Real Estate Marketing Tools &Tips from Real Estate Virtual Assistant, Megan E Barber
In the Facebook blog, it was announced just last week that Facebook has officially reached 1 Billion monthly active users. That is quite a number! As a lover of stats and infographics, I wanted to show you today this great one I stumbled upon on Pinterest recently, illustrating some of the numbers on Facebook.
Source: blog.katapult-studios.com via REVA on Pinterest
In a space where images are becoming the most important items on social networks, Instagram is InstaGod. You may have heard of this app frequently in recent months. You know, they’re the ones that back in April, were bought by Facebook for $1 BILLION. And like all things tech and social, Instagram is another thing that I am a huge fan of. It’s fun to use and makes my smartphone photos look fabulous. Never used it and want to know more? Here are some basics.
What is Instagram?
Instagram is is a free photo sharing program where users can take a photo, edit and make it beautiful by adding filters and then instantly sharing on their social networks. Instagram photos have a signature square shape similar to that of the Intamatic and Polaroid photos. It was started back in 2010 and widly used by iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch owners. Then in April 2012, Instagram released thier Andriod version and popularity has only soared from there.
What is the big deal?
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 09: In this photo illustration, the photo-sharing app Instagram fan page is seen on the Facebook website on the Apple Safari web browser on April 9, 2012 in New York City. Facebook Inc. is acquiring photo-sharing app Instagram for approx. $1 billion. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
Aside from the billion dollar acquisition by Facebook, Instagram is immensely popular in the smartphone world. The day that it was released on the Android market, it has 1 million downloads in the first 12 hours! The user experience is fun, and many people enjoy the fact that they can take really great pictures with their smartphone devices and then broadcast them to their Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr with the click of a button.
What else makes it important?
Like I mentioned in a previous post, photos are the kings of content now. Images get more engagement on Facebook (likes and comments), especially if they are well done and visually interesting. So Instagram can make you almost look like a pro by helping you take really good photos, improving them with filters and then sharing them easily.
How do I get started on Instagram?
Step 1 - Go to the App Store/iTunes for iPhone, or Google Play for Android and download and install the free app to your smartphone
Step 2 - Launch the app and tap on Sign Up, then set up your username, password and add your profile photo.
Step 3 - Import contacts or find friends from your various social networks, or look at your recommended people to follow
Step 4 - Take your first photo, apply a filter (optional) and upload to Instagram and your chosen social networks.
Instagram is a growing network and a very useful app. It can make the most amateur photographer look like a pro. And it’s just plain fun to use. Are there ways to use it for you real estate business? Absolutely. In a follow-up post, I will outline some ideas you can utilize in your business with Instagram.
What are your thoughts Instagram? What kind of photos do you like to take with it? Leave a comment below!
Photos are the kings of web content now. I’m not just talking about the importance of having photos on your listings. I am talking about the skyrocketing popularity of visual based social networks like Pinterest and Instagram and how much more attention getting and engaging images are.
There has been an explosion of photo sharing on the web. You may have heard , “Facebook is the Photo Economy“. More than 90 billion photos have been uploaded since Facebook launched. 6 billion pictures are being uploaded monthly. I am sure that you have noticed in your news feeds that a large chunk of the content you see are images now. So it may come to you as no surprise that photos tend to grab more attention in your news feeds. The engagement rate on photos versus status updates is about 2:1. What does that mean? People are more likely to “like” and comment on photos as opposed to status updates.
But it is not just Facebook where images are important. The visually based social network, Pinterest (which I’ve talked a lot about recently) continues to soar in popularity. People are using it to curate information they like, that inspire them, and brands have found a way connect with customers in an authentic way. In the first quarter of 2012, Pinterest had 11.7 unique visitors. This image reliant social network is a force not to be ignored. And of course, there are some great ways to make good use of it and apply to your business.
Now is a good time to seriously consider infusing your marketing with more visual content. This is especially great if you struggle with coming up with new thing to write about for your real estate blog. These images can then be easily be shared across social networks and can be a potential traffic driver.
Images have a way of communicating ideas, emotions and more, in ways that words sometimes cannot. They capture more attention and have a higher engagement factor on your social networks. Examine ways to improve your use of images on your website and social media. Then get involved with visually based social networks like Pinterest and Instagram. This “photo economy” is about more than just your listing photos.
What are your favorite ways to use images in your marketing? Are you an avid Pinterest or Instagram user? Let us know in the comments below! We would love to hear about it.
This week’s infographic features the demographics of the American Home Buyers based on NAR’s 2011 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Check it out:
I find Generational differences in their communications and buying behavior super fascinating. When it comes to real estate marketing in the current times, how to market to and speak to different generations is very important. They each have their own communication style and comfort level with technology that you must take into account.
This fabulous infographic that originally came from Smith and Associates, displays the differences perfectly!
Today’s infographic lays out the “it” factors that get a home to sell more quickly.
Welcome to the first of what will be a regular feature I’m starting here called “Infographic Fun.” I find all sorts of interesting real estate related Infographics (and some that are just fun), and decided what better than to share them with the BVAS Connections readers.
This one breaks down the order of desired amenities in a home for first time homebuyers.
Thoughts, or suggestions on your favorite infographics? Let me know in the comments below.
Pinterest is a fun new social network and a great visual diversion for most of it’s users. Now agents are trying to figure out a way to use Pinterest for real estate. Like I mentioned in my previous post, Pinterest is not a tool for self promotion or a magic lead generating solution. That being said, there are ways you can creatively use Pinterest in relation to your real estate business, to make new connections and even help with link building.
Before I launch into the various ways to use Pinterest for your RE biz, please heed this following warning… Please for the love of all things holy, DO NOT use Pinterest onlyas a vehicle to just post images of your listings to promote them. I’m serious. People do not go to Pinterest to search for real estate.
Moving on, here are a few ways you can relate the Pinterest social network to your business.
1. Showcase Your Community and Neighborhoods
Use lifestyle marketing and build your “trusted advisor” status by showing that you know you local community and neighborhoods well. Just like you can use video marketing to show off the great neighborhoods and area amenities, you can create pin boards on your Pinterest account to do the same. Curate pin boards with images of the neighborhood parks, city views, local landmarks, and the local restaurants and hotspots. Showcase what is great about the communities you work in the most and the lifestyle that people live there. It is a great way to show prospective buyers, connect to people in the community, and connect to people who interested in that area. You can do this for relocating buyers she meet with. When initially meeting with them, pull out your iPad (or laptop) and show them a collection of pin boards of the various neighborhoods that may suit their lifestyle or that they are considering. Again, it builds your status as a local area expert.
2. Home Decor, Dream Homes, & Landscaping
One thing I like to do on Pinterest is search for home decor ideas or features I want in the home of my dreams. You are in the business of selling homes, so why not create pin boards related to all things home decor or showcase photos of certain spaces? For example, I have made a pin boards consisting of Dream Kitchens, Dreamy Bedrooms, Dream Baths, and Outdoor spaces. It is a fun thing for me to put together and collect images what I want in my dream home. So again, because it relates to homes so it can relate to your real estate business. One agent I saw had gone a step further and encouraged their buyers to create pin boards of the things they wanted in their ideal home to help aid in the home search process. A great way to connect this social network to your real estate business.
You are more than just a Real Estate salesperson. You are not just a real estate robot. You have hobbies, interestes, and generally have a life outside of your work. So use Pinterest to display that. If your alter ego is a chef or you just love to cook, make pin boards full of your favorite recipes or ones that you want to try. If you’re a crafting addict like me, create pin boards with your own projects, or find great DIY & craft ideas you want to try yourself. Have fun and make things that reflect you. Just because you’re in the real estate business, there is no need to make Pinterest all about real estate (and it is NOT the place for self promotion anyways… have I mentioned that before?). Doing this can help you connect and meet others on this network who have similar likes and hobbies.
Who’s doing it right?
There are ways to tie this social network into your real estate business, and here is a collection of those in the industry that are doing it right on Pinterest and I generally like following:
Facepalm - Image via Wikipedia
“How do I leverage Pinterest for my real estate business?”
The title of this post, as well as the above question is starting to get asked a lot around the real estate marketing circles and social networks I follow. And I must tell you, it makes me cringe to hear it. Many agents are joining this relatively new network, looking increase their marketing reach and hoping it’s the holy grail of lead generation. Frankly I think they are missing the point and purpose of Pinterest, and may be sorely disappointed in the lack of “ROI”.
Just what is Pinterest, some of you may you be asking? Pinterest is an new-ish social network where users can Pin images, putting together a visual collection of things they love, their interests and inspiration, etc., on pin boards users create in their accounts. These pin boards can be related to anything from food to crafts, fashion to home decor. The possibilities are endless.
Personally, I LOVE Pinterest. For me it is a great source of creative inspiration, craft and DIY project ideas, home decor ideas, recipe ideas, and a place that I can daydream by pining images of my dream home or dream vacation spots. For me Pinterest has been a place I found fun and and inspirational.
Where I believe that people are really going wrong, especially those that want to “leverage Pinterest for their business,” is that marketing and self promotion is not in the spirit of what Pinterest was designed for. Just simply look at #3 on their list of the Pinterest etiquette guidelines:
Avoid Self Promotion
Pinterest is designed to curate and share things you love. If there is a photo or project you’re proud of, pin away! However, try not to use Pinterest purely as a tool for self-promotion.
When embarking on any new social networks, Pinterest or otherwise, my advice is to first explore it and really observe. Get an idea of what this community really is about. Observe how other users are utilizing the network. Then go have fun with it. On Pinterest, you may find that you can create new connections and meet like minded people you never knew before. But don’t have high expectations that it will be a magical source of lead generation.
If you are looking into to Pinterest purely as a way to promote yourselves, your listings and generate business, then frankly I think you should move along. Pinterest is not exactly the place for you, and I think you will find very little ROI, if that is your main goal. Your time may be best spent elsewhere.
There are certainly ways to use Pinterest and relate it to your real estate business, and you can do so without shameless self promotion. Coming up in a follow-up post, I will show you come creative ways to use Pinterest as it relates to real estate, and show you some examples of those in the real estate industry who are doing it right. Stay tuned!
And if you want to follow me on Pinterest, find me here. You will see that I am definitely not all business all the time.
What separates Rich Real Estate Agents from the Poor Real Estate Agents? Check out this awesome infographic and survey from Active Rain. Lots of striking information in this, definitely worth checking out.
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