When you talk Social Media to most Real estate agents, the conversation always seems to center around the sites- posting, tweeting, videoing, and the likes? The agents will talk about the listing they shared on Facebook, or the blog they wrote on their local market, or a video testimonial they uploaded. But when I ask the question of the tools and programs they use to help them with the “creative” side of social media, most agents just give me a blank, caught in the head lights kind of stare. “Tools?” they ask… “What are you speaking about?” the nor,al response I seem to get is, “I just use what always have that is on my computer”- I do it just like everyone else.” and therein lies the problem- without the right tools to help you LOOK different than every agent, you ARE NOT different. Especially online to your potential contacts and customers. so what should you do differently? Make these five tools an essential, integral part of your social media plan, and you will guarantee yourself results that you could never imagine.
Tool #1- A good personal website. There are many great sites and services out there to help you either create your own or that will build one for you. If you aren’t comfortable creating your own, I suggest you spend the money to pay someone to do it for you. Anyone and everyone can have a great website. It’s easy to do. Having a great website is essential these days not for traffic, but as a landing page for your customers- it’s a place where customers can “check you out”. It’s aplace to dictate what information you want to share and thhe image you want to project. A personal website is the place that offers you validity and credibility. It allows you to center all of your social media efforts, to reflect your brand, to place your testimonials and products, and to be jumping place to your social media links. It needs to work with your customer database to capture information from everyone who visits it. And it needs to have the elements will keep peoples interest and make them want to look around. It is not a place for hard selling or for your resume- that is not what social media is about. It needs to complement your marketing efforts and social media plan, not obstruct it or be so “in your face” that it turns people off. Your site should give value to those who visit it and make them want to contact you for more. LAstly, your website needs to be something that is updated weekly at a minimum. Your content needs to be fresh, compelling, and valuable.
Tool #2- A feature rich Customer Database service- probably the most important tool you will use. Why? Building your customer list is the most essential reason to work with social media. If you are going to go through all the effort of marketing and advertising your business and services, your skills, your listings, and yourself, then you want the reward. You want contacts. It’s why you network, do open houses, create virtual tours, farm neighborhoods, and reach out to other Realtors. By reaching more prospects and making more connections, your message goes viral, and your contacts will grow. You need to do something with them. You need to put them in a central location where you can use them, not just create a list. A business has value because of their customer base. When you have a base, you can reach out to that base and advertise. And if your advertising is compelling and your products have value to your customers, they will buy from you. You need to be able to use your database to do just that. You need to be able to categorize your contacts so you can do something with the groups. If you have a new listing, you want to be able to share that with those in your database who are looking for a house. If you have a new virtual tour or video tool you can use, you might want to share that with those in your database who are thinking of selling. You need to be able to perform drip email campaigns, send out newsletters, share ideas and stories, create and send surveys and polls, or just reach out at a moments notice with some exciting news. A customer database that allows you to interact with your social media sites, your email, and your videos is very powerful and will be something that you will work in every day. Spend some time searching for the right one that fits your needs. And once you find one you like, explore it, learn it, become proficient in it- once you start getting a lot of contacts though your social media growth, you will be glad you did!
Tool #3- A simple to use, yet powerful photo editing program. I am not referring to the phot software that comes free with you digital camera. No, I mean technical photo editing, programs like Photoshop, Jing, or Pixlr. They all allow you to doctor your photos, create layered photos, make backgrounds, and logos. Every time you need a new background, or new photo for the landing page of your website, or when you need graphics for a video you are creating, you could pay someone for these services- but that will get pricey very quickly. Instead, take the time to purchase a feature filled photo editing software package, and then LEARN to use it. Take a class. Watch videos online. This is a great skill to learn, and will save yourself a ton of money by doing it yourself. Plus, it will really help you create a very unique brand, because you can think and create beyond the basic copy and paste techniques most agents use. When your photos and graphics look like a professional took them, you will really stand head and shoulders above other agents- and your social sites will be showcase items rather than look like everyone else.
Tool #4- An easy to use video production system. Just as a good photo editing program will allow your photos to look professional, a feature filled video production system will make you REALLY shine. You aren’t creating Hollywood level films, but you need to be able to do some basic tasks like editing, adding intro shots, adding credits, and mixing in music and voice overs. These are easy skills to learn with the right program; they just take a bit of time and money. But it is money well spent, because a video that appears professionally create will get you noticed and give you credibility, especially with home sellers. And once you learn this skill, you will open yourself up to a social world that few Realtors have ventured into- the world of a YouTube channel.
Tool #5- A screen capture software program- Another must have program. A screen capture program allows you to take a “snapshot” of what is on your screen. You can then share that photo as an attachment in your email, as a photo on your website, or any other way you may use photos. A good program also allows you to mark-up the photo, such as drawing a circle around a certain word, adding arrows to bring attention, and then adding a note to bring attention. You also want to find a program that allows you to record the actions on your computer. You open the program, hit record, and the program will create a video of exactly what is on your computer screen- all of the actions you take, the curser movements, the pages your visit. Every action. The uses for this are only as limited as your imaganiation. I like to use it to describe contracts to customers, pointing out exactly where to sign, explaining the content, and showing the order the contracts should be in. Another useful purpose in real estate is to show capture your virtual tours, save them as a video file, and then upload them to your smart phone or tablet. When you are at a listing appointment, you can show the seller “exactly” what it looks like on a computer- most will find this pretty impressive!
There are so many great sites and tools you can use to help you become a master of social media- by getting an education on these tools, you will be able to create and edit products and services that will help you stand head and shoulder above your competition. You will be able to upload videos and videos online that will impress your customers and make you appear to be an expert in what you do. An with a good customer database program, you will be able to reach more customers, do more with those customers, and close more sales!
Good Luck- and remember to keep Selling It Social!
SandPeak Realty 