linkedin Archives - REM https://realestatemagazine.ca/tag/linkedin/ Canada’s premier magazine for real estate professionals. Wed, 23 Oct 2024 15:14:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://realestatemagazine.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/cropped-REM-Fav-32x32.png linkedin Archives - REM https://realestatemagazine.ca/tag/linkedin/ 32 32 LinkedIn for realtors: 4 tips for building brand trust and authority https://realestatemagazine.ca/linkedin-for-realtors-4-tips-for-building-brand-trust-and-authority/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/linkedin-for-realtors-4-tips-for-building-brand-trust-and-authority/#respond Thu, 17 Oct 2024 04:03:38 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/?p=35093 LinkedIn’s potential is significant — by starting small, showing up and adding value, you’ll grow your network, strengthen your brand and elevate your career

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Amid a sea of real estate marketing strategies, one platform is often overlooked: LinkedIn. While most agents are busy trying to master Instagram Reels or Facebook algorithms, LinkedIn remains a hidden gem that deserves your attention.

Imagine positioning yourself in front of high-value professionals looking for their next home or investment property, all while building your brand as a trusted authority. LinkedIn provides massive opportunities for realtors looking to grow, and the best part? Most of your competitors haven’t caught on yet.

Today, we’re taking you through a step-by-step guide for turning LinkedIn into a marketing powerhouse for your real estate business. From optimizing your profile to crafting content that engages, and diving deep into LinkedIn groups and search features, we’ll cover everything you need to know to grow your career and establish yourself as an expert on this largely untapped platform.

 

1. Optimize your profile

 

The first step to using LinkedIn effectively is to optimize your profile to reflect your expertise and attract your ideal clients.

Keywords are key. Use relevant keywords in your headline and summary that best describe your niche or specialty, such as “Toronto Real Estate Expert” or “Relocation Specialist.” This helps to ensure your profile appears in search results.

Clear and compelling summary. Your summary should clearly communicate your value — what you do, who you serve and what makes you unique. Be sure to highlight how you can solve problems for your clients, such as making buying or selling stress-free.

Visual appeal. Use a professional headshot and customize your background image to reflect your brand. A compelling visual presence makes you look approachable and competent.

 

2. Craft content that resonates

 

The backbone of a successful LinkedIn strategy? Delivering content that adds value to your network and community. Here’s how to ensure your posts are both compelling and effective:

Know your audience. Consider who your target audience is. Do you want to reach potential buyers, local businesses or other realtors? Customize your content to their needs and pain points.

Stay consistent and authentic. Post regularly so that your audience stays engaged and eager to read future content. Tell stories from recent real estate transactions, challenges you’ve overcome in your career or community events you’re supporting. Remember: authenticity is key. People connect with stories that feel genuine rather than overly polished.

Experiment with content formats. Mix it up! Written posts work well, but try using LinkedIn’s video feature to introduce yourself. Carousels are perfect for listing updates, before-and-after transformations or even step-by-step guides for navigating the home-buying process. 

If you’ve got some great content used elsewhere, check out how to repurpose your content across a variety of platforms, like LinkedIn, to save time. 

 

3. Engage with LinkedIn groups

 

LinkedIn Groups are an ideal way to engage in conversation, showcase your expertise and position yourself as a go-to real estate professional in your community or niche market. Here’s how to leverage them effectively:

Find relevant groups. Join groups related to your local community, real estate niche or even general homeowner interests. These groups can connect you with potential clients as well as like-minded professionals.

Add value consistently. Once you’re in these groups, don’t just promote your real estate services — engage with fellow members. Respond to questions people post, share your insights and offer advice without expectation.

Create group-specific content. Some groups allow you to post content directly. This is a chance to share blog posts and infographics or even host a Q&A to provide value. Just ensure your content aligns with the group’s guidelines to avoid appearing spammy.

 

4. Leverage LinkedIn’s advanced search feature

 

One of LinkedIn’s most powerful tools is its advanced search feature, which helps you find new leads, referral partners and high-value connections in your market.

Search for relocation opportunities. Use advanced filters to find people who have recently started new jobs or moved to your area. This indicates they may need real estate services. Start the conversation by sending a personalized, friendly message to congratulate them.

Connect with local business owners. Use search filters to find and connect with local business owners who can become key referral partners. Position yourself as the go-to agent for any real estate needs.

 

LinkedIn may not be the first platform realtors think of for marketing, but its potential for building relationships and establishing authority is significant.

The secret to LinkedIn success? Start small — optimize your profile, post weekly and join a couple of groups. As you continue to show up and add value, your network will grow, your brand will strengthen and you’ll open the door to new opportunities that elevate your real estate career.

 

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How to make LinkedIn work for you https://realestatemagazine.ca/how-to-make-linkedin-work-for-you/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/how-to-make-linkedin-work-for-you/#respond Tue, 22 Mar 2022 04:00:41 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/how-to-make-linkedin-work-for-you/ Your LinkedIn profile is one of the first things people see when they look you up online. It’s your opportunity to make a great first impression and control the conversation, as long as you’re using it correctly.

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If you don’t have an account on LinkedIn or you’re wondering what the value is in being there, consider this: Your LinkedIn profile is one of the first things people see when they look you up online. It’s your opportunity to make a great first impression and control the conversation, as long as you’re using it correctly.

So how do you make LinkedIn work for you?

First, use a professional headshot that is up-to-date. If it’s been more than two to three years since you had it taken, it’s time for a new one. When people see you in the real world, you want them to recognize you. LinkedIn is not the place for a vacation selfie, a cute photo of you as a baby or that glamour shot you had taken in the ’90s. I’m sure you rocked those shoulder pads but save that for a Throwback Thursday. Bonus tip – you should be using that same headshot across all platforms.

Your profile photo should measure 400px by 400px.

A LinkedIn profile looks empty without a banner. Make sure yours complies with the advertising rules of your local real estate board. Don’t put anything important in the bottom left-hand corner – your headshot will obscure it. If you aren’t sure what kind of banner you want, check out some of your competition for inspiration.

If your office doesn’t have someone to assist with graphics, one easy way is to use Canva. The banner should measure 1584 x 396.

It’s critical that your contact information is accurate. If you’ve recently changed brokerages or if real estate is a second career for you, make sure that change is reflected on LinkedIn. If a potential client looks you up only to find that according to your LinkedIn profile, you’re in college or managing a shoe store, this does not do wonders for your credibility.

Start posting something of interest two to three times per week. A great new listing is one thing, but people will tune you out if all your posts are sales related. Talk about what you’re seeing in the market, changes in the industry and third-party articles you think are worth reading, such as renovations that affect the value of your home.

If you’re not sure about what to post, check out some of your competition (yes, it’s a running theme) and see what they’re posting. Look at the level of interaction their posts are getting, which is a good gauge for how interesting their content is.

Connect with past clients. They are on LinkedIn and it’s your opportunity to remind them of your expertise.

Next, it’s time to put the social in social media. Interact with people. Like and comment on articles you find interesting. People you’re connected to will not only be seeing what you’re posting, but also what and who you’re interacting with.

Remember, activity on LinkedIn will pay off over time. It doesn’t have to require a large investment of time, but set it up correctly, take part in the conversation and you should find it leads to results.

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The best social media platforms for real estate https://realestatemagazine.ca/the-best-social-media-platforms-for-real-estate/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/the-best-social-media-platforms-for-real-estate/#respond Tue, 08 Feb 2022 05:00:36 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/the-best-social-media-platforms-for-real-estate/ Choosing the “right” social media platforms doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are the most effective platforms for real estate firms and Realtors alike.

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No matter your experience level, social media can be a game-changer for the real estate industry. Choosing the “right” social media platforms doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are the most effective platforms for real estate firms and Realtors alike.

For a real estate brokerage or developer, the aim of your social media strategy is likely to grow your team of Realtors, highlight properties, build brand awareness and share company news.

When it comes to selecting platforms, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook are excellent choices for firms that have the above goals in mind. Each platform offers unique content tools best suited to organizations, without the steep learning curve.

Before you begin your social media efforts, get clear on who will be managing social media marketing within your organization. The two common choices are hiring in-house or securing a marketing partner to execute social media for the business.

LinkedIn:

LinkedIn is the perfect place to share details about commercial projects, keep your business contacts up-to-date on company news and show that you have a pulse on the real estate market. You can also leverage LinkedIn to engage in social listening, recruit top Realtors and establish “thought leader” status for your brokerage’s executive team.

To ensure your LinkedIn company page content gets maximum reach, encourage your team to share relevant company posts via their own LinkedIn profiles and tag the company page as often as they can when sharing properties and more.

Twitter:

According to Statista, Twitter ranks as one of the leading social networks worldwide, with 328 million monthly active users. It is an excellent lead generation platform and can drive traffic to your website.

Twitter is also great for connecting with real estate media contacts, sharing company news and discovering other Realtors and real estate influencers. Its algorithms help you target leads and accounts with better content and engage with them using advanced search and hashtags.

Facebook:

Along with its enormous audience reach, Facebook offers tools that are ideal for real estate organizations to share value-driven content with ease.

Facebook Creator Studio makes it easy for your marketing team to create and schedule content in a few clicks without the need for additional scheduling software. Facebook is also the perfect platform for showcasing your firm’s properties in both photo and video format, while its advertising tools let you promote key listings, industry events, property tours and more.

Where a real estate organization may use social media to grow its team of agents and boost brand reach, individual Realtors might use it to attract clients, highlight listings and feature clients who have recently purchased their dream home. If you are a Realtor, you have an opportunity to leverage more visual and creative platforms to achieve these goals and more.

Video marketing on Instagram and TikTok:

Video content is dominating the social media landscape and will continue to do so. This is great news for Realtors, as there are multiple social media platforms designed with video content top of mind.

Instagram is perhaps the most high-impact social media platform for individual Realtors. Its visual nature and numerous video capabilities make it easy to share a wealth of content in digestible formats and without the need for fancy equipment.

Instagram Reels and Stories let you share short and snappy listing tours, video messages with news on upcoming open houses or events, behind-the scenes-moments and more. All you need is your phone!

If you are comfortable being on camera or doing voice-over, presenting house tours via video lets others connect with you and generates buzz around your listings.

Start with a strategy

In the social media world, posting quality content consistently is key to lasting success. No matter which platform(s) you choose, you don’t have to post every day. Choose a realistic and manageable posting schedule that works for you and only share truly valuable content, like listing info, house tours, client features and industry news. A few high-quality posts each week is a great place to start.

Have a solid social media strategy in place before you begin picking platforms or posting on your feed. This mitigates being overwhelmed, ensures your time and resources are being maximized efficiently and guarantees your content will be strong and value-driven.

With the right strategy, social media can improve organic reach, boost brand awareness, help Realtors build thought leadership and attract clients.

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Freshen up your online marketing plans https://realestatemagazine.ca/freshen-up-your-online-marketing-plans/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/freshen-up-your-online-marketing-plans/#respond Thu, 16 Sep 2021 04:00:27 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/freshen-up-your-online-marketing-plans/ This is a broad overview to provide you with some things to consider as you review your online marketing.

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It’s never too late to start planning your fall and winter marketing. All of us (even marketers!) can benefit from taking a step back to learn about what’s new and freshen things up. This is a broad overview to provide you with some things to consider as you review your online marketing.

Google is going to be one of the first stops for people to learn more about you. Make sure you’re easy to find and that your information is up-to-date. If you don’t already have one, register for a Google My Business page. If you do have one, log in and take a quick look: is your brokerage information still correct? List your services and be as specific as you can be, including identifying the different groups of people you work with.

When people Google you, this listing should be the first thing that comes up on both a mobile device and a laptop. It’s a great way to establish credibility and showcase your five-star reviews.

Email really is the best channel we have to reach everyone we know. It’s a critical tool for nurturing relationships with existing clients to help generate repeat business and referrals.

If you’re just getting started, get your contact list together. You can start with people you already know such as friends, family and office colleagues. Anybody you’ve done business with in the past two years can be added to a list, although it’s best practice to ask if you can add them.

You also need a plan to collect email addresses moving forward. Right now, it’s all going to be virtual so make sure your website has a pop-up, you’ve included a link in your email signature and it’s one of the links on your LinkedIn. (Pro tip – don’t just ask if you can add them to your email list, tell them you send out a great monthly newsletter with local information and ask if they would like to receive it.)

Your plan should include software. If you’re serious about email marketing, you can’t use a personal email program. Constant Contact and MailChimp are both viable options. Your CRM may offer email marketing, but it’s not my first choice because they don’t usually have the functionality of software that’s designed for email marketing, such as reporting analytics like opens and clicks. And they don’t look as good.

The next step is choosing some content. A balance of market news, local events and other lighter topics is recommended. If you’re unsure about what you’d like to include, sign up for some of your competitor’s emails!

Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn offer a lot of value, but you need to have a plan. Ideally, it should help you boost awareness of your brand and start conversations with new and existing contacts. Two key indicators of success are that the number of followers you have is increasing and that people are engaging (liking, commenting or sharing).

Your first step is to take a look at your profiles. Are they complete? If not, update them! Both Facebook and LinkedIn will show you what needs attention.

Next: Come up with a plan of what to post and when. You can get away with posting fewer items if they’re high quality. Be realistic about what you can and want to do. Posting on more than one site may be too much. You’re better off sticking with one you know and building from there.

Spend some time online to figure out which sites are posting content that you think your audience is interested in. While you’re at it, creep your competition and see what they’re posting. The likes, comments and shares are all public so you can see what they’re doing that works.

Save time: There are free or low-cost tools available to help you. A scheduler like Hootsuite will allow you to post content in advance and a news aggregator like Feedly will show you what’s new on all your favourite sites.

To take a deeper dive into any of these topics, please get in touch. I also offer free webinars on email marketing and social media. If you would like to know more, let’s talk!

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A new way to cold call https://realestatemagazine.ca/a-new-way-to-cold-call/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/a-new-way-to-cold-call/#respond Mon, 19 Apr 2021 04:00:45 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/a-new-way-to-cold-call/ The world has changed, and the way business is done has followed. What does this mean for regular cold calling?

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Is door knocking a thing of the past for Realtors now that business is done primarily online? The world has changed, and the way business is done has followed. What does this mean for regular cold calling?

Combining networking and social media strategies, Zoom and cold calls work together like a powerhouse. Cold calls have become softer, more welcoming and less abrasive. Follow these three tips if you are a Realtor wanting to build your business:

1. Attend networking events where you are the only one in your category.

Structure your schedule to attend networking events one or two times per week. Build relationships without trying to ask for immediate business. Offer knowledge about a particular market you cover and focus on learning about the people you are meeting. Allow the business to come to you. The focus here is to build new connections and then follow up with online meetings. Note worthy information in your database.

2. Post regular market updates on LinkedIn.

Be visible on LinkedIn and other social media platforms. Offer market updates on video. Show pictures of special properties. Stay in touch with your connections in a softer way. When the timing is right, pick up the phone and touch base. You can even schedule Zoom calls to connect in a more professional and personal way.

3. Master your presentation skills.

Prepare a PowerPoint presentation to show what is going on in a particular neighbourhood. Offer tips to buyers or sellers. Practice delivering this presentation as you would in front of a live audience. Deliver it as a webinar or a complimentary update. Follow up with your attendees and schedule regular calls in your database.

Now more than ever, residential Realtors must do business differently. Cold calling used in conjunction with social media marketing and networking will yield the best results. Push yourself beyond what you have always known.

The good news is that cold calls will be much warmer as a result, and possibly more effective than traditional methods.

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Is cold calling dead? https://realestatemagazine.ca/is-cold-calling-dead/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/is-cold-calling-dead/#respond Wed, 30 Dec 2020 05:00:25 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/is-cold-calling-dead/ With social media on the rise and Zoom or Team calls becoming the new norm, is the art of cold calling something of the past?

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With social media on the rise and Zoom or Team calls becoming the new norm, is the art of cold calling something of the past?

Nothing beats picking up the phone and having a real live voice to connect with. A person with whom who you can share a simple conversation and a quick chuckle.

Cold calling is often avoided so agents don’t have to feel rejected dial after dial. With Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and other social media platforms, it is really easy to avoid making those dreaded phone calls to strangers every day. People are becoming more and more hooked on their phones, tablets and other pieces of technology. Response rates are expected to be instant, both for personal and professional reasons. Waiting for a “Yes I am interested” or “No I am not” is a thing of the past. Or is it?

What if you could connect to some of those people and have meaningful first conversations about what you do? Isn’t the purpose of picking up the phone to turn those cold calls into warmer discussions? And what if every call did not lead to those feelings of rejection, but a sense of victory?

Cold calling comes down to three things:

  • The right mindset: Knowing and believing that what you do will benefit others.
  • Confidence: Knowing and believing in yourself, and that you have something worthwhile to say.
  • Persistence: Knowing and believing that it takes more than one or two tries to get in the door.

Cold calling is not for the weak of heart. You will hear every excuse in the book. You will get hung up on. People will lead you on with no intention of doing business with you. You will also get left waiting on the line until you realize that no one is going to come back to speak to you.

But if you know this and expect this is part of the overall process, how will you react to those people who admire your perseverance, passion and excitement for your business? How will you be seen by those people who actually agree to meet with you because you kept going when everyone else quit?

Have the guts to stick with your message and remind yourself of why you do what you do every day. Allow social media platforms to be an add-on to what you do and watch the results come.

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Building a database during COVID-19 https://realestatemagazine.ca/building-a-database-during-covid-19/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/building-a-database-during-covid-19/#respond Mon, 26 Oct 2020 05:50:05 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/building-a-database-during-covid-19/ To help you double down, here are eight ways to build your database during COVID-19 and throughout the winter months.

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With fewer in-person networking events and social gatherings, putting extra effort into your database building has never been more important. Your database is the nucleus of your small business; the more it grows, the more successful you will be.

To help you double down, here are eight ways to build your database during COVID-19 and throughout the winter months.

1. Host a creative seminar.

Grow your database by creatively solving people’s problems. This works in every industry, but especially in real estate. What are people struggling with right now? One example could be whether or not they should sell during the pandemic. You could host a virtual seminar to deliver all the answers and real estate solutions people need in one place. Every signup can then be funnelled into your database.

2. Plan client appreciation events.

People spend less time outdoors in the winter, so now is the time to get really familiar with hosting virtual events. And, since your event costs are lower for virtual events, you can invite more people. Consider something creative like asking a local chef to teach a cooking class. Each person who signs up is allowed three guests, all of whom should be entered into your database.

3. Feature a small business of the week.

When you work in conjunction with other small businesses, you get exposed to their networks. Consider doing a feature on your social media each week for a small business. Let them take over your Instagram and you take over theirs. Plan a virtual event together. Collaboration is key to database building.

4. Use Facebook for farming events.

Nearly every neighbourhood has a Facebook community group. These groups are amazing places for you to solve problems, make connections and grow your database. Plan a community skate night or a Tim Hortons night. Introduce members to local businesses that solve a problem they’re having. If you’re a door-knocker, these groups are for you.

5. Make the most of LinkedIn.

Most people on LinkedIn are serious about business. Access your connections’ networks by holding LinkedIn business networking nights or business book masterminds. These are great ways to virtually meet new people and expand your network. Just make sure you transfer new LinkedIn connections into your database.

6. Volunteer with local charities.

Like businesses, charities have been hit especially hard during the pandemic. Why not volunteer your time while building your database? Organize a food drive and personally thank each person that contributes (and add them to your list). Or, volunteer your time and add your fellow volunteers to your list. You could even fundraise for the charity with one of your events.

7. Create a small networking group.

Zoom is an amazing platform for so many reasons, and some of its unique features are perfect for database building. Consider hosting a business networking speed-dating event using Zoom’s rooms. Host the event weekly so you have different people showing up each time. Ensure each person signs up with their contact info so you don’t miss an opportunity to connect.

8. Clean up your existing database.

This is the most important tip on this list for growing your database. Like most people, you likely have some amazing opportunities already in your cell phone, Facebook feed and credit card statement waiting to be tapped into. Make sure every person you call or message (including your hairstylist, your dentist and your vet) are in your database. Bonus points for centralizing your database in one place, on one platform.

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5 best social media sites for real estate agents https://realestatemagazine.ca/5-best-social-media-sites-for-real-estate-agents/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/5-best-social-media-sites-for-real-estate-agents/#comments Wed, 21 Oct 2020 05:00:51 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/5-best-social-media-sites-for-real-estate-agents/ Real estate agents who are serious about keeping up with effective marketing techniques in the industry should be active on these sites.

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These days, most homes for sale are advertised online. Social media can be a vital factor in marketing and advertising homes for sale to reach more potential buyers. The best social media sites for real estate agents are those where potential buyers are most likely to spend their time.

Real estate agents who are serious about keeping up with effective marketing techniques in the industry should be active on these sites.

1. Zillow:

Zillow is a social network for home buyers, home sellers, real estate investors and real estate professionals. Real estate agents can create free property listings that remain active for 60 days or until removed from the site. Zillow allows agents to display unlimited photos and a customized property description, which can be used to generate traffic for viewings or open houses.

Zillow allows agents to post their own contact information, which is a time-saver because you don’t need to check messages on the platform. Since Zillow is used by home buyers and sellers seeking information on local listings, it’s a great way to advertise your services and meet new clients.

2. Houzz:

Houzz is a social media site primarily for those interested in home remodeling and renovation, but real estate agents may be interested in using the platform to connect with potential home buyers. Houzz users tend to browse the site for inspiration when remodeling, sometimes with intent to sell, or when planning for their “dream home,” which they hope to buy someday.

By maintaining an active presence on the site, and posting high-quality photos of your listings, it is possible to connect with people who may need a Realtor in the future. Real estate agents who are active in Houzz’s discussion forum can become known as local experts, a move that distinguishes them as authorities in their community and generates leads.

3. Instagram:

Instagram users post images or short videos. The visual nature of the social media site means that agents can show off real estate listings by sharing videos or photos. Real estate agents who are active on Instagram can get leads and sales by posting high-quality content.

4. Twitter:

Twitter is an excellent place for all real estate agents to drive new business leads and keep apprised of industry trends. Twitter chats offer opportunities to network with peers, get answers to questions and continually be learning-all important professional development activities for real estate agents. Twitter can also drive traffic to listings and open houses, increasing the odds of selling a home quickly.

5. LinkedIn:

Having a professional presence on LinkedIn is par for the course, but do not dismiss the benefits of being active on this social network. Frequently referred to as the business social media site, LinkedIn is an important way to stay connected to important business leaders in the community, who may refer you leads.

LinkedIn is also the best place to showcase your expertise and attract the type of client you serve, whether it’s real estate investors, mom and pop landlords or property developers. Since the real estate industry is built on connections, being active on LinkedIn and joining groups will pay you back by widening your network.

Developing a social media presence on five platforms at once can be overwhelming and time-consuming. To reduce the strain, get started on one platform first, then add a second once you’re comfortable with the first. Listings shared on social media will attract a wider audience, which can increase bids and sell properties quickly. An active social media presence also helps real estate agents build a brand so they can attract home buyers and home sellers.

With any social network, consistency of posting is key to success. Post regularly to get eyeballs on your content and cash in on the benefits of social media for real estate agents. Once you master the learning curve of these platforms, you will grow an active audience that can boost your income and your reputation for selling homes quickly.

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Facebook? Twitter? Instagram? Which social media channels should you be on? https://realestatemagazine.ca/facebook-twitter-instagram-which-social-media-channels-should-you-be-on/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/facebook-twitter-instagram-which-social-media-channels-should-you-be-on/#respond Wed, 07 Oct 2020 05:00:50 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/facebook-twitter-instagram-which-social-media-channels-should-you-be-on/ With limited hours in a day and dozens of social media channels, which ones should you be on? Broker Tatiana Londono says, "Facebook and Instagram are the No. 1 go-to channels. But TikTok is rapidly taking over..."

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With limited hours in a day and dozens of social media channels, which ones should you be on? Tatiana Londono, head broker with the Londono Realty Group in Westmount, Que., says, “Facebook and Instagram are the No. 1 go-to channels. But TikTok is rapidly taking over with the younger audience. Think of grandma and grandpa as Facebook who gave birth to mom and dad Instagram. Then they gave birth to TikTok. You will get left behind if you don’t use TikTok. Ideally you need to be on top of your game for all three.”

That said, don’t discount Snapchat, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn and the rest.

Stephen and Alicia Olyniuk of Re/Max Performance Realty in Winnipeg are huge proponents of Facebook.

Alicia and Stephen Olyniuk

Alicia and Stephen Olyniuk

“Facebook has definitely helped with lead generation; we account it for 40 per cent of our business. We spend a couple hours a day liking, commenting and engaging with our Facebook friends,” says the couple in an email. “We are truly genuine with our posts, showing our lives inside and out of real estate. I think if all you post is about real estate, people quickly stop following you. Every Wednesday we try to explore a new place in our beautiful province and do a post about it. When we run into someone during the week we commonly get asked what we are doing this week.”

If you are looking to give TikTok a try, use it for yourself first to get comfortable with the platform. Then search hashtags relevant to your real estate career (even #RealEstate will lead you to a wealth of ideas.) The app is intuitive so the more you search and post real estate-related material, the fewer videos you will get of dancing cats and techno rappers.

Post videos from 15 to 60 seconds accompanied by popular music that showcase the fun side of your personality. Post at least once a day but preferably more. Use language geared for the millennial demographic as that age group makes up the majority of TikTok users. But people 30+ are watching and posting videos, too, so don’t discount the value of TikTok.

Londono has mastered Instagram and explains how she did it. “I started with an ad campaign and moved on to beautiful pictures of homes and eventually became an influencer. I hired a social media agency to keep me on point. But things really took off when COVID hit. We were all quarantined with nothing to do and convinced we were going to die. So I decided to change things up and make people laugh. I posted funny memes, around 40 a day. Engagement went through the roof. Now that I’m back to work, I post around 20 memes a day, sprinkle in a few sales posts and continue posting my influencer stuff.”

Londono has amassed 70,000 followers and offers advice on how to effectively use Instagram. “It isn’t about vanity. It’s about your return on investment. Invest in Instagram and it pays you back tenfold. When you do it right, your ROI is over six figures. I’ve done over $200,000 in leads alone this year. But you must post daily. If you don’t, no one is seeing your posts so don’t bother.”

Consistency is the key to being effective on social media. It is necessary in order to grow your list of followers and create engagement. Each social media avenue has an ideal number of daily posts. Instagram hovers over 10. Facebook is around eight. Five is the magic number for Twitter. LinkedIn likes daily posts. You get the picture. These numbers are fluid so keep on top of your social media game. Posting consistently is better than posting frequently. If your always-changing schedule doesn’t allow for consistent posting, consider automating your posts.

When pondering what to post on social media, Londono says, “People are sick of pictures of homes listed…You need to be unique. Be yourself. Days of posting just listings are over. No one cares. People prefer to see the baller lifestyle that agents live. People want to see you in the fancy car and the fancy house. Even if you are just getting started, people don’t need to know that. Show a life most people just dream about. You can sprinkle in your successes but mainly show the amazing Realtor life as people want to see the fantasy. If you aren’t good in front of the camera, post high-quality pictures of beautiful homes. You must entertain people and bring them in.”

Posting about events you are attending encourages potential clients to see you face to face. Other things to post include news about how the real estate market is faring, home improvement tips, client testimonials or reviews, live videos, business accomplishments, blog entries, surveys, contests and your successes. Highlight awesome local businesses and news about your city. Beyond that, like and comment on other posts and share content. Engage and interact with others. Chat with your followers. Let your personality shine through in everything you do.

The Olyniuks have additional tips: “Be consistent and genuine. You may not get a lot of likes and shares but people are silently watching. Video is very important – if they like you in video, then they will like you in person. It’s always so much easier to work with someone that likes you… and do you really want to work with someone that doesn’t?”

It takes time to build a solid platform on social media but think of it as a long-term game. Londono leaves us with a parting thought: “Agents have to understand that tackling social media marketing is as important as hiring your first administrative assistant. If you do it right, it could be your only lead generator and you could be making a killing.”

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The top 5 mistakes real estate salespeople make on LinkedIn https://realestatemagazine.ca/the-top-5-mistakes-real-estate-salespeople-make-on-linkedin/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/the-top-5-mistakes-real-estate-salespeople-make-on-linkedin/#respond Thu, 16 May 2019 06:20:53 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/the-top-5-mistakes-real-estate-salespeople-make-on-linkedin/ Want to experience growth in your business? There are five mistakes real estate professionals are making when trying to leverage LinkedIn.

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Many real estate professionals know they should have a strong presence online, but they are frustrated and overwhelmed on how to do it. Many have no clue how to navigate the social media channels with a strategy. They feel it is a waste of time that does not produce a return, which is why most are doing it all wrong.

Want to experience growth in your business? There are five mistakes real estate professionals are making when trying to leverage LinkedIn.

1. They don’t know how to create a compelling profile summary. There is a formula for doing this properly and it involves four parts:
  • Tell them about you
  • Tell them who you help and what your market dominating position is
  • Share what it is like to work with you
  • Add your contact information inside the summary
2. They don’t know how to customize their public URL profile.

Did you know that LinkedIn has a function that allows you to edit this in your account? Take advantage of this feature.

3. Most people do not bother to take the time to explain in detail their experience and expertise.

You need to prime people’s thinking to think of you when they have a need. You can do that by being strategic and choosing three adjectives that you want to be known for.

4. Realtors help so many families find new homes every year. When they sell a home, it is a great time for the agent to capitalize on that good feeling and ask for endorsements. These recommendations on a business platform like LinkedIn can go a long way.
5. When professionals are on LinkedIn they are not sure what they need to do. What is most important is to connect, add value and act on the notifications.

We all want growth and to be perceived as the experts in our fields and by following some very specific strategies, that status can be achieved.  The success of a business is never a one-person show. Along the way, everyone needs some kind of help. While we may be talented and skillful at what we do, we can’t expect to know everything there is to know about business, including social media.

Credibility is everything when someone is looking for a professional they want to do business with. They want to know the person they will be dealing with is knowledgeable, dependable and has a winning attitude.  A thought to remember is that people want to be around people that make them feel good. A business relationship is no different. Your clients need to feel good about their decision to do business with you and creating a strong presence on LinkedIn can be part of that.

LinkedIn used effectively will grow your business. Avoid the five mistakes that your colleagues are making and stand out from the crowd.  Email jennifer@jimberecoachingandconsulting.com to gain access to a tip sheet with more about these mistakes.

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