INTRODUCTION
According to a National Association of Realtors’ report, Instagram is the leading source of high-quality leads.
For realtors, Instagram is also one of the best places to connect with existing and potential clients, as well as display your available properties. However, you can’t just create an account and expect success.
Here are best practices for using Instagram to market yourself and your properties:
BEST PRACTICES FOR USING INSTAGRAM TO MARKET YOURSELF
- Create a captivating profile by describing your real estate niche/area of expertise and what geographic market(s) you serve.
- Use Instagram Stories and/or Reels to help with trust-building as your audience gets a sense of who you are. Keep in mind Stories disappear after 24 hours so treat them as temporary, conversational content.
- Take photos and videos of yourself with your clients but always remember to ask their permission to publish.
- Create content that provides real estate advice and demonstrates thought leadership (e.g. Three Ways to Improve Your Walkup).
- Avoid being too sales-y.
- Use Instagram ads to grow your followers.
- Post on a regular basis (3-4 times a week).
- Respond to comments and questions promptly.
BEST PRACTICES FOR USING INSTAGRAM TO MARKET PROPERTIES
- Use a variety of ways to showcase a property, including slideshows, collages and videos.
- Use IGTV to give virtual tours of your properties or their surrounding neighborhood.
- Stay away from stock photos, especially in ads.
- Create graphics using tools such as Canva.
- Encourage user-generated content from your clients.
- Tag the location in your post and/or include location hashtags (e.g. #Nakoma #MadisonWI)
- Use Instagram ads to target potential buyers based on age, location, family size, etc.