You’ve probably heard of online marketing, you may even use it yourself, but do you really know what it means? If your answer is no, then this article is for you. Here, we’ll discuss the ins and outs of online marketing, especially as it relates to commercial real estate. So, read on and learn what you need to know.
What is Online Marketing?
If you’re new to the real estate industry or are looking for ways to improve your knowledge, then learning about online marketing is a smart move. It’s also a useful tool for any real estate professional who wants to grow their business online. When someone performs online marketing on your behalf, they’ll use various tools to gain traction on the web. These tools, which we’ll discuss below, include:
- Blog articles (we’ll discuss these later in the article)
- Web content (e.g., whitepapers, how-to guides, and FAQs)
- Social media (i.e., Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram)
- Email marketing
- And more
Why Should You Care About Online Marketing?
There are several reasons why you should care about online marketing. First of all, in 2022, 81% of US consumers will research products or services before purchasing goods or services online. That’s compared to only 11% who will do so in person. If your product or service isn’t displayed correctly on your website, customers may not know what it is and may never find their way to purchase it. By contrast, a perfectly executed online marketing campaign can drive customers to your site, regardless of whether or not you sell a product.
What is Blogging?
Blogging is a type of online content that provides detail, in-depth information, or an insight into the subject matter. It often serves as a market research tool for businesses, brands, and other organizations because it provides accessibility to information not easily found in one place.
How Do I Start a Blog?
You can start a blog in a variety of ways. You can purchase a hosted blog or use a free blogging platform such as WordPress to create your own blog. If you choose the latter, you’ll need to find a quality web host to do so. In addition to providing you with a platform, WordPress also offers a wealth of marketing tools, such as email lists, that you can use to grow your audience and ultimately, your business.
What is Social Media?
Also known as social media, these are platforms such as Twitter and Instagram that enable users to connect and share content with others.
What is Twitter?
You can think of Twitter simply as a microblogging platform, similar to Blogging, but designed with a bit more functionality. As a business or brand using Twitter, you can connect with potential customers by sharing information about your company, offering support, or just engaging with other users. In addition to posting regularly, you can use the platform to drive traffic to your website by promoting relevant content.
Instagram is the largest social media platform globally, with a reported 300 million active monthly users. It is primarily used to share photos and videos, but users can also post articles, grow their personal brand, and make money with sponsored posts.
While Instagram isn’t usually considered a direct marketing tool, the audience on the platform is highly engaged and prospective customers can find you there. In fact, 59% of Instagram users want to be contacted by businesses or brands they follow, while only 7% want to hear from people they don’t know. To really take advantage of the platform, you’ll need to put in the time to learn about the different modes of engagement, such as hashtags, to ensure that you’re using the right tool for the job. In addition, don’t underestimate the power of a beautiful profile picture. If you’re looking to market your condominiums or commercial real estate properties, consider using a real estate agency that can help you get the best results from Instagram.
The Evolving Role of the Real Estate Agent
The role of the real estate agent is changing. Thanks to the rise of the internet and digital marketing, being a real estate agent doesn’t mean you have to be on the payroll of a large corporation, acting as a middle man, and only able to work with larger projects. With online marketing, you no longer have to rely on advertising to gain exposure – you can directly target the audience that matters most to you.
Thanks to the increasing use of platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram, there are now more ways for real estate agents to connect with potential customers than ever before. While some agents may still prefer to use print publications such as the Wall Street Journal, or national real estate magazines, the younger generation isn’t as reliant on these old methods as before. If you want to succeed as a real estate agent, consider exploring the many online marketing platforms available, such as Digital Marketing for Real Estate.