Being a realtor allows you to be your own boss and help people make significant life decisions. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 88% of buyers use a realtor or broker to purchase homes. As more people buy homes, the need for realtors grows.
After getting your realtor license, the next crucial step is marketing yourself. With 1.56 million realtors in the US, standing out requires effort. Effective marketing helps you attract the right clients and succeed in the competitive real estate market.
Here are 17 proven ways to market yourself as a realtor and achieve success quickly. These techniques are divided into digital and traditional methods and arranged in a step-by-step order to help you plan your marketing strategy effectively.
Start with a Real Estate Marketing Plan
Before you start marketing yourself as a top-notch real estate agent, you need a basic marketing plan and a clear brand identity. It doesn't have to be perfect, and you can always tweak it as you go. Having a marketing plan helps you focus on the right tasks, saving you time and keeping you on track.
Here are the key parts of a marketing plan:
Find a Market Gap and Create Your USP:
- Look for gaps in the market where other agents aren't offering services.
- Do market research to see which areas are underserved.
- Develop your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) to highlight what sets you apart from others.
Understand the Market and Position Yourself:
- Study the market and figure out where you fit best.
- Focus on your strengths and what you can offer that others can't.
Create a Vision Statement and Set Goals:
- Decide what you want to achieve in both the short and long term.
- Have a clear vision that goes beyond just making money.
Identify Your Target Customer:
- Determine the different segments of customers you want to serve.
- Use factors like age, income, behavior, lifestyle, and location to define these segments.
- Choose one or two of the most profitable segments that match your USP and vision.
- Understand your target customers’ pain points, behaviors, and needs to connect with them better.
Have the Fundamental Brand Elements Ready:
- Create a name, tagline, and logo for your brand.
- Get help from a professional copywriter and designer if needed, but don't over-invest.
Pick Effective Marketing Tools and Stick to a Budget:
- Choose specific marketing tools that are likely to work for you.
- Test different methods to see which ones give the best results.
- Set a budget and timeline for each goal or task to avoid overspending or underspending.
Measure Performance:
- Track your progress and performance using key metrics.
- For example, if you spend $100 on Instagram ads for two weeks, aim to get at least 50 visitors to your website.
- Adjust your plan based on what works best.
Start planning early and make changes as you go. Now, let's explore 17 proven ways to market yourself as a realtor and achieve real success.
Pro Tip: Don't try to do everything yourself. Hire freelancers and experts from platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. Focus on building your business and doing what you do best, and let others handle the rest. This is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your business.
Top 17 Digital and Traditional Marketing Strategies for a Realtor in 2024
Using both digital and traditional marketing strategies can help you get the best results. Digital marketing is easy to implement and can give fast results, while traditional methods are still effective. Here are the top strategies for you:
Digital Marketing Strategies
Build a Website to Increase Trust and Conversion
- A website is essential for your business, making it more credible.
- Most people research online before making a decision.
- Your website should include your bio, contact details, listings, services, testimonials, offers, and other relevant information.
- It also gives you a professional email address (e.g., contact@yourwebsite.com).
- Use tools like Getresponse to create a professional website easily.
Real Estate agents’ business website examples:
SEO and Blog to Provide Value and Get Consistent Traffic
- People search online for services they need, like "top realtors near me."
- Complete the "Google My Business" process and optimize your website for local SEO.
- Adding a blog helps you rank for more search terms and provides value to your audience.
- A well-optimized website with a blog can attract a lot of organic traffic over time.
- Consider hiring an SEO expert and writers to speed up the process.
Be Present on Social Media
- Social media is a fast way to connect with your audience.
- Create helpful content to engage potential customers and drive traffic to your website.
- Focus on a few relevant platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok).
- Repurpose content from your website or YouTube channel for social media.
- Hire a virtual assistant (VA) to help with content creation and posting.
4. Content Marketing
Now that you have a website and social media profiles, the next step is to use them for content marketing. This helps you get organic traffic, engage with people, and reach a larger audience.
- Share Valuable Content: Create and share content that educates people on relevant topics, positioning yourself as an expert realtor.
- Use Humor: Don’t be afraid to add humor. Funny content and memes can go viral quickly on social media.
- Focus on Videos: Videos engage people more than written content or images. Consider making videos on topics like relocating tips, housing prices, job opportunities, and more.
- Build Trust and Authority: Share photos or videos of your listings, testimonials, blogs, success stories, and educational tips.
Pro Tip: Use Facebook Reels and YouTube Shorts for fast results. These features currently get excellent organic reach. you can hire freelancer on fiver to get your work done.
5. Email Newsletter to Create Your Own Audience
While you don’t have full control over who sees your posts on social media, you can always reach your email subscribers.
- Build an Email List: Offer a free gift, like a PDF guide, in exchange for email addresses.
- Send Weekly Emails: Share helpful content, promote offers, and link to new blog posts or listings.
Email newsletter for real estate examples:
Related article: How to Create Real Estate Newsletters that Sell – 11 Tips and Examples
6. Paid Advertising for Fast Results
Paid advertising is a great investment for quick results. You can run ads on Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms.
- Target Specific Audiences: Choose your audience by age, gender, occupation, area, and other factors.
- Measure Performance: Track your ads’ performance with a few clicks.
- Get Quick Results: With proper paid advertising, you can see results overnight.
By combining these strategies, you can effectively market yourself as a realtor and grow your business.
7. High-Quality Images, Videos, and Virtual Staging
People buy with emotions, so it's important to excite them about a property. Investing in a home is a dream for many, and high-quality images and videos can help convey that dream.
- First Impressions Matter: Before visiting a property, customers want to be sure it's worth their time. High-quality visuals make a strong first impression.
- Use the Best Tools: Invest in smart video presentations, 3D visualizations, and virtual staging to showcase interiors.
- Convenience for Customers: Digital assets allow potential buyers to view properties from home, making them more likely to engage with you. Staged homes often sell for 6-25% more than unstaged ones.
Pro tip: Invest in drone photography to enhance your virtual tours and walkthroughs, making you stand out professionally.
8. LinkedIn for Authentic Leads and Connections
LinkedIn is great for building a professional network and establishing your brand. It's a serious, business-focused platform where you can connect with the right people.
- Grow Your Network: Connect with professionals and share your success stories to generate direct leads.
- Show Your Expertise: Share tips and suggestions to position yourself as an expert in your niche.
Related article: 14 Best Ways to Generate Real Estate Leads (plus examples)
9. List Your Properties on Popular Real Estate Websites
Listing your properties on popular real estate sites like Zillow, which gets over 188 million monthly viewers, is an easy way to reach a large audience.
- Increase Sales: Although there's competition, it's an effective way to grow your business.
10. Network with Other Real Estate Agents
Building a strong network can open doors that hard work alone can't.
- Make Connections: Get active on social media, LinkedIn, and attend seminars, webinars, and professional gatherings.
- Share and Learn: Form mutually beneficial relationships by sharing knowledge and helping others.
Pro Tip: Connect with influencers, bloggers, coaches, and YouTubers in complementary fields like finance.
11. Cold Calling Still Works
Cold calling is still effective, even if it seems old-fashioned.
- Unlimited Access: You can reach many potential clients and start with a targeted list.
- Combine with Email Marketing: Reference emails you've sent to create a sense of connection. 82% of buyers agree to meetings after a cold call.
Pro Tip: Do pre-call research and use a cold calling script with a clear call to action.
12. Business Cards and Postcards Are Essential
Handing out business cards is a timeless and effective practice for realtors. They're inexpensive to print and give you a professional look. Make sure your business card has a clean, attractive design.
Postcards are also easy to create and excellent for building brand recognition in your target areas. They help advertise and introduce you as a new real estate agent to the community.
Real estate business cards and postcard examples:
13. Partner with Local Businesses and Host Informative Events
Partnering with local businesses can help you quickly gain trust and access their networks. For example, team up with a local construction company to offer deals to your clients, or host a webinar on building a house at a lower cost. You can also partner with grocery stores, community clubs, and home improvement services.
If hosting an in-person event feels too challenging, consider an online webinar. A good topic might be solving legal issues when buying a house.
Pro Tip: Sponsor local events like concerts or kids' sports tournaments. Parents will appreciate your support and remember you positively.
14. Showcase Your Testimonials to Earn Trust and Increase Conversions
Online reviews and testimonials are crucial as they help build trust and influence customer decisions. If you've worked hard to help someone, share their positive feedback.
Pro Tip: Always get permission from clients before sharing their testimonials publicly.
Real estate customer testimonial example:
15. Keep an Eye on Your Competitors to Find Opportunities
In a saturated market, monitor your competitors to see what they're doing and what works for them. You don't always have to start from scratch; learn from their successes and mistakes.
- Stand Out: Do things differently to make your mark in the market.
- Identify Mistakes: Look for your competitors' mistakes and avoid them to climb the ladder quickly.
By observing your competitors, you can find new opportunities and improve your strategies effectively.
16. Ask for Referrals and Keep in Touch with Previous Clients
Closing a deal shouldn't mean the end of your relationship with a client. Keeping in touch with past clients is cheaper than finding new ones.
- Value of Referrals: A lot of people find their real estate agent through a referral from family or friends. Once you close a deal, keep in touch. Ask how they're doing and humbly request referrals. Show genuine interest in their well-being to make them feel valued.
- Referral Program: Start a referral program offering monetary benefits for leads and successful closings. You can do this via email if you have a large client list.
Pro Tip: Send small branded gifts like key rings, pens, mugs, bags, or decorative items to previous clients to stay on their minds when they need a realtor.
Related article: Top 10 Real Estate CRMs – Which One Offers the Best Value?
17. Use Traditional Media to Stay Top of Mind
Top-of-mind awareness (TOMA) means people think of you first when they need a realtor, similar to how Starbucks is associated with coffee. Achieve TOMA through consistent exposure.
- Traditional Media: Use billboards, print ads, local newspaper ads, and sponsor local events to keep your brand in front of potential clients.
Traditional real estate agents’ promotion example:
Becoming a Top Realtor
With the right marketing techniques, tools, and mindset, nothing can stop you from becoming a successful realtor. Think win-win, be genuinely willing to help people, and strive to outperform competitors.
With the right mindset, GetResponse provides the tools to market yourself as an expert realtor.
To sum it up, think about why you became a realtor and integrate that into your brand and marketing. Have a marketing plan and use the right mix of methods from the list above to start your journey.
Feel free to leave a comment if you have more ways to market yourself as a realtor.
Related Articles:
6 Examples of Real Estate Landing Pages
Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing for Real Estate Agents
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