Social media is a fantastic tool for REALTORS® to connect with their community, but with all of the different networks and post types on offer, it can be overwhelming. Ready to Real Estate podcast host Jason Mercer talked with Chelsea Peitz, social media consultant and bestselling author of What to Post: How to Create Engaging Social Media Content That Builds Your Brand and Gets Results (For Real Estate!) on how to demystify social media for real estate professionals. Here are five key tips from the episode :
- It’s never too late to start
You may not be using social media as part of a communication strategy in your real estate work, and Chelsea acknowledges that you might feel like you’ve missed the boat. But it’s not the case: she cites that she herself has been in the industry for 22 years, starting B.F. – “before Facebook” – and that it’s never too late to get involved.
- Social media is an extension of what you already do
As a REALTOR®, you’re constantly working and staying connected with your community. It’s always been a facet of the business to stay in contact with your sphere of existing and potential clients. Social media gives you an easy way to do this – you can reach out to people without other contact information.
- But, don’t “polite spam” people
Chelsea uses a hypothetical that helps explain the concept of “polite spam”: if you walked up to someone at a business conference, handed them your business card without saying anything and walked away, it’d be pretty weird, right? Use social media just as you would be social in real life. Start and join conversations, and show interest in those around you. Don’t direct message someone out of the blue; let them come to you when they’re ready to ask for help.
- Remember the algorithmic golden rule
While every social media has its own algorithm – its “secret sauce,” says Chelsea – the key is to follow rules that every algorithm rewards. The top rule? Commenting over contenting: or, engage socially with other users more than you post about yourself. This is also sometimes referred to as the “80/20 rule”: post about other things or comment 80 per cent of the time, and post about yourself 20 per cent of the time. Not only are algorithms programmed to look for and reward genuine engagement; the people you engage with are more likely to remember you, too.
- Focus in to build out your content
Getting very specific with your content niche actually makes it easier to drum up new ideas and connect with your audience by showing off your particular expertise. Chelsea uses the example of being a real estate agent focusing exclusively on lakefront properties; you can start to associate yourself and your brand with something instantly recognizable. A wonderful side benefit from going deep into a niche is that people will start asking you questions outside of it naturally, because they’re more interested in you overall.
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube; there are these and more social media channels to come, but by following the five tips above on any network, you can build out an effective and meaningful extension of your communication strategy and connect with your community in the social space. Catch the full episode to hear more of Chelsea’s tips, and happy posting!
The post Making Sense of Social Media – Five Key Tips for REALTORS® appeared first on TRREB Wire .
