Industry Tips: How to Advertise Your Real Estate Services

By Lizzie Weakley

As a real estate professional, you may have some competition from other REALTORS® when looking for business. As in every career, marketing plays a significant role in establishing a brand and building a client base.

Related: 4 Methods to Speed Up a Home Sale Without a Big Advertising Budget

Here are some popular and proven strategies for advertising your real estate services:

Website

Every businessperson who wants to build a brand and establish a professional reputation should have a website. If a REALTOR® is a member of a local agency, that entity may offer them an individual page for marketing purposes. In conjunction with that page, however, or if you're not connected to an agency, a personal site should include important information about your training, experience and credentials, such as major sales or specializations like senior housing. The site can also include previous sales and new listings to strengthen your real estate ads.

Social Media

Most business professionals use Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram to promote their services on social media. You can build a following by posting messages about current news events pertaining to the housing sector, such as new housing developments being planned that'll interest readers and bring them back for updates. You'll become the go-to source of relevant news that they'll remember when it comes time to buy or sell a home. They might also tell friends about your expertise and insight. Those friends, in turn, may be interested in having you list their home or helping them find one to buy.

Community Connections

Advertising can be done informally through community gateways like fundraisers or festivals. Set up a table and pass out inexpensive free gifts like pens with your name and contact information on them. Some REALTORS® will go door to door and introduce themselves in neighborhoods where their buyers are looking for properties, just in case those homeowners are thinking about selling. Sending introductory letters, postcards and emails also builds your community presence, and homeowners can keep those on hand for future reference.

Business Relationships

Agents often participate in Chamber of Commerce events and civic group activities. In getting to know other business professionals, they can pass out business cards or share helpful information that may be spread within the business community, as well as to clients and customers who may be looking to buy or sell a home.

Low-cost or free advertising is widely available for most agents. Use it to your advantage in offering to assist buyers and sellers in the housing market!

Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her three-year-old Husky, Snowball.