5 ways to generate more leads for your real estate business

Mar 9, 2023

6 min

    marketing

Stay ahead in the competitive real estate market with modern digital solutions.

Introduction

In the face of limited marketing exposure through conventional channels such as television commercials, magazines, and newspapers, how can I effectively distinguish my listings and attract potential buyers?

This challenge is one frequently encountered by realtors. One solution we've found effective is to leverage word-of-mouth referrals, expanding our reach and drawing in interested buyers.

However, ongoing technological advancements have gradually reshaped the landscape, offering new opportunities to reach a wider audience and elevate our marketing strategies beyond the constraints of traditional methods.

In this blog, we will explore these innovative strategies that not only overcome past limitations but also empower you to generate more leads effectively.

Ways to generate leads

1. Conducting free lectures and accommodating invitations to speak

Your students attending public or private lectures you conduct could potentially become your clients. Once you impart your real estate expertise in these sessions and demonstrate the skills, knowledge, attitude, and experience that could benefit their endeavors, the likelihood of closing a future deal with them increases.

In an era where conducting lectures is simplified through social media platforms and other online networking sites, maximize your reach by hosting numerous online lectures or courses. You can accomplish this by following these steps:

A. Identify timely topics likely to attract your target market:

  • Anticipated home features for 2024
  • Evolving trends in house designs
  • Property purchasing tips
  • Essential legal documents before property acquisition
  • Top 10 considerations when buying a home
  • House inspection fundamentals
  • Dos and don'ts of property buying
  • Safeguarding against fraudulent real estate agents
  • Selecting the perfect land for your home
  • A comprehensive real estate investment guide
  • Advice for first-time homebuyers

B. Educate yourself or invite a knowledgeable individual from your business to discuss the topic. 

C. Determine the optimal time for hosting online or onsite lectures. Set the date.

D. Invite your target audience:

Methods to invite include:

  • Posting the lecture on your website and social media platforms for easy registration.
  • Sending personalized emails with the registration link.
  • Sharing across your social circles and encouraging them to share further. Engage in community forums or Facebook groups.
  • Consider paid advertisements to reach a wider audience. Utilize social media ads to generate more leads for your real estate business at minimal cost.

F. Prepare comprehensively for your lecture – mentally, physically, and technically. Deliver a polished presentation that resonates with your audience. You may pre-record the lecture but ensure to address live questions.

G. If conducting live, record the lecture and upload it on platforms highly visible to your target audience.

2. Community Forums and Groups

Community forums occur in various settings, either physically or online, where individuals with shared interests engage in discussions. This presents an excellent opportunity to generate more leads for your real estate business. If the forum is on-site, you can initiate conversations and distribute your business card or request someone to do it on your behalf. Conversely, in an online forum, engage in ongoing discussions while adhering to the established rules. You can also create posts to share your real estate expertise, covering diverse topics such as:

  • Current trends in the real estate market
  • Real estate-related forecasts from Robert Kiyosaki or Warren Buffet
  • Projections for the real estate market over the next decade
  • Expectations for millennial investors in the real estate market
  • Latest policies impacting real estate
  • Present-day Real Estate Market: Bullish or Bearish?
  • Various types of real estate investments

Engaging in these topics within community forums can help drive lead generation. You may find that individuals you engage with in the comment section could potentially become your next leads or assist you in generating more leads.

If feasible, endeavor to establish an online community forum where you can exert greater control.

Additionally, apart from community forums, consider supporting local community groups. Becoming an active community member can build trust, fostering more leads for your real estate business in the long run.

3. Newsletters

How frequently do you read news and articles online? Have you ever come across a site where a tab suddenly opens, inviting you to sign up to receive news and articles directly via email?

That's typically how newsletters function to generate more leads for a business. Businesses' newsletters contain compelling information, often enticing people to sign up. This enables the company to send promotions, invitations, and advertisements, particularly if the recipient consents.

However, bear in mind that sending newsletters isn't a straightforward task. They require setup through specific software, and the shared information must be engaging. You must also be prepared to consistently create compelling content to engage your target audience. Given your real estate background, sending newsletters that inform subscribers about the current market trends would be advantageous. Additionally, you can optimize newsletters by directly showcasing properties you're selling or properties slated for future development.

4. “Money-stretching” Programs

What motivates you to repeatedly shop from the same online platform?

Loyalty points.

These points offer us added benefits, discounts, and, crucially, a sense of satisfaction that compels us to return to the site and make further purchases. However, loyalty points aren't applicable to real estate firms since properties aren't typically purchased frequently in the short term, unless someone is consistently involved in property buying and selling. Instead, consider offering "money-stretching" programs such as:

  • Incentives for word-of-mouth referrals (e.g., 1 bottle of wine per referral)
  • Discounts for early payments (e.g., save 1% off the total bill by paying early, equating to a 1% x 12 months = 12% annual return on investment)
  • Discounts for repeat customers

The examples provided above are just a few programs that could assist in generating more leads. There might be additional strategies, but it's essential to thoroughly study them before implementation.

Strategies that may not be effective include giveaways or contests. Often, people might not genuinely care about your services and might participate solely to obtain the freebie or win a prize, unless the freebies are exchanged for quick surveys that enable you to gather email addresses from your target clients.

5. Advertisements

If you've been involved in the real estate industry for a substantial duration, you're likely aware of the significance of adapting to modern marketing strategies.

In the 1980s, real estate agents heavily relied on newspaper advertisements due to their widespread readership. However, with the advent of the World Wide Web in 1991, there was a notable shift in how real estate businesses marketed their properties. Many firms pivoted toward social media marketing to advertise properties. The rationale behind this shift is the effectiveness of online advertising in selling properties, given the substantial increase in homebuyers (97% in 2020) using the internet for home searches.

Now, the critical question is how to effectively advertise online. Forbes suggests several strategies:

  • Establishing a professional website
  • Creating engaging blogs
  • Employing content marketing
  • Installing Google Analytics
  • Developing lead generation tools (such as a "squeeze page")
  • Implementing PPC advertising
  • Engaging on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter
  • Utilizing email marketing campaigns
  • Soliciting reviews on platforms like Yelp and Zillow
  • Building profiles on real estate platforms such as Zillow and Trulia
  • Creating a dedicated Facebook page

What should be incorporated on your website or social media pages?

  • Floor Plans: Providing both 2D and 3D plans can attract leads seeking specific property layouts or measurements.
  • 3D Renderings: These renderings can entice individuals to visit the site or page showcasing them.

Consider these options when seeking rendering services:

  1. Online freelancing platforms such as HR Talent, Upwork, or Freelancer often have experienced professionals offering rendering services.
  2. Local design firms or independent designers specializing in real estate renderings may be available in your area.
  3. Explore industry-specific forums or social media groups; you might find recommendations or referrals for reliable rendering services.
  4. Research and reach out to companies specializing in architectural visualization or 3D rendering for real estate.
  5. HomeRender - A subscription-based service that provides high-quality 3D renderings.

Conclusion

Whether you're venturing into lectures, engaging in community forums, utilizing newsletters, implementing "money-stretching" programs, or seeking cutting-edge rendering services, the real estate landscape is evolving, offering diverse avenues to attract and retain clients.

In this digital age, embracing online marketing strategies, such as establishing a robust web presence, leveraging social media, employing targeted advertising, and providing engaging content, remains crucial for real estate professionals seeking to thrive in a competitive market.

Remember, success often lies in adapting, experimenting, and refining strategies to suit your unique business needs and effectively connect with your audience. As you navigate these multifaceted lead generation methods, choose approaches that align best with your goals and resonate with your prospective clients.

Explore the myriad possibilities, stay abreast of industry trends, and continuously innovate to carve a niche and build a successful real estate enterprise.

Reference:

https://archicgi.com/architecture/architectural-marketing-brings-clients-with-cgi/

https://www.cuubstudio.com/blog/architectural-marketing-strategies-guide-to-promoting-your-3d-architectural-visualization-firm/

https://blog.hubspot.com/service/re-engage-your-customers 

https://cgaward.com.ua/eng/publikacii/stati/how-to-find-client-for-rendering.html 

https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/real-estate-in-a-digital-age 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertadams/2017/03/17/23-bulletproof-real-estate-marketing-ideas/?sh=18dd47c46b0c

This article was last updated on Mar 26, 2024

    marketing

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