40 Simple and Impactful Real Estate Marketing Strategies to Differentiate Yourself

Although real estate agents remain crucial in the process of purchasing a home, prospective buyers are increasingly conducting preliminary research online before seeking professional guidance. A study conducted by the National Association of Realtors revealed that 92% of those looking to buy a home utilize the internet to initiate their search, highlighting the essential need for real estate agents to establish a strong online presence. A lack of online activity, engagement, and networking translates to missed opportunities.

Presented below are over 40 effective real estate marketing strategies for those aiming to excel in the competitive real estate market.

Contents

Real Estate Marketing Strategies for Your Website

In today’s digital landscape, a website is not merely a marketing strategy but an absolute necessity. Consumers anticipate businesses to have an online presence, and a poorly designed website can be more detrimental than having no website at all. Below are some strategies to ensure your website effectively promotes your real estate business 24/7.

1. Craft an Impressive Homepage

Did you know that 75% of individuals acknowledge forming an opinion about a business’s credibility based on the design of its website? Initial impressions are paramount, making it imperative for your homepage to be in excellent condition. This translates to incorporating captivating visuals, a noticeable call to action, and a user-friendly menu.

real estate marketing ideas - impressive homepage example

2. Develop Exceptional Property Listings

Today’s consumers prefer to conduct extensive online research independently when making significant purchases, and this behavior extends to buying a home. Having only rented myself, when searching for properties, I utilize Google Maps to locate the address, explore the neighborhood using Street View, identify nearby businesses within walking distance, browse through property photos, and, if available, take a virtual tour of the property. Your property pages and listings should facilitate seamless access to all this information—accompanied by comprehensive descriptions, high-quality photos, virtual tours, and convenient links to Google Maps and Google Earth. Highlight nearby attractions and their respective distances (for instance, mentioning the bus stop that’s a brief five-minute walk away, or the Starbucks conveniently located at the end of the block).

3. Engage a Professional Photographer

It is absolutely crucial to have stunning photos showcasing your properties. The appropriate time of day or camera angle can significantly impact the outcome. Employ the services of a professional photographer (preferably someone with experience in photographing homes and architecture), or, if you possess advanced equipment and confidence in your abilities, consider taking the photos yourself. However, keep in mind that this is one of those situations where it is worthwhile to engage professionals.

real estate marketing ideas - vibrant homepage image

4. Utilize Lead Magnets

The secret to lead generation lies in providing your audience with something valuable enough in exchange for their contact information. Contemplate creating a lead magnet guide such as “X Common Mistakes First-Time Homebuyers Make” or “X Desirable Features to Seek In a New Home.” things new homeowners should consider before buying” or “X most valuable features of a new home.” Offering complimentary ebooks in exchange for an email address (and zip code, in the context of real estate) is a highly effective method for capturing high-quality leads.

5. Prioritize User Experience

The presence of exceptional property pages will be rendered insignificant if your website is challenging to navigate. Your visitors should have a positive experience on your website, so dedicate time to enhance your user experience design skills and understanding of information architecture.

6. Implement SEO Strategies

An aesthetically pleasing website serves no purpose if it remains undiscovered! SEO encompasses a set of practices that work in unison to elevate your site’s ranking in search engine results. This includes:

  • On-page SEO: Incorporating your targeted keywords for each page strategically within the page’s title, meta descriptions, image file names and alt text, and organically within the body content.
  • Off-page SEO: Acquiring backlinks to your site from other reputable websites with high domain authority. Utilizing our SEO audit checklist will assist with both off-page and on-page SEO.
  • Technical SEO: Ensuring your site is responsive, secure, and loads quickly. Refer to our technical SEO audit checklist for guidance. 💪 How effectively does your website and online presence perform? Obtain an instant SEO audit using the free LocaliQ Website Grader.

Real Estate Marketing Strategies for Social Media

Social media marketing is a crucial component of your real estate business. Here are some strategies for leveraging these platforms to effectively market your real estate business.

7. Establish a Strong Social Media Presence

The most prevalent social media platforms for real estate marketing are Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. When creating your accounts, ensure you complete all available fields to maximize your discoverability by relevant users.

real estate marketing ideas - facebook page example

8. Utilize Relevant Hashtags

Consult our hashtag guide to curate an effective combination of local, topical, and popular hashtags relevant to your audience in your Instagram and Twitter posts. This will increase your visibility among the right audience.

  • Local hashtags: #[city]realestate #[city]realtor #[city]realestatebroker #[city]living #[city]homes #thingstodoin[city]
  • Topical hashtags: #realestatetips #homebuyertips
  • Broad hashtags: #realtorsofinstagram #luxuryhomes #newhomes #

9. Provide Valuable Content

Social media offers numerous opportunities for real estate businesses to cultivate an audience, interact with followers, and nurture relationships. Here are a few real estate social media marketing ideas:

  • Leverage YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram Live to conduct virtual home tours and host Q&A sessions.
  • Share concise and practical real estate tips.
  • Disseminate news relevant to your community and niche.
  • Promote your latest property listings.
  • Participate in relevant Facebook and LinkedIn groups.

10. Incorporate Social Share Buttons on Property Pages

Homebuyers are often eager to share their favorite housing options with friends and family, so simplify the process of emailing and online sharing of properties by incorporating social sharing buttons.

real estate marketing ideas - shareable listing example

11. Implement Social Media Advertising

While consistent Facebook marketing is effective for nurturing client relationships, it may not suffice for acquiring new clients. Despite having the lowest organic reach among social media platforms, Facebook’s targeting capabilities for paid advertising remain unparalleled. Whether you want to target single individuals in their thirties who work remotely and own a pet, or LGBTQ couples seeking to purchase a condo, Facebook allows for precise targeting. Draw inspiration from our real estate Instagram ad examples and real estate Facebook ad examples like the one shown below.

real estate marketing ideas - facebook ad example 🛑 Already running Facebook ads? Leverage our Free Facebook Ads Performance Grader to ensure optimal budget allocation.

12. Create Pinterest Boards

Pinterest advertising and marketing continue to be effective for certain industries—real estate being one of them. Boards provide an excellent platform for showcasing images and information for specific property listings. Consider crafting a Pinterest board dedicated to a single property, which, in addition to property photos, highlights the features and advantages of the surrounding area.

pinterest real estate marketing

Localized Real Estate Marketing Strategies

Your website and social media profiles represent two of the three fundamental pillars of your real estate marketing strategy. The third pillar centers around property listings and local marketing. For comprehensive insights into local marketing, your best resource is this free Local Marketing 101 course by LOCALiQ’s Marketing Lab. However, continue reading for some concise ideas.

13. Local Sponsorships

Consider supporting local events by sponsoring festivals, sports teams, or school functions. Registering as a local sponsor often grants you brand visibility through placement on t-shirts, event programs, or flyers.

14. Local Content on Your Website

In many aspects, you are not merely selling a house but also promoting an entire town or region. Showcase the most appealing aspects of your area through high-quality, visually appealing photos of local landmarks and familiar locations. Furthermore, ensure the inclusion of locally relevant keywords within your content to enhance discoverability by potential buyers searching online for homes in your area.

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15. Optimize Your Google Business Profile

Among the most critical elements of local SEO are listings, and one of the most vital listings is your Google Business Profile. This free listing simplifies the process for users to locate your business on Google Search, Google Maps, and the Knowledge Panel—not to mention its function as a secondary homepage for your business. Through your Google Business Profile, individuals can:

  • Contact you or schedule appointments.
  • Browse and leave reviews.
  • Read, ask, and answer frequently asked questions (FAQs).
  • View property listings and pricing.
  • Gain insights into your brand and expertise. …all without navigating to your website.

real estate marketing ideas - google business profile example It goes without saying that a complete and optimized Google Business Profile is highly advantageous for your real estate business. Assess the status of your Google Business Profile and other important directory listings using this free business listings grader from LocaliQ.

16. Contribute as a Columnist in Local Magazines

Explore opportunities to write a regular column or contribute articles to local publications. Avoid being overly promotional; today’s consumers are averse to aggressive sales tactics. Instead, share valuable insights and perspectives. For instance, write about how rising home prices in the market reflect the town’s economic prosperity, or highlight factors contributing to the region’s growing popularity (such as a revitalized downtown area or an improved school system).

17. Organize Free Seminars for Homebuyers

Position yourself as a knowledgeable resource within the community by conducting brief seminars. Consider offering an introductory seminar covering the fundamentals of purchasing a home and securing a mortgage. Remember, modern marketing emphasizes an inbound approach, and this principle extends beyond the online realm. Users appreciate access to free, valuable information before investing their time and money in your services. A homebuying seminar serves as the offline equivalent of a webinar. While it requires time and effort, attendees will leave with a positive impression and an established relationship with you. This relationship will prove invaluable when they are ready to embark on their home-buying journey.

18. Collaborate with Local Businesses

Forging partnerships with other businesses in your local area is crucial for your real estate marketing endeavors. Explore collaborations such as providing local eateries with new coffee mugs featuring your logo, or securing advertising space on their paper placemat settings. Alternatively, consider partnering with local moving companies to exchange referrals.

Real Estate Email Marketing Strategies

Email marketing has consistently ranked among the most effective marketing strategies across industries and stages of the sales funnel. Here are some real estate marketing strategies utilizing email.

19. Create a Newsletter

Gather email sign-ups through your website and events, and distribute a helpful newsletter featuring new listings, details about upcoming seminars you’re hosting, local events, helpful tips, and more. Remember to segment your email lists based on different communities to deliver highly relevant content.

real estate marketing ideas - email newsletter signup Employing a creative call to action for newsletter sign-ups can be beneficial.

20. Implement an Email Nurture Campaign

Nurture campaigns can be likened to Hansel and Gretel’s breadcrumb trail, except instead of a gingerbread house awaiting at the end, clients discover their ideal home (hopefully without encountering an evil witch). Guide your clients with a trail of metaphorical breadcrumbs by personalizing your interactions based on their previous actions. For instance, if they attended an open house you hosted, send them an email showcasing other available homes in the vicinity. If they participated in your first-time homebuyer seminar, send them your ebook titled “10 Things Every New Homebuyer Should Know.” Deliver content that empowers your clients to take the appropriate next step, tailored to their current stage in the home-buying process.

21. Send Greeting Emails

Here’s a simple yet effective email marketing tip: send personalized emails to clients during holidays or on their birthdays or anniversaries. A small gesture can have a significant impact, and satisfied clients are more inclined to recommend your services to others. Steer clear of generic email templates! Draw inspiration from these examples:

  • Valentine’s Day Messages for Your Clients (With Email Templates!)
  • 11 Creative Customer Holiday Greeting Email Ideas and Examples

Traditional Real Estate Marketing Strategies

Despite the prominence of digital marketing, it’s essential not to overlook the importance of the physical world! Here are some effective offline real estate marketing strategies that remain as relevant as ever.

22. Branded Merchandise

Leveraging business branding is beneficial—consider items like pens, drink koozies, and other popular giveaways. Distribute branded merchandise at local festivals and events to increase brand awareness.

real estate marketing ideas branded swag

23. Utilize Call Tracking

Call tracking is an indispensable tool for paid search campaigns in the real estate industry. Most individuals rely on phone calls when searching for a realtor or scheduling an appointment to view an apartment, condo, or house. If these calls originate from your PPC ads, you need a system to track which specific ads and keywords are driving those calls.

24. Design a Striking Business Card

Invest in visually appealing business cards and distribute them generously. Don’t forget to incorporate your contact information into your email signature as well!

real estate marketing ideas - business card templates Canva offers a wide selection of free real estate business card templates to choose from.

25. Traditional Mailers

While the internet dominates the marketing landscape, traditional advertising methods still hold value, especially when targeting specific audiences. Consider sending postcards to qualified leads or potential buyers residing in the zip codes where you actively operate.

26. Provide a Local Care Package After Closing

Your relationship with a client shouldn’t end immediately after the sale. It’s essential to maintain a positive impression so they remember you and potentially recommend you to friends, family, or acquaintances considering a move in the future. Consider sending a local care package to clients after closing, including items like movie or theater tickets for local venues, gift cards to local restaurants, and other thoughtful gestures.

Innovative Real Estate Marketing Strategies

Finally, let’s explore some unconventional ideas to spark your creativity.

27. Embrace Playfulness

While certain industries (like those catering to pets or babies) might seem to have an advantage in terms of lightheartedness, real estate doesn’t have to be strictly serious! Injecting humor and playfulness into your Facebook ad copy and other marketing materials can help you stand out.

real estate marketing ideas - facebook ad example

28. Animated Videos

Consider outsourcing the creation of a high-quality animated video for your real estate business. Short, engaging, and well-produced cartoon videos can contribute to establishing your brand identity and infusing personality into your marketing. You might even feature local landmarks or attractions in your animated video to make it unique and locally targeted.

unique real estate marketing ideas - animated explainer video

Watch video

29. Evoke Emotions in Your Marketing

Emotions are powerful drivers of behavior. However, you don’t necessarily need to create a tear-jerking video (like those often seen in campaigns by Subaru or the MSPCA) to evoke emotions in your marketing. A simple phrase like “Imagine living your dream every day” can be remarkably effective.

real estate marketing ideas - emotional copywriting example Image source Utilize these words and phrases to incorporate emotion into your marketing copy. Afterward, explore our extensive library of over 273 emotional trigger words to craft compelling copy that resonates with your audience and converts prospects into clients!

30. Leverage Seasonality

Beyond federal and religious holidays, each month presents unique social awareness themes and national days that can inspire creative marketing campaigns. Alternatively, adapt your strategies to align with the changing seasons to maintain relevance. For example, consider these spring real estate marketing ideas.

Additional Real Estate Marketing Strategies

Here are more imaginative and practical strategies to help your real estate business flourish.

31. Establish a Presence on Zillow

In the realm of real estate marketing, Zillow reigns supreme, much like Yelp does for other industries. Maintaining a presence on Zillow is crucial for visibility—ignoring its significance is akin to disregarding the sun; its impact will be felt regardless! Zillow offers advertising opportunities for agents on their platform. While these can be costly, considering Zillow’s dominant role in the homebuying process, it is likely a worthwhile investment. After all, platforms like Zillow command a significant 48% of all website traffic related to real estate searches. Moreover, Zillow enables users to review real estate agents, so prioritizing excellent service and accumulating positive ratings is vital, as a strong star rating can considerably boost your leads.

real estate marketing ideas - zillow agent finder

32. Request Testimonials from Past Clients

Testimonials serve as powerful trust signals. Demonstrating that real individuals endorse your services holds immense weight with potential clients. After successfully assisting a homebuyer, reach out to request a testimonial. If feasible, obtain their photo as well. Maximize the impact of these testimonials by strategically featuring them on your website and periodically sharing them on social media.

33. Host Webinars

If you are comfortable with public speaking, hosting a webinar can effectively attract attention to your business. Consider a webinar titled “12 Little-Known Factors to Consider In A New Home,” incorporating a Q&A session at the end to address participant inquiries. You can also repurpose webinars as YouTube videos (find more real estate video marketing ideas here), providing valuable video content that remains permanently accessible on your website! For additional guidance, explore our tips for creating exceptional webinars.

real estate marketing ideas - free seminar

34. Monitor the Competition

Stay informed about the strategies employed by other realtors in your area. What do their websites look like? How actively do they engage on social media? Observe your competitors—learn from their mistakes and replicate their successes! These resources can assist you in your competitive analysis:

  • How to Conduct a SWOT Analysis for Small Businesses
  • How to Outperform Competitors Through Competitive Analysis on Search and Social Media
  • The 8 Best Tools for Identifying Competitor Keywords

35. Offer Virtual Tours

Your clients’ time is valuable, and they appreciate the opportunity to gather as much information as possible about a property before visiting in person. Virtual tours are an excellent way to provide prospective buyers with a comprehensive and accurate preview of the property. Most platforms, including Zillow, offer user-friendly tools for creating virtual tours.

36. Leverage Shared Scheduling Apps

Utilize a shared scheduling app to simplify the process of coordinating property showings with potential buyers. Apps like Doodle can significantly reduce the back-and-forth communication often associated with scheduling.

37. Analyze Benchmarks

Let’s assume your search or social media advertising campaigns are generating better conversion rates compared to the previous week. While encouraging, it’s essential to determine if these conversion rates are favorable overall. Or, imagine you’re considering search advertising but are uncertain about the potential costs associated with Google Ads. The most effective method to ensure you are neither overperforming nor underperforming with your ads is to reference industry benchmarks. [

real estate marketing ideas - advertising benchmarks

](https://localiq.com/blog/real-estate-advertising-benchmarks/) Stay updated with the latest information by visiting LOCALiQ’s real estate advertising benchmarks.

38. Maintain Communication

Nurture ongoing relationships with past clients, even months or years later, to foster goodwill and potential referrals. Sending anniversary cards, holiday cards, and other thoughtful gestures helps keep you top-of-mind. When someone they know is ready to buy a home, your name will be fresh in their memory.

39. Establish a Referral Program

Incentivize past clients to refer their friends and family by implementing a structured referral program.

40. Consider Niche Specialization

If you face intense real estate market competition in your area, consider differentiating yourself through niche marketing. Position yourself as the preferred real estate agent for specific demographics, such as dog owners, families with children, or divorced individuals. Establishing expertise within a particular niche can make you memorable, especially in areas with high realtor saturation.

unique real estate marketing ideas - pet friendly realtor Image source The real estate market is highly competitive, and excelling in today’s landscape demands a combination of expert online and offline marketing skills to set yourself apart. Embrace these practical, tactical, and innovative real estate marketing strategies to make your mark.

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