Whether you are just starting out in Real Estate or have been an agent for quite some time, there are a lot of marketing decisions that you need to make. Do you focus on print media? Radio or television ads? Online marketing? With the advent of the Internet, more and more people are doing their research online before making a purchase -- whether that is a new car, a new house, or a new pair of shoes. Real Estate agents need to tap into the online stream and make their presence known in order to compete in this day and time. While there are a myriad of ways to market yourself online, there are seven main categories where you can focus your interests.
Blogging
A blog is short for "web log" and started out as an online diary of sorts. Today, it's used more as a platform to share information with anyone who visits your website. By writing a few paragraphs of information once or twice a week and adding it to your blog, you are letting people know that you are involved with Real Estate in your area and that you are continuously sharing.
Social Media
While many think that social media websites are just for teens, the truth is that sites like Twitter and Facebook are being used for business on a daily basis. People are using these sites to create relationships with other people: prospective clients, future collaborators, etc. By interacting with other people, you show that you are a real person and interested in them.
E-mail
Yes, you can use your e-mail to help market your Real Estate business! Many people are more comfortable with e-mail contact as it's less intrusive than the telephone but more personal than a "snail-mail" letter. People interested in learning more about you will most likely share their e-mail address with you, while getting their phone number may take some time. Just be sure not to flood someone's inbox with a ton of e-mails.
Forums
An online forum is a website where people can go to ask questions and find answers. Sometimes it's used for networking with other people as well. Forums are good places to find answers for your own questions, and then you have the opportunity to answer others questions.
Virtual Tours
As you are probably aware, there are many places online where you can create a tour for your listing. This is a great way to market your listings to those who go online. You can show so much more of a home online than on a print flyer. And with special 360 degree photos, prospective buyers can really see the home "virtually".
Advertising
Just because we are focusing on online marketing doesn't mean that advertising is passe. There are many ways to advertise your business and listings online. Whether you use a free classified ad source like Craigslist.com or pay-per-click advertising like Google AdWords, there are many places that people go online where you can advertise. Ads still work, just be sure to place them where people are going.
Listing Website
Another good way to utilize the Internet for marketing is to create a special website just for your listing. This website can just be a virtual tour, or it can be a full website with links to area businesses, utility companies, schools, etc. By creating a "one-stop-shop" for your listing online, prospective buyers will realize instantly that you know your onions and are the expert in your area!
