consistent, active participation is essential. Join real estate-related communities; upload content during peak hours to maximize the number of people seeing the post; allocate a budget for Facebook ads and create ads customized to your target audience (your Facebook page’s analytics dashboard has all the metrics); use Facebook Live to give potential clients a virtual tour of the properties you represent; and be responsive to queries.
You should consider being on Instagram, too
Image-driven Instagram is a platform where you can give a “lifestyle” spin to the properties you represent. It’s also where the future homeowners are; connect with them as early as possible. Be part of a bigger conversation and include hashtags to your captions so other users can discover your post.
Maintain a blog
This could be housed on your website or in a completely different site. Offering useful real estate information via blog posts establishes your thought leadership and credibility, which in turn would lead to more inquiries about your services.
Send out a regular e-newsletter to your database
Whether it’s twice or once a month, you can maintain a top-of-mind position by updating your contacts on new properties, upcoming open house schedules, real estate news, and blog posts.
Generate new leads by offering something of value
Create white papers, case studies, industry reports, or offer free consultations in exchange for contact details.
Never stop learning
Realtors need to constantly upskill and be on the lookout for courses and pieces of training to stay ahead in a highly-competitive field. Lamudi Academy offers a 6-week Online Marketing Course designed to help real estate professionals succeed online. Courses include Top Online lead Generation Channels, The Power of Lamudi, Converting Online Leads into Sales, Improving Your Online Marketing Strategy, Digital Trends, and Understanding The Market. Visit their website for upcoming schedules and more details.
The beauty of the digital space is it’s accessible 24/7, results are measurable in real time, and one can reach different audiences in innovative ways. With the right strategy in place, you’ll be empowered to take your career to greater heights.
Sources: Forbes, Newsbytes, Statista
Read our previous journal for more real estate tips and features.
