Most real estate agents have a social media presence, and it is a good thing since buying or selling a home is an important financial and emotional decision for most people. They are usually full of questions, and social media provides an excellent platform to address their concerns in (almost) real-time with posts or private messages. Your clients want more than someone with a real estate license. They want an agent who will protect their interests and help them navigate the complexities of property ownership.
This is where social media comes in. If you know what you are doing, it is an excellent means to open a dialog, share advice, forge a relationship with current and ex-buyers, sellers and renters. Here is a hand list of social media do's and don'ts for real estate agents. For more details, check out Hubspot's original article.
Promote your town, not just the house
Use your social media channels to give potential clients a better understanding of the markets you serve, letting them know the advantages and disadvantages of each neighborhood.
Be yourself
Studies show that consumers want to make a personal connection with the professionals they are doing business with. So if you were planning to employ a ghost-writer to post all your stuff, don't.
Inform your buyers
Social media is a perfect platform to educate the people you are doing business with and help them avoid common, or even lesser known pitfalls of the industry they are not that well versed in.
Converse with your followers
Be ready for outreach from your clients on social media, whether it is in the form of a tweet or a personal message on Facebook, Tumblr, or the likes - especially in the earlier stages of the buying process.
Respond to comments, both good and bad
Respond promptly, be polite and engage readers who post comments on your posts and sites. Don't feel, however, compelled to respond to those who post abusive comments since social media does lure its share of online bullies.
Avoid simply shouting about your home listings
It's absolutely okay to let people know about the homes you're wanting to sell, but avoid making the house itself the primary topic of your conversation - focus on the questions your buyers and sellers ask you.
Don't forget to post videos
Today, almost half the people watch more than an hour's worth of Facebook or YouTube videos a week. It's self-explanatory, so to say: home buyers are visual buyers, so a well placed and shot video creates an emotional connection that profits both you and your clients.
Never assume you're only connecting with first-time buyers
Keep in mind: not all your clients are new to the buying process - the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says that 36% of home buyers are 37 years old or younger, however, more than 80 million Facebook users today are 45 or older.
Talking to yourself on social media doesn't do your page any good
Social media is more about listening than about talking. Your post, link, or tweet on your profile might look nice to you, but it means very little if it doesn't resonate with the people who are following your page.
Don't ignore your existing clients
Although you helped these people buy or sell the house they wanted, count them in to your community even later on. At the end of the day, your followers may prove themselves to be your strongest advocates and a testament to your professional attitude and skills.
