Expert Real Estate Marketing Ideas

Gone are the days when a simple sign in the yard and an ad in the local paper would suffice to sell properties. Now, we stand on the precipice of ever-evolving technology that promises to redefine the very essence of how we connect people with places.

In this article you’ll discover marketing ideas guaranteed to transform your properties into dream homes that captivate and inspire potential buyers.

Leveraging Social Media to Showcase Properties

I’m going to assume you are already leveraging Facebook and Instagram and highlight new potential strategies you may have yet to explore. 

New platforms like TikTok offer a first-mover advantage for adoption by agencies looking to market their properties to a new audience. 

Tips for Using TikTok Effectively

• Creativity is Key: Creativity is key on TikTok. Think outside the box and offer something new and exciting to your viewers.
• Engage with Your Community: Respond to comments, share local news, and participate in relevant conversations. Social media is a two-way street.
• Use Hashtags Wisely: Hashtags can increase the visibility of your posts. Use a mix of popular and niche hashtags related to #RealEstate, #HomeForSale, or your specific location.

Email Marketing Strategies for Real Estate

Email marketing should still be a top priority for your agency. Despite social media’s best efforts to steal the spotlight, I think email still sits on the throne.

One thing that makes email so strong is that you own your list. With social media, your account could get banned, blocked, etc, and boom, your list is gone. 

Email Marketing Tips

• Build Your List: This should include past clients and new leads that come through your marketing channels. Make sure to segment that list accordingly.
• Content: Property listings, market trends, or home maintenance tips are good starting points for your content plan.
• Email Campaigns: Begin sending campaigns for upcoming open homes. Offer magnetic calendars or keyrings to potential attendees as an incentive to show up. 
• Call to Action: Make it clear what you want the reader to do next, whether it’s viewing a listing online or getting in touch for more details.

Including promotional items or a giveaway in your emails is a great way to etch your brand into your audience’s minds.

SEO for Real Estate Agents

SEO will still play an important part for a number of real estate agents. 

Here’s a quick overview of a simple yet effective SEO strategy. 

1. Research and use keywords specific to the real estate business. Incorporate terms like “homes for sale” and “real estate agent [Your City]” into your website content to attract local searches.
   
2. Claim your Google Business Profile and ensure your agency appears in local search results. Reviews, accurate contact information, and local citations boost your visibility to homebuyers searching in your area.
   
3. Create valuable content that answers common questions from homebuyers and sellers. Blogs, market analysis, and buying guides enriched with your targeted keywords can improve your site’s ranking and attract a relevant audience.

It’s basic stuff, but even today, most people get SEO wrong. Don’t overcomplicate it, and stick to the foundational basics of what makes SEO work:

• Research & Content Planning
• Write Informative Content
• Build Backlinks
• Leverage SEO Tools

Hosting Virtual Open Houses

Listen up, in today’s age you need to consider a virtual open house. They’ve changed the game on how real estate agencies market properties. 

No longer are we tethered by geography; these digital showcases fling open the doors wide, making every nook and cranny of a property accessible to anyone with an internet connection. 

Platforms like Zoom, Facebook Live, YouTube, TikTok, you name it, have all become a stage for real estate agents, the performers. 

With every live walkthrough, every feature spotlight, and every question answered in real-time, what’s really being built isn’t just interest but trust. 

Then, there’s the magic of 360° tours. These are like virtually living inside the property, experiencing every angle as if you’re there, turning what might have been a mere glance into a gaze of wonder. 

Utilising Promotional Products

The use of promotional products in marketing is as old as the “For Sale” sign on a cave dwelling. 

But if you’re aiming to be at the forefront of memorable marketing (I assume you are, that’s why you’re here), not just any branded swag will do. 

Nope. You have to be clever, strategic, and a tad more imaginative. To truly stand out, think beyond the standard fare. 

Sure, keyrings, magnetic calendars, and pens have their charm, but what about custom drink bottles for those hot day open houses or eco-friendly tote bags at community green initiatives? 

So, don’t reinvent the wheel. Improve it with a little clever engineering.

Here’s how:

• Create memorable moments with items that spark joy, utility, and, occasionally, a good chuckle. Something like a keyring that doubles as a tiny level tool. Genius.
  
• Go for promotional products that show your commitment to the planet.
   
• Tech-savvy clients? How about offering a branded USB drive loaded with all the essential documents for their home purchase?

Effective Use of Real Estate Portals

Real estate portals require a bit more than just slapping up a few photos and calling it a day. 

What’s the secret to standing out? You’ve got to weave a bit of magic into each listing, making each click a step into a story rather than just a transaction.

Here’s how:

1. Begin with photographs that capture not just the property but the essence of the Australian lifestyle it offers. We’re talking sun-drenched patios, sprawling backyards ready for a barbie, and kitchens where families gather over a steaming pot of coffee.
    
2. When penning descriptions, don’t just laundry list the features. Weave a narrative that pulls at the heartstrings. Mention the local magpie visits in the morning, the short stroll to the bustling cafes, or how the living room light perfectly captures the golden hour.
   
3. Speak the local lingo. Phrases like “beachside retreat” or “bushland haven” can attract those yearning for the Australian dream. Remember, it’s not just a “spacious backyard” but perhaps a “cricket-ready lawn” that gets the message across.
   
4. Incorporating virtual tours offers a peek into the life that awaits. It’s an invitation to wander through the property at their leisure, a digital open house that’s open all hours.
   
5. Keep your listings as fresh as the morning dew. An updated listing signals an active, attentive seller ready to engage.
   
6. Encourage your past clients to share their stories. In a culture that values mateship and a fair go, a positive review is like a word-of-mouth recommendation from a mate.

Strong Call to Action’s (CTA’s)

It’s worth pointing out at this point that every single piece of content you create or put out on video should have a strong CTA. 

Having a strong CTA guides potential buyers to explore new listings or attend an open house.

Position them prominently across your digital assets, from email campaigns announcing new listings to social media posts inviting followers to virtual tours. 

Use action-oriented language such as “Book Your Virtual Tour Today” or “Contact Us for Exclusive Tote Bags Offers,” making it easy for potential buyers to know what step to take next.

Networking and Partnerships

There’s probably not a lot to tell you about networking and partnerships that you don’t already know. 

So, I’ll keep this section short for you. 

• Together, host webinars that aren’t just talks but journeys into the potential of what a home can be.
• Take a stroll through the local business thicket and set up a system where referrals are the seeds you sow together, growing a forest of mutual benefits.
• Sponsor the local footy team or cricket club.
• Shine a light on local businesses through your digital channels.
• Chart your course through the waters of real estate networking events.

Let me give you a “real life” example.

What if you co-host a local fair with promotional drink bottles as giveaways to create a tangible connection with your brand? 

Content Marketing for Real Estate

Again, if you haven’t been doing the basics of content marketing, you’ve likely been living under a rock for the past 5-7 years. 

Here are the must-haves of content marketing:

• Blog posts on the latest market trends or tips for buyers and sellers, providing insights that position you as an industry authority.
  
• Leverage video content to offer virtual tours or DIY home improvement tips.

Expand your strategy with these ideas:

• Market Analysis Reports: Publish detailed market analysis reports to inform potential buyers/sellers about current trends.
  
• Home Staging Tips: Offer home staging tips and tricks through blog posts or videos to help sellers maximise their home’s appeal.
  
• Buyer/Seller Guides: Create comprehensive guides for first-time buyers or sellers, outlining the process step-by-step.
  
• Neighbourhood Features: Highlight local neighbourhoods in your content, showcasing amenities, schools, and unique selling points.
  
• Q&A Sessions: Host live Q&A sessions on social media to address common questions from buyers and sellers.

Paid Advertising Campaigns

Not to sound like a broken record, but by now, I’m sure you have some understanding of a basic PPC and social media ads strategy. 

Just in case you don’t, ask yourself the following. 

• Am I using demographics, interests, and behaviour for targeting? 
• Am I regularly assessing the performance of my campaigns?  
• Am I adjusting my strategy for optimal ROI and making data-driven decisions?

Further refine your paid campaigns with these tactics:

• Remarketing Campaigns: Implement remarketing campaigns to re-engage visitors who have shown interest in your listings.
  
• Collaborative Ads: Partner with local businesses for collaborative ads that promote both your services and their products.
  
• Landing Pages: Create dedicated landing pages for your ad campaigns, optimising for conversions.
  
• Geo-Targeting: Utilise geo-targeting in your ads to reach potential clients in specific locations.
  
• A/B Testing: Regularly conduct A/B testing on your ads to determine which messages and visuals perform best.

Customer Testimonials and Reviews

Social proof is huge! In fact, I’d go as far as to say that it could possibly be the number one factor some people make when purchasing anything. 

So, make sure that you encourage your satisfied clients to share their positive experiences with your agency. Feature these testimonials prominently in your marketing materials and online platforms. 

Go the extra mile and actively respond to reviews, addressing feedback constructively and showcasing your commitment to excellence in customer service.

And if you want to absolutely crush it, do the following:

• Create video testimonials with willing clients to add a personal touch to your reviews.
• Offer small incentives for clients to leave reviews, such as a discount on future services.
• Regularly highlight positive reviews on your social media channels.
• Dedicate a page on your website exclusively to client testimonials and success stories.

Innovative Direct Mail Campaigns

Ah, the humble mailbox. Often overlooked, but it can still be an effective tool for marketing your listings, or open homes. 

Here are some mailbox drop ideas you can run with:

• Local Market Snapshots: Include QR codes linking to virtual home tours or exclusive online content.
  
• Send Out Seasonal Mailers: Include tips for maintaining a home throughout the year, branded with your agency’s information.
  
• Mail Customised Property Alerts: Send these to potential buyers who have expressed interest in certain types of properties.

That’s a Wrap

That big ol’ beast called social media ain’t going anywhere. The same goes for email marketing. 

Now, if you’re itching to add a bit of spice to the mix, take a look at our site for some promotional items.