The real estate market is always competitive among realtors. There is fierce competition, and you want to be the one that clients are looking for to represent them. There are various ways to achieve this through advertising and word of mouth, but you need to become more creative.
How do you get your business in front of the right customers so you can be the chosen agent that a buyer or seller hires?
Before diving into each strategy in detail, it can be helpful to see a quick overview of the different real estate marketing ideas and the main goal of each approach.
The table below summarizes the key strategies discussed in this article and how they can help grow your real estate business.
| Item # | Marketing Idea | Platform/Channel | Main Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Facebook, Instagram & Messenger Ads | Social Media | Generate leads and start conversations with potential clients |
| 2 | Reviews & Testimonials | Google, Yelp, Zillow, Facebook | Build credibility and trust |
| 3 | Join Zillow | Zillow Premier Agent | Increase exposure to millions of home buyers |
| 4 | Create Videos & Incentives | Social Media, YouTube | Engage audiences and showcase listings |
| 5 | Google Screened | Google Search | Improve trust and visibility in search results |
| 6 | Email Newsletter | Email Marketing Platforms | Maintain relationships and nurture leads |
| 7 | Sponsor Local Teams or Events | Community Marketing | Increase brand awareness locally |
| 8 | Join Realtor Associations & Groups | Networking Organizations | Build professional connections |
| 9 | Ask for Referrals | Personal Network | Gain clients through word-of-mouth |
| 10 | Closing Gifts | Client Relationship | Encourage repeat clients and referrals |
| 11 | Build an Amazing Website | Personal Website | Create a strong online presence |
Contents
1. Facebook Ads, Facebook Messenger Ads, and Instagram Ads
We know that people spend more time on social media and the internet than on most other activities. In fact, people spend an average of 2 1/2 hours per day on social media. This is why you need to be on there as well. Social media is a great platform to advertise a business.
Facebook and Instagram make this easy for you, and they have Ads pages. Go into your Facebook or Instagram account and start scrolling through. You will see ads on there for various businesses, in between postings from those you follow.
| Number of Companies (out of 2,241) | Response Time |
| 586 | 0-5 min. |
| 143 | 5-30 min. |
| 90 | 30-60 min. |
| 81 | 1-2 hr. |
| 90 | 2-4 hr. |
| 61 | 4-8 hr. |
| 7 | 8-12 hr. |
| 133 | 12-24 hr. |
| 538 | Greater than 24 hrs. |
| 512 | No reply to the survey |
Facebook Messenger Ads are the latest addition to social media ads. It is an ad on Facebook, and customers can click on the ad to initiate a text conversation with the company via Messenger.
Harvard Business Review conducted a study of 2,241 companies and found that if you don’t connect with a customer within five minutes, the conversion rate to becoming a customer drops 400%! Facebook Messenger ads help establish connections!
Remember, these are not free, and you will need to create a budget for the amount of advertising you can do and want to do. Always start small. If you are unsure of how to do these, you can outsource this to people who know how.
2. Gather Reviews and Testimonials From Previous Clients
Have you worked with clients and had good experiences? Then, ask them to go on Yelp and leave you a review. Additionally, if you have a Google My Business account (which you should), you can also leave one there.
Posting these reviews on your website is a good idea, and sharing them on social media is also beneficial. Many potential customers will check your website to see who you are, and adding reviews and testimonials is important.
Other platforms include Facebook, Zillow, and Realtor.com, where you can collect reviews.
3. Join Zillow
Zillow is a great place for buyers to search for homes! However, did you know that agents can also use it? There are over 188 million viewers! Zillow Premier Agent will list your house, provide you with quality leads, valuable data, and help you grow your business.
4. Create Videos and Incentives
Creating videos of your listings or you talking to prospective clients about your listings or what you can do for them is a great idea! You can share these on social media and on your website.
People like videos and will watch them if they are short, concise, and entertaining. Don’t forget to have the closed caption on. This is because many people often struggle to adjust the volume on their phones and want to watch your video.
Amy Lucas, a real estate agent on the Space Coast of Florida, offered free tacos to clients who hired her as their agent a few months ago. She achieved this by filming a short video at her favorite Mexican restaurant and stating that if they hired her, she would get free tacos there with her. This is a great marketing idea!
This same agent also filmed a video of her top taco favorites in the area. What a great way to catch the eye of potential clients and give them some information to keep them wanting more!
Another option is to include a free moving truck if you are the buyer or seller’s agent. This will appeal to many people, as it is often a significant headache and expense.
Post your videos on Facebook and Instagram, and then create a YouTube Channel to host your videos. Adding links to these accounts on your website can provide even more exposure!
5. Google Screened
This is a new way for real estate agents, financial professionals, and lawyers to appear at the top of search engine results because they have been Google Screened. This means they have undergone a background check, hold specific ratings, and are a trustworthy business.
Many people view agents who have done this, as the market is flooded with agents, making it difficult to know who to use.
6. Create a Contact List and Send Out a Newsletter
Creating a contact list is a great way to market your business. You may receive this information from open houses, emails, mail sent to a specific zip code, or even from social media. You can use this list to create a monthly newsletter.
The newsletter may have listings or other information that a prospective client might want to know. One way to do this is through ActiveCampaign, a popular marketing automation platform.
7. Sponsor a Youth Team or Local Event
Often, youth teams are seeking a company or individual to sponsor their team. The fee ranges depending on the league and location. In return, your company’s name is featured on the back of the shirt.
Another option is to sponsor a table at a local event, where your name will be featured on flyers, social media, and other promotional materials.
8. Local Association of Realtors, Chamber of Commerce, and Other Groups
Joining the local association of Realtors will help you network, meet other agents, and also learn tricks of the trade. Additionally, there are the Chamber of Commerce and smaller organizations to join for networking purposes.
Beware that they all have dues, so you will need to budget your time and money for the most beneficial. Most organizations will let you come to a meeting so you can check it out before making a decision.
9. Ask for Referrals
Ask for referrals from friends and family, as word of mouth is often the most cost-effective and easiest way to acquire clients. 92% of people will believe a recommendation from friends and family before they believe advertising.
Encourage people you know to give your name to others. In addition, team up with other agents and other industries so you can share their information and they share yours.
Not sure you have time to team up with agents on your own? Use a company that does marketing automation!
10. Bring a Gift to Closing
Bringing a gift to the closing is a thoughtful way for clients to remember you and potentially refer you. Tickets to a movie theatre or a local restaurant are a great idea. It shows you care and you know that when they start unpacking, it will be nice to have a little escape or to order food from a local place.
11. Create An Amazing Website
You might be thinking, “I am a fantastic realtor, but creating a website is not my thing.” Well, you are in luck! Wolfpack Advising can create a user-friendly website that provides a wealth of information relevant to both buyers and sellers.
Have a link to Google Earth, Google Maps, high-quality photos, and virtual tours of the properties you have for sale.
Sometimes, the company you work for will create a site for you, and they will have their own rules and regulations. However, find out if you are allowed to have your own in addition to the company site, so you can really sell why you are the best!
Lastly, partner with other companies that you have worked with and provide links to their services on your site. Establishing relationships with home inspectors, electricians, lawn care professionals, alarm system installers, and other relevant service providers will be a good idea.
Update the Website
The website will be the first impression that many potential customers have of you, so you want it to be well-designed.
Updating it regularly and as properties change is important. Additionally, updating the website is crucial for maintaining security, achieving faster speeds, and preventing glitches on the site.
Build a Blog for the Website
You can also add a blog to the website that provides information helpful for both local and out-of-town sellers and buyers. Put yourself in their shoes and blog about what you would want to know, such as the latest trends, etc.
You can also write blogs about the top places to eat in the area or other items that might interest potential customers.
HubSpot reports that blogging is a valuable strategy and that it enhances your website’s SEO. Did you know that it can lead to 55% more visitors to your website? Many companies can help you with this! Just blogging won’t help you move up in ranking, but having interesting content can.
Related Questions
What is the best marketing strategy for new real estate agents?
The best marketing strategy for new real estate agents is building a strong online presence through social media, reviews, and a professional website. These tools help agents reach potential clients quickly and establish credibility in a competitive market.
Why are online reviews important for real estate agents?
Online reviews help build trust and show potential clients that other people have had positive experiences working with you. Many buyers and sellers read reviews before choosing an agent, making them a powerful marketing tool.
How can social media help real estate agents find clients?
Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow agents to advertise listings and connect with potential buyers and sellers. By sharing videos, property photos, and market updates, agents can increase visibility and generate new leads.
Conclusion
There are many ways to market your business, and you need to determine what works best for you and your local area. Remember, start small and take on a few ideas at a time. You don’t need to do everything listed here, but try the ones that interest you.
If you’re not sure where to start or you’re ready to scale beyond DIY marketing, contact us to build a real estate marketing plan tailored to your market, your budget, and your goals
