20 Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas that Work

Real estate professionals have access to more lead generation tools today than ever before, with online marketing leading the way.

There's no shortage of tools to help your business shine, from your real estate website to blogging, social media, and search engines. Get started with our guide to 20 real estate lead generation ideas that work for firms and sales associates in any market.

1. Make It Easy to Search Listings on Your Real Estate Website

If you want to generate leads online, then you need a great real estate website. And if you want new prospects to visit your website, then integrating IDX listings search is an absolute must. Most real estate shoppers start their home search online and will be visiting your site for the first time to do just that.

2. Use Pay-Per-Click Advertising to Target Key Demographics

While many of the items on our list work best over time, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising offers more immediate results. When you set up a PPC campaign, you choose who you want your ads to reach, how much you're willing to pay, and which keywords you'll use for your campaign.

3. Create How-To Videos for Buyers and Sellers

When it comes to online marketing, your lead generation tactics' effectiveness depends heavily on how much value you offer to your audience. Creating how-to videos is a powerful way to speak directly to the needs of your target audience and stand out from the crowd.

4. Use Video Tours to Showcase Top Listings

When a prospect uses your website to find a listing that catches their eye, a video tour of the property can take their interest to the next level. Tours give buyers a much better impression of the home than even the best photos can provide.

5. Ask for Online Reviews to Boost Your Reputation

Online reviews are huge in every industry, and real estate is certainly no exception. But even the most satisfied clients won't always think to leave a review on their own. That's why it's so important to encourage your clients to leave reviews on Google, Yelp, and anywhere else that people search for your business online.

6. Post Testimonials to Your Real Estate Website

Like reviews, client testimonials are a powerful form of social proof, so make sure to ask for testimonials and post the best ones to your real estate website. Prospects are more likely to take the next step with your business when they know your existing clients are satisfied with your service.

7. Build a Blog with Hyper-Local Content

Your real estate blog is another excellent place to add value for your prospects. Creating hyper-local content on events, attractions, holidays, traditions, and neighborhoods in your market areas highlights the benefits of those communities while providing a constant reminder of your local expertise.

8. Trade Real Estate Resources for Qualified Leads

Ideally, your very best content on topics that matter most to your audience can also provide a more direct route to generating leads. Create a landing page offering premium, value-adding real estate content in exchange for contact info from prospects.

9. Carve Out Time Each Day for Social Media Engagement

Social media marketing works best when you're an active participant in the community you create, so it's crucial to regularly set aside time to interact with your audience. Even spending just 15 minutes per day answering questions and responding to comments goes a long way.

10. Become a Helpful Resource in Facebook and LinkedIn Groups

You don't have to limit your social marketing to your pages, either! Getting involved with local groups on your favorite social sites is a great way to build connections outside of your niche and demonstrate your value to new audiences.

11. Create Community Pages for Your Real Estate Website

Community pages are standalone pages on your real estate website that work much like hyper-local blog posts. They provide an easy place for new prospects to learn about the communities where you do business and fall in love with neighborhoods in your market areas.

12. Ask for Referrals from Existing Clients

Whether you're marketing online or traditionally, word of mouth still carries serious weight with real estate prospects. Don't be afraid to ask existing clients to refer their friends and to mention how happy they are with your service on their social pages.

13. Stay in Touch and Top-of-Mind with Email Marketing

When a new prospect provides you with contact info, don't waste the opportunity! Use automated email marketing campaigns to send relevant emails at just the right times, and establish the relationships crucial to earning new business over time.

14. Use Landing Pages to Motivate Action

Landing pages on your real estate website are a quick, easy way to motivate prospects to take action. You can use your landing pages to trade content for contact info, encourage prospects to book appointments with sales associates, or provide an easy place to sign up for your email newsletter.

15. Sponsor Local Events and Promote Them Online

Getting involved with community events through sponsorship has serious value for both digital and traditional marketing. There's nothing like getting your face out in the community, and you can also build blog/social media posts to promote the events that your real estate firm sponsors.

16. Organize Webinars and Facebook Live Chats

Like video content, webinars, and Facebook Live chats are great for sharing your expertise and getting your audience more familiar with your team. While there are many valuable topics to cover, you can never go wrong, starting with buyer and seller tips.

17. Create Digital Listing Flyers for Social Sharing

Sharing links to listings is a good start, but what about when you want to showcase a top listing on social media? Take the time to create a digital listing flyer, which provides a quick, attractive way to introduce your audience to the best properties you have to offer.

18. Build a Beautiful Google My Business Page

Google My Business is a free, powerful tool for promoting your business on Google and something that every real estate firm should be using. Your profile provides extra, valuable info when prospects find your business through search, and provides a boost to your search ranking.

19. Use Professional-Quality Listing Photographs

With online listings, there's simply no substitute for professional-quality photos. From luxury listings to small, cozy starter homes, everything looks better with a professional touch. It may seem like a small thing, but it can make all the difference.

20. Optimize Your Website for Search Engines

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a must-have for any modern real estate business, making it easier for prospects to find your website and everything else that you offer online. Most prospects don't click past the first page of search results, so a high ranking is key to generating leads.

No matter your target demographics, market, or experience level, earning a steady supply of fresh, qualified leads doesn't have to be a mystery. Some of the best lead generation tactics can be easily automated, and many others require just a small investment of time during your busy day.

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