20 Effective Real Estate Marketing Ideas

Real estate marketing is more than the odd mailer campaign and business cards.

For best results, mix it up! Try something new. Try several things all at once.

Take your pick from this, our list of awesomely effective real estate marketing ideas for 2019.

1. Post In Online Forums

Position yourself as a go-to expert in online forums about real estate. When another user asks a question or sparks a conversation, respond with a friendly, helpful and in-depth answer.

Local forums are best for finding business (you never know when another forum member could be looking for an agent), but provincial (or state) and national forums can be great for growing your audience.

Tip: Always be transparent about who you are. Never try to conceal the fact that you’re a working real estate agent.

2. Step Up Your SEO Game

Optimizing the content on your website for search engines — AKA, Search Engine Optimization, or SEO — is the key to getting discovered by potential leads online. Make it a personal project to kick your SEO efforts into high gear.

Adding testimonials, using the right keywords and optimizing your website for mobile are just a few of the ways real estate agents can harness SEO.

3. Go Local With Your Blog ContentSpeaking of SEO, writing blog content tailored for your local community is a great way to increase your chances of ranking high in search engine results for terms your leads are most likely to use.

For example, instead of writing a blog post about the status of the real estate market across the country, write about the status of the market in your specific neighbourhood.

You’ll have less competition for the topic (meaning, you have a much better shot at appearing first in search results) and you’ll be discovered by prospects in your area who are searching online for information about the local market.

Tip: To figure out what kind of localized content your audience wants to read, go straight to the source. Use the poll and questions features on Instagram Stories to pick their brain.

4. Be An Expert Source For Media

Press attention is like free advertising. But real estate agents who aren’t committing crimes or using outlandish sales tactics usually don’t find themselves in the pages of newspapers or magazines. At least not without some clever tactics.

The best way for real estate agents to get free (and positive) media attention: establish and promote yourself as an expert source on real estate matters. Weigh in on timely real estate matters in your blog posts and on social media, using your expertise to offer an educated opinion.

On your website, LinkedIn profile and in your Twitter bio, mention that you’re a “trusted voice on [insert your region] real estate matters.”

5. Give Better Gifts

Closing gifts are a bonafide marketing strategy. They help seal the deal with a flourish, guaranteeing you an awesome testimonial and plenty of referrals.

Take your gifts up a notch this year. Give buyers and sellers something that sets you apart from other agents. Consult our list of the best closing gifts for buyers and sellers for inspiration.

6. Launch a Real Estate Facebook Group

Yes, Facebook groups are still alive and well. Yes, you should have your own.

The key to using Facebook groups as a real estate marketing strategy is to treat it as a discussion group that you facilitate, not a bulletin board for your self-promotion.

Your group should share some content related to your business (such as the occasional link to one of your relevant blog posts) but also to provide useful information to the members and to spark conversations about the goings-on of your area.

Here’s our guide on how to run a successful real estate Facebook group (and how to choose an angle).

7. Use Instagram Stories Consistently

Instagram Stories are an Instagram feature that real estate agents need to be using to get leads.

Let us remind you of two very important Instagram Stories facts:

• Instagram Stories fact #1: more than 500 million people use Instagram Stories every day.

• Instagram Stories fact #2: for every five Instagram Stories they share, accounts receive one direct message.

Instagram Stories are an amazing tool for building your personal brand and developing authentic connections with your audience.

Use Instagram Stories to get real with your followers:

• film quick videos as you chat to them from your open house or over your morning coffee, about real estate or nothing at all
• share behind-the-scenes photos of your personal life and real estate life
• and get insight on their thoughts, opinions, wants and needs by asking questions.

8. Try Influencer Marketing

If you’ve used Instagram for any length of time, you’ve seen the rise of influencer marketing — when someone with a sizable following is paid to promote a brand, product or service.

Influencer marketing isn’t just for gummy bear vitamins peddled by reality TV stars. Real estate agents can take advantage by tapping influential local personalities and bloggers to create and share relevant content.

For example, you could hire a local influencer to promote one of your open houses on Instagram Stories. Or you could offer an influencer a free home consultation, and have them create an Instagram post about how informative it was to learn about what their home is worth and why.

Remember that you have to pay to play, and that any influencer marketing campaign has to feel like a natural fit for both your business and the influencer you’re hiring.

9. Start a Local Living E-Newsletter

Your real estate e-newsletter doesn’t just have to be a platform to share your blog posts and new listings. Want to try something different? Create a lifestyle newsletter targeted at your local community.

This newsletter is less about your real estate business and more about life in your community. It can include:

• Local news items
• Your own blog posts on local matters, as well as posts by local personalities (from their own sites or guest-written for your site)
• Events
• Updates (such as construction and closures)
• A real estate corner (market updates, upcoming open houses, new builds, etc.)

Think of it like an extension of the Facebook group we mentioned earlier in the post; it’s a way to market yourself without blatantly marketing yourself.

10. Launch a New Real Estate Website

A real estate website is a real estate agent’s greatest marketing tool. If you don’t have one, you need one.

Your goals are to make your new or updated real estate website mobile-friendly, search engine-optimized, easy to use, full of useful content, and loaded with ways of generating leads.

You can take the DIY route or check out myRealPage’s fully-responsive, fully-loaded real estate websites for a stress-free website that checks all of the above boxes.

11. Create Neighborhood Spotlight Videos

Producing engaging neighborhood spotlight videos is a powerful way to showcase the communities you serve. These videos should highlight local attractions, parks, schools, and popular businesses, helping potential buyers get a real feel for the area. Interview local business owners, showcase hidden gems, and cover upcoming events to make the content both informative and engaging. Adding drone footage and high-quality visuals can further enhance the appeal.

Beyond attracting buyers, these videos help you establish yourself as the go-to local expert. Buyers looking for homes in specific areas often search online for information about neighborhoods before reaching out to an agent. By providing this content, you increase your chances of being the agent they contact when they’re ready to buy. Additionally, these videos can be repurposed for social media, blog content, and email marketing, maximizing their reach.

12. Utilize Drone Photography

 

Drone photography offers breathtaking aerial views that traditional photography simply can’t match. These high-resolution shots showcase the property’s full layout, including yard size, proximity to amenities, and neighborhood surroundings. Listings with drone images tend to perform better online, attracting more views and engagement. If you’re marketing luxury properties, homes with expansive lots, or waterfront real estate, aerial imagery is a must-have to set your listings apart.

Beyond listings, drone footage can be used to enhance your brand storytelling. Consider creating a montage of your best listings, a behind-the-scenes look at your real estate business, or a visually stunning introduction to a new development project. With drone technology becoming more accessible, investing in professional aerial photography (or even getting licensed to fly drones yourself) can give you a competitive edge.

13. Implement Virtual Staging

Traditional home staging can be costly and time-consuming, but virtual staging offers an affordable, efficient alternative. Using digital tools, you can transform an empty property into a beautifully furnished home, allowing buyers to visualize the space’s full potential. Whether it’s a cozy living room setup, a sleek modern kitchen, or a stylish office, virtual staging helps buyers connect emotionally with the property.

Another benefit of virtual staging is flexibility. You can offer multiple design styles for the same property, catering to different buyer preferences. For example, one set of images might showcase a contemporary aesthetic, while another highlights a more traditional look. This versatility makes your listing appeal to a wider audience and helps potential buyers see how they could personalize the space.

14. Develop a Referral Program

Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most effective ways to gain new clients, and a well-structured referral program can encourage past clients to spread the word about your services. Offering incentives such as gift cards, discounts on future real estate services, or even charitable donations in their name can motivate satisfied clients to refer their friends and family. Be sure to make the referral process easy and well-publicized through your website, email campaigns, and social media.

To maximize success, personalize your outreach. Instead of a generic message, follow up with past clients on anniversaries of their home purchases, offering them a small token of appreciation and reminding them about the referral program. By keeping in touch and reinforcing the value of their recommendation, you increase the chances that they’ll introduce you to new buyers and sellers.

15. Host Educational Webinars

Hosting webinars on topics like market trends, home-buying strategies, and real estate investment can establish you as a knowledgeable industry expert. Buyers and sellers are always looking for reliable information, and offering free webinars positions you as a helpful, trusted advisor rather than just a salesperson. Promote your webinars via social media, email lists, and local real estate groups to maximize attendance.

Take your webinars a step further by inviting guest speakers, such as mortgage brokers, home inspectors, or interior designers, to provide additional value. Recording these sessions and repurposing them into blog posts, YouTube videos, or social media clips ensures your content continues to generate leads long after the live event is over.

16. Leverage AI-Powered Ad Campaigns

AI-driven advertising tools can revolutionize your marketing by delivering personalized content to the right audience at the right time. These tools analyze user behavior, preferences, and online activity to create highly targeted campaigns. By utilizing AI, you can optimize your ad spend and improve conversion rates by reaching buyers and sellers who are actively searching for real estate services.

AI-powered tools can also help with ad copy, keyword selection, and performance analysis, reducing the time and effort needed for campaign management. Experiment with automated retargeting ads that remind potential clients of properties they’ve viewed on your website, ensuring your brand stays top-of-mind.

17. Send Personalized Video Messages

Instead of relying solely on emails and text messages, consider sending personalized video messages to clients. A short video thanking a client for their business, updating them on a property, or following up after a meeting creates a stronger, more personal connection. Videos feel more authentic and engaging than text-based messages, helping you stand out in a crowded market.

Personalized videos can also be used for lead nurturing. If a potential client has expressed interest in a property but hasn’t made a decision yet, sending a quick video summarizing key selling points can help move them closer to making an offer. Platforms like BombBomb or Loom make it easy to record and send personalized videos via email or text.

18. Create Interactive Virtual Tours

Interactive virtual tours allow potential buyers to explore a home as if they were walking through it in person. These tours provide an immersive experience, letting buyers inspect every room, zoom in on details, and get a true sense of the layout. This is especially valuable for out-of-town buyers who may not be able to visit in person before making a decision.

By adding interactive features like floor plans, embedded videos, and hotspots with additional property details, you can make the tour even more engaging. Virtual tours not only attract more online traffic but also help pre-qualify serious buyers, reducing unnecessary showings and saving time for both you and your clients.

19. Optimize Google My Business Profile

Your Google My Business (GMB) profile is one of the first things potential clients see when searching for a real estate agent. Ensure your profile is fully optimized by adding high-quality images, detailed service descriptions, and up-to-date contact information. Encourage satisfied clients to leave positive reviews, as these play a significant role in building trust and improving your local search rankings.

Regularly updating your GMB profile with new listings, blog posts, and business updates can keep your profile active and engaging. Posting frequently also signals to Google that your business is relevant, increasing the chances of appearing in local search results when people look for real estate services in your area.

20. Collaborate with Local Influencers

Partnering with local influencers can help you tap into a wider audience and build credibility. Real estate influencers, lifestyle bloggers, and social media personalities often have dedicated followers who trust their recommendations. Collaborating with them to feature your listings, interview you about market trends, or showcase your real estate services can generate valuable exposure.

Consider hosting an influencer-led virtual tour, featuring a local celebrity in your neighborhood spotlight videos, or having influencers share testimonials about your services. By leveraging their audience, you can expand your reach, build trust, and attract potential buyers and sellers who may not have discovered you otherwise.

What new marketing strategy do you plan on trying this year for your real estate business?

Last Updated on February 26, 2025 by myRealPage