Everything you wanted to know about building a digital presence but were too afraid to ask
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Everything you wanted to know about building a digital presence but were too afraid to ask
REW is always here as a guide to offer you insight, no matter where you're at on your journey. Whether you're purchasing a resale or pre-sale property, refinancing, selling or renting, we're here to help guide you through the process.
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We know how daunting it can be to navigate the digital world, so REW's Marketing Team has selected 10 tips that will help you stay top of mind when it comes to your clients and earn more attention from potential leads.
It won’t shock you to learn that 90% of home seekers turn to the internet to kick off their house hunting. However, with thousands of listings and dozens of advertising solutions, finding the right way to stand out and market yourself as an agent can be easier said than done.
Whether you’re looking into a flexible, all-in-one solution for agents (like REW - yes, our bias is showing) or experimenting with a few piecemeal options, here are 10 great tips that anyone can use to quickly build an effective digital presence.
Like anything else, a good online marketing plan starts with putting your best foot forward. Or face forward, as the case may be. Start building your digital profile with a warm, inviting profile picture. Whether you’re after a picture you can use across many sites and social profiles or just need a one-off, here are a few things to keep in mind:
First, start with great lighting. You can take a good-to-great quality photo with most smartphones these days, but you still need to work in good conditions. Our best advice? Don’t stand under office lights or rely on the too-warm tones of your indoor lighting at home. Instead, wait for a bright or overcast day and use nature’s lighting kit: The sun. If you try to use a window as a backdrop, you’ll get nothing but shadows over your face, so make sure you stand facing the window some gorgeous natural light do all the heavy lifting for your photoshoot. Or you could always take a quick trip outside.
Also, ask yourself: Do I look relatable? Customers respond better when they feel they can connect with you. Make sure your style and appearance match your personal brand, whether that’s casual, corporate or in-between. Does your photo reflect how you’d meet that client in person?
We can’t speak to every site’s requirements, but when updating a Market Pro account on REW, use a 500 x 500 pixels (square) image for a profile picture, so your face covers 60-75% of it.
A profile banner can be the perfect place for you to put important details front and centre, including your contact information (number and email), social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), and website address. Or even just another light branding touch. Either way, keeping it simple is probably best.
Upload a banner image to round out your profile (1500x500 pixels) and make sure the image resonates with your work, your city and/or your accomplishments.
Whether you’re on LinkedIn, a real estate platform or building your own website, don’t overlook the value of a brief summary. This is your chance to highlight your experience and what’s unique about you in a short, catchy way. A few tips to keep in mind:
Grow your online agent presence fast. Learn more about the REW Brand Builder.
Whether at the end of your “about me” or across an entire profile, make sure clients know how to get in touch. Even something simple like "See my listings here" or "Call me at XXXX" or "For more info, email me at ...".
According to Forbes, 59% of senior executives agree that if both text and video are available on the same topic on the same page, they prefer to watch videos. Videos can really help bring your brand to life and make you seem even more approachable to potential clients. Don’t panic if not all of your profile/site visitors watch it - some people prefer text, some prefer videos, and it doesn’t hurt to have something to serve both needs. Even short, shot-on-smartphone videos can work.
If you don’t have a video yet, here are a few tips to help you make one:
Make sure to list all the languages you speak (other than English). It not only shows your expertise, but it attracts potential clients that feel more comfortable speaking in their native language.
Your Real Estate profile is one place where a little bragging is encouraged. Your experience builds trust and credibility. So don’t forget to share any awards or accolades you've collected so far.
Like your business accomplishments, showcasing what past clients have to say about working with you is a great way to add some extra social proof. Recommendations are one of the most common ways to build your lead list, so if you have them, make sure you make them publicly available. Plus, don’t forget to ask for new ones regularly.
Even though every social network treats handles and accounts differently, make sure you add your relevant social media and website links to your online profile. You can add your Facebook, Instagram/Twitter and LinkedIn personalized username as follows:
Are you a real estate thought leader? Or do you want to be one? To make it easier for people to find you, include links to any articles that you have written or participated in. If you don’t have any articles yet, try creating your own based on your experience and the things you’ve learned about your local market. Make sure the articles you share are relevant and updated to stay current. And of course, make sure that the link is working.
The REW Brand Builder is a quick, cost-effective way for agents to create an all-in-one digital profile that reaches millions of home seekers. Click the link or call us at 1.888.712.3607 to learn more.
