Real estate is an image-based industry, so if you have yet to use Instagram to grow and promote your real estate business, we've got one question: What are you doing?
Instagram is a must-have tool for marketing and promotion. As the 4th most used platform in the world, that's a lot of potential traffic.
The good news is, it's not too late if your business is not on Instagram or you feel it could use a touch-up. Real estate virtual assistants trained in social media can take the reins and grow your Instagram presence.
This blog looks at the fundamentals of Instagram, how a real estate business can use it to grow, best practices, and an easy way to locate an Instagram-skilled virtual assistant.
What is Instagram?
Instagram is a free photo and video-sharing platform. Instagram was acquired in 2012 by then Facebook (now Meta) and owned by Mark Zuckerberg.
While Instagram started as a social and photo-sharing app, it has evolved into a powerful marketing tool, with over 200 million businesses using the platform to sell their products and services.
Due to this, Instagram has created dozens of business tools, including:
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Advanced analytics
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Shoppable Instagram posts
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Instagram stories and funnels
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Adding contact information
Property managers can access these tools and services through an Instagram business account.
Why Real Estate Agents Should Consider Instagram
Stunning photos, a massive user base, and video capabilities—Instagram and real estate marketing were made for each other.
Let's look at other reasons why Instagram is such an asset to a real estate agent.
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It's a photo and video platform: as an image and video-based platform, Instagram is perfect for showcasing new listings and building hype.
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It's mobile-first: Instagram is a mobile-first app meaning the features are much more mobile-friendly. For example, video posting is only possible from a mobile device. In addition, most users are on their phones, so incorporating geo-locating and location data insights into your marketing campaigns is easy.
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There's a huge user base: with a billion monthly users, Instagram is a great way to target a wide range of leads. In addition, with almost 30% of users between 23 and 34 years old, it's a slightly older age base meaning more users are in or closer to the homebuyer age.
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It's business-friendly: the compatibility tools and integration to the parent company Meta means campaigns and targeting marketing strategies can be tailored to suit your particular business needs.
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It's social: while it can be easy to focus on the photo element of Instagram, it's also a robust social tool with messenger and comment capabilities meaning your virtual assistant can interact with leads, respond to questions, reach out to other businesses to build relationships, and create content.
With such a robust tool on your phone ready to help you get noticed, all it takes is some best practices to build your audience and boost your property management company's visibility.
Best Instagram Practices for Real Estate Professionals
Follow the steps below to build a successful Instagram page for a real estate agency.
Upload New Listings and Developments
Updating your feed with new listings and developments should be the starting point for all real estate Instagram marketing campaigns.
To make these posts as striking as possible, use professional photos and leverage the slideshow, stories, and ad carousel features to create a 'walkthrough' feel to the content. In addition, focus on significant draw cards of the property and pay attention to the copy and hashtags.
Build Buzz With Up and Coming Listings and Developments
If a property on your books will be ready for listing soon, you can upload a 'coming soon' post to let users know what's up and coming. Then circle back with a Reel and additional photos of the property when it hits the market.
Post Wow Content to Stop Users from Scrolling
Tap into the imagination and aspiration of Instagram users with striking real estate content that's aesthetically pleasing and used to boost engagement. It should be the kind of content that makes users stop and say wow.
Some ideas to get started include videos and images of:
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Luxury homes
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Beach Properties
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Incredible before and afters
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Unique architecture
Keep Users Informed of Wins and Open Houses
There's nothing wrong with sharing a post on a success or company milestone. It makes your brand more trusted and signals that you're competent in the industry. Take a story approach about how you overcame difficulties to achieve a result for this tactic.
In addition, Instagram is the perfect platform to share pertinent information about open houses and specials quickly.
Bring on Social Media Specialists
When it comes to Instagram as a marketing tool, you only get out what you put in.
Instagram marketing is still an involved process which is why many agents are reaching out to real estate virtual assistant companies to help with their marketing strategy.
Real Estate Virtual Assistants Can Help Grow Your "Gram"
Instagram is one of the top social media platforms for real estate professionals to grow their businesses and create contacts.
If you're ready to unlock the full potential of Instagram for your real estate business but need more time or experience to maintain a posting schedule, VPM Solutions has real estate virtual assistants with social media skills to manage your "Gram." Start your Free Company Profile to find the ideal real estate VAs ready to take charge of your Instagram and social media strategy to boost leads to grow your business.
Get more insights into finding the right virtual assistants when downloading a free copy of "The Real Estate Virtual Assistant Hiring Kit!"
