Over a decade has passed since the 2008 financial crisis crashed the real estate market, and business is hotter than ever. People are buying and selling properties in droves, and the demand for real estate agents and brokers has skyrocketed. But this has also lead to a highly saturated market wherever you go. If you’re new to the real estate industry, getting yourself noticed is your priority, and to do that, you’ll need a proper marketing strategy.
Whether you work as an independent agent or are looking for a brokerage that offers 100% real estate commission, you’ll need to combine traditional and digital marketing methods to make your mark on your local market. You’re going to have to rely on marketing for everything from listing a new home, finding new clients, to forging new partnerships within the community.
Real estate agents have traditionally relied on mainstream marketing tactics to build their client lists and create some buzz for their business. Still, you also need to consider new methods and industry-specific advice to get the word out. If you want to help your fledgling business get noticed in a hypercompetitive market, here a few suggestions:
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Take professional photos of the property
Professional-looking photos of your listings can help set your business apart from the competition. Not only do they look more impressive, but they also tell the world that you mean business. Put your iPhone away and hire a professional photographer for the job.
If you don’t have any contacts in your area, browse through your competitor’s listings and check the photo credits. This should help you build a shortlist of photographers to work with. You might want to partner with one photographer so you can get a better deal in exchange for guaranteed gigs. Alternatively, you can search online for professional photographers who specialize in real estate.
Every time you get a new listing, have the photographer take shots of the exterior, the front yard and backyard, and each room in the building.
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Build a mailing list
Email marketing isn’t just building a mailing list and sending the occasional newsletter. You need to leverage your valuable mailing list in a way that best benefits your real estate business. It’s not just an avenue to promote your services. You can also build meaningful relationships and provide benefits to potential clients.
Start by organizing your mailing list and creating segments based on demographic data. This will allow you to tailor your content to a specific segment and improve newsletter engagement. For instance, you could push open houses and send buying guides to people on the market for a new home. Meanwhile, clients who have already bought a property with you will appreciate community updates and helpful tips. This keeps your business fresh on their minds, so you’ll be the first agent they call if they’re looking to sell.
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Partner with a local moving company
Buying a new home can be a nerve-racking time for potential homeowners, and the logistics of moving only adds to the stress. To make your business more attractive to buyers, you can also offer a complimentary moving service along with the real estate purchase. Homeowners will appreciate the convenience of not having to contact movers, creating more goodwill for your business.
Partner with local moving companies in your area and negotiate a lower fee structure in exchange for a continuous stream of customers. Don’t forget to add your offer to all marketing material.
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Write compelling copy
Pictures tell a thousand words, but a well-written real estate listing can push potential buyers just enough to make a final decision. If you don’t have the time or skills to write compelling marketing copy, you might want to hire a copywriter who can help showcase the best features of your listings and help potential buyers imagine a life in their new home.
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Offer virtual staging
Home stagings are a mainstay in every real estate agent’s arsenal. They help potential clients imagine what it would look like if they bought the property. While they make life easier for real estate professionals everywhere, not all buyers respond to the furniture or decor choices in place. You can use virtual staging software to create mockups of the room with different configurations and designs. You can tailor-fit the design to the client to improve response rates.
If you want to sell real estate, you need to utilize both traditional and modern marketing techniques. Brush up on the fundamentals, insert a few improvements, and wow your clients with modern solutions to get them to sign on the dotted line.