We’re going to let you in on a little secret: the smartphone you’re carrying in your pocket is one of the most powerful and versatile tools available in a mobile-first digital marketing toolkit.
Think about it: we spend more time on mobile devices in the course of a day than desktop or laptop computers — checking into social media sites, answering emails, and shopping. Yes, even shopping for homes.
For the technologically savvy real estate professional (read: you), the opportunities for using a smartphone to create and distribute mobile marketing content are pretty significant. Some of the tactics are variations on a theme, just modified for a mobile platform and audience, and others are new and emerging technologies. Let's take a closer look at how to showcase your homes with a smartphone.
Get Visual
According to Facebook, more than 86% of its nearly one billion daily active users access the site on mobile — and posts with the highest engagement (likes, comments and shares) are photos or video. Don’t just post another boring text heavy update announcing an upcoming open house — use photos as a way to generate interest. For a bit more impact, use a photo-editing app like Color Splash to tease a newly available property.
If you want to branch out into other social networks with an emphasis on visual, Instagram and Pinterest are good choices. In fact, the only way to post photos to Instagram is via their mobile app — so it was clearly designed with a mobile-first mentality. The communities on Instagram are among the most engaged across the social web, so it pays do a little research into the most popular (and relevant) hashtags in your market before posting. As the saying goes, fish where the fish are.
Streaming Video
The newest content creation apps focus on streaming live video; Periscope is the most well known and it boasts a sizable user base. You can connect your Periscope account with other social profiles, so followers and fans will be alerted when you go live. If you’re getting serious about mobile video, use a tripod or a stabilizing handheld grip to keep the shot video steady and prevent your viewers from getting a little seasick. Besides, it just looks more professional.
Needs for how to use video? Do a real-time video walkthrough of a newly listed property, highlighting key features and amenities, or host a live video chat answering some commonly asked questions regarding purchasing and financing a home in your market. Of course, you can also use video chat and teleconferencing platforms like Skype to do one-on-ones vs one-to-many broadcasts.
Experiment!
Make Those Emails Mobile-Friendly!
Whether it’s just a follow-up email or part of your regular newsletter campaign, make sure your emails are optimized for mobile viewing. Email marketing software like MailChimp and Constant Contact uses templates that are completely optimized for mobile, so start there.
Long emails don’t typically perform as well on mobile because, well, scrolling. Keep the copy short, direct and to the point with a strong call-to-action.
From posted photos to email marketing, these strategies are sure to help you showcase your home with a smartphone. For more information, contact one of our mortgage specialists today.
