Generating leads is one of the most important things for any real estate company. You have to connect with prospective buyers and let them know what properties are available. Since the internet has become such an integral part of life, traditional methods aren’t getting the same traction that they used to. The name of the game is online marketing. So, let’s look at some of the first steps in leveraging your digital resources to improve outreach and corner the market.

1. Set up a Solid Website

This may go without saying, but the first step in generating leads in the digital age is to create a website that showcases your brand. If you do it right, your website can reach thousands of people every month, maybe even every week. In terms of exposure, this blows other methods out of the water.

A clean, easy to navigate site shows potential buyers that you are professional, established, and trustworthy. It lets you create a connection with the buyer before you ever meet in person. Remember that mobile searches have now become more common than desktop, so your site needs to be optimised for mobile devices to have the best effect.

2. Establish a Strong Social Media Presence

These days, nearly everyone is on social media.  Facebook and Instagram have become a way of life.  So, if you don’t have a business page established, it’s time to set it up. Social media creates additional channels to reach potential buyers, dramatically expanding your outreach.

Facebook gives you the opportunity to showcase your blogs and backlink them to your site.  Instagram is especially useful for real estate marketing, because it allows you to share high-quality images and videos of your properties.

Plus, with social media, you can use retargeting to send ads to those who have shown interest in your posts.  Many brokers overlook this tool for lead generation simply because they are too busy with other channels.  If this sounds like you, consider a social media management company (like 101 Things) to help you get the most out of your online presence.

3. Generate Consistent (and Fresh) Blog Content

When it comes to reaching people online, content is king. Blogs help to improve your search rankings and develop a relationship with your customers. Plus, each blog you write can be linked to a social media post to create an additional channel to your website. Remember to make the blogs actionable and give information that’s valuable to your customers. This shows them that you value them as individuals and builds brand awareness.

Blogs can also be used for influencer marketing. If you have a solid understanding of your target market, of who you really want to reach, you can partner with influencers that will speak to them. This lets you connect with a wider audience and increases the popularity of your business.

4. Make Sure SEO is Up to Date

No matter how good your site is, people need to see it before it will generate leads. So, make sure that your SEO is on point. The closer you are to the top of the list on the first search page, the more clicks you will get for your page. A third of people will click on the very first result. Results in the tenth position will get only about 1% of clicks.  Better SEO means that more potential buyers will see what you have to offer.

One of the best strategies for SEO is to optimise your site for the keywords and phrases that your audience will search for. It’s also helpful to focus on keywords that tap into a local audience. Since the search algorithms are changing every year, it’s worth it to invest in an SEO specialist to boost your ranking and maximize exposure.

5. Video Rich Content

Any real estate marketing consultant keyed in to the current climate will tell you that video is one of the best ways to reach your customers and boost conversion is through video. People are more likely to watch a short video than scroll through loads of text-based listings. And seeing is believing. With a video, you can show off a property inside and out. You can engage with your audience, showcase the best features of your properties, and generate much more interest than through pictures alone.

Another benefit of video is that it improves your search rankings. So, just by including videos on your site, you get more exposure, connect more personally with your target audience, and dramatically improve conversion rates.

6. Referrals are Essential

One of the best ways to establish yourself as a trustworthy and reliable agent is through word of mouth.  Every client you work with is a potential inroad to other clients.  Whenever you deal with a customer, ask them for referrals. Recommendations from friends, family, and coworkers carry a lot more weight than anonymous reviews.  You might even offer a reward plan for clients that share your name with others.  This makes it worthwhile for them and helps you to build your network.

7. Set up a Regular Newsletter

No matter what industry you’re in, the competition is high.  One of the best real estate marketing strategies is to keep potential buyers aware of your company.  Newsletters let you do just this.  With a newsletter, you can feature new listings, keep clients aware of real estate news, and offer valuable tips for interested customers. Plus, they’re a great way to share local news for urban clients. Remember to offer valuable information so that your newsletters are welcomed and appreciated.

Lead generation is the key to a success as a real estate agent.  And it takes work.  They don’t just come out of nowhere.  A solid strategy and the right foundation will boost exposure, develop brand awareness, and establish the momentum you need to succeed.  If you’d like to speak with a real estate marketing consultant or look into social media management services, feel free to contact us.  We are dedicated to helping you generate leads and grow your brand.