Effectively marketing your real estate inventory is an essential part of making your business successful. Real Estate companies need to not only create an overall business plan, but they also need to create a real estate marketing plan that shows sellers how they will get the word out. Getting listings is one of the most important parts of your business and showing your commitment to moving a property with a one page Squarespace website called a cover page will set you apart from all other Realtors.

When marketing specific properties, your firm should undertake using a multi-channel approach. It's not enough to write a couple of lines of copy fill out a form and drop it on MLS. We all know that everyone 'in the market' for a new home uses the Internet to research specific neighborhoods to search for homes for sale. Though most real estate sales rely upon word-of-mouth, your company's personal relationships can be increased through online content marketing. Social media, search engine optimization, and blogs will help your properties come up in search results.

Here are six easy strategies you can use to architect a marketing plan that keeps client relationships top-of-mind:

1. Create your website:

Create a personal/professional website apart from the one your franchise provides.  Not only will creating a  website for your firm or agents provide the ability for you to personalize your marketing efforts, but it will also make it easier for potential buyers to distinguish you from the rest of the 'pack'. Be careful not to duplicate any written copy as this will result in penalties from search engines.

2. Write a blog:  

Blogs offer a platform for writing about specific locations and embed keywords that are frequently searched by clients. Blogging lets people know that you're a thought leader is your field, which in turn helps to build credibility. Consistently adding new content - weekly or more- lets potential buyers know that you are reliable and consistent. Relevant content posted to your website's blog, will increase your search engine rank. 

3. Include graphic elements and photography:

When a person searches for a new home, they often themselves envision themselves there, wondering whether that particular space is right for them, or if it will fit their needs. Adding pictures, graphics, slideshows, and even video to your site will allow them to answer some of those questions. 

4. Capture their information:

Obtaining a potential buyer's information on a landing page gives you the opportunity to use automated email marketing to keep the property top-of-mind, and because these emails will be shared they expand your word-of-mouth network and generate new leads. Offer something in return for their contact information. An in-depth description of a neighborhood, school rankings, and ancillary lists like best restaurants within a city will encourage people to fill out a form on your landing pages. Structure these offers as a list, or whitepaper designed to help make their decision easier. 

5. Use social media:  

Various social media platforms, (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram), are a real estate marketer’s dream.  As we've said, forming relationships and interacting with your audience is an essential element to the success of the business. Social Media should be a significant of your marketing plan because it allows your audience to get close to you. Social media lets you create and direct people to inbound links to your website, thereby raising your site’s page rank and increasing your chances of being found.

6. Be Innovative in Your Thinking:  

The most powerful real estate marketing plans include creative thinking.  For example, some real estate firms register their MLS listing as a domain, create a separate Squarespace website for each of their listings then create reciprocal links to their sites.  When people search for a particular MLS number, that site is automatically ranked #1, and it creates an excellent linking strategy. 

7. Hire a professional:  

Hiring an expert to manage your online presence will free up valuable time, grow your business, and maximize your return on investment.

If you’d like to learn more about how to grow your business by creating and implementing effective real estate marketing plans, then contact us for a free online marketing evaluation.