7 Keys to
Marketing Real Estate Online
By Rebekah Jones
Whether you are just starting out in Real Estate
or have been an agent for quite some time, there are a lot of marketing
decisions that you need to make. Do you focus on print media? Radio or television ads? Online marketing?
With the advent of the Internet, more and more people are doing their research
online before making a purchase -- whether that is a new car, a new house, or a
new pair of shoes. Real Estate agents need to tap into the online stream and
make their presence known in order to compete in this day and time. While there
are a myriad of ways to market yourself online, there are seven main categories
where you can focus your interests.
Blogging
A blog is short for "web log" and started out as an online diary of
sorts. Today, it's used more as a platform to share information with anyone who
visits your website. By writing a few paragraphs of information once or twice a
week and adding it to your blog, you are letting people know that you are
involved with Real Estate in your area and that you are continuously sharing.
Social Media
While many think that social media websites are just for teens, the truth is
that sites like Twitter and Facebook are being used for business on a daily
basis. People are using these sites to create relationships with other people:
prospective clients, future collaborators, etc. By interacting with other
people, you show that you are a real person and interested in them.
E-mail
Yes, you can use your e-mail to help market your Real Estate business! Many
people are more comfortable with e-mail contact as it's less intrusive than the
telephone but more personal than a "snail-mail" letter. People
interested in learning more about you will most likely share their e-mail
address with you, while getting their phone number may take some time. Just be
sure not to flood someone's inbox with a ton of e-mails.
Forums
An online forum is a website where people can go to ask questions and find
answers. Sometimes it's used for networking with other people as well. Forums
are good places to find answers for your own questions, and then you have the
opportunity to answer others questions.
Virtual Tours
As you are probably aware, there are many places
online where you can create a tour for your listing. This is a great way to
market your listings to those who go online. You can show so much more of a
home online than on a print flyer. And with special 360 degree photos,
prospective buyers can really see the home "virtually".
Advertising
Just because we are focusing on online marketing doesn't mean
that advertising is passe. There are many ways to advertise your business and
listings online. Whether you use a free classified ad source like
Craigslist.com or pay-per-click advertising like Google AdWords, there are many
places that people go online where you can advertise. Ads still work, just be
sure to place them where people are going.
Listing Website
Another good way to utilize the Internet for marketing is to create a special
website just for your listing. This website can just be a virtual tour, or it
can be a full website with links to area businesses, utility companies,
schools, etc. By creating a "one-stop-shop" for your listing online,
prospective buyers will realize instantly that you know your onions and are the
expert in your area!
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Next Step: Pick just one of these 7 categories and jump in! If
you are interested in Social Networking, I would like to invite you to claim
your Free Instant Access to my beginners e-course, "Your First Social
Network" when you visit http://www.YourFirstSocialNetwork.com From Rebekah Jones, Real Estate Virtual
Assistant and the http://www.MyRealtySuccess.com
network. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebekah_Jones |