There are so many options for using social media to promote real estate that it’s dizzying. I should say up front that I’m not saying you have to do it all.
I always suggest that Realtors® combine their print marketing with social media in ways that make sense:
- Where does your target demographic spend the most time?
- How much time and money do you have for the social media part of your marketing?
Why Facebook?
Facebook can be a good choice for Realtors® for several reasons:
- There is a wide range of ages and a good mix of gender. The largest age demographic, ages 25 – 34, is only 29.7%. Both genders participate in Facebook at a high rate.
- Broad reach. Worldwide, there are 1.23 Billion daily active users. As many as five new profiles are created every second. If you want to find someone online, they’re probably on Facebook.
- Easy to Use. Most Americans, and by extension most Realtors®, find Facebook to be a platform they understand and can easily use.
Because Facebook is so widely used, it is a crowded marketplace, so being focused and effective is key. Which leads me to…
Why Facebook Pages?
There are so many ways to engage on Facebook! Facebook groups are very popular right now, but they take a lot of time and energy to properly manage.
I suggest Facebook pages because they are easy to create and you can manage them at your own pace. Also, you can use highly targeted Facebook ads to find the exact people you’re interested in and invite them to like your page. That isn’t possible with groups.
Create a Facebook Page Aimed at Your Farm Neighborhood
The best way to use Facebook in your real estate business is through a locally-focused Facebook page. Done well, this type of page can attract the exact fans you want, and bring new prospects to your business regularly.
- Don’t name it “YourName Real Estate” or anything like that. Aim for broad appeal. “YourTown Beautiful Homes” is a great option.
- There’s a huge variety of content that would be helpful, but think about what your prospects are most interested in. Here are some ideas:
- Pictures of beautiful homes in the area
- Articles about home maintenance, landscaping, and preparing for a move
- Information about local events
- Information about upcoming holidays and how to celebrate them
- Behind the scenes of your business
- Your listings and happy customers
- Of course, when you have the Facebook page, the purpose is to help others know, like, and trust you so that they will do business with you. As a result, you do want to share about yourself and your listings. Just don’t make that the only thing you talk about!
Getting an Audience for Your Facebook Page
It’s not a bad idea to invite your friends and family, and have them invite their friends and family in turn. However, the real key is to get an audience from folks who are in or near the target neighborhood.
We wrote an article a little while ago about how to use Facebook ads to revolutionize your real estate marketing. This tool is an incredible way to draw an audience to your page.
Once you have a little bit of content – no one will “like” a blank page! – it’s time to set up an ad. You can target the exact age, income family size, intent to move, and more! Once you define your target market, you can reach them on Facebook.
If your page is created in a way that your target market will love, and you get the page in front of them with a Facebook ad, that’s when the magic happens!
I Don’t Have Time For This!
I get it. You’re already too busy. You think a locally-focused Facebook page would be a great idea, but you don’t have time to implement it.
I have a great solution for you. My friends over at Socially Posted would love to keep your page updated for you. They select and share relevant content every day, 365 days a year. It’s inexpensive for the value, and if you’re not happy with it, you get your money back!
Seriously, if you would love to do more with social media and simply don’t have time, you’ve got to look at Socially Posted. It’s a lifesaver.
Do you have a Facebook page? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments!
Comments(4)