50 Marketing Tips for Realtors and Real Estate Agents

If you are a real estate agent who source most of your business only based on “word of mouth”, we’ve got good and bad news for you.

• The bad: You are missing out great opportunities out there.
• The good: There are many things you can do which other “word of mouth” real estate agents aren’t doing which will increase your brand awareness and closings in the short and long term.

While word-of-mouth leads are a great source which indicates you’ve been doing excellent in earning your creditability, capping your strategy only to that approach is necessarily limiting your brand awareness and impacting on your capability to gain more business.

Marketing can be hard, demanding and also expensive, a thoughtful, consistent and low cost investment can take you a long way.

For that reason, we’ve aggregated for you a list of 50 real estate promotion ideas which can increase your outreach for home buyers and home sellers.

Ready? Let’s get started…

1. Get Your Own Website:
   Independent of brokerage-provided pages, develop your own website. This ensures you maintain your presence and SEO ranking, even if you switch brokerages.
   Resources: Wix.com, WordPress.com, Squarespace.com
2. Create a Google Business Profile:
   Set up a profile to increase your visibility on Google Search and Google Maps, making it easier for potential clients to find your services.
   Resource: Step-by-step guide to create your Google Business Profile
3. Solicit Google Reviews:
   Encourage past clients to leave reviews on your Google Business Profile. Positive reviews can significantly influence new clients considering your services.
   Resource: How to Solicit Google Reviews: A Step-by-Step Guide
4. Optimize Your Website for Local SEO:
   Tailor your website’s SEO to target the specific geographic areas you serve, enhancing your visibility to local searches.
   Resource: 10 things to know before picking marketing agency
5. Integrate IDX on Your Website:
   Include an Internet Data Exchange (IDX) tool to display MLS listings on your website, providing valuable search functionality for visitors.
   Resource: Top 10 IDX platforms
6. Incorporate Useful Tools on Your Website:
   Add features like home-value calculators, mortgage calculators, or interactive maps to make your website a go-to resource for prospective buyers or sellers.
   Resource: Free Lead Capturing Home Value Calculator
7. Send Monthly Newsletters:
   Regularly update your subscribers with newsletters that discuss market trends, new listings, and buying or selling tips. This keeps your audience engaged and positions you as a knowledgeable authority.
8. Engage in Warm Calling:
   Periodically reach out to past leads to check in and refresh their memory of your services, potentially reigniting their interest in buying or selling.
9. Maintain Relationships with Past Customers:
   Keep in touch with former clients to foster relationships and encourage referrals. This can lead to new business through word-of-mouth.
10. Use Social Media Strategically:
    Regularly post on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Share listings, success stories, and industry news to engage both current and potential clients.
11. Host Virtual Tours and Webinars:
    Provide virtual tours of your listings and host educational webinars to attract and educate potential buyers and sellers, showcasing your expertise and listings.
12. Leverage Content Marketing:
    Create and share informative content such as blog posts or videos on topics relevant to real estate buyers, sellers, and investors to attract and engage your target audience.
13. Advertise Online:
    Utilize paid advertising options on social media and Google to reach a broader audience. Target your ads based on specific demographics and interests to capture the attention of potential clients.
14. Participate in Local Community Events:
    Get involved in community events to raise your profile and network with potential clients. Sponsorships or booths at these events can increase your visibility.
15. Develop a Referral Program:
    Encourage referrals by offering incentives to past clients or local businesses who refer new clients to you. This could be discounts, gift cards, or other perks.
16. Create a Mobile App:
    Offer a custom mobile app for clients to view listings, schedule showings, and communicate with you directly. This can enhance the client experience and keep your services accessible.
17. Offer Free Home Valuation Reports:
    Provide a free, no-obligation home valuation report on your website to attract homeowners considering selling their properties.
18. Host Home Buyer and Seller Seminars:
    Organize educational seminars for prospective home buyers and sellers to provide valuable information and attract new clients.
19. Collaborate with Local Businesses:
    Partner with local businesses to offer promotions or bundled services. This can increase your network and provide mutual benefits to participating businesses.
20. Implement Retargeting Ads:
    Use retargeting strategies to keep your brand visible to users who have visited your website but did not take immediate action. This can help in capturing leads that might otherwise be lost.
21. Produce Regular Market Analysis Videos:
    Create and share videos that analyze current market conditions, discuss changes in mortgage rates, or explain economic factors affecting the real estate market. This positions you as a market expert.
22. Publish a Real Estate Blog:
    Regularly update a blog with posts about home maintenance tips, real estate advice, and local market trends. This improves your website’s SEO and provides valuable content to your audience.
23. Utilize Drone Photography:
    For higher-end listings, use drone photography to provide captivating aerial views of the property and surrounding area, enhancing your listing’s appeal.
24. Develop Partnerships with Real Estate Influencers:
    Collaborate with real estate influencers on social media to reach a wider audience. They can feature your listings or share your expert tips.
25. Offer Virtual Staging Services:
    Provide virtual staging options for your listings to help potential buyers visualize the space as their own, which can be particularly useful for showing homes that are vacant or not yet furnished.
26. Utilize Email Drip Campaigns:
    Create automated email campaigns that send targeted messages over time to leads based on their interaction with your website or previous communications. These can nurture leads through the buying or selling process.
27. Optimize for Voice Search:
    With the increasing use of voice-activated devices, ensure your online content is optimized for voice search. Use natural language and question-based phrases likely to be spoken by potential clients.
28. Participate in Real Estate Podcasts:
    Either start your own podcast or become a guest on existing real estate podcasts. This can help you reach a broader audience and establish your authority in the field.
29. Develop an Online Course:
    Create an online course on real estate investment, buying first homes, or other relevant topics. This can serve as both a marketing tool and an additional revenue stream.
30. Offer Concierge Services for Relocating Clients:
    Provide or arrange for services like moving, home setup, or local orientation for clients who are relocating. This added value can set you apart from competitors.
31. Create Interactive Content:
    Develop quizzes or interactive infographics that help potential clients determine what kind of home best suits their needs or how ready they are to buy a home.
32. Implement Live Chat on Your Website:
    Add a live chat feature to your website to provide immediate assistance to visitors. Quick responses can improve user engagement and increase conversion rates.
33. Conduct a Local Market Survey:
    Perform and publish a survey on local real estate trends. Use the data to create reports that can position you as a data-driven expert in your area.
34. Organize Community Clean-Up Days:
    Sponsor and participate in local community clean-up days to enhance neighborhood appeal and show your commitment to community welfare, building goodwill and increasing brand visibility.
35. Use Augmented Reality (AR) in Listings:
    Implement AR features on your website or mobile app to allow clients to visualize changes and renovations in potential homes through their devices.
36. Promote “Just Sold” and “Just Listed” Flyers:
    Distribute flyers in local neighborhoods for recent listings or sales to demonstrate your activity and success in the area.
37. Feature Client Testimonials on Your Website:
    Regularly update your website with video or written testimonials from past clients to build trust and credibility with potential clients.
38. Host Virtual Reality (VR) Home Tours:
    Offer VR home tours that allow prospective buyers to virtually walk through properties from the comfort of their own home, providing a cutting-edge viewing experience.
39. Use Geo-targeted Advertising:
    Run online ads targeted to specific ZIP codes or geographic regions where you want to increase your presence or where you have active listings.
40. Offer a Home Buyers’ Guide:
    Create a comprehensive guide for first-time home buyers that covers everything from financing to closing. Make this available for download on your website in exchange for an email address.
41. Engage on Local Forums and Online Groups:
    Participate in local community forums and Facebook groups to offer your expertise, answer real estate questions, and subtly promote your services.
42. Create Seasonal Real Estate Content:
    Publish content that relates to how seasons affect the real estate market, such as tips for selling your home during the winter or the benefits of buying in the spring.
43. Highlight Local Attractions and Amenities:
    On your listings, include detailed descriptions of local attractions, schools, and amenities to help potential buyers understand the neighborhood’s appeal.
44. Sponsor Local Sports Teams or Events:
    Get your name and logo out there by sponsoring local sports teams, school events, or charity runs, which can increase your visibility and demonstrate community support.
45. Implement a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System:
    Use a CRM to manage client interactions, track leads, and automate marketing efforts to increase efficiency and follow-up effectiveness.
46. Host a “Day in the Life” Series on Social Media:
    Showcase a day in your life as a realtor on Instagram or Facebook Stories to engage followers and give a personal touch to your professional image.
47. Offer Exclusive Pre-listing Viewings:
    Organize special viewing events for your email subscribers or social media followers before a property is listed on the market, providing them with exclusive access.
48. Utilize Professional Photography:
    Invest in high-quality, professional photography for all listings to ensure your properties are presented in the best light possible.
49. Create a Neighborhood Guide eBook:
    Compile an eBook that details different neighborhoods you cover, including demographics, lifestyle, and housing trends, and offer it as a free download.
50. Run a “Refer a Friend” Promotion:
    Encourage your past clients to refer friends and family by offering a referral bonus or gift upon the completion of a new client’s transaction.