How to Use Social Media to Sell Homes

How to Use Social Media to Sell Homes

RECBL - Real Estate News

Rising interest rates, a nationwide inventory shortage and buyers out in full force this spring market-this is the current real estate climate most agents are doing business in.

Even with market challenges, agents also have to compete with each other, especially when it comes to open houses.

As April, Open House Month, winds down to a close, an agent can create a competitive edge by increasing open house visibility and attendance to convert more leads and sell faster.

Maintain Consistency
First and foremost, hosting open houses regularly every week will allow agents to become a household name within their community. Not only that, but constant face-to-face exposure to the general public will help them sell their listing faster, as open houses tend to be well attended this time of year. According to the National Association of REALTORS(R) (NAR) Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, in 2015, 48 percent of buyers used an open house as a source in their home search process. On top of the traditional Sunday open houses, agents looking to stand out can also host on Saturdays-and for extended hours on both days.

Increase Online Marketing
Of course, attendance will be minimal without the correct approach to online marketing. Most buyers are beginning their search on the internet, and if an open house is not widely distributed throughout the most popular home search and social media sites-Zillow, Trulia, realtor.com(R), Homes.com, Facebook, Instagram, etc.-chances are, agents will not meet as many viable leads at the open house. According to the 2017 NAR Profile of Home Buyer and Sellers, 51 percent of buyers find their home via the internet.

Boost Sign Placement
Open house visibility should be augmented across the board, not just on the internet. Agents often can increase attendance-and, therefore, reduce time on the market-by promoting the open house thoroughly within the community itself. Setting up various open house signs throughout the neighborhood, especially on the corners of busy intersections, will not only attract buyers who are going to nearby open houses, but will bring in neighbors who may be looking to downsize or move up within the community, or may know of someone who wants to move into that specific neighborhood.

Obtain Contact Information
The goal of an open house is not only to sell the listing, but also to obtain buyer clients if they are not interested in purchasing that specific property. In order to pursue them as leads, agents will need to collect valid contact information. Todays modern age is setting expectations for swift technological advancement within the real estate industry, and buyers will more likely be impressed with an e-sign-in process via tablet rather than a paper form. With clients who may not have much experience with technology, this is an opportunity to assist them while also developing the relationship with them as a buyer lead.

Add Incentives
The No. 1 priority should be memorability. Adding incentives, such as a free vacation or an entry to a raffle, will make agents stand out from other open houses in the area. Doing this also increases their chances of obtaining valid contact information, which is essential to securing the lead as a future client.

Provide Refreshments
When it comes to food and drink, agents are divided. Some believe it is an added touch that buyers respond well to, while others say it introduces risk because of allergies; however, open houses typically run through lunch, and visitors will undoubtedly appreciate refreshments while they drive house to house for a few hours without pause. Baked goods do well with sweet-tooth visitors and children, and will also neutralize any odors if baked on-site. Themed food and drinks that relate to the current season or an approaching holiday are also a great way to engage visitors. To reduce liability, agents can offer a list of allergens before providing visitors with refreshments.

Set the Mood
If the home has a fireplace, agents can light it on cold and dreary days. This will warm up buyers and ensure they are relaxed when looking at the property. Additionally, adding light, relaxing music will help buyers feel at home. Agents should also ensure all lights are turned on and shades are pulled up to let sunlight in; this will open up rooms and make the home appear larger.

Prove Market Expertise
Lastly, and most importantly, agents need to prove they are knowledgeable about the market. Being able to provide pertinent neighborhood information-not only for their listing, but for those in the surrounding area within similar price points-will set them up as a community expert. Prospective buyers will also relate to the experience better, feeling as though they are receiving assistance rather than being pushed for business. According to REALTOR(R) Magazine, a broker in Denver, Colo., has had success in providing a giveaway map of the surrounding open houses for each Sunday.

Agents can also now rely on technology to obtain relevant information for potential buyers. There are various apps available for providing home valuations, neighborhood data and more. In addition, having a smart home speaker such as an Amazon Echo or Google Home on hand may help agents access this type of information hands-free, providing the opportunity for supplementary flyers, added eye contact, longer conversations and a solid lead by the end of the visit.



Jason Grace is AZ Social Realty's content editor. Email him your real estate news ideas at jason@cashbuyerslists.com.

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Will the 'Facebook Apocalypse' Change Your Social Presence?

Will the 'Facebook Apocalypse' Change Your Social Presence?

RECBL - Real Estate News

Just when you started to get a handle on your social strategy, Facebook is at it again, changing up their algorithms and making it more difficult for businesses to have a presence in peoples news feeds.

Until very recently, any engagement with a Facebook post, whether it was a like, share, or comment, would indicate interest and help your content show up for certain people. However, according to Adam Mosseri, Facebooks Head of News Feed, new algorithm changes will consider comments "more valuable than likes" and is "going to be (weighing) long comments more than short comments."

This new focus on "conversations and meaningful interactions" means many agents will need to completely revisit their Facebook strategies.

You can either pay for sponsored posts and other Facebook advertising, or you can work the system and get your followers to show Facebook that they want to see your posts. This can be accomplished by actively commenting on your posts and by changing their settings regarding your page.

How to Get Your Facebook Audience to Engage
In a January 11 post, Chairman and CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg explained that "As we roll this out, you’ll see less public content like posts from businesses, brands, and media. And the public content you see more will be held to the same standard-it should encourage meaningful interactions between people." According to Mosseri, these standards will be measured by the number and length of comments on your posts. Traditionally, you could ask followers to comment - it is important to note, however, Facebook will "demote these posts in News Feed." How do you get comments without asking for them?

1. Ask questions.
People love to talk about themselves and share their opinions. To give your followers opportunities to do that, try asking leading questions. A leading question can be anything from "What’s the best local coffee shop?" to "What’s the one thing you wish you knew before you bought your first house?"

2. Share important news and milestones.
You’ve seen it before. When someone posts about getting married, having a baby, getting a new job, or graduating, the "Congratulations!" immediately start rolling in. Let your followers share in your big moments by sharing significant business moments and milestones with them. If you have time to hop on and do a live video, even better! Live videos tend to get a lot more discussion than uploaded videos.

3. Run contests.
In regards to contests, it is important to note that "like and share to win" the prize contests will not give you the results you are looking for. You want your contests to be fun and engaging, not boring and derivative. For example, you could say that the first three people to go to your website or Homes.com and find a home that meets certain criteria win. Have them post their listing in the comments. Just remember to look over your areas rules about contests and sweepstakes before you start.

"Following" Settings
Your followers can also indicate that they would like to see your posts by changing their "Following" settings for your page. Currently when someone likes a page on Facebook, that page is added with default settings that allow the algorithm to decide what posts to show when, and to whom. However, there’s an algorithm trump card users can use to choose whose content they want to see in their news feeds.

Because your followers will have to go to your actual page rather than waiting for your post to pop up in their feed, this method will be most applicable to your most loyal brand advocates. Once you have a strong enough relationship with them, ask them to follow your content with the "See First" option so they never miss an update!

If keeping up with your social strategy is too much for you, let us help! Homes.com Social Fuel takes care of your social strategy by providing you with everything from account setup, post creation, engagement, and Facebook Ad management. We will even monitor your online reputation and monitor how your business ranks in search results so you can focus on selling real estate.

For more information, please visit connect.homes.com.





Jason Grace is AZ Social Realty's content editor. Email him your real estate news ideas at jason@cashbuyerslists.com.





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4 Tips for Mastering Marketing

4 Tips for Mastering Marketing

RECBL - Real Estate News

Technology is changing the face of the real estate industry more and more every day, and it’s also changing the way real estate professionals sell homes.

While prospective buyers used to simply browse their local newspaper to find their dream home, the internet has changed the game by providing an endless supply of online tools buyers can use to facilitate the process.

Social media in particular has become the go-to medium for home searches around the world.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled a few technical considerations that will help you use technology to reach prospective buyers.

Maintain Current Relationships
While it’s easy to get caught up in the buzz, it’s important to remember that the relationships you’ve built with current customers are more important than any new web technology, smartphone app or electronic craze. In the end, it’s these relationships that will keep your business growing.

Reinforcing existing relationships with customers is just as important as updating your Facebook status or pinning on Pinterest. A simple thank you card or personalized magnetic notepad will not only provide a lasting impression and reminder of you and your business, but also go a long way toward keeping you relevant in today’s fast-paced environment.

Build Your Online Presence
Take the time to build your online presence in order to keep up with the growing population of buyers who are on social media and perusing websites and other digital sources of information that are relevant to the real estate industry. While building business via grassroots marketing strategies can still work. The potential for doing so online far outreaches any traditional marketing strategies.

Social media provides the perfect place to promote your business and current listings. As you build your online presence, you will undoubtedly attract a bigger audience, which will help spread the word about your listings.

Incorporate Video Into the Mix
Video is another great strategy that can help you boost your business. Typically drawing a larger audience than text-heavy pieces, videos provide a more effective way of building relationships with new and existing customers. In addition, videos offer a more personalized approach to promoting your business or listings.

Utilize a CRM System
Customer relationship management systems provide you with the tools you need to keep information related to your customers organized and easily accessible. A good CRM will not only ensure you’re always prepared for whatever the situation may require, but it will also help you stay on point by providing the best customer service at a moment’s notice. A CRM system can also help you capture and follow up on more leads than you’d be able to if you weren’t using one.

Technology is becoming more and more essential in the real estate industry, and it’s important that you learn to embrace it and incorporate it into your everyday business activities. Mastering the latest trends in technology and making yourself visible online will not only grow your business, but also help build upon the relationships you’ve already cultivated.

John Bunker is marketing director at RealEstateCalendars.com.

For more information, please visit www.realestatecalendars.com.

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How to Promote Your Listings on Facebook

How to Promote Your Listings on Facebook

RECBL - Real Estate News

Agents are forever in need of new methods to generate more business and close more deals. The rise of digital marketing has created a big splash, and for good reason. It’s incredibly powerful and should not be overlooked. Why, and how, should agents be using Facebook to boost their business? With over 2 billion active users, the power of Facebooks audience is undeniable.

Approximately 30 percent of Facebook users are between the ages of 25 and 34, making it the largest age demographic on the social network.

Thirty-four percent of homebuyers are under the age of 36, according to the National Association of REALTORS(R) (NAR). Those two trends go hand-in-hand and should be dictating real estate agents marketing efforts.

Agents need to be experimenting with Facebook advertising in order to meet client expectations and remain competitive. It’s easy to get left behind in today’s fast-moving market. Agents should be improving and scaling their marketing efforts to keep up with competitors and maintain a positive reputation.

Client expectations are changing. Efforts such as social media marketing are now not only preferred, but expected. Homeowners want to be confident that their agent is digital-savvy and will go above and beyond to market their listing. Gaining massive exposure through social media channels provides that necessary peace of mind for homeowners. The more eyes an agent can get their listing in front of, the better.

The reality is, Facebook has built their advertising interface for digital marketers. The majority of agents don't have the know-how or time to properly advertise their listings on a regular basis because they’re juggling hundreds of other tasks and it isn’t their specialty. This doesn’t mean they’re exempt from the need to execute in this area, however. It means that they need to leverage tools that help them up their marketing game efficiently and effectively. Moxi Works recently released a new feature, called Advertise Your Listing, within the Moxi Engage CRM that simplifies and expedites this process. Advertise Your Listing empowers real estate agents to leverage Facebook advertising to reach massive audiences, impress their clients, and, in turn, win more business.

So where do agents even begin? Once they have a tool that is simple and efficient, they can begin promoting each time they win a new listing. Here are a few tips for agents getting started:

• Select a great image - Social media is visual. A great image of the property is what is going to catch people’s attention and drive engagement online.

• Focus on gaining reach - You already know how to sell a home. What you really want to do is impress your clients by showing them how many thousands of people saw their listing.

• Make sure your website is up to date - Improving your presence online through Facebook is great, but make sure your agent website is up to date as well. This way, if people want to learn more about you, see other listings, or contact you, it’s easy for them to do so.

If they’re using a tool like Advertise Your Listing, which is connected to the MLS, agents won’t have to worry about any manual data entry, making the process quick and painless.

Facebook advertising needs to become a part of an agent's repeatable marketing flow in order to stay competitive and efficient. It’s an inexpensive way to exceed client expectations and drive more business. Reaching a massive audience means exposure for both you and the listing, and happy clients means more referrals and a positive reputation.

For more information, please visit www.moxiworks.com.

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Guaranteed increase in quality traffic and sales with 15 underused resources: Part 3

Guaranteed increase in quality traffic and sales with 15 underused resources: Part 3

In part 2 of, “15 underused resources guaranteed to increase quality traffic and sales.", we discussed Ad footers, Ad Swaps and Email Lists. Today's topics will be Video Marketing, Social Media and Podcasts.

7. Video Marketing

5 Powerful Reasons Why Video Marketing Works

Video marketing is one of the most powerful, versatile and profitable marketing tools available.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video is priceless. Did you know that videos generate 300% more traffic than any other source? Creating a unique visual content experience can generate staggering amounts of traffic to your website.

Videos can make you some serious money. Adding a product video on your landing page can increase conversions by 80%.

Facebook Live video is now reportedly at 8 billion views, outstripping even YouTube’s massive 5 billion views per day. It’s no wonder that we see an increasing number of businesses incorporating unique and carefully developed videos into their marketing strategies.

An effective video marketing strategy can implement a range of video types to drive traffic and conversions to your website or blog post.Make sure your videos are helpful, informative, and interesting. Your video must provide some type of value to your viewer. You also want it to include some kind of call to action that will bring people to your website.

Youtube is the most common and well-known video sharing site. But be sure to link your video to other social media accounts as well. Your target audience are on multiple platforms and there are increased chances of it getting shared multiple times. How cool is that?

8. Social Media Traffic

Social Media Marketing

Social media is one of the most proactive ways of generating more quality and appropriate traffic because of it‘s advanced targeting opportunities. Did you know that, as of June 2017, Twitter has 328 million monthly active users while Facebook has 2 billion?

You have free access to millions of users, every month from every platform, right in front of you. With the boom of the internet, more and more people spend a lot of time on these channels.

They’re powerful platforms for communicating with your readers, building your brand, and driving more traffic to your website.

By targeting people based on their interests and networks, they can help you identify and connect with buyer personas all over the globe. Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin are excellent mediums for B2C (business to customer) interactions.

Here’s how to make the most out of social media to generate more traffic:

● Share relevant and useful content to build a strong online presence . Quality content will find its way to Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and more, increasing your social visitors.
● Make sure you include visuals, hashtags, short text, and emoticons when relevant. No one wants to go through a boring post without emoticons or hashtags. So, cheer up!
● Be active on industry-related social network groups and communities. These can be an important traffic resource for your website.
● Keep a track of social conversations. Listen for your customers’ questions, comments, likes, and dislikes, and reach out to them.

9. Podcasts

Pod Cast Services

People love audio as much as they love videos. If you are too shy to appear in front of the camera, then podcasts are the way to go.

Podcasts are digital audio recordings of programs that you can readily download online. Creating them can help you to develop authority and expertise in the subject matter. And, most importantly, pod-casting gives you incredible reach.

You can take the same set of topics and present them to your target audience again and again. The more listeners you have, the better your chances of converting them into website visitors. By repeatedly exposing your audience to your best products and content, you’ll develop a reputation as an expert in your industry.

Like an article or blog post, your podcast episode becomes something that you can share. Demonstrate your value to the target market. Your podcast strategy can improve your trustworthiness and credibility, especially if you appear as a guest on other podcasts. Podcasts on relevant and useful topics get more traffic and attract more leads for your business. I recommend using a podcast hosting service like LibSyn, and creating accounts to upload your podcast to iTunes, Stitcher, BluBrry, and Miro.​


This is Part 3 of 5 of “15 underused resources guaranteed to increase quality traffic and sales.”

Part 2
Part 1

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Instagram updates you will love!

Instagram updates you will love!

Instagram just released new enhancements to their "My Story" feature. Instagram was a content sharing and marketing dream before these updates were launched. Now, Instagram can certifiably say that it is a powerhouse of a social network and can quite literally, do it all. It's time you learn how to harness that power for yourself and your business!

Hashtags
Hashtags are integral to a social strategy in 2017. One of the top reasons Instagram is a premier social media network for real estate professionals is because of its vast database of hashtags. As part of Instagram's new feature rollout, searchable hashtags are now part of My Stories. This is a game changer.

Take a photo or video using the camera in the top left of your Instagram feed. Make some magic, and when you're ready to edit, select the square with the smiley face on the top right corner. This will unlock quite a few options, including hashtags. Once you have it selected, start typing whatever hashtags you want. You can also add multiple hashtags. You can also resize the hashtags and move them around the picture, which allows you to include several. The only drawback is that you cannot change the color scheme of the words, but this may be changing too, as lately Instagram is trying to do everything bigger, better, and more customizable.

 Want prospects to know your business with just a single click? Add hashtags directly from "Instagram's My Stories," and you have a powerful social tool in the palm of your hands. Use a hashtag for local places, even neighborhoods, to increase listing exposure.

Face Filters
Snapchat's claim to fame is its face filters that can alter a user's appearance. Users can add pretty flower crowns, flattering lighting, and essentially make all signs of aging disappear, or even do really silly things like enlarge your eyes or nose. Instagram's recent addition of eight original face filters is a game changer, and much more user friendly than Snapchat. On Snapchat, the user must flip the camera into selfie mode, and then hold down on the screen over his or her face. Then, a grid appears and it unlocks the filters. Not very user friendly and almost impossible to find without someone telling you how to do it. With Instagram, users tap on the face in the bottom right hand corner and it unlocks the filters. Much easier, and also faster, than Snapchat.

Something else to make note of-with Snapchat, some of the filters are for a single user, while other filters indicate if two people can use them by signaling on the filter that two faces are available. With Instagram, it doesn't matter what filter you use, everyone in your images can get in on the fun. These can also be used in a photo format, or a 15 second video.

Although the addition of filters may not seem like it's going to be helping you drive leads and business, it does serve another crucial purpose: humanizing your brand. Use them during light moments at the office; take a picture and add a funny caption about it. It makes a great break in the day and it shows your audience you know how to harness technology, and can use that knowledge to help move their listing.

Instagram has been hard at work unveiling new features over the past few weeks and months. In February they debuted the feature of adding multiple photos and videos to a single post, which helped real estate professionals add entire listings to Instagram, fully share the customer journey from closing to opening the door for the first time, and many other vital aspects of the real estate industry. Now with the updates to My Story, Instagram is proving they are truly a real estate professionals best friend.

If keeping up with your social strategy is too much for you, let us help. Homes.com Social Fuel takes care of your social strategy by providing you with everything from account setup, post creation, engagement, and Facebook Ad management. We will even manage your online reputation and monitor how your business ranks in search results so you can focus on selling real estate. Want hands-on training on the latest and greatest in social? Tune in to the HomesPro Facebook on Thurday, June 22 at 9:00 p.m. EDT for Holly's Facebook Live videos!

For more information, please visit connect.homes.com.




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What is your communication strategy?

What is your communication strategy

Freshen Up Your Communication Strategy for Spring?

#realestate #cashbuyerslists #communication #strategy #communicationstrategy #social #socialnetwork #socialmedia #socialmediamarketing #marketing

Q: As the spring selling season approaches, what can I do to freshen up my communication strategy?

A: With the spring selling season right around the corner, prospective buyers are beginning to ramp up their search for the perfect home, while sellers are busy preparing their homes to be listed on the market.

Read More> http://bit.ly/RECBL-March14

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3 WAYS TO KICK START YOUR CAREER

Kick-start Your Career

Cash Buyers Lists News​​

If you’re looking for a new job, you’re not alone. Below are three tips from Career Builder to improve your chances while hunting down a new gig. 

Grow your network: Tired of collecting business cards at cocktail mixers and lunch-and-learns? It might be time to mix up your networking routine with some fresh new tactics. Try stepping outside your usual roster of groups and events to grow your professional circle even wider.

Polish your personal brand: By having a clear message of whom you are, what experience you have and what direction you’re going in, you’re conveying your identity to the hiring manager instead of being a faceless part of the crowd.

Make social a priority: Follow companies you like on social media and engage with them. Consider starting a blog that is related to your career interests. While on social channels, make sure you clean up your own digital dirt. Nothing is truly private on the Web, and it would be a shame to miss out on a job opportunity because of some embarrassing photos from years ago. Also make sure your profile is relevant. Think through the eyes of a recruiter and keep your employment history and education updated.

Source: CareerBuilder(R)

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