Using Instagram for your Business
When you think of Instagram what do you think about? Friends sharing photos from family vacations, posting funny videos of cats, or even the random Tea-tox girls. Instagram can be used for so many things, including retail brands, restaurants, travel companies, and now becoming more popular is real estate. If you didn’t know; Instagram is a social media platform that allows people to share and edit photos. More than 500 million people use Instagram every month, making it valuable space to engage with potential clients. Unlike other social networks, Instagram is completely photo/video centric, so users can edit and post images and short videos. By creating a business Instagram you’re opening the door to a whole new group of people.
Being a Millennial myself, I use Instagram on a daily basis, which is why it makes a great platform to grow your business. If you work in real estate Instagram could be a game changer for your business. It is very important that when you do post it’s all high quality material because when someone like me looks at a post, I take a glance and if it doesn’t seem like something I’d be interested in, I dismiss it. When you create content for your page it’s important to remember who you’re trying to target while posting.
Instagram, like other social media, works best when you use your content to connect with your audience to start building a relationship. Use your real name when you post, and talk about yourself and your location in your Instagram bio, but don’t make an overt real estate sales push. Post only high quality photos that are well lit, focused, and visually compelling to make an emotional connection with Instagram users. Be human and approachable; if someone comments on your photos, tag them and thank them. And don’t forget to use hashtags to increase your discoverability. Think of hashtags as file folders: When someone clicks on a relevant hashtag, you want them to see your content. Use 10–12 hashtags per post, always include your own and one for your city or neighborhood. Do a search for frequently used real estate hashtags and consider adding one or two of them to your photo.
Timing matters on Instagram. There are times of the day when your community is more active. It is important to know when your followers are online so you can interact with them and, hopefully, get more engagement on your photos. Most communities are more engaged at night so consider posting pictures in the evening. You can track your most engaged time of the day by using Iconosquare, a website that analyzes your Instagram statistics.
Videos are a newer feature to come to Instagram. You can take a short video tour of your listing to give buyers a look before even entering the home. If they like what they see, they can contact you immediately to set up a time to meet. Potential clients may also be so impressed with your innovative new media skills that they will call you when they are ready to buy or sell a home. Make sure to share your photos on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and your blog to create maximum engagement and exposure.
When posting a photo to Instagram, you have the option to add location, essentially adding it to your photo maps. The photo will show up on an actual map, allowing your followers to see where you have taken the most photos. This will allow you to show your knowledge of certain areas and neighborhoods and the exact location of any listings.
It takes time to build an audience on Instagram. Don’t get discouraged if it’s taking a while to real your desired number of followers. Having said that, if you’re not generating any likes or followers, it may be time to switch up your strategy and apply the tips I’ve have given you. In time, you will find the kind of posts, hashtags, and post frequency that appeals to the audience you wants.
