With over two hundred million active monthly users, Instagram has claimed its spot at the top of the social media pile.
With an impressive twenty-three percent increase in active users over a six month period, it’s easy to see why the real estate industry is taking notice.
Although Facebook is still the most popular social network, fatigue has set in for many agents and brokers as organic reach continues to decline.
So, why not put the power of this mighty visual network to work for your business?
Below you will find six ways to get your real estate business started on Instagram!
1. Get Active
Your first step is to get consistent with your Instagram activity. While you might have thought it’s just the tween or even teen demographics using Instagram, you’d be mistaken. Real estate agents and brokerages alike have dipped their toe in the water only to find massive success.
In fact, in a recent Forrester study, it was found that,
“Instagram delivered 58 times more engagement per follower than Facebook, and 120 times more engagement per follower than Twitter.”
With stats like that, there’s no denying the opportunity to be found with Instagram. But before anyone connects, they’re going to want to learn more about you.
Create a schedule that integrates into your current social media strategy. Make it easy to share your latest pic across Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. All three can tap into a unique market through visual marketing.
2. Share the Instagram Love
There’s no sense in getting active on a social network if no one knows about it. Add your website to your Instagram profile and share your Instagram photos across multiple social networks.
Your friends, fans and followers whether on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or Google Plus, need to know about your Instagram profile.
Add social icons to your website and blog, share the link in your email marketing and create a call to action to follow and connect with you on Instagram.
3. Give a Sneak Peek into Your Company
Whether it’s a look inside your office, the city you work in or a pic of your transaction coordinator, use Instagram to give a behind-the-scenes look in to your business.
Everyone loves to be that fly on the wall, especially when it comes to social media. Give your followers an inside look and what and who makes your business tick. It’s a perfect way to create a more intimate relationship between you, your followers and your business.
What to Share:
- Local events
- Neighborhood or community meetings
- Charity work
- Historical timeline of your business
- Pictures of your staff
- Your love of the city you work in
4. Give a Unique Perspective
Instagram is a great place to highlight what makes your home or area so special.
Whether you’re taking a picture of your latest listing or your neighborhood, choose eye-catching features. Stay away from the typical shots that include the front of the house and instead capture the unique wrap-around porch. You might even want to zoom in on the detail that went into the handrails.
Buyers want to grab a sneak peek before requesting a showing. Give them insight into the factors that make the home or area distinct.
Plus, don’t forget the bonus of additional traffic to your website or blog. If you’re posting listings, make sure you suggest in the photo caption to follow the link in your bio to view additional pictures of the home or area.
5. Get Found
As you share images, add them to the Instagram Photo Map. This feature allows you to geotag your image location and share the specific site where the photo was taken.
Maps will take your followers beyond your latest pictures and show them the exact location of the photos you share. This is an excellent way to create relevance within a community and build credibility as the go-to agent within that area.
You can edit your map at any time and will always be able to opt into each and every photo you add to your map. It’s a beautiful new way for you and others to view your Instagram photos.
6. Create Vibrant Videos
Instagram video is a distinctive way to showcase your business. Your video can be anywhere from 3 to 15 seconds long and include anything from your latest listing to a local event.
When done right, video tours can be extremely effective in helping potential buyers decide if they’re interested or not, saving their time and yours.
Final Thoughts
When marketing your business with Instagram, you’re only limited by your imagination. What’s one way you can start using Instagram in your business today?