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8 Dos and Don’ts for your digital ads (and 2 Maybes)

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Adwerx

We’ve had the privilege of serving over a billion ad impressions on behalf of over 40,000 real estate agents. And in that time, we’ve been asked over and over again: what are the best practices for these ads?

 

So here’s a list of our top suggestions of what you should and should not do with digital ads…. Plus a couple ideas you might want to try, whether you use Adwerx or not!

 

DO include a call to action.

Your prospects need to be told what to do. Even if it’s as simple as “Click here.” But here are some even better calls-to-action:

 

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DON’T put your email or web site on your ad

It’s tempting to think of your digital ad like a business card, but it’s so much more. Use your ad for an attention-grabbing headline and a reason to click. Your contact information should be on your landing page. Make it easy to find and easy to interact with.

 

DO include a photo.

We live in a digital world, but you’re a professional that still works face to face. This ad might be the first time your client is “meeting” you, so a photo helps that relationship form.

 

DON’T use a selfie.

Yes, iPhone cameras are amazing. But that doesn’t mean you should use it for your brand. Don’t stand in the bathroom mirror, don’t use a photo from your last vacation and please don’t use a selfie stick!

 

DO customize your message to your ultimate client.

Who are you looking to work with? Reach out to those people with words and images that reflect who they are and what they need. Help your ideal clients recognize themselves in your ad!

 

DON’T use generic text.

We have placeholder text on every Adwerx ad. And even though it’s perfectly fine, it’s not the right text for you. Because you didn’t write it! Give some thought to what your message is. You’re not like everyone else-- your ad shouldn’t be either.

 

DO test different messages

Mix up your marketing message every quarter or so. Perhaps make it seasonal. Change up your focus. See what resonates with your audience. But make sure your landing page reflects the change in messaging.

 

DON’T change your ad too often

With the idea of testing in mind, changing your ad every week will prevent the power of repetition to kick in. You want to build up a familiarity, without creating fatigue in your audience.

 

MAYBE think about getting a custom ad.

Find a local graphic designer. Or you could use an online service like Fiverr.com, 99Designs or find somebody on freelance sites like elance. That way your ad truly stands out and reflects you.

 

MAYBE try mobile ads if you haven’t already.

Adwerx Web ads get you all over the web for users on laptops. But most of us take our smartphones everywhere we go. Mobile ads are especially important if you want to get in front of millennials in apps and on mobile Facebook!

Show All Comments Sort:
Stephen Turner
House Broker Realty - York, PA
The BIG Guy of NEW HOME SALES

Great Tips (although I do love selfie sticks) it amazes me how many "ads" I see (not just realtor ads, but big companies too) that spend money on an ad and don't include a call to action.  So glad to see that as your 1st DO!

Mar 29, 2017 09:54 AM
Sonja Patterson
Keller Williams - BV - College Station, TX
Texas Monthly 5-Star Realtor Recipient for the Hou

Great advice Jed! I, too, have bookmarked your post. 

Mar 29, 2017 01:06 PM
Chuck Gollay
Exit Realty Paramount - Traverse City, MI

Great advice, especially the call to action and the landing page. Thank you for sharing.

Mar 29, 2017 06:07 PM
Melissa Spittel
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Westminster, MD
"Achieving Results Together "

I've been saying I need better "calls to action" for some of my marketing. Thanks for the great examples!

Mar 29, 2017 07:01 PM
Edward Drennan
Century 21 Miller Real Estate Ltd. - Oakville, ON
Serving the Oakville, Ontario Area

Great advice - thanks for sharing

Mar 29, 2017 07:40 PM
Sam Kader MLO 130505 MB 78982
Pacific Coast Financial LLC Lic# MB78982 - Seattle, WA
Real Estate NMLS 91980 Mortgage Broker Lic MB78982

Thanks Jed. I am a big proponent of value added. 

Mar 29, 2017 08:16 PM
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

Very good post. Call to actions is the number one most important tip and it is also the least used of the tips. People miss CTAs all the time in their copy. 

The only tip I have a different opinion on is the photo. The type of photo to use has everything to do with who your target audiece is a nothing to do with you. So if you live on the beach and sell beach front, you should by all means have an image of you on the beach. If you live in an equestrian community, and you own horses, and you market to others who do, a photo of you with your horse, creates amazing connections with horse lovers. Katerina 

Mar 29, 2017 08:21 PM
Jed Carlson

Actually, that is an excellent point. The photo should be as specific to you and your audience as possible. A picture says a thousand words, right? Thanks for the comment!

Mar 30, 2017 05:39 AM
Debra Leisek
Bay Realty,Inc Homer Alaska - Homer, AK

very good tips! I had to bookmark it... never thought about not putting the website on the didigital ad and having them click to get to email and website....makes sense!

Mar 30, 2017 12:09 AM
Jed Carlson

Debra, it's hard to break habits, right? Thanks for reading!

Mar 30, 2017 05:37 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

There are some great tips here for our digital marketing. Thanks, and bookmarked!

Mar 30, 2017 06:58 AM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

Thanks for the tips.

I found, 

DON’T put your email or web site on your ad,

to be an interesting thought. So many marketing gurus have told me to do that. I do see your point of making them click through.

Mar 30, 2017 07:48 AM
Jed Carlson

Exactly, John. I think the space on your ad is better used for a compelling reason to click than contact info. Let your landing page provide that and even more reason for a buyer or seller to reach out. Thanks for the comment!


 


 

Mar 30, 2017 08:13 AM
Donna & Larry Johnson
Keller Williams Real Estate - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County

Thanks for all the great tips on digital marketing. All sound like good ideas!

Mar 30, 2017 08:05 AM
Anna Hatridge
R Gilliam Real Estate LLC - Farmington, MO
Missouri Realtor with R Gilliam Real Estate LLC

Really like the call to action information.  Thank you.

Mar 30, 2017 08:27 AM
Barbara Murphy
Tartan Properties, Pensacola~Pace~Milton~Gulf Breeze~FL - Pace, FL
GRI, e-PRO, GREEN, FMS, MRP

Excellent ideas -- I definitely need to implement several of these myself!

Thanks!

Mar 30, 2017 09:36 AM
Mateen Karzai
H and D Real Estate - Mission Viejo, CA
Real Estate agent serving Southern Orange County.

I have been looking for great information like this.

Thanks.

 

Mar 30, 2017 01:08 PM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

I have observed many websites that are too busy, too colorful, in addition to being unable to read or comprehend the context and many are not exciting or cause any emotion.

Most have no call to action or provide any incentive to call or buy now. Keep It Short and Simple is my motto, target a specific market with invaluable benefits that will either do this or do that for you immediately. 

Mar 30, 2017 07:54 PM
Queen Wheeler
Royal Solutions Real Estate - Fayetteville, NC
We specialize in Listing Residential Properties

Great tips. Right in line with what marketers in other industries are doing successfully. Thanks.

Mar 31, 2017 12:56 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I've noticed one about not putting your address on your ad You seem to be right about that one, Jed.

Apr 07, 2017 11:00 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

I've been tweaking my ad once a month. So far I have a lot of information but no takers.  Tweaking away!   

Apr 10, 2017 08:23 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

This is not even a question for most of these things! May we prosper from good business.

Apr 14, 2017 10:55 PM
Anonymous
Ifeta Redzovic

Interesting info will take note. There is always something new to be learned and implemented. Thanks so much.

Feb 10, 2018 05:42 PM
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