Smart Marketing in Real Estate: The Impact of Online Showcases

In the ever-evolving world of real estate, the role of the modern realtor greatly surpasses the traditional confines of property listings and client meetings. Today, you are the ultimate jugglers, seamlessly blending the art of salesmanship with digital savviness in an era dominated by the instant gratification of social media.

Having a portfolio of quality properties is no longer enough to attract potential buyers. Realtors are now expected to wear multiple hats: you’re community managers, marketing geniuses, and educators, at times expected to share highly valuable expertise free of charge.

This era demands not just versatility but a deep dive into the digital realm, where smart marketing strategies leverage social media and virtual showcases to engage potential clients and buyers.

If you can master your digital strategy, you can unlock new avenues for engagement and stand apart from a growing list of competitors.

The rise of social media in real estate

Real estate marketing has undergone an extensive transformation, and continues to change, with social media being a central part of showcasing properties. Identifying where your audience is most active and what kind of content they respond to is a huge part of the learning process for realtors.

Moving to digital channels

Traditional real estate marketing is no longer enough to reach potential buyers. Now, instead of just ads in newspapers or signs on the street, it’s all about using social media.

Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn allow realtors to show off properties, share knowledge, and reach more people. Social media makes it easy to show properties in a fun and engaging way, helping potential buyers immerse themselves in listings at their own convenience.

Building a brand on social media

Having a strong social media presence is key for realtors who want to stand out. But, keep in mind that your goal on social media is not just to show properties but to show that you’re a reliable expert in real estate.

Show off your expertise

Don’t just post listings. Share tips about buying and selling homes, updates on the real estate market, and advice on home improvements and increasing home value.

It may seem counterintuitive to share your knowledge for free at first. However, establishing your authority on the topic through quality content helps you to build a brand that results in word of mouth recommendations – even from users who haven’t used your services.

Use high-quality photos and videos

People love looking at beautiful homes, but are rarely willing to leave their social media feed to view on your website.

Use the best pictures and videos you can to show off your properties on your social media channels. Investing in quality equipment and using editing tools that do the work for you will allow you to focus on delivering the expertise.

Engage with your followers

Social media is a two-way street. If someone comments on your post or sends you a message, reply to them. As well as being a great source of new business, it’s also a place to gauge gaps in knowledge many potential buyers and sellers have, so you can create expert content around it.

Showing that you’re not just a brand, but a person who listens and cares, builds a strong relationship with your audience.

Share client success stories

With their permission, share stories and testimonials from happy clients. This could be a quick video, a photo in front of their new home, or a quote about their experience. Success stories make your service real and reliable to potential clients.

Be authentic

Treat your posts, whether in video or text format, like a client and pretend you’re having a one-on-one conversation. Be honest and genuine in your posts. Share your successes, but don’t be afraid to talk about challenges and how you overcome them. People appreciate honesty and are more likely to trust and engage with you.

Stay active

You don’t have to post every day, but try to be consistent. Even a few posts a week can keep your audience engaged and remind them that you’re active in the market. It could just take a post popping up on your followers’ feed at the right time to win a new client.

Virtual showcases: Bringing properties to life

Virtual showcases let potential buyers tour a property online before they see it in person. This is a great way to spark interest and give an immersive view of what you’re selling. It’s especially useful for people who can’t visit in person right away; in fact, many people now won’t consider seeing a property unless they have viewed it virtually first.

Create engaging virtual tours

Virtual tours save time for both realtors and buyers, allowing for a first look from the comfort of home. They can also reach a wider audience, attracting out-of-town buyers who might not be able to visit in person. By bringing properties to life online, you can generate more interest and potentially close deals faster.

Add your personal touches

You’ve completed 95% of your tour by capturing high quality images – but that last 5% of customisation is what really sells it to buyers. Give your tour a narrative with property descriptions, painting a picture of a home that’s created to be lived in.

Many tools can create the bulk of these with AI tools in the Giraffe360 dashboard using the information the address and images provide, so you can focus on adding the bits that only you and the current owners know.

Keep it authentic

While it’s tempting to create a show home that looks like it’s never been lived in, make sure your tour accurately reflects the property. Misleading tours can lead to disappointment and mistrust.

Promoting your virtual showcases

Get eyes on your tours with these tactics.

Share tours on social media

By auto-generating a video from their virtual tour images, many realtors are able to post tours directly on social media with captions featuring additional information. This allows them to grab the attention of potential buyers without relying on them to do anything but scroll their feed as usual.

Include tours in listings

Make sure your virtual tours are easily accessible in your online listings. This can significantly increase interest in the property. Utilising a tool that is integrated with popular listing sites allows you to post as soon as the tour is processed.

Embracing the new era of marketing

Smart marketing in this digital age is about crafting an online presence that resonates with your audience, showcasing properties in engaging ways that transcend traditional boundaries. It’s about building a brand on social media where quality content, engaging visuals, and genuine interactions come together to position you as a trusted authority in real estate. Sharing your expertise, engaging with your followers, and highlighting client success stories are key steps in this journey.

Virtual showcases, on the other hand, offer a window into properties like never before, allowing potential buyers to explore homes from anywhere, anytime. Creating engaging virtual tours and promoting them effectively can significantly broaden your reach, appealing to a wider audience and potentially speeding up the sales process.

By embracing these tools and techniques, you can elevate your digital strategy, enhancing engagement and distinguishing yourself in a competitive market. Remember, in real estate, your ability to adapt and innovate with social media and virtual showcases can truly set you apart, opening new avenues for success in this ever-evolving industry.

To enhance your virtual tours with an all-in-one subscription for images and customisation, book a demo with Giraffe360 today.