For real estate agents, social media is a powerful way to stay connected with clients, establish expertise, and keep their brand top of mind. However, achieving strong social media engagement requires more than just posting regularly. To truly make an impact, it’s essential to create content that sparks interaction and keeps your audience engaged. Here are ten tips to help you boost engagement on your posts and connect more deeply with your followers.
1. Ask Open-Ended Questions
A great way to increase engagement is by asking questions that invite followers to share their thoughts. Open-ended questions encourage longer responses and more interaction. Instead of a simple “Do you like this home?” try, “What’s one feature you’d want in your dream home?” or “How would you style this room?”
These types of questions allow followers to express their opinions, which helps build a sense of community and makes them feel involved in the conversation. And typically when it comes to asking questions, the simpler the better to make it easy for people to respond quickly as they’re scrolling through Instagram.
2. Use Engaging Stickers in Stories
Instagram Stories offer several interactive stickers, such as polls, sliders, and quizzes, that are incredibly effective at prompting engagement. Real estate agents can use these features to create mini-surveys about favorite home features, opinions on local events, or even fun quizzes on real estate terminology. For example, using the poll sticker, you could ask, “Which kitchen style do you prefer?” or “Are you a fan of open floor plans?” The key is to keep the questions quick and easy to answer, making it fun for followers to participate.
3. Add Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs)
People often need a little nudge to engage with posts. Adding a call-to-action (CTA) like “Double-tap if you love this view!” or “Share if you know someone looking for a home!” can encourage viewers to interact. Think of it as an invitation to join the conversation. You can use CTAs in captions, Stories, and even on graphics within your posts. Remember, the clearer and more specific the CTA, the more likely followers will respond.
4. Leverage User-Generated Content
User-generated content (UGC) is any content created by your followers, like a photo of a home they just bought from you or a review they shared online. Sharing UGC not only builds community but also encourages other clients and followers to interact and share their own stories. For example, if a client posts a photo of their new home, ask permission to share it on your page, tagging them in the process. This acknowledgment makes clients feel appreciated and encourages others to engage with your posts.
5. Do Proactive Engagement
If you want to increase engagement on your posts, a proactive approach is essential. Take just 10 minutes each day to engage with others—like and comment on posts from your followers, local businesses, and other relevant accounts in your area. When you interact with others, they’re more likely to reciprocate and engage with your content. Plus, Instagram’s algorithm takes note of active users and tends to push out content from those who engage frequently. This proactive strategy not only helps you stay connected but also increases the likelihood that your posts will be seen by a wider audience.
6. Encourage Followers to Tag Friends
Getting people to tag their friends is an excellent way to bring in new viewers and increase engagement on a post. Use prompts like “Tag someone who’s house-hunting!” or “Know someone who’d love this view? Tag them below!” This encourages people to share your post with others who might find it relevant, boosting your reach and engagement organically. It’s a simple and effective way to reach new potential clients through your existing followers.
7. Respond to Comments Promptly
Engagement is a two-way street, and responding to comments shows your audience that you’re present and approachable. When followers take the time to comment, replying quickly can encourage further conversation. Even a simple “Thanks for sharing!” or “Great question!” can go a long way. Engaging back lets followers know you’re paying attention and builds a stronger connection, making them more likely to comment in the future.
8. Create Shareable Content
One of the most effective ways to boost engagement and reach is by creating content that your followers can’t resist sharing with others. Think about the kind of posts that would make you want to send them to a friend. Whether it’s something humorous, educational, or highly valuable. For example, homeownership or home-related memes, relatable local tips, or your favorite local business spotlights. These are all highly shareable content ideas.
When people share your content, it sends a positive signal to the algorithm. This indicates that your post is engaging and worth promoting to a wider audience. Shareable content not only broadens your reach but also helps attract new followers who are more likely to engage with future posts. The key is to create posts that resonate with your audience, add value, or make them smile, so they feel compelled to pass it along!
9. Share Behind-the-Scenes Content
People love a glimpse into real, unscripted moments. By sharing behind-the-scenes content, you give your audience a personal look into your life and business. This makes your brand feel more relatable. A short video tour of a new listing, a sneak peek of an open house setup, or a candid shot at a local café. These moments can help followers feel more connected to you. Authenticity often leads to higher engagement as people appreciate seeing the “real” you.
10. Use Trending Hashtags and Audio
Harnessing the power of trending hashtags and audio can increase the visibility of your posts and help attract new followers. Real estate agents can use hashtags relevant to their area or specific property types to reach their target audience. Adding trending audio to Reels or Stories can help boost their reach, as Instagram often promotes posts that use popular sounds. Just ensure that the audio aligns with your content’s tone and message, so it feels cohesive and professional.
Social media engagement doesn’t just happen; it’s built through intentional strategies. By using these strategies, you can create a more interactive experience for your followers, fostering a stronger community and keeping your brand top of mind.
Remember, the key to engagement is to make your followers feel like a part of the conversation. The more they feel involved and valued, the more likely they’ll engage, follow along, and remember you when they or someone they know needs a trusted real estate agent.
More to Explore
Social Media for Real Estate Agents: Some Do’s and Don’ts – Here are the do’s and don’ts to posting your listings on social media.
Supercharge Your Social Media Engagement By Doing This One Thing – Simply creating a social media account and posting generic tips and listings isn’t enough
What Realtors Need to Know about Instagram Right Now – But just because the algorithm doesn’t work for you, it doesn’t mean that you can’t make it work for you.
