Social media can be an incredibly effective, even necessary, tool of online marketing for real estate agents.  As with other marketing tools, social media marketing is only effective when done correctly.  It is for this reason that this article will cover the seven most important rules of marketing real estate via social media.

1. The first marketing technique you can implement to boost your online presence is posting about your neighborhood.  This could mean showing off your listings.  But it’s oftentimes more effective to focus on events or plans that might interest the community as a whole.  This can refer to generic events like block parties, or niche events.  Niche events only apply to specific communities: bonfires at a beach community, golf tournaments at a golf community, etc.  These types of posts do more than call attention to the neighborhood you’re trying to market.  They also demonstrate your intimate knowledge of said community.

2. The next thing to remember when marketing real estate via social media is to be careful not appear too self interested.  In other words your entire page shouldn’t exclusively showcase your own listings.  Be sure to also post about other properties, especially the ones you find unique.  This fosters good will between you and your fellow agents.  Good will that increases the likelihood that they will support you in turn.

3. Be sure to include images in your postings.  Potential clients are always more likely to be engaged by pictures rather than words.  If you post pictures more people will like, share, and comment on your post.  This means it will be more likely that your post shows up on the feeds of their friends and followers.

4. You must demonstrate an interest in your clients digitally.  This is second nature to us when we deal with clients face to face, but you must remember to show the same degree of interest in their virtual life as well.  If you want them to like, share, and comment on your posts, you must do the same to theirs.

5. Contests and sweepstakes are an excellent means of promoting engagement in your social media page.  These sort of games are fun for your followers and fosters a deeper relationship by positioning yourself as a realtor who actually listens to the wants and needs of their clients.  It can also be an excellent method of gathering information, because it allows you to see their likes and dislikes on a variety of subjects.  

6. Facebook ads can be an incredibly effective means of reaching out to new customers, when used correctly.  For example you can promote a post to individuals in a specific zip code or area; which allows your post to be seen by potential clients that you would otherwise have no means of contacting.

7. The final thing to be aware of is that much of what you post in your personal page can show up on your business page.  For this reason it is best to avoid commenting on hot button issues, like politics or religion, on social media.  It’s best to err on the side of professionalism and opt out of conversations that could be construed as offensive by one side or the other.