This article was originally published on the Home Value Leads blog.
It might go without saying that photos and videos should be a natural part of any real estate professional's marketing portfolio. With Instagram's recent announcement of their new feature Stories, agents will have even more ways to communicate their brand, services and activities to Instagram's more than 500 million active users. Here is what you need to know about Instagram Stories and how it can enhance your marketing efforts.
What is Instagram Stories?
According to Instagram's blog announcement, "you don’t have to worry about overposting." This may have been a content creation roadblock for many of you who felt that posting more than once or twice a day may be overkill for your followers. Now you can consolidate images and videos from the day into comprehensive pieces that people can enjoy.
To create your Story, click on the plus sign with the circle around it. Once you've taken your video or photo, you can then click on the checkmark to add to your Story. You can access your story by tapping on it at the top of your feed, next to all of the other stories created by people or groups you follow. Then click on the plus sign/circle at the top left again to add to your story.
To see others' stories, you'll see them at the top of your feed or look on their profile, both options of which will denote a new Story with a colorful ring around the user's profile photo. Instagram Stories will be rolling out in a few weeks to everyone, with only a few enjoying the feature today. You can check by downloading the Instagram update. If not, you'll have to wait but not for too long!
How Instagram Stories is Like Snapchat Stories
- Disappears after 24 hours completely from your profile and grid.
- Add graphics to enhance the images like Snapchat.
- Update privacy settings for all Stories or each one.
How Instagram Stories is Different
- Can't comment or like but can send or accept direct messages. Be sure that your settings allow for direct messages to be sent to you.
- Showcases other users' stories on the home screen versus first forcing you to create your own as in Snapchat. Why is this good? Because if you create Stories on Instagram, you can be sure that the focus is one what you created instead of other's focusing on creating content that they hope others will see.
Is Instagram Stories Good for Real Estate Agents?
We think this is a great move on Instagram's part for real estate agents. For one, the demographic, unlike Snapchat, does not only capture millennials but the millions of other users who are more likely to purchase or list a home.
The second advantage for real estate professionals is that, while engagement is not available directly on your Stories post, direct message is. And that could be a great way to give leads a more secure feeling communicating with you with a specific question. How many of you have found Snapchat a little more difficult to navigate? If you are not already on it or new to the platform, you might bemoan it's structure. However, Instagram has always been easier to use and, therefore, more exciting and useful to an infrequent or new user.
Finally, with so many experiences, listing photos and day-to-day activities as a real estate agent, you can now consolidate your images and videos into a cohesive unit, communicating more clearly and with more gusto any message you would like to convey to your audience.
Do you have Instagram Stories on your iPhone or Android phone yet? Have you tried it or plan to use it? Let us know by commenting on our Facebook page.
Comments(0)