If you’re amongst those who spend hours scrolling through real estate websites, listing your property on one and hoping for the best, you might need to think out of the box.
I know the competition is fierce, and the market is saturated, but it’s for everyone who puts in the time and effort to come up with innovative marketing ideas. All you need is a little creativity and some strategic planning to stand out amongst the sea of real estate listings.
Here are five real estate marketing ideas that can help you attract potential buyers and close deals faster.
Virtual staging refers to creating digital images of furniture and decor in an empty property to give potential buyers a visual idea of how the space can be utilized.
You don’t actually have to buy or rent furniture, and you can showcase different styles and layouts to appeal to a wider audience. All you need is a skilled graphic designer (and a video editor) and some high-quality photos of the property to create realistic virtual staging.
Also, don’t limit yourself to just photos and videos. Utilize virtual reality technology to create immersive walkthroughs of the property, allowing potential buyers to experience it as if they were physically there.
VR refers to virtual reality, which is a technology that uses computer-generated simulations to create a realistic 3D environment that can be explored and interacted with.
The best part about VR walkthroughs is that your potential customer doesn’t have to visit the property physically but can still experience it in a unique and engaging way.
Why VR Walkthroughs Work?
VR walkthroughs can be a game-changer when it comes to the initial stages of marketing a property. This is majorly because it results in –
Deeper Emotional Connection: VR walkthroughs allow potential buyers to experience the property as if they were actually there. This creates an emotional connection and triggers psychology of ownership – similar to what test-driving a car would do for a buyer. The customer starts visualize themselves living in the space, making it more likely for them to make an offer.
Faster Decision-Making: The fact that customers can visit multiple properties without ever leaving their homes is a gamechanger in terms of time savings and convenience. It speeds up the decision-making process, making it more likely that they will make an offer on your property.
Higher Engagement and Closing Rates: Properties with virtual tours receive 87% more views than those without. And not just this, listings featuring virtual tours get sold for an average of 9% more and closed 31% faster than those relying on traditional photos.
Incorporate Hyperlocal Content Marketing & SEO
Hyperlocal means creating content that targets a specific geographical area or neighbourhood.
By hyperlocal content marketing, we mean creating content that resonates with your target audience’s specific needs and interests in a certain area.
Your goal should be to dominate your target area by creating content that establishes you as the go-to expert for a specific neighbourhood or community.
For example, you can start writing on topics like “The Best Schools in X Neighborhood” or “Top Restaurants to Try in Y.” By doing so, you will not only attract potential buyers in the area but also establish yourself as a knowledgeable and trustworthy authority that knows about that particular neighbourhood.
Consistent content creation that incorporates local keywords
Promoting your content through social media and email marketing to reach a wider audience.
You can dominate not just search engines; you can even use social media SEO, like creating local hashtags and geo-tagging your posts, to reach a highly targeted audience in your desired location.
Here are some of the strategies you can use –
Neighborhood Guides: Create in-depth guides for your target area that cover everything from its history, demographics, popular landmarks, and things to do. Not only will this showcase your knowledge of the area, but it will also be a valuable resource for potential buyers.
Market Reports: Create monthly or quarterly market reports to keep your potential buyers updated on the real estate market in your target area. These reports can include information such as average home prices, inventory levels, and trends in the local housing market.
Local Business Interviews: Partner with local businesses in your target area and conduct interviews with their owners. This can help promote both of your businesses, as well as showcase the community and its offerings.
Blog Posts on Local Topics: Write about relevant issues like property taxes, zoning changes, community development plans, or local lifestyle tips.
Optimise for Local Keywords: Use keywords like “[Your City/Neighborhood] real estate,” “[Neighborhood] homes for sale,” and “[City] real estate agent.”
Google Business Profile Optimization: Claim and fully optimise your Google Business Profile with accurate information, photos, and regular updates.
Case Study: Kris Lindahl Real Estate – “Be Generous”
Kris Lindahl Real Estate, led by its founder and CEO Kris Lindahl, launched a notable marketing campaign centred around the slogan “Be Generous.” This campaign represents an innovative approach to real estate marketing that goes beyond traditional property listings and agent promotions.
The company brought the ideology to a hyperlocal level by sponsoring local events, supporting charities, creating neighbourhood guides, and producing videos highlighting the best of each community.
As a result, the company saw substantial brand
awareness, website traffic, and lead generation growth, becoming a dominant player in their market.
They leveraged their community focus to build trust and become the go-to real estate resource.
Dominate With Video Marketing
While not something you haven’t heard of, we cannot stress the importance of video marketing enough in today’s digital age.
Real estate listings with videos receive 403% more inquiries than those without.
Furthermore, 85% of buyers and sellers prefer to work with an agent who uses video marketing. It’s no secret that video content is engaging, memorable, and highly shareable. So why not leverage it for your real estate business?
Property Tours: Create high-quality videos showcasing properties from different angles. You can also use drones to capture aerial views of larger properties or showcase the surrounding area.
Live Virtual Tours: Use live video streaming platforms like Facebook Live or Instagram Live to conduct virtual tours of properties in real-time for potential buyers who can’t physically visit the property.
Interviews and Testimonials: Conduct interviews with clients, partners, or other industry experts. You can also ask satisfied customers to provide testimonials that you can use in your marketing materials.
Community Showcases: Create engaging videos highlighting popular neighbourhoods, landmarks, events, or businesses within your target area. This will not only attract potential buyers but also showcase your knowledge and passion for the community.
Neighbourhood Talks: Host video discussions on topics related to your target area, such as local market trends, community development, or lifestyle tips. Invite guests like other real estate agents, business owners, or residents to share their insights and perspectives.
Case Study: Graham Stephan – Educational YouTube Content
Graham Stephan, a real estate agent and investor, built a massive following on YouTube by creating educational content about real estate, finance, and investing.
His content strategy focuses on providing valuable, educational information to his audience:
Topic Variety: He covers various subjects, including real estate investing, personal finance, credit cards, and frugal living. This broad approach attracted a diverse audience interested in financial management and real estate aspects.
Transparency: Stephan is known for his openness about his financial situation, income streams, and investment strategies. This transparency built trust with his audience and set him apart from other “gurus” in the space.
Consistency: He adopted a strategy of posting three videos per week, which helped him gain traction and grow his channel. Regular content creation is crucial for building and maintaining an audience.
Result? He has successfully generated a significant number of leads and established himself as a thought leader in the industry – with many potential clients reaching out to him directly for assistance.
Marketing With Differentiators
A differentiator refers to something that sets you apart from the competition. It can be your unique selling proposition, the one thing that makes you stand out in a crowded market.
Expertise in a specific niche: Instead of being a generalist, focus on a specific niche like luxury properties, first-time home buyers, or investment properties. This will help you establish yourself as an expert and attract more targeted clients.
Community involvement: As mentioned earlier, showcasing your community involvement through sponsorships, volunteering, and local partnerships can set you apart from other real estate agents and build trust with potential clients.
Unique services or offerings: Think outside the box and offer unique services or resources to your clients. This could include things like exclusive listing presentations, virtual home staging, or a personalized property search portal. For example, you can even make facility management a differentiator. For those who don’t know, facility management is defined as “the coordination of all activities that contribute to the well-being and efficiency of users’ working environment.” Now, this might be a little out of the way for real estate agents. However, it can prove to be an excellent customer retention strategy, especially for commercial real estate clients.
Marketing tactics: Be creative with your marketing tactics, whether you use virtual reality tours or produce high-quality videos and photos of properties. This will help you stand out from competitors relying on traditional methods.
Exceptional customer service: Providing exceptional customer service can also set you apart in a market where many clients may have faced negative experiences with previous agents. Go above and beyond for your clients, respond promptly to their inquiries, and ensure all their needs are met during the buying or selling process.
Incorporate Modern Technology In Your Marketing Mix
Clients are humans just like us, and they are fascinated by the latest technology and trends. Incorporating modern technology in your marketing mix can help attract potential clients and make you stand out from traditional real estate agents.
For example, a simple drone shot of a property can make it more visually appealing and increase potential buyers’ interest.
Here are all the strategies you can use –
Drone photography and videography – A 360-degree view of the entire property can be captured with these drones. You can show potential buyers every nook and corner of the house, including any unique features or amenities.
Virtual reality tours – This technology allows clients to tour a property virtually, as if they were walking through it in person. It’s a great way to showcase properties to out-of-town clients or those who are unable to physically visit the property.
3D floor plans – a 3d floor plan refers to a digital floor plan that gives an accurate representation of the property’s layout. You can use this to help clients visualize the space and get a better sense of how rooms flow together.
AR staging – Augmented Reality (AR) staging allows you to digitally stage a property, so potential buyers can see what the space would look like with furniture and decor. This is especially beneficial for vacant properties that may be difficult for clients to envision as a livable space.
A startup consultant, digital marketer, traveller, and philomath. Aashish has worked with over 20 startups and successfully helped them ideate, raise money, and succeed. When not working, he can be found hiking, camping, and stargazing.
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