How to Use Instagram for Business

Real estate agents can use Instagram to generate leads, sales and referrals. In addition, Instagram is both fun and beautiful, which makes it the perfect social media platform for real estate agents to share home listings and features. Follow the steps below to crush it on Instagram!

Optimizing Your Instagram Account:

• Convert Your Account: Consider changing the account for your business over to a business profile so that you will have access to all of the data.
• Enhance Your Bio: Include how you help people and how to contact you. Example: “I help homebuyers find their dream home and help homeowners sell for more. Thinking of buying or selling? Call or text me anytime! 555-555-555.”
• Upload an On-Brand, Friendly and Professional Headshot: People want to work with those that they know, like and trust; and a headshot helps to foster familiarity.
• Pick Your Colors and Content: Select a color palette that best matches your brand and stick to it.
• Delete Past Off-Brand Photos and Videos: Clean up previous posts to stay focused on your brand.

Best Instagram Posts for Real Estate Agents:

1. Business Branding: Showcase yourself or your team vibe. Include meetings, open houses, dinners, outings and successes. Be sure to tell a cohesive story – include photos that feature everything you do to be the best at supporting your clients.
2. ‘Behind the Scenes’ of Your Transactions: People love seeing something before it is available to the public. Post footage of how you stage a home, any challenges or obstacles you have to deal with, the process of setting up an event like an open house, and buyers receiving the keys to the home of their dreams.
3. ‘Behind the Scenes’ of Your Listings: Build anticipation of what’s to come. Snap pictures of the photographer shooting pictures, the drone taking aerial shots, and stagers adding final touches.
4. Sneak Peeks of Your New Listings: Compelling stories sell! A great way to promote new listings is to post a series of photos that invoke a strong theme. If someone can visualize living in the home, they are more likely to engage.
5. Open House Video: Do a video walk-through of the home before an open house to highlight key features. Start outside and work your way through the house – similar to what a buyer would do. At the end of the video, invite people to the open house. Be sure to include the address, date and time.
6. Neighborhood Video: These videos can be made by walking or driving around the neighborhood. Make sure you share the important features like schools, parks, and shops. Cover as much as you know to demonstrate that you are a local expert.
7. Personal Branding: It is essential to give people a reason to know, like, trust and remember you. Take photos of your life, including favorite hobbies, adventures, and even furry friends.

Tips to Stand Out and Connect!

• Post When People Are Watching: If you use a business account, you can access demographic data on your followers to see when they are most active.
• Use Bold Colors, Filters and Photos: The first step to getting noticed is having people stop mid-scroll to look at something you posted.
• Use Hashtags, Geo-Tags, and Profile Tags to Get Discovered: Tag businesses, locations and people in your posts. Also use relevant hashtags as they are searchable. A few good options: #YourCity ● #YourCityRealEstate ● #YourCityRealtor ● #YourCityOpenHouse
• Build Connections: You should be following these people – past clients, current clients, potential clients, business partners, local business owners, local community influencers and local residents.