FECEPAC | Commercial Real Estate

Modern businesses have changed from the way business was done decades ago. There are many tools available now to build business and establish relationships for future relationships and business. Savvy business people recognize the tools that can help them and take advantage. In many ways, real estate marketing has changed along with other business marketing strategies.

Realtors have now begun to use social media as a huge resource as a real estate marketing tool. Using social media, Linked In, Facebook, Twitter, and other media, is a great way to generate contacts in their field and speak with potential clients. It can be a way to reach people that they would not ordinarily have contact with.

Another great way for realtors to network and advertise homes they are selling or their services, is to use flyers and postcards. When realtors use either of those things, it puts something tangible into a prospect’s hands for them to consider. One of the first rules of sales is to put the product in the customers’ hands. Since it is hard to put a house in the buyer’s hand, an attractive flyer or postcard is a reminder of what they want. Successful sales have come from buyers receiving a detailed postcard or flyer they could keep and consider.

Not only is the use of postcards and flyers popular, internet listings are as well. Since many people do use the internet throughout the day, it is a great tool to take advantage of. When buyers go to the internet, they usually look for things they want to purchase and they are comparison shopping. Realtors that list homes online usually generate more leads that if they only used word of mouth or newspaper ads.

By using different real estate marketing tools, realtors are building a larger pool of potential clients. Realtors are also extending their brand into different areas. The more marketable and well known a realtor is, the more clients they will receive. Even if the realtor’s brand is far reaching, the use of so many different tools increases the avenues of contact between clients, potential clients and the realtor.

A savvy realtor not only fosters relationships with clients and potential clients. They also build relationships with fellow colleagues and people in the real estate industry. Its important to have other contacts within the industry to maintain current information and have a network of help if it is ever necessary. Great realtors know when they can’t handle the demands of a client and they should always a referral ready to recommend to their unsatisfied clients.

Successful real estate marketing always encourages the borrower to make the purchase. It will never encourage them to postpone their decision. The content of their tools, be it Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, will always tell buyers all they need to know about the houses they represent or the specific house they are promoting. Realtors want their viewers and followers to be informed of the services they can provide and how they can help solve a problem.

With many different strategies available, realtors have options to use in order to reach their potential clients. Diligent real estate marketing can build a realtor’s brand and allow them to reach many more potential clients. Using those tools will keep clients and fellow realtors updated on market trends and what they have available. Real estate marketing is a huge part of how realtors build their business and they should use every tool available to get as much exposure as possible.

In the real estate boom of the ’90s, realtors could stick a sign in the ground and wait for prospective calls to pour in. Now, alas, home sales are much harder to earn. One real estate marketing tool many successful agents use is social media. Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook are now considered key components in all marketing – and realty is no exception. Below, we explore how realtors use these tools to vend properties. We also provide a competitive advantage by highlighting the most powerful ways to use social media as a real estate marketing tool. First, however, let’s think about why these tools should be such an effectual way of marketing real estate.

It Offers both Expansive and Targeted Reach

The challenge of marketing real estate these days is getting your message in front of as many people as possible while especially focusing on those who are genuinely interested in your properties. Social media is a potent marketing tool because it is both far-reaching (you can place a public message on your profile) and targeted (you can send a message to just those people who might be interested).

Tricks for using Social Media to Market Properties

Step one in using social media as a real estate marketing tool is to set up a company profile at each networking site. Once your profiles are in order, start participating! It is not like traditional “spray and pray” advertising. It is a two-way conversation. Don’t just post your listings – interact with your followers and friends, as well. Your role is to ask questions, leave comments and provide useful information as an expert in your field. Some of the most prosperous real estate organizations in the world succeed online by passing on tips that property owners and buyers will find invaluable. As an example, let’s say one of your clients posts a question to your Facebook page about closing costs. Take advantage of this opportunity to show your deep knowledge by posting a quick, info-packed video response. This kind of user-centric approach to marketing real estate on these sites will earn you fans and sales.

Consider Corcoran Group In New York. They are enjoying booming web traffic and overall business thanks to a robust social media presence. All levels of employees, including CEO Pam Liebman, consistently provide helpful content through social media sites. Liebman herself regularly posts video responses to users’ housing questions. Once a real estate social media page has been established, you can generate new business directly through your Twitter and Facebook pages, as Corcoran proves.

Syndicating Customized Listings on Facebook and Twitter

Some realtors’ social media posts are more engaging than others. A drab, static listing will get far less attention than an interactive, entertaining one. For example, some online services empower real estate agents to create customized home tour videos and eCards. Utilizing such a service ensures that property listing information will be consistent across the web. Moreover, tour videos and eListings are easy to plaster all over the Internet, from Twitter to Craigslist to Facebook. A property tour video features a slideshow of pictures, particulars on each room, charming animation and music. Such packed, engaging content is much more likely to be shared by your followers, extending your social media reach even farther.