Real estate lead generation is the lifeblood of your business. Whether you’re looking for top-of-funnel leads or those ready to sell in the future, there is no shortage of ways to find them. It’s worth it for agents to try a few of these strategies to see which ones work best.
Referrals
Getting referrals from people you know is one of the best ways to find real estate leads. Referrals can help you avoid cold calling, which is usually a less effective strategy for reaching potential clients. You can use tools to automate this type of prospecting. But you can also do it the old-fashioned way: ask your friends and family if they know anyone looking to sell or buy a home in your area. You may be surprised by how many leads you find using this method. Another great way to get referrals is to connect with people likely to sell their homes, such as divorce lawyers or estate liquidators. Reach out and offer your services to these people, or provide them with valuable information to help them prepare for the process. Several real estate lead generation companies provide quality leads for agents, which provides referrals at 25% of the commission. Other companies provide direct residential and commercial lease referrals for a lower rate and offer landlord-sourced leads at no cost to real estate professionals.
Social media
Social media is an excellent way to generate leads, whether it’s a Facebook post about a property or a video blog. Using targeted posts will ensure that your content is reaching people who are likely to be interested in real estate, as well as being able to retarget those who have already visited your website. Another strategy is to use community-based platforms. Joining these groups allows you to reach people interested in buying or selling a home in your area, and it’s a great way to meet other local business owners. However, it’s important not to bombard these groups with advertising — doing so may alienate potential clients. A more personal approach is to give out your business cards. This is an inexpensive way to get your name out, and it’s often the first step for many potential leads to find out more about you. It’s also a good idea to contact local publications, such as magazines and newspapers, with the offer to write an article about local real estate trends.
Direct mail
Direct mail is one of the most effective ways to find buyer and seller leads as a new real estate agent. This marketing tactic involves sending physical mail to potential clients, such as a calendar or a handwritten note. This method can be a great way to get a client’s attention because it is more personalized and likely to stand out from other promotional materials they may receive. Another way to reach out to potential clients is through geographical farming, which targets a specific neighborhood or area. This strategy can help you brand yourself as a local expert and connect with homeowners looking to buy or sell their homes. Other marketing methods for real estate agents that can generate leads include connecting with sellers with expired listings and rehabbers in your community. You can also network with professionals like divorce lawyers and estate liquidators to learn more about who is selling property in your area. If you can connect with these people, they may be interested in working with a new agent who can help them sell their property quickly.
Webinars
As a new real estate agent, you may require assistance with the conventional marketing methods of networking and establishing a referral system. While these tactics can be successful, they may take time and effort to yield results. Another lead generation approach that is highly beneficial is hosting webinars. Webinars are online seminars that allow you to share information and address questions from your target audience, making them a potent tool for real estate agents. Moreover, webinars are an effective way to keep your leads engaged and informed. Webinars are beneficial for attracting real estate leads because they allow people to attend your event remotely without requiring travel. They also help you establish trust with your leads by showcasing your knowledge of the local market and providing insights into trends that could influence their buying or selling decisions. You may have noticed certain ads that appear repeatedly as you browse the internet. This is called retargeting, and it is one of the most effective forms of online advertising for real estate.
Email marketing
Email marketing allows you to reach out to leads with a personalized message. It’s less intrusive than cold calling or texting and is a great way to nurture your relationship with buyers and sellers until they are ready to move. You can build an email list through a contact form on your website that asks for their email address and tells them to expect listing alerts. You can also run social media ads to direct traffic to this form on your website. Using an opt-in form on your website means any visitors you get through these ads are qualified, and you can follow up with them. Another way to capture buyer and seller leads through email is to offer education. For example, you can teach classes on how to buy a home or the process of getting pre-approved for mortgages. This helps you become an expert in your field and shows prospective clients that you are someone they can trust when buying or selling a home.