How do I get more engagement on my real estate social media? 

Let’s dive in…

A lot of real estate agents come to me and ask why their real estate social media isn’t getting much engagement. Now before I put their social media account under my microscope, it’s important to remember why people use social media in the first place.

People use social media as a tool for connection, entertainment, inspiration, and education. In this, it’s important to remember that people don’t get on a social media platform to be advertised to. And if that’s what the bulk of your social media is doing, there’s your first problem.

Now let’s walk through some surefire way to get your engagement up on social media…

Avoid generic AF graphics.

First of all, this doesn’t mean that using real estate stock photos are totally a bad thing. You absolutely want to include some real estate photos. However, using the first image you see of a house on Canva probably isn’t a great idea.

Incorporate personal branding photos in your social media. Yes, this means photos of YOU. Back in 2014 (yes, it’s been awhile), Georgia Tech researchers looked at 1.1 million photos on Instagram. Photos that featured faces were 38% more likely to get a like and 32% more likely to be commented on.

The goal of Instagram as a real estate agent is for people to connect with YOU, not necessarily the interior design of a house you’re selling.

A lot of REALTORS get nervous when I mention personal branding photos. They’re not used to being in front of the camera and/or they feel like they’re making their social media all about them instead of their listings or clients.

Let’s go ahead and tackle both of these issues.

First, you’re never going to be good in front of a camera if you never practice. A great way to start is just by having your partner or friends snap a few photos of you when you’re hanging out – whether at home or out on the town.

During co**d, when the world is somewhat shut down and getting photos without a mask isn’t easy, go get photos of you around your house, in your backyard, or at a model house.

Remember that the important part is that they display YOU and your personality. They don’t have to be picture perfect. As a shameless disclaimer, most of the photos I use on my real estate accounts were shot either in a relative’s big backyard or while walking my dog. A flexible phone tripod can work WONDERS!

Showcase your personality (and not just the professional real estate version of you).

People want to know YOU, not just as an amazing real estate agent but also as a human. After all, if they choose to hire you, they’re going to spend a lot of time around you. Before someone makes the decision to hire you, they’re going to want to know that you’re a person who they can get along with AND who can relate to them and their life.

Pick a few aspects of your life that you feel comfortable sharing online and start creating content around them.

Love going out to local restaurants? Do local restaurant highlights and showcase the restaurant and the food your ordered.

Love your dog? Show us Fido – even if he’s just being a terrible real estate assistant and sleeping all day.

Play on 3 tennis leagues? (Yes, I have a real estate friend who is literally on three different teams). Share photos or video of behind-the-scenes of your matches. Share the score of your matches – even if you lost. If someone (ie: your mom or your partner) is watching the match, ask them to film a little bit of it that you can share on your Stories.

Big on self-care? Share what personal growth books you’re reading, screenshot & share what meditation or yoga videos you’re doing, or post a motivational quote.

Remember that social media is about creating connections, and sharing your real life is what does that.

If you need a good starting point for this, The Abundant Agent Membership has a ton of personal branding caption templates. This way, you never have to start from scratch!

Add context, stories, and hyper-local information to both your personal and real estate content.

Don’t just ask people what their favorite restaurant is. Share your top 3 favorite restaurants and then ask for suggestions or restaurant recommendations.

Want to post a market update? Don’t just give an overview with some vague statistics about what’s happening in the market across the US. Break it down. How many houses sold in your area this past month compared to this past month a year ago? What’s the average price for a home in YOUR local market?

Talking about testing the commute? Be specific about how the nonstop construction on I-285 in Atlanta is going to affect a buyer’s commute if they’re moving suburbs.

Sharing information about home inspections? Share a client story about how a home inspection allowed your buyers to negotiate for repairs and a lower sale price. Give a list of inspectors that your clients have loved. Mention specific local Facebook groups where people can go to get recommendations for contractors.

Within The Abundant Agent Membership, you get DAILY social media caption templates that all you have to do is fill in the blanks, Mad Libs style.

Engage with your real estate Sphere of Influence and your local community.

People want to know YOU, not just as an amazing real estate agent but also as a human. After all, if they choose to hire you, they’re going to spend a lot of time around you. Before someone makes the decision to hire you, they’re going to want to know that you’re a person who they can get along with AND who can relate to them and their life.

Pick a few aspects of your life that you feel comfortable sharing online and start creating content around them.

Love going out to local restaurants? Do local restaurant highlights and showcase the restaurant and the food your ordered.

Love your dog? Show us Fido – even if he’s just being a terrible real estate assistant and sleeping all day.

Play on 3 tennis leagues? (Yes, I have a real estate friend who is literally on three different teams). Share photos or video of behind-the-scenes of your matches. Share the score of your matches – even if you lost. If someone (ie: your mom or your partner) is watching the match, ask them to film a little bit of it that you can share on your Stories.

Big on self-care? Share what personal growth books you’re reading, screenshot & share what meditation or yoga videos you’re doing, or post a motivational quote.

Remember that social media is about creating connections, and sharing your real life is what does that.

If you need a good starting point for this, The Abundant Agent Membership has a ton of personal branding caption templates. This way, you never have to start from scratch!