Social media plays a key role for real estate professionals—connecting with prospects and clients, building trust, and showcasing your expertise. But to have the greatest impact on social platforms, you need to navigate them professionally, and with authenticity. Here’s how to fine tune your social media presence to make the platforms you use powerful tools to reach your audience and grow your business.
Know who you’re talking to. Your messaging needs to resonate with the needs of your audience. From first-time buyers, to luxury purchasers, to empty nesters, each segment of the market has different goals, challenges, and questions. So, first decide on your audience.
Be yourself and be transparent. Give people the real you. That’s who they want to see, not some polished version of yourself they can’t relate to. And be transparent. Let people know when you share a post that’s sponsored, and when you’re collaborating with another organization. Don’t exaggerate or make misleading claims.
Be professional yet approachable. Be as professional online as you are in person. Communicate with authority, but don’t be formal. People want you to be knowledgeable, but they also need to feel comfortable about working with you.
Deliver value. Strive to provide information, insights, and inspiration. Give people a reason to follow you. Give tips on home selling and home buying; updates on the local market; cover what’s going on in the community. Showcase listings with the best photography and accurate descriptions. Post regularly, but don’t overwhelm your audience.
Go for meaningful connections. You should do more than showcase listings—you should also be building relationships. Encourage interaction, ask questions, share content others will engage with that can start a conversation. Throw out a question like “What’s the most important thing you want in the home you’re looking for?”
Be consistent. If you want to have a recognizable presence online, keep your visuals the same high quality, your brand voice consistent, and your messaging aligned with your business goals.
Leverage the platform. Instagram is visual, so use it for lifestyle content and to showcase your best listings. Facebook lends itself to community content and in-depth conversations. LinkedIn is great for highlighting your expertise and connecting with others in the industry.
Respond. When it’s appropriate, respond to comments and reviews. Do it in a timely manner and always be polite and constructive—even if a comment is negative. If someone has a complaint, tell them you’re sorry for their experience and offer to connect with them privately via phone, text, or email, to rectify the situation.
Avoid controversy. Don’t join conversations around controversial topics.
Track how you’re doing. Monitor the engagement your posts get, pay attention to relevant comments, and find out what things appeal the most to your audience. Use these insights to refine content and stay focused on what works. Don’t get carried away with trends. Just pick up on those that complement your brand and provide value to your audience.
Obey the rules. Regulations that apply to real estate agents extend to social media. Make sure posts comply with MLS rules and fair housing laws. Make client confidentiality your top priority, so don’t post about a sale before you get permission from those involved. You can’t be too cautious.